Saturday, August 15, 2009
Can a writer love their characters too much?
A few months ago I stumbled across one of those celebrity interview shows featuring Russell Crowe. I believe it was The Actor’s Studio, but not positive. One of the questions asked was whether he loved the wonderful characters he portrays. Russell Crowe's answer was a resounding NO. He said something to the effect that if you love a character or a person too much, you overlook their faults. And by doing so you were overlooking the opportunity to create an extraordinary character. The faults and weaknesses are what give them depth and make them stand out. Say what you will about Mr. Crowe’s temperament, love him or hate him, he’s an amazing actor. His response struck a chord with me as a writer. We’ve all been taught that perfect characters are boring, but does loving them too much get in the way of writing good characters? Exploring their faults and weaknesses does make them more human. I think it gives us as readers something to identify with. By loving them, possibly we’re missing out on the opportunity to create extraordinary characters. What do you as readers and writers think? Can a writer love their characters too much? All those favorite characters on your keeper shelf, do you love them because they are so good or because of their flaws?
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16 comments:
Excellent post. I think that, even in real life, if someone is too perfect they seem intimidating or unapproachable. That's the last thing you want with characters in your book. You want readers to identify with them and love them. They need to feel comfortable with them and not many people feel so with perfection. As for do we love them because of their flaws or do we love them inspite of their flaws...I think it's a bit of both.
Since we're talking hollywood...you know how many actors/actresses are nice people in real life but they get to play aweful characters? Well, we all know what wonderful, generous and kind folks all romance writers are, so planning your story is where you get to be the most horrible, mean, sadistic person you can be and torture your loved characters enough for the reader to love them too! A play on sympathy.
BTW...loved Last Marriage Resort!
Hi Anonymous. I'm so glad you engouyed my first book. It was a blast to write. I got a call last week that Harlequin American wants to buy my second book. I'm working on the bullet point and how the characters deal with their flaws and hopefully overcome them together. It's really a fun process. Not always easy, but fun. Thanks for stopping by.
OK, so I can't type today. ENJOYED my first book. I'm going to write that off to these silly fake nails I had put on for National. Never again.
I think you're right about loving characters. They aren't perfect. I love doing things to them and I have a hero who treats his heroine in a fun way to get her attention. Who couldn't love that? But totally in love? No.
So just like in marriage, we have good and bad.
Hi, Vicki. Thanks for stopping by. You are so right. After being married this long, those flaws and quirks, frustrating as they can be at times, really are what keeps things interesting.
I enjoyed your post. It made me think about my characters. I do love them and I want everyone who reads my manuscript to think they're wonderful which makes them like cardboard cut-outs.
Hey, Pam. Thanks for jumping in. I doubt they are like cardboard cut-outs, but flaws do make them human. I have been thinking about some of my favorite movie characters and what made me love them. Redford in The Way We Were. Katie committed to every cause she believed in and Hubbell didn't commit to anything. Richard Gere in An Officer and a Gentleman, very self-serving in the beginning. Kristofferson in A Star is Born. Lots of flaws there, but I loved them all.
HI Pam,
Interesting subject. I'm SO different than you and maybe even most writers. I'm so pragmatic. I love writing my characters, and I do find my hero sexy and sometimes cry when writing an emotional scene, but do I fall in love with my characters? Hmm... Not to the extent that you and Linda do, in that you two hate to finish the book because you like spending time with them so much, you even imagine what their lives are like beyond where the book ends. I wish I were like that. I think it's what makes you both such wonderful writers. I'm getting better at knowing my characters, but it's a learned thing for me, not an inate talent.
Juliet, we are all different writers, but you are great at creating flawed characters and using that to make your reader fall in love with them. It's a talent for sure. Thanks for stopping by.
Pam:
What a great post. It really does make you think about writing and character development in a different way.
Fantastic conversation starter!!
Addison
PS
I am SO excited to know we've got more Pam Stone books heading our way!!!!
Thanks, Addison! I'm trying to get used to that name, Addison.
Character development is a tricky thing. They need flaws in order to relate to them, but we have to love them too.
You have a couple books coming out soon too! Can't wait.
I love them because they faults - which make them real.
Who'd have thought Russell could be so profound?
I know Marcie. Talk about a guy with some interesting faults. He should know I guess. But a talented actor for sure.
I guess maybe if you liked your characters too much you might tend to make them nicer. Not show as many faults. De-humanize them.
Linda Henderson
Linda, I think that's pretty close. You won't let your characters do anything that someone might object to or think is bad. Interesting conversation today. Thanks to everyone who stopped by.
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