tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049654549567033617.post3196441696157136155..comments2024-03-01T14:08:44.282-07:00Comments on Cowboys and Dragons at the Cafe: Disturbing CharactersMarne Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981717156518711702noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049654549567033617.post-57000096453534776772011-10-29T08:55:28.533-06:002011-10-29T08:55:28.533-06:00I used to be confused as to why some of my critiqu...I used to be confused as to why some of my critique partners and beta readers considered my villain to be the protagonist, instead of my hero.<br /><br />This post explains it perfectly.<br /><i>I just want (protagonists) to have demons.</i><br /><br />Thus, readers will root for a villain redeemed at the end (ie: Darth Vader) far more than the hero who turns him back to good (ie: Luke Skywalker)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049654549567033617.post-11597422681412020382011-10-27T18:39:52.246-06:002011-10-27T18:39:52.246-06:00I personally like a good disturbing protagonist.....I personally like a good disturbing protagonist...Libbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14323538213636795216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049654549567033617.post-19617867842310284162011-10-20T14:37:09.836-06:002011-10-20T14:37:09.836-06:00Oy - Mike loves House. Me, not so much. They have ...Oy - Mike loves House. Me, not so much. They have to have SOME redeeming qualities. LOL. <br /><br />Nancy - I hates, I tell you hates, those sneaky suicidal bunnies. Marne and I came across one (literally) on our last trip across the mountains. I was disturbed the rest of the weekend. <br /><br />And yes, Mike is disturbing. That's part of what makes him such a good writer. <br /><br />VickiVicki Sue Lawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17676389715593005050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049654549567033617.post-66398352412825018572011-10-19T08:15:46.916-06:002011-10-19T08:15:46.916-06:00You disturbed me. Pee in the coffee? Thank God I ...You disturbed me. Pee in the coffee? Thank God I drink tea. Hitting bunnies? I had a job once that required me to drive before the sun came up and I can tell you, bunnies are suicidal. They run out at the first sign of headlights. I'm disturbed. LOL<br /><br />Seriously, excellent post. Our characters must be layered with as much punch as we can pack to make them real and believable and N. R. Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049654549567033617.post-86668616085619969692011-10-19T03:44:05.644-06:002011-10-19T03:44:05.644-06:00Tony Soprano, Gregory House, Jane Tennison... I co...Tony Soprano, Gregory House, Jane Tennison... I could watch those protagonists for years because they were so screwed up.Chris Devlinhttp://www.chrisdevlinwrites.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049654549567033617.post-36799342905379419762011-10-18T22:39:51.783-06:002011-10-18T22:39:51.783-06:00Food for thought, for certain. I also like a grit...Food for thought, for certain. I also like a gritty, dark character. Who doesn't appreciate the flawed "hero?"Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049654549567033617.post-27096070124875811982011-10-18T19:12:51.794-06:002011-10-18T19:12:51.794-06:00I think I'm going to focus on just this a tad ...I think I'm going to focus on just this a tad bit more with my newest heroine... You'll have to tell me what you think. Great post! There was a movie I saw this summer I think... The Green Hornet. I HATED the hero! Absolutely despised him. I don't think it was because he was a bit disturbing, though. I think it was because he just wasn't quite done right. Iron Man was a bit Marne Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05981717156518711702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049654549567033617.post-83485416336762294892011-10-18T12:09:12.395-06:002011-10-18T12:09:12.395-06:00My characters are always in disturbing situations ...My characters are always in disturbing situations so they can't help but think disturbing thoughts. I write urban fantasy. It's a disturbed genre. Ha! :)<br /><br />Oooh, you know what other character is exceptionally disturbing? Hannibal Lecter. Omg, that dude gets the blue ribbon for disturbance, yet he's romanticized in the stories about him. Totally creeps me out.<br /><br />Fun Karen Duvallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01839711547501582977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049654549567033617.post-33878729184854518702011-10-18T03:53:35.862-06:002011-10-18T03:53:35.862-06:00Is it just me or did anyone else hear Darth Vader&...Is it just me or did anyone else hear Darth Vader's voice: "I find your lack of faith disturbing..." :)<br /><br />Too perfect heroes are rather boring to read and unbelievable. No one is that perfect. On the other hand, if your MC is going to be disturbing, then give them at least one characteristic that makes the reader care what happens to the MC.Dianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02228827774140351030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049654549567033617.post-71338990895848841662011-10-17T21:05:29.876-06:002011-10-17T21:05:29.876-06:00Already did it. My MC has a lot of ugly thoughts a...Already did it. My MC has a lot of ugly thoughts about people she wishes she could act on. Sometimes she does. You have to be careful about not making characters too unlikeable, but I think you're right it does add a more realistic layer to have them show that dark side of themselves once in awhile.Luanne G. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15762881276976395955noreply@blogger.com