Love this! My most recent protag started out an a-hole, but I thought she was just sassy. Nope. A-hole. When one of my critique partners said, "I don't know who gets killed in this book yet, but I'm hoping it's your MC," I knew I had to rework her.
I get what you’re saying, but most of them don’t or can’t change. Do you watch shows like the Sopranos or Mad Men?
I also think of Hank in Californication, he was his own worst enemy, we always rooted for him to change, get back with Karen, start writing again. He had moments, but he always screwed it up.
I wish I could debate this with you, Sebastian, but I've never read Dark Tower. I think unless Roland is being compelled by a force he cannot control, then he has some agency. But, you tell me the NIN song tells me who he is. Depending on what you think that song is about, Roland sounds either broken and thinks it doesn't matter what he does, he hurts people anyway, so he might as well get some answers...
Great advice. The line between interesting and insufferable is thin, but it should be distinct and (probably) heart-shaped.
Love this! My most recent protag started out an a-hole, but I thought she was just sassy. Nope. A-hole. When one of my critique partners said, "I don't know who gets killed in this book yet, but I'm hoping it's your MC," I knew I had to rework her.
I gave her some insecure interiority so she was more relatable…the girl wearing the mask expected of her but secretly hating that version of herself.
Nice!
Exactly, Adele! I’ve said that a few times myself 😆 How did you fix her?
Great article. I’ll give the antihero a chance. But if I don’t see a gradual change by a certain page or act in a movie I turn off.
I get what you’re saying, but most of them don’t or can’t change. Do you watch shows like the Sopranos or Mad Men?
I also think of Hank in Californication, he was his own worst enemy, we always rooted for him to change, get back with Karen, start writing again. He had moments, but he always screwed it up.
Yes! Giving the antihero a relatable flaw or any humanistic flaw helps. Great point.
Excellent. "Would a reader root for them on some level"? Exactly
I wish I could debate this with you, Sebastian, but I've never read Dark Tower. I think unless Roland is being compelled by a force he cannot control, then he has some agency. But, you tell me the NIN song tells me who he is. Depending on what you think that song is about, Roland sounds either broken and thinks it doesn't matter what he does, he hurts people anyway, so he might as well get some answers...
That definitely fits the song.