Comments on: Likeable and Relatable: Why (and how) do they matter?

By: wendyleslie

wendyleslie — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 23:35:07 +0000

Thank you Barbara - your article shows how I can ease further away from my tendency to make "everyone" likeable. Getting away from "nice" has been a struggle. Your article has opened a fresh oportunity for me. Watch out my protagonists.

By: lindahenley

lindahenley — Sun, 23 Feb 2020 14:59:36 +0000

Barbara, this is a helpful article. I appreciate it because I've struggled with the problem of making my female protagonists likeable. I wrote a story recently that had a male protagonist. The writing class loved him! He was a sad-sack man who lived alone with his parrot Popsicle. At Christmas time his old car broke down and his parrot flew away. Everyone wanted to know when the parrot was coming back. Now that I'm writing a story with a woman lead character I'm back to the problem of making her sympathetic. I'll heed your advice.

By: ecellenb

ecellenb — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 22:10:21 +0000

Thorough and very interesting post!
I like flawed characters. They are easier to have empathy for and more likely to be relateable.
For the antagonists, I try to have them do something positive in the story. A bit like having the bad person stop to pet the dog.

By: barbaralinnprobst

barbaralinnprobst — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 00:51:40 +0000

In reply to Ontyre Passages. I'm with you on wanting protagonists "who are flawed, but grow and evolve!" Often, it's those very flaws that make a character relatable (i.e., real) and what I'd call engage-able—that is, someone whose journey grips us in such a way that we feel we're experiencing it right alongside her! I don't think I could relate to someone who had no flaws, nor to someone who didn't grow and change! Then the story is entirely external ... Thanks for weighing in today!

By: barbaralinnprobst

barbaralinnprobst — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 00:47:18 +0000

In reply to Tiffany Yates Martin. Thanks so much, Tiffany! We are all complex critters, so our characters ought to be too! To me, the challenge is finding the right balance. For instance, in an earlier version of my second novel (slated for 2021), the protagonist was way, way too unlikable! There was little to balance her angry, self-absorbed snarkiness. Sometimes all it needs is one hugely admirable trait, plus a willingness to grow through self-awareness and struggle. Inner complexity makes for internal conflict, which is the stuff of a good story. So thanks again!

By: Tiffany Yates Martin

Tiffany Yates Martin — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 23:59:24 +0000

I love this article, Barbara! Such a great topic that I've been thinking about lately too. I love your observations about characters taking on more depth and dimension by NOT being entirely relatable or likable. It makes them much more realistic and complicated, which makes for more intriguing stories. 🙂 Great post.

By: barbaralinnprobst

barbaralinnprobst — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 23:27:07 +0000

In reply to dholcomb1. I do think a variety is needed! If all characters are 100% likeable, there's not enough texture (perhaps). It's the combination of traits that makes a character intriguing :-) And those secondary characters can be relatable/unrelatable, or likable/unlikable in different ways! Good luck on your revisions!

By: barbaralinnprobst

barbaralinnprobst — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 23:25:12 +0000

In reply to Jenny Hansen. It's different for villains and protagonists, no? And maybe for male and female characters? I think your point about wanting to see if am unlikable character will learn, change, and grow is essential! We relate to their desire to be better, even if we don't like who they are at the beginning of the story! I'm thinking, as I type this, that we can relate to desires and goals, while we like traits! Hmm, now it's even more complex LOL! Anyway, thanks so much for sparking some additional thought on this topic!

By: Ontyre Passages

Ontyre Passages — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 21:53:22 +0000

In reply to Terry Odell. I'm with you 100%. Flaws and likability are two different things. Too, I don't give male protagonists a free pass on this. I hold them to exactly the same standards. I write protagonists who are flawed, but grow and evolve. I've no interest otherwise.

By: dholcomb1

dholcomb1 — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 20:52:58 +0000

I received feedback on my recently completed MS, and my heroine was the most likable character--I need to work on the secondary characters as I edit and revise.

denise