Truth is, I don’t find perfect people too interesting—though to be fair, I’ve never known any.
Nor do I care for the righteous, holier-than-thou types.
I like ‘em flawed and funny and smart. And apparently, so do most of us.
Authors, and especially series writers, understand the importance of a “likable” protagonist. If readers are going to continue to follow a character through book after book, they need to feel an affinity for the person and a desire to spend time with her. But what exactly defines “likability”? For me, at least, it’s not what you might think…
Authors, and especially series writers, understand the importance of a “likable” protagonist. If readers are going to continue to follow a character through book after book, they need to feel an affinity for the person and a desire to spend time with her. But what exactly defines “likability”? For me, at least, it’s not what you might think…
Here are a few examples. One of my all-time favorite TV characters is Dr. Gregory House, played brilliantly by Hugh Laurie. The character’s arrogance is boundless, as is his self-absorption. He verbally bludgeons employees and rarely exhibits kindness or compassion. At first glance—and even under deeper scrutiny—the man appears to be the antithesis of likability.
I’ve also fallen in love with Lucas Davenport, the protagonist of John Sandford’s Prey series. Though Lucas softens emotionally as the series progresses, he is a fundamentally aggressive vigilante cop who believes the end justifies the means. But the “end” always occurs in the service of justice, so readers can support him when he takes the law into his own hands. Plus, the man is witty and charming. What’s not to love?
When I consider the real world, it’s much the same. The people I’m drawn to exhibit depth, eccentricity, and passion. Though I would cringe if they went around killing criminals in the name of justice, I can sense that potential in many of them (you know who you are). I like them not because they’re perfect, but because they’re always trying to be better. And they have a sense of humor. For me, that’s critical.
Following my analysis of likability, I re-examined the protagonist of my own Callie Cassidy Mysteries, as well as Shelley Shore, protagonist of the upcoming Seahorse Bay Mysteries. I’m pleased to say that I believe they fit the bill. I find them tenacious, humorous, flawed, and interesting. They have made—and will continue to make—mistakes, but they own those mistakes and strive for personal growth. Their friends and families rally around them and genuinely like them. As do I.
I hope readers like them, too.
How do you define likability in characters? Who are some of your favorites?
The Callie Cassidy Mystery series is available on Amazon Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and paperback.
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Lori Roberts Herbst writes the Callie Cassidy Mysteries, a cozy mystery series set in Rock Creek Village, Colorado, and the soon-to-be-released Seahorse Bay Mysteries, set in a Texas cruise port town. To find out more and to sign up for her newsletter, go to www.lorirobertsherbst.com
To stay with characters over a series of books, they need to be interesting--and as you say, without flaws, they can't be interesting. But they can't just do stupid stuff because the plot needs it. If they do something dumb, it should be something where we say, "Yeah, I thought he'd do that. Oh well, let's see what happens."
ReplyDeleteI was reading a book where one of the main characters did something stupid and there was little justification for it--other than the plot needed it. I was 50% through and put it down.
I love flawed and quirky characters.
ReplyDeleteI don't like to watch House since I don't like the way the character, who is in a public services field, interacts with people. I'm perfectly happy with Holmes and Millhone, whose self-selected occupations aren't ones where their prickly traits interfere with their jobs. That said, a "perfect" character is a boring character.
ReplyDelete.
ReplyDeleteThere are several authors who write humorous books so by extension their characters carry out the humor in their dialogue
Three of my favorites are Donna Andrew’s Meg Langslow who isn’t funny by herself but is surrounded by quirky characters and situations.
EJ Copperman who has had a number of different series where the characters and the circumstances they wind up being involved in are always serious subjects to begin with, but presented in a way that provides humor.
The third author I discovered more recently, T.E. Kinsey who provides some of the dry humor the British are known for.
His books feature Lady Hardcastle and her maid who are constantly getting into situations they are called upon to untangle.
It is the banter between the two of them that I particularly enjoy.
To add one more there is the Miss Fortune series by Jana Deleon where there is a whole population of eccentric residents in the town.
I look forward to all of these authors when I need something to provide something light and raise my spirits.
Unfortunately, I am up to date on most of their books, but fortunately they are all still writing.