Writerly Ways

[cornerofmadness]

I'm still too tired and busy for most of this nonsense. I did get everything done in Jackson only to find out Big Lots was having a clearance on Broyhill towels so now I have a few for another elder gift. I'll do that Friday.

Tomorrow I'm off on another mini-adventure, this time to Cincinnati. But that is not my writing related idea (though travel and exploration certainly could be.

No I wanted to talk about what makes you interested in an unlikable character? That's it, that's the post. I'm curious. I am not offering up advice on writing them. I'm curious what might make you want to read more if the protagonist isn't that likable.

Oddly enough the two things that have me thinking about this are set in Alaska. An otherwise forgettable mystery and Alaska Daily. I'm really trying to like the latter because of what it's trying to do. The missing and murdered indigenous women issue has long been something I've been trying to bring to light in my small way.

That said I dislike Hilary Swank's character intensely. (and honestly I think the show is trying to do too much, it feels fractured) She comes in, arrogant, belittling, resentful and there is no reason to like her. The mystery I'm reading the character is a drunk PI who really has no redeeming qualities.

If it wasn't for the show shining a light on the unequal cover media gives missing women and children I wouldn't watch Alaska Daily. I liked the idea that it's the media at fault for the reason more resources are given to finding the cute blonde girls than anyone else (Gabby Petito anyone? and she's just the latest). Whether or not that's true it is definitely true that they only cover the stories with the cute blonde girls. How many women went missing during the time Gabby did? Did we hear of any of them? It's been so obvious and so bad that many a show has taken a shot at this (going all the way back to the early Law and Order and NYPD Blue in the 90s, or to the comic (and unfunny take) of Family Guy)

Anyhow off track a bit there, but that's why I'm watching that particular unlikable character (I just hope the show manages to make a real world change. Jurisdictional quagmires make the whole MMIW project more difficult). What makes you read on?

OPEN CALLS

Interlude Press and Duet Books: Now Accepting Manuscript Submissions

Writing Opportunities for December 2022

21 Publishers Always Open to Submissions

49 Themed Submissions Calls and Contests for December 2022

The First Five Minutes of the Apocalypse (Early Listing)

The Black Beacon Book of Horror 2023 Window

Last Girls Club Spring Issue 2023 (Early)

Monster Fight At the O.K. Corral

Cosmic Horror Monthly January 2023 Window (Early Listing)

(Not So) Dark Passages Submission Guidelines

A Flight of Dragons

Contrary Spring 2023 Issue

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An artist open for commissions for covers

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Dealing with Ambiguity

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Build Your Writing Self-Efficacy

How to self-publish without breaking the bank (definitely look at this if you're looking at that first link of mine)

Everything You Need To Know About Writing Dialogue: Formatting Advice, Writing Examples And Tips!

From Betty

On Endings and Non-Endings

When Setting Doubles As A Character in the Book You're Writing


TTS (Text-to-Speech) Before You Hit Send

How to Use a Long-Form Synopsis to Plan Your Novel

Creating Bonus Content To Double Your Reader Engagement


3 Natural Ways To Welcome Your Muse

How to Pace Your Story

Five Signs Your Story Is Classist

Five Common Character-Arc Blunders

How Should I Structure My Series?

High and Low Tension Arcs

3 Action-Reaction Misfires That Flatten Your Writing

A Gift from Us: Secrets to Engaging Readers (Webinar)

Fear Thesaurus Entry: Being Returned to an Abusive Environment

Fear Thesaurus Entry: Losing One’s Heritage or Cultural Identity

Why Realism is Irrelevant in Fiction: Aim for Believability Instead

Finding the courage to leap

And this one is from an author I've met. There are some F-bombs (and a lot of Star Trek sequel hate but for stated reasons in the talk, more about the shit story building and not because there's a chick in the story)

Watch on YouTube

Day 12 of tea
Adagio - Double ginger - ginger, green rooibos, pink peppercorn, orange strawberries and peaches. Honestly not sure why there was fruit. You can't really taste it. That said the spiciness of peppercorn and ginger made for a very nice caffeine free tea (Might want to get this for my stomach)

Yawn Brew - Morning mate - green mate, apples, hibiscus, rose hips and sunflower petals. I had this earlier and now can't even remember the taste so just sort of there I guess.

Comments

[alexcat]

Loki is a character that I hated in the past... but Marvel made him more likable and I do like him now. He is mostly unredeemable in the cartoons but there is still a charm.

I can't figure why so many like any of the iterations of Moriarty in any Holmes. The character, whether a he r she, is always bad clean through. I stay for Holmes in most of them... he is annoying, but always worth the trouble.

[cornerofmadness]

Yeah I don't get Moriarty either. Actually there is a manga Moriarty the Patriot (and some clones there of) where the protagonists are all murderous criminals and I guess I just can't relate to that nor want to read about it

Oh wow

[dauntless_heart]

If you can get or have HBO you should really try to watch The Last Of Us in January.

In the game series there is a character called Abby. At first you really hate her, because she is the obvious villain to the main hero, Ellie. But halfway through the game you are forced to play AS Abby instead, and it takes you back through her traumatic history so you can see how she got to be villainous.

As you can imagine, it's a mind bender. (I hope they will explore this in the series as well.) I remember my hubby was like, "I'm not going to HELP her. I HATE her!"

To which I said, "You ARE her!"

The truth is, any of us can me an unlikeable character, even a villain--so I think relatability is key. ;)

Re: Oh wow

[cornerofmadness]

I'll keep that in mind. I do not have HBO.

But I think you're right, relatability is key. I can't relate to blowing into a new job and crapping on everyone

[smittenbyu]

I was thinking making Hillary Swank's character unlikable was intentional and am expecting that character plot will grow and possibly become more likeable? Like, you are right, it's trying to do a lot. There was a book I read a few years ago that I hated the protagonist. But it's the story line/topic and some of characters around that kept me going. And I am finding that I am doing the same here with the show.

[cornerofmadness]

I agree, that's no doubt the character arc for Hilary Swank's character. My biggest issue with it, I think, is it's so unoriginal. We've seen it so many times.

Definitely side characters that are interesting can make up for the unlikable protagonist