I can't figure out what's going on here. I thought I was supposed to love the heroines in my stories. This one is really unlikeable and I can't change her. Every time I try, she comes across as... wrong. Her being nice is all wrong. At least it is for now. The story isn't finished yet, so I'm hoping she'll become a better person.
The hero is totally in love with her. In her own warped way, she loves him too, and she's been throwing hints at him not to become too involved with her, but he won't listen. I haven't quite figured him out.
Last year, at the RWA conference, one of the talks was led by an author who says she wrote an unlikeable heroine. But she writes young adult and the heroine was in high school. I don't find that so unbelievable. A that a lot of high school students these days are totally obnoxious. I'm writing a grown woman.
Right now, I'm going to do what I normally do. Let the characters write themselves and see what happens. I can't lie, it's interesting writing someone like her. I just hope she doesn't stay this way.
Have you ever liked a story, but didn't like the main character? I can't think of one.
This is way interesting--it'll be even more interesting to see you you write her out of that particular maze! And a challenge, because she has to get likable before the reader gives up on her. Good luck with this, Shawn!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz. I'm going to need it.
DeleteThe only adult novel that I've ever written was told from three viewpoints--and none of them were "good" people. They were essentially anti-heroes--two ended up killing someone. And you actually rooted for one of the murderers.Or at least that was my intention.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! Follow your characters.
I would have liked to have seen that one , Margie. It sounds interesting.
DeleteYes, actually, I have. In my book, Promise Me Eden, Eden is completely unlikable. She suffered a stillbirth and is in so much pain she pushes everyone away. I got more comments on how much ppl don't like her than did. But by the end of the book she's a lot better and warmer.
ReplyDeleteDid you enjoy writing her? And how long did it take before you let readers in on why she was pushing everyone away?
DeleteI think you're on the right track, Shawn, just keep writing it and see what happens. I love redemption stories!! Usually when I writing a character I don't like, it's because I haven't gotten to the heart of her yet. Sometimes I can't get to the heart until after that first draft...but once I know why she is the way she is, its easier to help her find that redemptive storyline. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI know why she is the way she is. It just hasn't come up in the story yet.
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