Writing The Zodiac: How to Write a Leo Character

My first glimpse of the Sun was my father:

From the portal of creation, I flew

Into the arms of a Lion.

How long do you think he waited

Until he told me my first joke?

I’m meant to spend this lifetime with Leos. I’m not sure why—only that the universe keeps putting them in my path, from my father to my first best friend to my dance students to my soulmate. Where others find them grandiose or self-centered, I think Leos are inspiring, exciting, and powerfully compassionate. Yes, they want to see themselves win, but it’s bigger than that. Leos want ALL of us to win. 

Writing a Leo character

Leos don’t just want applause for themselves. They want it for the whole room, the team—for the collective fire we can light together.

When you're writing a Leo character, start here: What stage are they on? 

Because not every Leo needs to be an actor or performer, but every Leo needs an audience, even if it's just one person who really sees them. They want to matter, to impress, and to feel adored for exactly who they are.

A Leo at their best is the Sun in human form: generous, radiant, and warm to be around. They light up a scene the moment they enter it, and they often become the natural leader: not because they ask for it, but because their magnetism makes it really hard to look away.

But as with any other sign as inspiration, writing a Leo character well means you also have to write their shadows. 

What happens when the applause fades? 

What happens when their need to be seen becomes a wound instead of a gift? 

What happens when their loyalty becomes possessiveness? 

What happens when pride keeps them from saying “I'm sorry”?

Your Leo character needs a heart big enough to hold kingdoms, while also harboring a secret fear that no one will stick around to rule beside them.

Building the Leo Arc

Leos are often born into roles of responsibility. They are the oldest siblings, the team captains, or the caretakers of their friend groups. So when you’re bringing one to life, consider: Who gave them the crown? Did they choose it? Did they earn it? Or did someone place it on their head before they understood its weight?

A Leo character often grapples with the tension between performance and authenticity. They want to be loved, but they also need to be known. So while they might show up loud and dazzling in Act I, their arc might involve shedding the costume, proving that they’re worthy of love even without the spotlight.

Let them be your most theatrical character. Let them throw tantrums. Let them grand-gesture their affection or spiral when someone else gets chosen first. A Leo doesn’t tend to “do” subtle. But if you want to write one well, learn to read what’s underneath the glitter:

• Their loud laugh might be covering a fear of being boring.

• Their generosity might come from a place of, “Please don’t leave me.”

• Their pride might be armor they’ve worn since childhood, when vulnerability was punished.

Let them crash, burn, and rise again. No one starts fresh like a Leo. And when they do, don’t just show them becoming confident again. Show them becoming soft. 

That’s the true Leo glow-up: not just believing in their greatness, but learning to sit in stillness and be loved without earning it.

Two Lions I Love

My dad is the first Leo I ever knew. He used to walk into every room like it was a movie set. He had the biggest energy, the best story. If you needed cheering up, he’d tell joke after bad joke just to see you smile. He taught me that leadership doesn’t always look like command. It can also look like loyalty, playfulness, and steady pride in the people you love.

My husband’s fire burns slow, steady, and soulful. His love is devotional and protective. Every time he says, “I got you,” he follows it up by showing me. He leads with presence, integrity, and a warmth that refuses to let you feel small.

If you’re writing a Leo character, remember: not all fire needs to roar. Some of it just shines.