Image by prettysleepy1 on Pixabay.
Once again, it’s time for the monthly blog hop of the Insecure Writers Support Group, a wonderful resource for writers of all stripes. You’ll find inspiration, camaraderie, advice, and publishing opportunities. Check it out here: https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
The awesome co-hosts for the March 2 posting of the IWSG are Janet Alcorn, Pat Garcia, Natalie Aguirre, and Shannon Lawrence!
March 2 question – Have you ever been conflicted about writing a story or adding a scene to a story? How did you decide to write it or not?
Have I worried about controversial scenes and themes in my fiction? Heck yes!
In my current project, a pair of steamy romance novellas for the Zodiac Encounters Anthology, coming May 3rd, I gave each story a self-confident, self-directed female protagonist. Neither needs rescuing. Both have strong notions of what kind of life they need to be happy and fulfilled—career wise, lifestyle wise, etc. Each refuses to compromise that vision to keep her love interest in her life. But relationships require compromise, and in both stories the male protagonist finds a way to accept and honor his lover as she is, which makes it easier for her to accept his love and find work-arounds for their conflicting personalities and plans.
Sounds reasonable to me, but some readers are rubbed the wrong way by a female lead who doesn’t put her man’s interests first. (Cue gnashing of teeth) In this case, a trusted writer friend pointed out how unlikeable she found one of my women protags because of her defensive, prickly reactions to her guy. To be fair, she probably would’ve raised the same objections if the roles were reversed.
This is a hot button for me because of my own relationship history, where people who supposedly loved me expected me to give up pursuits that were very important to me—no offer of compromise, just “my way or the highway.” No one should expect that of a lover, be they male, female, or nonbinary. I’ll never write a character who gives away a big chunk of herself to hold her lover. Never.
So, did I allow my character to remain her prickly self? Of course, but I considered my friend’s reactions and tweaked the protag’s scenes to give a more balanced view of her inner conflict—loving this guy and needing what she needs to be happy. I know what’s in her heart, but I needed to communicate that better to the reader. I hope I succeeded…and I know some readers still won’t like her. Ah well. Such is the writing life…real life too.
Have you struggled with fears that your characters are unlikeable? How did you handle that?
I wish you happy writing in March—happy reading too!
I haven’t had to deal with writing about a character that might be unlikeable. I agree with you that shouldn’t have to give up the pursuits that you are important to you because you’re asked to by partners who supposedly love you. It’s great that you can deal with a touchy subject for you through your writing.
You had me double checking the date(s) as I put my post on ‘scheduled’ and then thought I had muffed it, but no, you’re just early, lol.
I think you (and I) are still products of our ‘raising’. Women weren’t supposed to be ‘pushy’ and let ‘the man lead’. Writing it out makes it easier for our brains to change.
Hi,
Sounds like you found a good way to be true to your character and keep the reader happy.
All the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Interesting. I’m reading the Eve Dallas series and in the first few books she comes across abrasive. The more I get to know her and the response of the supporting cast helps characterize her as a very sensitive woman with a hard shell to get her through her day.
It’s taken a while to truly understand what ‘bite me’ means to everyone in the series. Now, when I read it, I laugh aloud.
Anna from elements of emaginette
Sometimes it’s just a small adjustment that’s needed.
Oh yeah, the main character in my first book came off as a bit unlikable, but I softened what I could and he did change in the end. Come to think of it, I did the same thing when I started a new series, made the main character a bit unlikable. Must be my thing.
I always like my characters, but I’m not sure the readers do. The thing is: I don’t write romance. I write speculative fiction, and my female protagonists are usually self-sufficient. They don’t need guys to fulfill them. They solve their own problems. They might want to have a partner for sex and emotional comfort, they might even fall in love, but they can do without if they have to.
Compromises? I’m not sure a compromise is a road to happiness, in life or in fiction. But I might be wrong. Or maybe it depends on a person. Compromises might work for some but not for others.
I’ve struggled with how far to push jokes sometimes, because everyone is offended by different things, and it’s impossible to write something that everyone will like. Much like you do, sometimes you have to stick to your guns and write what feels good/right to you and your story.
I love that your main character is prickly. I’m looking forward to reading the books. You’re probably right about your impetus for making the character so self sufficient because of your ‘relationship history, where people who supposedly loved me expected me to give up pursuits that were very important to me—no offer of compromise’. I like that you tweaked her a little based on your friend’s recommendation.
If someone loves you, they should encourage you to do the things that matter to you (that goes for parents and other family as well as romantic partners). Kudos to you for showing that in your fiction. Compromise is necessary sometimes, but no one should have to compromise their dreams for a partner.
Great post!
Oo, tough. Yes, no one should have to give up on their dreams — just ’cause. But I can see how balancing that and showing that will help readers.