I recently finished reading a novel that wasn't terrible, but I never really got into it because I just didn't care about any of the characters. Not one.
If you want readers to become invested in your writing, they must become invested in your characters. I'm not suggesting that all your characters need to be charming, or even particularly nice, and I'm certainly not suggesting that you can't have villains. But there has to be something in at least one of your characters that your fans want to root for. Otherwise, what's the point? This is just my opinion as a reader, of course. But I'm also a bestselling author, and the countless e-mails I've received from loyal fans telling me how much they care about the protagonist of my novels proves I'm on to something. And believe me, my heroine is far from perfect.
Give your readers characters worth caring about!
In the book I just finished reading, every character - save for a fringe one who was only 10 years old - was extremely unlikable. The two main characters in particular were dreadful. From the first page of the book, I didn't like them. I kept reading, thinking maybe one of them would demonstrate a side of their personality that would change my mind, prove me wrong, or perhaps offer a clue from their past to explain their present behavior. But that never happened. Instead, they kept annoying me, and I didn't like them the entire way through the novel. Then at the end, when they were both murdered, I just didn't care.
Characters flaws make for great characters. However, great characters also use their flaws to draw in readers.
-Maria
Maria Murnane is the best-selling author of the romantic comedies Perfect on Paper, It's a Waverly Life, and Honey on Your Mind. She also provides consulting services on book publishing and marketing. Learn more at www.mariamurnane.com.
This blog post originally appeared on CreateSpace.com. Reprinted with permission. © 2013 CreateSpace, a DBA of On-Demand Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.
Comment
Comment by olga on March 15, 2013 at 9:31pm Hi
Right you are. As writers we need to create a connection with the reader from page one. If the reader doesn't care for the character they won't read on. How to create empathy is not as easy as it sounds. I still don't know if I've nailed it yet.
Olga
Comment by Karyne Corum on March 13, 2013 at 11:11am I'll second that opinion, Maria. I've actually thrown a book out a window before because the characters were just so annoying and incredibly unlikable. I'd offer up that a good way to know if your characters have what it takes to be plot worthy. Ask yourself, would I choose this person as a friend? Envy them their incredible good fortune or good looks? Relish in hating them(for villians of course). If as an author you don't get worked up, either in a good way or bad, about the characters, chances are your readers won't either.
Comment by RYCJ on March 12, 2013 at 9:17pm So so so true. If I'm not feeling a story... getting stuck or bored with it, I know right away what the problem is. When I love my characters, they love me back.
Comment by Patricia A. McGoldrick on March 12, 2013 at 8:33pm Maria, so glad you have posted on this topic about characters. As a reader or viewer, I find that unless a character evokes some response from me, I lose interest in the story. Great post!
Comment by Lucinda Sage-Midgorden on March 12, 2013 at 8:10pm I'm taking your post to heart. My problem is, I tend to make my main characters too perfect. That's just as boring as characters with no redeeming qualities. As a reader, I stop reading books that don't speak to me. I know I can learn from bad writing just as much as good, but I prefer to spend my time with a book that thoroughly captivates me. Thanks.
Comment by Daphne Q on March 12, 2013 at 6:55pm So true, Maria... good books aren't built on story lines, they're built on characters.
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