What You Like/Dislike About a Character

[Hollowgo]

Yo.

Me again, doing more research. I wasn't sure if I wanted to put this here or in the general thread, but since it's kind of helping me out, I figured the story help worked better.

So now I'd like to ask now (in addition to any new thoughts on the previous villain thread) is what kinds of characters do you like and what kind do you not like.

Let me clarify using Twilight characters.

For the most part, just about all of us here hate Edward. Our reasons may differ, but I'd say that most of it happens to deal with the same; he is a whiny, manipulative, chauvinistic, hypocritical jerk who wants HIS way and treats Bella like she's made out of glass (which she is, but not everyone is like that).

So basically, he's a worthless piece of crap that many a young girl (and older woman) want because he's the "perfect man" and many people (us) detest because we see what he really is. Or something to that effect, since I don't want to speak for everyone.

My question(s): What kinds of characters do you like to read about and what kind do you not like reading about?

You could use Twilight characters that you like as examples, like why you like Rosalie or Alice, etc.

Any opinions are welcome. Thank you.

[VirtualD]

I find it hard to say what characters I don't like to read about, because sometimes not liking a character is what makes you like the story, and get passionate about it. I dislike Edward too, as you said, but if he wasn't such an ass, we wouldn't have seen how much better Alice is for Bella! I guess I dislike one dimensional characters, ones that are predictable and where there is no real explanation of why they act the way they do.

Using Twilight as an example, I prefer Alice, Emmett and Carlisle for example to Edward and Jasper because the whole broody Vampire has been done over and over and is a little boring to read again, whereas the others see a different side to their new life which makes them refreshing to read about and more interesting/less predictable.

[JocelynTorrent]

I like characters with depth. I also like characters in which the writer forces you to see that depth without actually writing it, if that makes sense. Like, I tried to do that with Rosalie, in Forever. I don't think I ever wrote "She is actually a good person" but through the story I tried to make the reader see past her bitchyness, even if Bella could or couldn't.

I love likeable characters with flaws, too, same as with villains. Even the greatest person in the world snaps at some point and to see that weakness on a strong character just makes them so much better for me. Humor is always great, too. Gotta throw some funny in there.

[VirtualD]

Depth! That's the word I was looking for I think

[JocelynTorrent]

Depth! Go us!

[VirtualD]

Depth is good. It's alllllll about depth!

[Enjorous]

A character needs goals, even if that goal is just to get a glass of water.

[Deleted]

The goal should at least be to make a sandwich, Enj.

[Enjorous]

How about make a sandwich and get a glass of watter?

[Deleted]

Perfection. That is a "reach for the stars" mentality right there.

[buffscoobs]

I enjoy it when the author creates a character you love and pull for, but they're not perfect, they have weaknesses and flaws. No one is absolutely perfect and it helps the readers relate to the characters more when they see them screw up from time to time, but that's just me

[JocelynTorrent]

Exactly, scoobs. Totes what I said. We rock the braintwin.

[buffscoobs]

Oh, that's another thing... brainpower. Dumb characters are fun to laugh at and fill space if done right, but it's hard to like someone who's a main character that's annoyingly stupid

[Enjorous]

You can have dumb characters, and they can be likable but it's hard to make them a main character. It's possible, but the MC needs to have something to make up for his lack of brainpower.

[Hollowgo]

So essentially it has to do with depth and the way they're characterized is what I'm seeing. That and if a character still has flaws to make them more realistic, too. I like that.

Okay, good, good. Thanks a bunch all, that helps me vastly.

What kinds of personalities turn you off when it comes to a character? I read above that broodiness for a vampire is dull and overused, which I agree completely. What other types of personalities rub you the wrong way?