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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/37778
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/37778
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

You say it yourself:

> I feel that he's nothing more than a soulless archetype

A soulless archetype is not going to be likeable, whether they are a positive or a negative archetype. So how do you give your character a soul?

- What _does_ your MC care about? You say "himself", but what does it mean? What is it that he enjoys? Does he have any interests? Hobbies?
- How does your MC feel about himself? How does he feel about the world? Disappointment? Anger? Frustration? Acceptance? How does he feel about more idealistic people?
- What are his wishes for the future? More of the same, or a change? What are his expectations for the future, and how do they correlate to his wishes?
- What are the things the character wouldn't stoop to? Does he accept others doing that thing, or is it a complete dealbreaker?
- Given an opportunity to do something good / something bad at no cost or very little cost to himself, would the character do it?
- Are there any actions taken or not taken that the character regrets? Any doubts regarding doing or not doing something in the future?

Get to know your character intimately - their internal conflicts, fears, aspirations, know them better than they know themselves. Then see how you can show those facets of him in your writing.

Original score: 9