tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post2568872120409874013..comments2024-03-29T03:15:59.119-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: How To Avoid the Trap of Creating Unlikable CharactersJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-88763150241060219432021-02-22T09:46:41.426-05:002021-02-22T09:46:41.426-05:00West Bengal Class 10th Time Table 2021(Madhyamik) ...West Bengal Class 10th Time Table 2021(Madhyamik) is made available by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE), The timetable has been released by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Examination (Madhyamik Pariksha) for the year 2021 for <a href="https://www.modelpaper2020.in/wb-madhyamik-10th-model-questions-paper/" rel="nofollow">WBBSE Question Paper 2021</a> WBBSE 10th Model Paper 2021 is released by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education in the pdf form. Students should download the WB Bengal Madhyamik Questions paper 2021 and practice it.WB Madhyamik Model Paper 2021https://www.blogger.com/profile/00939179022058594708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-78546989042888243672014-11-15T04:48:56.611-05:002014-11-15T04:48:56.611-05:00I'm still not enjoying it to its full potentia...I'm still not enjoying it to its full potential. I'll have to sink some money into a good gaming rig, before I can enjoy the best of its graphics <a href="http://moneymakingconference.com/" rel="nofollow">SEO Conference</a><br />jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16338654642592808117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-70286238286997123382014-05-27T10:39:02.585-04:002014-05-27T10:39:02.585-04:00I'm not sure where the author went wrong, but ...I'm not sure where the author went wrong, but I really hope she doesn't make the same mistake again because she really is a fine writer. <a href="http://espressomakerreviews93.webs.com/" rel="nofollow">Espresso Machine Reviews</a><br />jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16338654642592808117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-84522592462934558522014-05-13T09:47:37.077-04:002014-05-13T09:47:37.077-04:00All of the secondary characters outshone the hero ...All of the secondary characters outshone the hero and heroine. Never a good idea. I'm not sure where the author went wrong, but I really hope she doesn't make the same mistake again because she really is a fine writer. <a href="http://www.donurl.com/" rel="nofollow">seo barcelona</a><br />jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16338654642592808117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-71580259485001396712014-05-13T09:42:07.970-04:002014-05-13T09:42:07.970-04:00I am searching such kind of post many days but i c...I am searching such kind of post many days but i can not find.i am happy naw,thanks for sharing this post <a href="http://idahonda.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">idahonda.blogspot.com</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11844679050013951692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-45600111871596454732014-03-13T04:46:10.409-04:002014-03-13T04:46:10.409-04:00One of my all-time favorite villainous and negativ...One of my all-time favorite villainous and negative but still intriguingly pitiable and even likeable characters ever is Benjamin Linus from LOST. The writers and Michael Emerson did a fantastic job of making him so completely complex. <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1bxxye_2014-bubblegum-casting_creation" rel="nofollow">bubblegum casting</a><br />jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16338654642592808117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-39190868679114588322014-02-28T08:04:50.806-05:002014-02-28T08:04:50.806-05:00I look up to them and admire them bubblegum castin...I look up to them and admire them <a href="https://foursquare.com/bgumcasting" rel="nofollow">bubblegum casting</a><br />Usama shaikhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07796547115413533149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-50709433759738963972014-01-28T16:01:47.814-05:002014-01-28T16:01:47.814-05:00Yep, I just finished Julie Klassen's The Danci...Yep, I just finished Julie Klassen's <i>The Dancing Master</i> and pretty much disliked both main characters. Alec was too foppish and afraid of getting himself a little dirty, also he would have been ashamed to perform manual labor to put food on the table, which really intensified my dislike. And the heroine was brutally rude to her mother, something I consider a cardinal sin, always disobeying, always running off, always acting first and thinking later. Everything she did was from a selfish, me-first mindset. She changed, I suppose, at the very end of the book, but like you said, the change came too late. All of the secondary characters outshone the hero and heroine. Never a good idea. I'm not sure where the author went wrong, but I really hope she doesn't make the same mistake again because she really is a fine writer.<br /><br />Great post and some serious food for thought!Carissa (Regency Woman)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16052175780167961631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-42135653303936620132012-06-13T07:32:18.134-04:002012-06-13T07:32:18.134-04:00Hi Alyne!
Yes, writing is definitely subjective. ...Hi Alyne!<br /><br />Yes, writing is definitely subjective. There will always be those who don't like what we write. But I think the key is finding qualified professionals (presumably a paid editor) who can offer objective macro-level feedback about our stories, characters, etc. We can also send our books out to beta readers with questionnaires soliciting their feedback (before publication). Hopefully, in so doing we can receive a better picture of how others are perceiving our writing. It's just too hard for us as writers to have a clear picture because we're too enmeshed in the story. Hope that helps!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-798916029255502032012-06-12T13:43:24.213-04:002012-06-12T13:43:24.213-04:00Thanks for this. Its very insightful and helpful.
...Thanks for this. Its very insightful and helpful.<br />It has been frustrating to have a novel rejected because the editor did not "deeply care" about the protagonist, then to have others call her "engaging and funny" and then have one reviewer describe characters as "vivid little gems" and another say about the same story that, by the end, she didn't care about them at all.<br /><br />I am fairly new to having my work out there and find I attract extremes. I write gothic fantasy and paranormals. Sometimes I am concentrating more on the plot or situation and even the mood than I am on the qualities of the characters. I give them the traits that will enmesh them in the weirdness of the story which always involves vulnerability at some level.Ambiguity is also a quality that I love. <br />Europeans and Americans of an older generation seem to have a taste for this, but I'm afraid TV has tipped the scales towards the obvious and characters that are "just like us". Whatever that means.<br />Ultimately I feel readers come to stories with preconceived notions and do not pay attention to genre specifications. Gothic mystery and fantasy, though very old genres, seem to be very misunderstood in the US. <br />Anyway, It tough when as an author you love your characters and you get people who don't. How do you judge it?<br />Cheers,<br />Alyne de WinterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-18649480034600144762011-05-31T22:21:41.561-04:002011-05-31T22:21:41.561-04:00Love Michelle T's comment about Wuthering Heig...Love Michelle T's comment about Wuthering Heights because I'm hard pressed to find any likable characters in that story, yet I loved it. The passion in the situations is what captivated me. The characters stayed true to their rotten selfish selves so I stayed on the ride.Leslie S. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17122865337924270039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-53147778665229061222011-05-31T22:17:02.702-04:002011-05-31T22:17:02.702-04:00This is something I struggle with! I do think my ...This is something I struggle with! I do think my MC starts to sound a little whiny, and I've had to tone that down. I'm still deep in revisions on that book, so thankfully only my critique partners have seen it!Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-59820737366392274382011-05-31T21:04:22.291-04:002011-05-31T21:04:22.291-04:00You've summed this up very well. I remember re...You've summed this up very well. I remember reading Wuthering Heights in college, and I really hated that story - because of the unlikable character, Heathcliff. I kept hoping, searching, wanting some (ANY) redeeming quality in him.MTeacresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00381461599028233499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-8402058334695518562011-05-31T15:45:09.226-04:002011-05-31T15:45:09.226-04:00Very solid perspective. I've read characters t...Very solid perspective. I've read characters that ranged from dull to unrealistic flaws that just irritated me. Sure I remember the characters but there was no balance and sadly I wouldn't read a story with these characters again. <br />The best method of creating balance I've found is just treating them like real people. Start with their psychology, create a real persona. Once you've created a legitimate psychological persona then you'll understand their motivations, hopes and actions. As a real person they are naturally balanced. Their psychology will determine how they slide on the protagonist-antogonist scale.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01046515540256155412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-91367392592340513572011-05-30T03:08:40.570-04:002011-05-30T03:08:40.570-04:00Thank you for this post. This is something I have ...Thank you for this post. This is something I have been struggling with in my novel. I wanted my main character tough but with a sensitive side. But he is just coming across sounding like a wimp. I don`t even like him. I am currently rebuilding this character.ThanksC Annisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06456032631866525647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-48105644801143027072011-05-29T20:10:02.049-04:002011-05-29T20:10:02.049-04:00I tend to make my heroine a bit too snippy in the ...I tend to make my heroine a bit too snippy in the beginning. Instead of coming across as feisty, she starts to sound shrewish. I have to sand her a little around the edges. Another thing I need to keep reminding myself about is that characters must act and be purposeful, not react and be passive. Another great post, Jody.Leigh D'Anseyhttp://www.leighdansey.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-40350311949111601092011-05-29T02:08:01.256-04:002011-05-29T02:08:01.256-04:00When I received editorial feedback on my first nov...When I received editorial feedback on my first novel I was dismayed to hear the MC wasn't likable because she came across as too much of a victim. A lot of things happened to her, but instead of it making her sympathetic, it made her weak and wimpy -- not a character readers would relate to. She had to have a stronger personality and react with more courage. That was a big learning experience for me and I hope I've been doing a better job in subsequent stories.Carol J. Garvinhttp://careann.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-38915865553447998442011-05-28T20:52:13.140-04:002011-05-28T20:52:13.140-04:00Thanks for all of the discussion, everyone! I'...Thanks for all of the discussion, everyone! I've sure appreciated hearing everyone's thoughts on this topic!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-72341199659064408452011-05-28T18:59:32.396-04:002011-05-28T18:59:32.396-04:00I know I'm chiming in late on this post, but o...I know I'm chiming in late on this post, but oh, do I agree. Making characters likable seems to be the antithesis of creating tension and making your characters larger than life. How to find the balance? I don't know. <br /><br />I revised the opening chapter to the manuscript I just finished about 14 times before I had the heroine likable yet strong and the dramatic tension right. It was a lot of work. And I thought about throwing my computer against the wall (an unlikable action) several times throughout the process. BUT the hard work did pay off. I finaled in four competitions and garnered some agent and editor interest. I don't have some magic formula for getting the balance right. I just rewrite until the chapter works the way I want it to, and I rely heavily on my crit partners for that type of feedback. <br /><br />IMHO, the opening chapter is where you have to get the readers rooting for your characters. Even if your characters make unwise choices later on, I think your readers will be understanding if they're already rooting for your characters.Naomi Rawlingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02431203734855694561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-84194540954463828432011-05-27T22:30:01.044-04:002011-05-27T22:30:01.044-04:00This is such a crucial part of our writing and one...This is such a crucial part of our writing and one that I've always had a personal issue with. It's why I couldn't watch the Sopranos - I didn't like the characters. Why would I want to spend time with them week in and week out if I didn't like them? And the same holds for a novel. We can be the best writers ever, but if our characters are not likeable, who's going to want to hang in there for 400 pages? This is also where critique readers can be worth their weight in gold because they'll see the book differently than we do. It can be a fine line to walk, but good writers usually manage to pull it off beautifully.Jen J. Dannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00817943866838270699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-74913270036662503602011-05-27T21:39:24.975-04:002011-05-27T21:39:24.975-04:00I have trouble making my heroines likeable. Howeve...I have trouble making my heroines likeable. However, I usually do better with my heroes. Wonder if that's a guy thing.Walt Mussellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07252729944233200374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-14933827642691906512011-05-27T19:27:34.306-04:002011-05-27T19:27:34.306-04:00I just love your posts, Jody. I am working on this...I just love your posts, Jody. I am working on this very thing right now with my MC. I am looking for little ways to make him more likable in the beginning before his redemption comes. That's tough because of the angst involved in the first Act of my book but I know it's possible. Thanks for another great article!Michelle Massarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12841001797112425917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-71960472526004134722011-05-27T16:56:51.692-04:002011-05-27T16:56:51.692-04:00Good post as usual. In my novel, I had the hero do...Good post as usual. In my novel, I had the hero do something unthinkable that could have wrecked his chances to be a hero. And I had an antagonist that I had to make likable. That was a tricky tightrope to walk. <br />It helped to get feedback from others in my crit group, as well as from agent during the revision stage. Rewrites saves the day again!Beth K. Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04032849469366266791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-60322041970082170652011-05-27T16:03:40.718-04:002011-05-27T16:03:40.718-04:00Interesting post :)
Characters do not have to be ...Interesting post :)<br /><br />Characters do not have to be likable in order for the readers to connect and relate to them. Half the world is full of people who are not likable or they feel they are not. So, this half should be taken into consideration. <br /><br />Additionally, if a book is full of likable characters, then there is no point to read it. There is no balance to that > evil balancing the good, yin and yang, etc. Plus, it would be boring and surreal.<br />Readers connect and relate to issues close to reality, regarding character traits and as I mention above, reality includes not likable people. <br /><br />Even in paranormal genre, where different species are involved, characters carry human traits and many of them can not be likable. However, readers identify themselves with those characters.<br /><br />So, even if a character is not likable, proper set up and traits will make the reader identify with that character.<br /><br />Take "Pride and Prejudice" for example. Darcy is not at all likable, as he is presented. However, I'm pretty sure most readers prefer him, from the beginning, over Bingley. :)<br /><br />Hate is a powerful emotion and there are many books where the MC is hated, but the readers can't put the book down.<br /><br />Thus, the trick is not to make the characters likable or unlikable, but to make them so that readers will identify themselves with the characters, connect and relate to them. <br /><br />Thank you for the thought-provoking post.Jacqvernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17010653576746198205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-92216766628480785112011-05-27T15:06:55.040-04:002011-05-27T15:06:55.040-04:00Oh boy, Jody, you hit on one of my trouble spots t...Oh boy, Jody, you hit on one of my trouble spots today. Camy Tang critiqued my work a while back and recommended the book Writing for Emotional Impact by Karl Iglesias. There's an entire chapter devoted to character likeability and specific techniques a writer can use. It was a huge help! I still have lots of work to do on this area, but I'll get there. :)Sarah Forgravehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09101753891967001104noreply@blogger.com