Enjoyed reading this, thank you! I'm currently writing a 3-POV novel. The man who has his shit together seems to be a clear favorite among my early readers so far. The woman who is a hot mess with ranch dressing on her jeans, does not. But wouldn't it be a more boring book if Wearing Taco Bell was not the actual metaphor for at least one character's life?? Alas....we will never ever (ever!) please everyone. So why try? Rubbing at least some people the wrong way probably means you're onto something.
I never really thought about it this way, thanks for sharing. ‘Interesting’ has always been what I thought has pulled me in or pushed me away from a book or character. But likeability (good or bad) certainly determines how interesting something is….so now you’ve given me more to think about. Thanks (I guess 🤣)
I needed this today. I am an author with my debut thriller currently on submission, and one of my first rejections that really stung was that the editor "couldn't get on board with the actions and decisions my protagonist makes." I was like...so?? She's not you. Yes, in the beginning of the novel, my main character is broken-down. She's been dumped by her fiance, and believes she'll never be able to have children. When the antagonist first comes into her life, the protagonist admittedly lets her walk all over her, and it becomes the ultimate toxic relationship. But by the end, the main character finally grows some strength and starts fighting back. I wrote it that way on purpose, to create an arc for my character. So just because she doesn't handle her conflicts the same way you would....so what?!
I just downloaded TELL THEM YOU LIED on NetGalley and I'm looking forward to starting the read today! Thanks for all that you share!
Your book sounds SO JUICY. I love a toxic relationship story. Being on sub is a mindfuck honestly. You will get very contradictory reasons for passes. And you can’t do much about that except keep going. There will be someone out there who gets it/ falls in love with it. It’s just a waiting game. I feel your pain though!!!
"Just write the character you want to read yourself, and understand that being disliked can actually serve your characters. Go big." Love this, Laura! I never get it when people say, "This character made some bad decisions..." If they only made good ones, then the book would be pretty darn dull! :)
I also study the Housewives for dialogue...they use language in the most absurd and funny ways. "She smells like hospital" from Salt Lake City will never leave me. Why is there no "a" in there???
My husband recently told me that he gave some NYT Cooking recipe 4 stars because it was great but not, like, *phenomenal* and this is the problem with the star system 😂 I feel like it should be 1-5 and then a “bonus” star for something that was just extraordinary. Otherwise there are so many terrific, would-be 5-star books/recipes/etc. out there getting their averages dragged down because some people think 5 is only for a stratospheric level of greatness!
My sister got me into Bravo. I resisted at first but now I accept it's hilarious and tbh interesting to see sociopaths and narcissists in their natural habitats lol
Enjoyed reading this, thank you! I'm currently writing a 3-POV novel. The man who has his shit together seems to be a clear favorite among my early readers so far. The woman who is a hot mess with ranch dressing on her jeans, does not. But wouldn't it be a more boring book if Wearing Taco Bell was not the actual metaphor for at least one character's life?? Alas....we will never ever (ever!) please everyone. So why try? Rubbing at least some people the wrong way probably means you're onto something.
I never really thought about it this way, thanks for sharing. ‘Interesting’ has always been what I thought has pulled me in or pushed me away from a book or character. But likeability (good or bad) certainly determines how interesting something is….so now you’ve given me more to think about. Thanks (I guess 🤣)
lol! I realized I left out a major part of my argument and I have a follow-up in the works
I needed this today. I am an author with my debut thriller currently on submission, and one of my first rejections that really stung was that the editor "couldn't get on board with the actions and decisions my protagonist makes." I was like...so?? She's not you. Yes, in the beginning of the novel, my main character is broken-down. She's been dumped by her fiance, and believes she'll never be able to have children. When the antagonist first comes into her life, the protagonist admittedly lets her walk all over her, and it becomes the ultimate toxic relationship. But by the end, the main character finally grows some strength and starts fighting back. I wrote it that way on purpose, to create an arc for my character. So just because she doesn't handle her conflicts the same way you would....so what?!
I just downloaded TELL THEM YOU LIED on NetGalley and I'm looking forward to starting the read today! Thanks for all that you share!
Your book sounds SO JUICY. I love a toxic relationship story. Being on sub is a mindfuck honestly. You will get very contradictory reasons for passes. And you can’t do much about that except keep going. There will be someone out there who gets it/ falls in love with it. It’s just a waiting game. I feel your pain though!!!
Thanks so much 😊
How did I never think of RHW and Vanderpump as being the ultimate defense for unlikable characters being intriguing?? I love this comparison!
Also that Barbie speech is iconic. May it live on forever and ever
"Just write the character you want to read yourself, and understand that being disliked can actually serve your characters. Go big." Love this, Laura! I never get it when people say, "This character made some bad decisions..." If they only made good ones, then the book would be pretty darn dull! :)
💯
I also study the Housewives for dialogue...they use language in the most absurd and funny ways. "She smells like hospital" from Salt Lake City will never leave me. Why is there no "a" in there???
Such a good point!
So true about the Barbie speech. Wtf did Lisa give you 4 stars?? It seemed like she really liked it. Mysteries of the universe.
4 stars is the new 5 stars haha
My husband recently told me that he gave some NYT Cooking recipe 4 stars because it was great but not, like, *phenomenal* and this is the problem with the star system 😂 I feel like it should be 1-5 and then a “bonus” star for something that was just extraordinary. Otherwise there are so many terrific, would-be 5-star books/recipes/etc. out there getting their averages dragged down because some people think 5 is only for a stratospheric level of greatness!
Brilliant! Like an A vs an A+
What was the recipe?? I’m obsessed with NYT cooking app! 😂
It was “Sopa de Fideo y Frijoles con Chorizo.” Delicious!
Jeeeez 🤯
My sister got me into Bravo. I resisted at first but now I accept it's hilarious and tbh interesting to see sociopaths and narcissists in their natural habitats lol
And from a safe distance lol