Help! I’m living with someone I hate, and no-one else likes them either
This week’s clinic is on characters – and more specifically – how to make them the right blend of believable, likable, and entertaining.
When starting to write, a lot of authors fall into the trap of the Perfect Protagonist. They like the idea of a person who is better than them, slimmer (often), smarter, more beautiful – and whose talents make the plot easy to work. The trouble is as readers, we slightly hate characters like that. The other danger is that your villains become the heros of the piece, which may not be your intention. If that happens, you’re in good company, it’s universally recognised that Milton’s Devil was his best bit of writing.
So if your character needs to be a bit more – well – real than perfect, what about if they start becoming unpleasant? You’ll often hear editors telling writers that they need to make their characters people the reader can connect with – but does that mean the reader needs to like them?
The short answer is no, examples of not-so-nice characters that make the grade would include the narrator of LOLITA, but what is vital is that the reader is interested in the character. Lovely, lustful, louche – just don’t let your main character be dull.
How are you getting on with your main characters? Character clinic is open – ask any questions and we’ll see if we can help!
February 14, 2012
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