Thoughts on characters
I like writing about wounded people. Damaged people. People with issues. People, in fact, who are healed and made whole through loving and being loved. Yet I'm coming to realise that not everyone likes this. Sometimes people get annoyed with characters that don't have their act together, characters that act like martyrs or victims or jerks because of what happened to them.I'm realising this from reading blogs and reviews of my books as well as of others'. No one likes to read a dismissive comment about their work--of course not--but those comments actually can help. I read a review of another book that criticised it because 'the characters were defined by their problems'. And you know what? That is a fair point. No one, not even a fictional person, should be defined by their problems. I'm glad I read that, because not only is it food for thought, but it will help me with current and future books.
And speaking of current books, I've finished my sixth book--the sheikh book. And I'm happy with it, which is a great feeling.
What do you think? What's your take on damaged characters in romances?
posted by Kate Hewitt at
6:51 PM
I'm like you Kate. I love to write them because I do feel that-- particularly in the necessarily narrow focus of a short romance-- the experiences of the characters' pasts hugely inform their actions in the present. But, also like you, I'm aware that readers don't want to read a psychiatrists report and that 'issues' can be a bit tedious, so we have to walk a thin line between explaining motivation and getting mired down in misery!!
It's funny though; every book seems to have its own inherent emotional atmosphere. Some are just always going to be 'heavy' and angst-ridden, while others have a lighter touch. Happily, the one I'm working on at the moment falls into the latter camp, and it's a lot more fun to write!
Congratulations on number 6-- that's a phenomenal achievement in a short time, Superwoman!
xxx
Mired in misery, what a terrific phrase. I agree that it's a fine line. I love reading about wounded heroes. (Julia Quinn's The Duke and I comes to mind. Mary Balogh's Simply series ended with the (wounded) duke's story and it was fabulous.) That transformation, usually at the hands of the heroine, is so fulfilling to read about. However, I start to feel unsympathetic if the author starts beating me over the head with his emotional baggage. Especially if it's heavy! LOL.
P.S. Thanks for commenting on my blog! I commiserate with you on WW's editing. I've been on the receiving end of changes I'd disagreed with. But, hey, for $1000 bucks, I can live with them changing my Chihuahua to a Yorkie. And congrats on the 6th book!!!
Mired in misery, India--that's it absolutely! I've been surprised at how little patience some readers have with characters with problems. I wrestle with the idea that romance = escape which can mean no real life issues. Yet I have never really wanted to read about 'perfect' people--whether physically or emotionally or both. Hmm.. Food for thought. Glad you're enjoying your latest wip--I'm going to start on mine pretty soon... x Kate
Hi Kate,
No problem. I found it when I googled myself, which I do sometimes :) I agree with you about the $1000--I can live with it!
I know what you mean about being beaten over the head with the issues in a book. I think I've made that mistake as a writer, and I'm trying to do it less :). But then of course you get the reader who writes to you or Amazon or whoever and they just didn't get the book at all, and you think, hmm, was I not obvious enough?! One of the biggest lessons I've learned since being published is that you can't please everyone, so you might as well please yourself. (I'm quoting (I think) a Neil Diamond song here--anyone?)
x Kate
I like damaged characters - providing they transform along the way. No-one likes a misery guts, but someone with issues has depth :o)