tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post3315271296826147798..comments2024-03-28T10:41:26.999-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Busted!—Janet Fitch and her unlikable character, Part 2Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-15760838729784450412011-07-08T21:36:25.405-06:002011-07-08T21:36:25.405-06:00I actually do not feel this worked, because her pr...I actually do not feel this worked, because her protagonist remained unlikeable to me. Well, I shouldn't say unlikeable so much as .... bland, and I could not relate to the character. <br /><br /><br />I certainly think though that the touches of trying to make her more likable did not work for me because I was interested more in Josie's past and her family, and the echos of her childhood are very much drowned out by the whole Michael ordeal. It is very hard to relate to a protagonist who is nearly always drunk and high, always and enveloped in a fog. Her circumstances for being so are understandable, but the redemption came too late for me, and it felt very minor (the end, at 29 Palms). I do wish there would have been more depth with Josie.<br /><br />I do love Janet Fitch's prose and writing in general. She is fantastic. White Oleander was amazing. Maybe it is unfair to compare Black to White in this case, but it can't be helped. Characters were much more fleshed out in the former book.<br /><br />My humble opinion.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-48509373175899435012011-04-04T22:20:25.950-06:002011-04-04T22:20:25.950-06:00Great post, Kathryn.
I have an unlikable character...Great post, Kathryn.<br />I have an unlikable character in my latest story. Your incites and tips have been a great help.<br /><br />As an example of an unlikable protagonist, I think of Lisbeth Salander in 'The girl with the Dragon tatoo'. Somehow we learn to like her, faults and all.Della Barrettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-37829088877861623462011-04-02T16:29:46.749-06:002011-04-02T16:29:46.749-06:00Thanks Maryann, and Linda! :)Thanks Maryann, and Linda! :)Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-19325744588086513882011-04-02T16:29:25.435-06:002011-04-02T16:29:25.435-06:00Bettyann: Believe it or not, I did read this book ...Bettyann: Believe it or not, I did read this book for pleasure. Only later I thought, "How did Fitch get me to care for the trajectory of what at first seemed this pathetic character?" So I went back to see.<br /><br />But you are so right--we fiction writers cannot that even admirable characters are instantly relatable. We've got to work to earn the reader's investment.Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-48291072534322040862011-04-02T16:26:49.407-06:002011-04-02T16:26:49.407-06:00Sarah: I thought so!Sarah: I thought so!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-37036361520031445922011-04-02T16:26:33.630-06:002011-04-02T16:26:33.630-06:00Helen: I would imagine a writer might use some of ...Helen: I would imagine a writer might use some of the same techniques to get a reader fascinated in an antagonist as well. If he's truly despicable, for example, giving him moments of "domestic bliss" would round him out. Did you use any of these techniques?<br /><br />And Yvonne: Hey, everyone's got to eat! ;)Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-23435314040613095242011-04-02T15:20:43.020-06:002011-04-02T15:20:43.020-06:00What compelling posts! You've given each one o...What compelling posts! You've given each one of us who claims to be a writer some serious thoughts to ponder. Your skill as a developmental editor shines through in your discussion of this book and its unlikeable protagonist.Linda Lanehttp://www.denvereditor.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-81111717767889893842011-04-02T13:27:04.843-06:002011-04-02T13:27:04.843-06:00This has been a great two-parter, Kathryn. Great t...This has been a great two-parter, Kathryn. Great tips and examples on how to let details define the character and endear them.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-60942041136208699482011-04-02T12:01:32.793-06:002011-04-02T12:01:32.793-06:00I read Paint it Black and enjoyed it. Fitch is a g...I read Paint it Black and enjoyed it. Fitch is a great author. <br /><br />I love the way you break this reader affectation down into well-made points. Good lesson, even if we don't have unlikeable characers. Using these techniques can make our readers feel the way we want them to feel. Thanks for writing this!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13004357754933220469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-88289522842280505392011-04-02T09:48:35.096-06:002011-04-02T09:48:35.096-06:00OK, now I REALLY have to read this book!OK, now I REALLY have to read this book!Sarahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-44365745564506246082011-04-02T08:33:17.404-06:002011-04-02T08:33:17.404-06:00How did I find myself rooting for the wretched Han...How did I find myself rooting for the wretched Hannibal Lector? Not that was sheer genius on someone's part. Thanks for the link!Yvonne Osbornehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18212188414972694795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-24819160470883853792011-04-02T07:49:26.084-06:002011-04-02T07:49:26.084-06:00I don't think I've written an unlikeable p...I don't think I've written an unlikeable protagonist. Wait, wait, I take that back. I have. I wrote a manuscript where the antagonist was the main character. I didn't want readers to like him. I did want them to be fascinated by him.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com