I’m taking Camy Tang’s characterization class right now. I figured, for $30, it would be a great way to get to know this new character I’m trying to flesh out. It’s been super helpful so far.
Her last lesson was about character likability.
As I worked through this lesson, a pattern emerged. Because I write romance, I have two main characters, the hero and the heroine. I realized that I usually write novels with one character who is very likable and the other who’s more difficult to like. This character might be interesting, but not so much likable. At least not in the beginning. In the beginning, this character tends to be a little (or a lot) hardened.
See, I have no problem writing flawed characters. Maybe that’s because I don’t like reading books where the character is June Cleaver. I like my characters flawed. Wounded. Hurt. And acting in destructive ways because of this wound.
That’s what I have with my character, Ivy. She’s definitely wounded. And she’s definitely acting destructively because of this wound.
But on the flip side, there has to be something likable about her. It’s not enough that she’s a fighter/survivor, which is admirable. I need something that is actually likable. I’m working on choosing a characteristic that is likable enough, but still true to her character.
So I have a lot of questions for you today, and I’d really love to read your thoughts on the matter. These questions are for writers and readers. Especially readers. So please chime in, whichever you are.
Questions to Ponder: As a reader, what makes you root for a particular character throughout a story? What makes a character “likable” to you? What specific qualities do you admire in a character? As a writer, how do you go about ensuring you have both a flawed and likable character?
I plan to take a Camy Tang course in the near future. Glad to hear you are finding it helpful!
When reading, I draw to characters that are flawed, a bit quirky, maybe even secretive because they are wearing a mask to the real world but, at the same time, exposing their real selves through reactions. In short, I like complicated characters that I can relate to, sympathize with, and cheer on in their conquest.
This is such a hard thing. For me, if I don't like a character and can't sympathize with them, I'll stop reading. So I get this.
For me, I want the person to be real. Complex. Emotional. Trying. I don't like useless, pathetic people who make bad choices and then want rewards. Or characters who whine all the time, but don't do anything to help themselves or others around them. I like characters to have opinions and reasons for them.
And I so need to sign up for this class.
My first character flunked this test a la Camy! The funny thing was, my 80-year-old aunt had told me the same thing!!!XXX
Hmmm. I love brave characters, stubborn characters, passionate characters and have tried to improve this quality in each novel.
Blessings,
Patti
I think what makes a character likable is being able to understand or relate to the character. In this case, it would probably be understanding the wound. Best of luck with Ivy.
I think people are drawn to characters who are much like themselves, which means they all have a crowd inside their hearts. There's the person who wants to stray from the good, the person who wants to cling to the good, and the person who has to choose which way to go. You write honestly, Katie. I think as long as you do that, you won't have any problems at all.
Probably vulnerability, or just plain sensitivity. And heart. Those can sometimes be hard to come by, but I think it makes characters most relatable. You want to see those characteristics trump the rest!
Oh, I can relate to this one. I write romance and BOTH hero and heroine have to be likable (I tend to write one extremely flawed, also.). I'm working very hard at making both likable.
The qualities I admire are compassion and integrity. I also like characters who struggle to do the right thing, or who feel guilty and want to change.
For me, it has to be subtle. I hate when the character doesn't trust men because she had her heartbroken or something like that and the cause and effect line is just so clear – too clear. I like a little mysteries in my flaws and a lot of nuance.
Two seeming opposite things endear me to a character. The first, is that we have something in common. The second, is they have a character trait that I admire but don't feel I have. I think one way to portray a character that needs to grow (I'm thinking of my own work here) is to show her insecurities, but also give her a scene where she really shines and is confident, because it's her "thing." Fun question. Write on!
Even if they use destructive and/or criminal means to achieve their goals, I always root for the character that, whether they know it or not, has a compassionate heart. If a mother steals from her boss to feed her children, that doesn't offer her a valid excuse, but it does allow me to empathize with her. On the other end, if a character was stealing for petty revenge or torturing puppies because "it's fun", nothing will make me like them. It's a very fine line.
But Jason made a good point also – Dr. Gregory House is very unlikeable, and yet I can watch the show and enjoy his character. I suppose what helps me like an unlikeable character is a mixture of the skills of the writer and the circumstances that made them that way. Again, if I can't empathize at all, there's no hope for him.
But in general, I root for characters who are able to laugh at themselves and have a good sense of humor. Life is hard enough; we all need a chuckle now and then.
Hi Katie –
I don't like manipulative or controlling personalities. Conversely, I don't like the proverbial doormat character.
It's okay for a MC to have confidence and even be aggressive, as long as she has a soft side. I don't like the traits to come from a hardened heart.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
This is SO difficult for me! I feel like everyone is different, readers that is.
My first book features a heroine is afraid of her own shadow. I've had comments about how annoying it is, but I've also had comments of "OH MY GOSH! This is EXACTLY how I am!" I don't want her to be so afraid that she's annoying… but it's her quirk and I try to come at it from a humorous perspective.
I think the one thing I can't take in a character is a catty, annoying heroine. The "I'm better than everyone else" kinda girl. I'd MUCH rather read about a weak-woman who gets stronger, than a self-absorbed one.
Vulnerable to the point too where they might actually show some empathy for someone else. I want to be able to say, Ahhh, he isn't so bad–look how he acted then.
I absolutely want my characters flawed (whether I read them or write them). But there HAS to be some forward progress made!
I was an original die-hard fan of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, as well as TV's Lorelai Gilmore…but year after year those women continued to make the same mistakes, have the same indecision, etc. I finally gave up 🙁 While the Gilmore Girls are gone, I'm still hoping that Ms. Plum will eventually grow up!
I just finished Fallen, and all I could think about as I read your post, and again as I try to think of a comment, is Penn. I LOVED her character. I think it was her total and unconditional loyalty to Luce – she was such a great friend, even without much reason to be.
I'm not sure you actually do need likeability. 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."
http://bit.ly/9kcB7w
Who is June Cleaver? Just kidding.
I like real, raw, but lovable characters. With flaws, but redeemable. Like myself.
So glad you're taking Camy's class. She is awesome.
My main character's name is Ivy too! Love that name. 🙂
This is something Camy pointed out to me after critiquing one of my manuscripts. Of course, I love all my characters, but I didn't realize not everyone else knows what I do at the beginning of the book. She recommended I read Writing for Emotional Impact by Karl Iglesias. There's a chapter that literally has a huge list of things that you can use to make your character likeable from the beginning of the story. I highly recommend it!
I'm battling with making my MC more likable too. I think during my second edit I'm going to read with critical eyes and try and fix this. My character has major flaws, BUT I need my reader to connect with her anyway.
I worked on this a bit with my last finished novel–not even realizing in the beginning that I needed to make readers more sympathetic to my main character. I had to work on internal dialogue a lot and showing that even though she wants to prove she's tough and shows it on the outside, on the inside she really struggles like everyone else. I also had to make her more generous with the other characters, to show she really did have a heart underneath it all.
I really like characters I can root for, that do something small (whether by something they say or by an action) that shows me they're growing as a person. And I like to see just a little vulnerability.
Like Julie, it's about the motivation, and a little bit of regret goes a long ways for me…the character knowing he/she is acting unreasonably and feeling badly about it. Self-recrimination is so relatable.
Hmmm. I think for me, it's all about the motivation of the character. They can act however they want as long as I know what motivation they have for being who they are.
Not sure if this is helpful at all, but Joel and I have watched some movies where the main character is someone we hate/love/feel bad for all at the same time. Usually he/she is a person who when around others, 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!
For me, it's motive. If the character is acting off of a deep-set motivation that is essentially understandable (if not likable), then they can be forgiven for misbehaving on the page. (i.e. a gruff hero lashes out at those around him, but he is motivated by the premature death of his first wife … etc.) The motivation can, therefore, offer a sort of pardon. In fact, this often makes it more interesting for the reader, as they try and figure out what the character is motivated by.
I had the problem of my hero coming across too negative in The Preacher's Bride. So part of my rewrites involved bringing out him acting more tenderly. It can be small things, a caress on his child's head, a small gift, whatever we can do to show our characters acting in a heroic way early on. I think it builds empathy. So in my current project I devised a scene in the first chapter to have both my MC's acting kindly in a small way.
I'm confident you'll do just fine!! And how cool to be taking Camy's class! You'll have to share more about what you're learning!
That's a tough question, but I think the answer lies in how real the character becomes. As soon as a I start to feel something for a character – meaning I'm buying into them – unless they are mean, I start to like them.
I'm currently reading a book right now that I was one page a way from putting down because the MC was such a brat for the first ten pages. I didn't like her. I think part of the reason I didn't want to put up with her brattiness is because the author didn't give me any reason for her to be bratty. She just seemed spoiled. If I would have learned first about what made her that way, I would have given her more leeway.
I think it's not enough to say the underdog or unfairly imprisoned characters that I love. I have to connect to the character and that comes down to the writing.
I think showing an unlikeable character in a vulnerable position that garners compassion from the reader, and revealing parts of that character that no one else knows but the reader helps in the likeability.
I always find this question so difficult. Characteres who are flawed and self-destructive, but show a great deal of care about others are likeable to me. And I always like to see vulnerablity in my characters.
I love this question and it's something I think about a lot. (Oh, and btw…I knew my Fri. question would be difficult for you. 😉
I like Minny right now in The Help, her gumption, her rich personality. I tend to like resilience in characters, strong personality traits, strength in and of itself. I like characters that emotionally grow and change. I like the unexpected.
Man, you know this list could go on and on.
Last one, I like when you get a glimpse of what the adult character might have been like as a child.
~ Wendy
I was thinking about this same thing the other day. It's hard to say.
But I think what makes a character likeable to me is maybe a sense of humor. Also if the character is selfish or destructive then shows a kind side to someone (even if very small) I'm usually sold. 🙂
Eeek! LOL I have the SAME problem. I think maybe in my fourth story my characters might be more likable…not sure. But yeah, I usually have one that's not and I have to go back and soften them without diluting their flaws, etc.
Have you thought about giving Ivy a pet? *grin* Maybe something unique, like a chinchilla or something. LOL Nothing makes a character more likable than tenderness toward animals or kids, imo. Love the name Ivy, btw. That was the heroine in my very first book. 🙂 (my very first, plotless, unfinished book, lol)
Have a wonderful day at school, Katie!
Tabitha – welcome back, girl!!! I missed ya!
Sherrinda – YAY! that is my heroine's underlying desire. She wants to badly to matter (to be cherished and loved)….but at the same time, she wishes she didn't feel this way. So she's constantly battling herself.
Good question. I think vulnerability is a draw for me. They may be hardened, but if I can see their desire to be liked/loved, it makes my heart melt for them. Everyone wants to be desired, don't you think?
I look forward to reading everyone's answers today!
Hey Katie. I am back and glad to be visiting your blog again.
I always root for the underdog with fight. The character that wins against all odds. I love them. 🙂 If they have attitude, mores the better 🙂