People seem to need a likable protagonist more than ever.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
People always want to identify a writer with their protagonist.
There's such an emphasis on having a character be likable. I don't think it would be helpful if I worried about that. I mean, not everyone's likable.
I'm a sucker for a screwed-up protagonist. We all have issues.
You know, we have to take these characters - who, granted, have their separate personalities but, on a lot of levels, are pretty two-dimensional - and make them into people with flaws, with insecurities.
I think that ultimately any effective drama or tragedy tries to put you as much as it can into the protagonist's shoes.
You'll work hard to create characters that are compelling and unforgettable. But in the end, it's the story that matters.
Everyone loves characters that are relatable or who have unique quirks or tragic flaws.
It's never been a priority for me to concentrate on the likability of the character.
Any fiction writer who assumes that a character is typical no doubt runs the risk of stumbling into cliche and stereotype.
I don't worry about whether a character is likable, as long as the character is believable.