Should Characters Be Like Us?
Posted by annastan on February 12th, 2010. Filed under: Books, Writing Rants.In his wonderful craft book Characters and Viewpoint, Orson Scott Card says: “While we tend to like characters that are like us, we also tend to be a little bored with them. It’s strangeness, not familiarity, that excites our curiosity.” This got me thinking about the kinds of characters that appeal to me. I realized that while I don’t mind reading about people who are like me, I much prefer to read about those who are pretty different.
Even when I was young, I enjoyed books with characters that were very different from me. An exception to that was Emily of New Moon which was one of my favorites when I was growing up. Emily wanted to be a writer and so did I; this made her a kindred spirit in my mind. What’s funny is that when I tried to reread Emily of New Moon last year, I could only get halfway through before getting distracted and moving on to something else. This makes me wonder if I used to be more interested in reading about the familiar, but as I’ve grown older, I’ve become more fascinated by what I don’t know.
In my own work, I realized that I often write about characters who are only somewhat like me. They might be worry-warts, but they’re also brave and resourceful, two adjectives I wouldn’t exactly use to describe myself. I suppose it makes sense that I would write about the kinds of characters I enjoy reading about. But I also think I’m drawn to unfamiliar characters just as I am to unfamiliar places; I like the challenge of trying to imagine what they would be like.
What about you? How familiar do you like characters to be? And have you found that the kinds of characters you’re drawn to has changed over time?
February 12th, 2010 at 8:30 am
I can’t say that the kind of characters I’m drawn to has changed, but how the character draws me into her life. If the voice of the character grabs me, then I’ll read it.
February 12th, 2010 at 8:54 am
What a great question. I’m drawn to quirky, strong characters now—characters with more layers to them. I do agree with Laura, that it’s the voice that has to hook me.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:26 am
Still love the Emily books and all things LM Montgomery.
When I was young, I hated my very “hippie” middle name (I was always asked, “Do you have sisters named Sunshine and Moonbeam?”). Finding out about Emily Starr made it easier to deal with.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:34 am
Laura, isn’t it interesting how much voice can grab us, regardless of how much the character is like/unlike us?
Andrea, I think I’m similar in that I’m drawn to more complex characters now, whereas I used to be happy with more one-note ones.
Caroline, I can see how Emily Starr would be an appealing character for you! I’m not sure why I had trouble getting into the book this time around – I’ll have to give it another try.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:48 am
I hadn’t thought about this before but I think you’re right. I much prefer reading about characters who are more exciting and heroic than I am. That said, I also want them to share my values, if that makes sense.
February 12th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
I think wanting characters to share your values makes a lot of sense, especially in terms of a sense of right and wrong. If characters are doing things you are morally opposed to, you’re probably less likely to want to read about them.
February 12th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
As a child I was drawn to characters that I felt could have been a friend in real life. I was so wrapped up in their lives between the pages that when I came to the end I felt a sense of loss.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
When I was a teen I was drawn to dreamy, quirky and wistful characters, but now I tend to be drawn to gutsy and strong characters. I also see it bleed into my writing too. My main characters are getting bolder the older I get.
February 13th, 2010 at 6:18 am
Catherine, I know exactly what you mean about feeling a sense of loss at the end of the book. I would feel like I’d lived the story along with the characters, that it had been real, and it was hard to let it go sometimes.
Karen, I’ve noticed the same thing with my characters. They used to be more passive and timid (i.e. more like me) but over the years they’ve gotten stronger and braver. Maybe one day I’ll catch up to them.
February 13th, 2010 at 8:01 am
I put some of myself in my characters, but not too much in any one. It’s hard to translate reality into fiction successfully without overdoing it!
February 14th, 2010 at 6:39 am
PJ, that’s a good point. Also, I think I’d get a little bored if all my characters were like me. It’s much more fun writing about ones that aren’t.