Monday, September 27, 2010

Is Your Main Character Acting Like a Little Kid?

We couldn't have a discussion of the inner child without applying it to our writing, now could we?


So here's the question.

Is your main character acting like a little kid? Be honest with yourself.

Our main characters need to grow, but they shouldn't start out so stunted they come across as unlikable. This is especially true in mainstream fiction. Readers need to connect to the characters. They need to like them and understand why they act the way they do. From page one, the main characters should show redeeming qualities to make the reader care.

Donald Maass describes it perfectly in his book The Fire in Fiction. "Whether they are public figures or just ordinary in profile, our heroes and heroines are people whose actions inspire us."

Later he continues, "Demonstrating a character quality that is inspiring does cause readers to open their hearts."

If your main character needs major growth, you'll need to come up with ways to counterbalance his negative aspects. Don't wait until chapter three to start showing your hero's good qualities.

Think about your friends and family. What makes you love them? Are they perfect? Of course, not! But if you can inject reasons for the reader to love your hero or heroine, you won't have to worry that your characters are acting like immature children.

What traits do you find attractive in a hero or heroine?

Join me on Wednesday for the final post on the inner child--field trips!

25 comments:

  1. Great article, Jill. This is something we talk about a lot in coffee and I think it's so important. I think those rooting interests we learned about last year (and Donald Maass talks about to a certain extent) are the key.

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  2. I wrote a heroine who was/is a bit childish. But the fact she is such a loving sister and friend hopefully (hopefully) counteracts that. :)

    I really enjoy seeing a hero who is tough and rough but then shows a small tender side to his children or the heroine. Just read a book that had that. *swoon*

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  3. Great post. Having an inner child act up in the adult's life is what makes their character flawed and interesting.

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  4. oooo, good questions. I'm gonna have to think about that. sometimes I think writing for "effect" can make a character seem unrealistically childish..whereas if you met this person in real life - you wouldn't really like the much!

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  5. You know what's wild--I often find I grow right along w/ my character? I learn what they're learning. Perhaps I'm finding a way to remind myself. ;)
    ~ Wendy

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  6. Been acting like a cjild in real life at times. God's seen me through my tantrums. :O)

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  7. Those flaws can be just what makes characters endearing to us. They somehow make the character "real" in their journey.

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  8. I admire characters who NEVER GIVE UP. Who fight against seemingly impossible odds. Who take blow after blow (physical and/or emotional) and continue to get up and get on with it. Hmmmm. Seem like good traits for writers still seeking publication, yes?

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  9. I'm working on a character now that has a lot of growing to do! I hope that I can translate this change in a compelling way.

    Thanks Jill:)

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  10. I like that my character has insecurties but is trying to not act from them. I hope she inspires others to act despite of circumstances--even me!

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  11. Good morning!

    From reading your comments, I'm targeting the great points to bring out of your main character:
    - include rooting interests
    - show strengths through other relationships
    - use the inner child to keep character interesting
    - be objective: would you like this person in real life?
    - show them learning and growing
    - flaws make them endearing
    - give them a can-do, will-do attitude
    - make the growth compelling
    - have them aware of their problems and actively working on them

    Thanks everyone! These are great things to keep in mind!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  12. On the advice of a crit partner, I had to grow up the heroine in my debut novel. She acted like a brat when things fell apart at the end, and she needed a time out.

    I love loyalty and courage the best in heroes and heroines.

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  13. Oh boy...my MC's have definitely acted like kids before and I've had to make them more grown up to appeal to readers. (I can think of two particular characters in face...ugh.)

    I LOVE seeing characters grow and I love seeing them be vulnerable.

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  14. This is a really good point. It reminded me of the screen writing concept of "Save the Cat" which is within the first five minutes of a movie the MC does something redeeming to get you on his/her side no matter how unsavory they may be.

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  15. Okay, I love the idea of giving our character a "time out." Genius! Ha! And yes, I've written immature characters, too.

    For anyone who hasn't read "Save the Cat" by Blake Snyder--go get a copy. It's a slim, packed book full of great writing advice.

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  16. You KNOW I'm guilty of writing characters like that. Why is it we do it???

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  17. Mr. Maass makes some excellent points in that book, doesn't he?

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  18. I like determination and courage, even in trials. I also like convictions in what they believe in.
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  19. Traits that I like to see is that the hero and/or heroine want to do right, even if it doesn't always work out. I don't think any of my characters have started out acting like a child though. A bit spoiled, yes, but not childlike.

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  20. More great input!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  21. I like my heroines and heroes to show a bit of imperfection. There are so many kinds of people to like, I just want characters to be real as I want people to be real, that is to say, honest.

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  22. As I outline my new WIP I really want to be able to track the growth of my MC. I suppose I need a growth chart!

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  23. Yes, I like reading real characters too. Growth chart? Great idea!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  24. I love that my heroine internalizes her deepest issues and secrets. She keeps things to herself, but is learning to talk about them and surrender them to God.

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  25. Well, my main character is me, so I guess I should say, 'Sometimes,yes, I do act like a kid!'

    I admire spunkiness in a main character, a little intrigue, and a thirst to know the Lord.

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