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Writerly Ways
Jul. 27th, 2025 09:21 pmI'm wondering what makes you keep reading a book if you don't like the protagonist because they're obnoxious (question brought to you by my aunt acting out yesterday and embarrassing everyone because she IS the definition of a Karen. Glad I missed it).
I'm sure the answer to this is 'it depends' but I'm curious as to what makes you look past a protagonist you don't like for me it's either the plot is cool or the supporting characters are interesting. Case in point Fruits Basket I could not stand that Mary Sue of a protagonist Tohru Honda (shocked that I still remember her name) but the members of the Zodiac and Cat were intriguing enough for me to read on.
How do you handle writing a character that people will probably not like?
OPEN CALL
Merganser Magazine Work that transcends disciplines and genres
Samjoko Magazine Fall 2025 Window Any genre of fiction
Deadly Duos: Funfair Funfair (carnivals, travelling fayres, amusement parks, and all adjacent topics)
Augur is open to Novelettes and Novellas Speculative literature with lush worlds, complex characters, riveting relationships, incisive commentary, impeccable craft
From Around the Web
The Role of Editing in a Book’s Long-Term Success
How to Format a Book for Publishing
Tell your book’s story with metadata
The Secret to a Writing Career May Boil Down to Sheer Grit
How to Start a Story in First Person
10 Most Important Comma Usage Rules
From Betty
Five Questions to Ask When Bringing Back an Ancient Evil
Six Mistakes That Can Kill a Great Plot
A Character Goal Isn’t a Story – But It’s Close
Five Ways to Build Your Storytelling Muscles
Seven Reasons Storytellers Should Consume Bad Stories
How to Avoid Upsetting Character Changes
The Key to Writing Authentic Characters
Even More Villainous Words of Wisdom
Bring Your Setting to Life
How to Use Hidden Experiences to Pull Readers In
Tap into Your Character’s Unmet Need to Strengthen Your Story
Tap into Your Character’s Unmet Need to Strengthen Your Story
Honest Answers to the Questions New Clients Ask on the First Call
Where to start Chapter 1 in a novel
Think Like a Screenwriter: Show, Don’t Tell Your Novel to Death
Where in the World Are We? How to Write an Engaging Story World
What Makes a Story “Bad”? A Guide to Why Your Narrative Isn’t Working
Reading and Writing the Morse Code of Character
I'm sure the answer to this is 'it depends' but I'm curious as to what makes you look past a protagonist you don't like for me it's either the plot is cool or the supporting characters are interesting. Case in point Fruits Basket I could not stand that Mary Sue of a protagonist Tohru Honda (shocked that I still remember her name) but the members of the Zodiac and Cat were intriguing enough for me to read on.
How do you handle writing a character that people will probably not like?
OPEN CALL
Merganser Magazine Work that transcends disciplines and genres
Samjoko Magazine Fall 2025 Window Any genre of fiction
Deadly Duos: Funfair Funfair (carnivals, travelling fayres, amusement parks, and all adjacent topics)
Augur is open to Novelettes and Novellas Speculative literature with lush worlds, complex characters, riveting relationships, incisive commentary, impeccable craft
From Around the Web
The Role of Editing in a Book’s Long-Term Success
How to Format a Book for Publishing
Tell your book’s story with metadata
The Secret to a Writing Career May Boil Down to Sheer Grit
How to Start a Story in First Person
10 Most Important Comma Usage Rules
From Betty
Five Questions to Ask When Bringing Back an Ancient Evil
Six Mistakes That Can Kill a Great Plot
A Character Goal Isn’t a Story – But It’s Close
Five Ways to Build Your Storytelling Muscles
Seven Reasons Storytellers Should Consume Bad Stories
How to Avoid Upsetting Character Changes
The Key to Writing Authentic Characters
Even More Villainous Words of Wisdom
Bring Your Setting to Life
How to Use Hidden Experiences to Pull Readers In
Tap into Your Character’s Unmet Need to Strengthen Your Story
Tap into Your Character’s Unmet Need to Strengthen Your Story
Honest Answers to the Questions New Clients Ask on the First Call
Where to start Chapter 1 in a novel
Think Like a Screenwriter: Show, Don’t Tell Your Novel to Death
Where in the World Are We? How to Write an Engaging Story World
What Makes a Story “Bad”? A Guide to Why Your Narrative Isn’t Working
Reading and Writing the Morse Code of Character
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