Two Diva's Bookish Discussion - What makes a good...?
Hi we're Francoise and Sunny and we have known each other since our nappy days. We're constantly having rants and raves about the latest books and bookish news.This is a fortnightly discussion that you can find on both of our blogs, so please make sure to stop by both blogs as our written content is different, although on the same topic. Our posts are not intended to offend anyone or anything but this is just our opinions and we would love it if you would share your thoughts in the comments below. This is a new feature we decided to add and the purpose is not only for you to get to know more about us but for you to be able to join in and have fun.
Protagonist:
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Point
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Reason
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Likable
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This
is the obvious reason to any good character because you’re not going to be able
to sit through a whole book if the main character just gets on your nerves.
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Relatable
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If
the protagonist isn't relatable you don’t get that strong connection
throughout the book and I always find it can make it sort of lacking.
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Strong
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I
love it when the main character is strong and he/she doesn't have to rely too
much on other characters. Obviously they have to have some flaws otherwise it is not realistic and as they say, nobody’s
perfect.
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Smart
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Now
I don’t mean the protagonist has to be a genius but sometimes characters just
lack common sense and I'm just left questioning the characters IQ. And I hate
it when a character is actually quite smart but they end up doing stupid
things and rush into things without considering the situation that they are
in. I also hate it when they’re easily fooled and they take everybody’s word
to heart.
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Vulnerability
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I
think every character has to have some vulnerability otherwise again it can
become unrealistic.
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Originality
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I
love it when we get a new, cool and quirky character that is like no other.
It makes it interesting and you don’t ever compare it to another story.
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Character
Development
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This
is important for any character not just the protagonist. This makes a good
story and no one likes any story flat.
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Antagonist (villain):
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Point
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Reason
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Back-story
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This
is really important for a villain as you need to know why they’re a villain. For example: Troubled childhood. It gives
the readers a reason behind their character. The villain also has to have a
good motive or it just feels like no point to the story.
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Smart
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I
absolutely love it when the antagonist is super smart and they’re always one
step ahead. Every time you think they've won the villain always has another
trick up his/her sleeve. And I love it when it is so clever that you’re more
in awe than hatred for that person.
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Not
who you expect
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I
love those stories where you don’t know who to trust and you’re in the same
boat as the protagonist. It makes it all the more real and that turn of event
when there is a massive reveal you can’t help but gasp out loud. Also it
makes it less predictable and makes the story more enjoyable.
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A
well thought out punishment
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I
don’t know about you but I love it when the punishment is well thought out
and it definitely does it justice. I don’t like it when it’s a quick and easy
death because then it just feels like the villain got the easy way out.
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So what do you think? Do you agree or disagree? Just say so in the comments. Make sure to go check out Sunny's blog because although we're posting on the same topic, they're completely different.
Thank you for reading.
About the Author
7 comments
Completely agree with this!!! For protagonists, the most important for me would be Character Development. I haaaaate flat characters. I'm not sure about back stories for antagonists though. It's kinda hard to hate them then.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post Francoise! I really love relatable and unique characters and I think it will also be good if there are a set of characters each with different personalities in the book! I do like smart character but I don't really like if they're like showing off their knowledge by throwing some totally random stuff that has nothing to do with what's happening in the book... To me a good antagonist has to me mysterious and unpredictable and generally intriguing :)
ReplyDeleteI pretty much agree with you on everything. I'm really open-minded when it comes to characters, though, so if they aren't as likable or as smart as I want them to be, I don't get annoyed with them (at least, not often). I love a character that is flawed. Give me a flawed hero or heroine and it's likely that I'll absoluetely love him or her.
ReplyDeleteI also love it when the antagonist isn't who you would expect. It makes me a bit anxious because I'm constantly trying to figure out who the bad guy is, then second guessing myself, then just going back to my original predictions. It's like a little mystery.
I like this post idea. :)
This is a wonderful, well thought out post! I like how you said the villain always needs to be a little unexpected, not your typical cardboard cut out baddy. The Immortal Rules series has a great villain that matches your description.
ReplyDeleteYou're completely right about the protagonist as well. A smart character is probably something that a lot more YA books need to have! lol
Great post, a new follower via Bloglovin. Thanks for stopping by my blog before, I look forward to being blogger buddies!
Awesome post Francoise. I really liked writing it with you and I think we've got some really cool ideas planned. Thank god were on agreement that protagonists need to be strong, flawed and relatable.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree especially with the character development, originality and not who you expect. Every time (or most of the time) before I start a book, I predict ooh the MC has this problem...she/he meets a boy/girl...there will be this villain...the MC will win...THE END!
ReplyDeleteEhhhh I really want A LOT of originality in the story and not just that, but the characters as well. I love it when the villain isn't the one that you were expecting. I really want to read a book where the villain is the love interest of the MC. LITERALLY the love interest..like, he/she REALLY wants to kill the MC and they won't fall back in love with each other.
Leigh
Little Book Star
Totally agree!! I hate when a protagonist being ridiculously stupid and clueless!! Nice article anyway!!
ReplyDelete