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?
A character has to be really bad, and unrealistic to put me off reading. Usually once I start a book I have to finish it.
So I guess I should talk about memorable-ness. Characters that draw me in whether in romance or other genres are those I think are most real. Like, there could actually be someone like this.
Characters that stick are often those who were a little complicated, had something to be admired as well as some vulnerability.
I remember the hero from Wendy Warren’s book, Making Babies (SSE, 2004 or 05). Aside from everything he was—great job (lawyer), money (enough to buy the heroine’s apartment building so she wouldn’t become homeless), good-looking etc—he was the kind of guy who made me feel like, I wish this were a real guy. There was this one scene that sold me on him. (I didn’t even like the name Mitch before I read that book, and for the life of me I can't remember the heroine's name)
Did I talk a mile a minute and say nothing at all, or did I contribute something constructive to your post? Cos right now, all I’m thinking is, “Mitch Ryder, where art thou?” (sighs).
Empi
Hi Jill –
A character must be likable for me to stick with them. It doesn't mean they're perfect. In real life even likable people do some not-so-nice things.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
I don't have to like a character to keep reading; however if a character is too 'whiney,' I tend to stop reading. Hagar in The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence is a crusty sort – very memorable for me.
I love different characters. Strong female characters who are doing something out of the ordinary or something a girl wouldn't normally do. LOVE THAT!
Very interesting post. Vulnerability certainly makes you like a character, as does showing any unexpected side of them. For instance, when celebrities have to learn to do something a bit scary, such as dance on ice (well I'd find that scary!). The more at odds with the superficial appearance, the better.
But I don't think a character in a novel necessarily has to be likable. What they do have to be is intersting. I've just read Revolutionary Road and the characters are fascinating – multi-flawed, so disappointed with themselves, and about to come unravelled. I couldn't put it down.
Well, now that you point the two out, I think I'd go with memorable characters, too. What a bonus, though, if one is likable, too. 🙂
Ahhh, my beloved House. 🙂 I disagree that he's an "utter b-word" though. *grin*
I think memorability comes from strong personalities. When a certain part of a character's personality really stands out, then I remember them. Or if they have a funny quirk, that helps too. 🙂
I'd have difficulty isolating a single trait. I like characters who are complex because that's how I see most real life people. I like them to have a combination of several of those traits you've listed.
P.S. I don't like Dr. House. I don't find him believable. I can't imagine any hospital would tolerate an openly drug-abusing, rule-breaking, verbally-abusive doctor on their staff, regardless of his occasional hints of humour. I stopped watching the program a long time ago.
Well, I think likability depends on the genre. Few romances will get published that don't feature relatable characters, but many literary books with queasy characters are published. Just depends.
Jane Eyre as a character (not a book) has never left my thoughts and is very close when I'm developing my heroines. Her tenacity in darkness is thrilling and the depth of layers surrounding her character makes me want to turn my heroine in a quadruple layer cake and then add a few extra layers for good measure!!
Interesting!!
There was one character who is memorable to me and that is Honey in Honey Moonn by Susan elizabeth Phillips. She was really a brat but you knew deep down inside she was hurting and searching. I can't say I really "liked" her but I think I understood her and wanted her to "win" in the end because she did have a good heart underneath all that exterior toughness.
I like them flawed and for the author to create in me the desire to root for them.
I loved reading everyone else's thoughts about this! It just shows how diverse we all are in what keeps us reading. For me, likeableness is very important. I need to be able to find something redeemable about my characters, some way that they grow throughout the book. I think it gives me hope that I too can change and grow!
I agree memorable is more important than likable. In order to create a memorable character you need to psychologically connect the reader to the MC. You need to invent a scenerio or situation the reader can identify with and have the MC move toward overcoming. Some general things we all can relate to are loss, betrayal, regret–that one is for you, Erica, dissatisfaction, being bullied…the list goes on. But start there and the opportunities open wide once you've established that initial connection.
Still thinking of Minny from The Help.
~ Wendy
I love the Mark of the Lion Series. I wish Francine would get back to writing her historical fiction/romances like she did in her early days. I've almost completely lost interest in her writing because she started focusing on issues too much.
Fabulous post!!!
Memorable as opposed to just likeable is a great point and one I haven't really pondered.
Scarlett O'Hara–memorable. She learned that true love meant more to her even than Tara–only too late. The Civil War hammered her brash, flirtiness into bold courage to help the wounded and keep things going in her slice of the South.
I have to say I need a character to be likeable to want to keep reading about them. Even House is likeable because we've seen his humor and his humaness (is that a word) a few times. When that happens, I want to keep watching and hoping more of his likeability develops.