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A couple Mondays ago, I asked the question: What makes a character likable?

I got a bunch of responses.

The most popular was vulnerability. A character can be hardened, or cynical, or even rude….so long as the writer gives us a glimpse of something soft, a glimpse of a relatable insecurity. I really resonated with what my friend Holly said:

…you see their awful, socially inept side. But then you get these quiet glimpses into the times when they are alone and you start to see a vulnerable side or something that begins to answer why they are the way they are. That seems to always draw me in and keep me in a state of conflict about how I feel about the character…and that’s what keeps me watching/reading and then thinking about it long after the story is done!

This leads us to the second most popular answer regarding character likability, which was motivation. A character can do pretty much anything and get away with it IF (and this is a huge if) the character has a strong, believable motivation driving his or her behavior.

Here is a list of other “likable” characteristics you came up with in the comment section:
– loyalty
– growth (as opposed to stagnation)
– self-recrimination (Erica Vetsch believes a little regret goes a long way)
– bravery
– gumption
– resilience
– passion
– tenderness toward animals/children
– empathetic
– compassionate
– integrity
– redeemable
– quirky
– stubborn (interesting, since this isn’t actually a positive characteristic)

A couple people commented that liking a character isn’t so much about the character having likable qualities as it is about the character being real and complex. Rebecca doesn’t want her characters predictable. She likes nuanced characters with complicated motivations, because that’s real. Elana Johnson likes real, complex, emotional characters with strong opinions and reasons for these opinions.

The comment I found the most interesting was from Jason Black, who said:

I’m not sure you actually do need likability. It is perfectly possible to create completely compelling characters who are utter bastards. Here’s an analysis of one such character, Dr. House, from the tv show “House.”

He then gave a link to a blog post about exactly this type of character. You can check it out here.

My opinion?

I suppose I’m more concerned about writing memorable characters, than I am about creating likable ones. I’m sort of like my friend Holly. I like to be in conflict about characters. Sometimes I like them. Other times I don’t. But somehow, the writer has me rooting for them regardless. Like Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler. Scarlett is the epitome of selfish and Rhett’s a swine if ever there was one. But man, did I root for those two in Gone with the Wind. And man, did I remember them long after I finished the book. Or Julia in the Mark of the Lion series. Francine Rivers had me simultaneously loving and despising Julia Valerian. She was a character I couldn’t get out of my head.

So maybe the question shouldn’t be what makes a character likable. Maybe it should be: What makes a character memorable?

Questions to Ponder: So what about you? What makes a character memorable? Which fictitious character has stuck with you the longest and why? Is it necessary for you to like a character in order to root for them or keep reading about them?

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Cares:
I’m getting oddly comfortable here in the land of waiting. I suppose it’s because I’m occupying my mind with another story. A stubborn story. And waiting with no answer is better than getting the wrong kind of answer. It could always be worse.

Please pray for my friend, Krista, who is nearing her third trimester and found out some news about her baby girl’s heart.

Concerns:
I have to work tonight until 5:30 to make up for a snow day. Bleck. But this means we’ll still finish up the school year before Memorial Day, so I suppose it’s worth it.

Celebrations:
My mom read Wishing on Willows. I know she’s my mom and she’s biased, but she is so encouraging. She calls me with all this very specific feedback. She’s not content to just say, “I loved it!” Nope. Not Mom. She remembers all my scenes and tells me exactly what she loved. The woman could win a gold medal for encouragement! It makes the waiting easier.

Last night was the first time we put little man to bed without his pacifier and he did great! Went in for his 18 month checkup yesterday and doc recommended cutting him off.

Question to Ponder: What are your cares, concerns, and celebrations today?removetweetmeme

For some reason, I don’t look nearly as adorable when I shove my own foot in my mouth. Please tell me you have these moments. Pretty please? Because I have them all the time and I’d really like to know I’m not alone here.

Last Friday, Rachelle asked the question: Why do so many people want to be published?

Sort of tongue-in-cheek, I answered something like:
Because I love when people read my books and tell me how much they rock. It makes my needy, attention-craving ego purr. Publication will expand that audience

I went on to say I was 90% joking and 10% serious, and the 10% serious side of me really testifies to how messed up I am.

Of course, in typical Katie fashion, I posted it without thinking and later regretted my words. What if somebody took me seriously? People who don’t know me in real life might not realize I’m being facetious. What if I came across as a total schmuck? I mean, I don’t want people to think I’m actually seeking publication just so I can stroke my ego. That’s not even close to true.

Basically, I thought way too long about it, which shows how delusional I am, because nobody probably paid any attention. My husband often calls me out on this, when I’m over-analyzing everything I say or do. He usually says, “Kate, nobody is paying that much attention to you.” Which is oh, so true. But I still can’t help but overthink things.

Especially when I realize what I said or typed isn’t true.

I mean, yes, I do enjoy encouraging calls or emails from people who have read my stories. I am a words-of-affirmation girl, and encouragement and praise fills my love tank.

Yet, it doesn’t stop there. It’s not like I want to be published so people will email me and tell me how wonderful my books are (as awesome as that would be). I’m fully aware that if I do ever get published, I’ll have my fair share of not-so-awesome reviews, which I’ll have to learn to deal with when the time comes.

Getting published runs much deeper than praise and accolades, to a pool of complex motivations that mix and churn and gurgle. I’m quite sure I could never give adequate words to this desire pulsing inside of me. Other than to say that something happens when another person reads my work. It’s like I’m sharing a piece of my heart.

When somebody reads my stuff, and they tell me how the story touched them, or how the story encouraged them in their faith, I feel a special connection with that person. Like I blessed them with a story from my heart and they blessed me right back with their encouragement. When that happens, I always feel equal parts elation and humility.

Elated that this God-given gift has somehow uplifted and entertained another person. Humbled that God would give me this gift to begin with–a gift that fills me with such passion, a gift that I delight in, a gift that draws me nearer to Him.

That’s just one of the many reasons why I’d like to be published. I’d like to connect with more readers.

Question to Ponder: Does anybody have the same problem as me? Does anybody else say things without thinking, and then after the fact, pound your skull because you wish you wouldn’t have said it? Or am I the only one with this affliction?

Join me next Monday, when I dive further into character likability (a post originally scheduled for today, but postponed because of my urgent need to explain foot-in-mouth syndrome)removetweetmeme