I Hate That Guy: Making Likable Characters

I love sarcasm. Give me a character who's snappy and snippy with their dialogue and bam...instant like fest as far as I'm concerned. So it surprises me when my snarky characters aren't always well loved. What's the deal?

Well...apparently I'm in the minority. Surprisingly, sarcasm doesn't head the list of likable traits, which  can work against me in making my characters likable.

So I went on a google search to find the top 3 ingredients that should go into a blue-ribbon recipe for creating an endearing character. 

Admirable motivations. 
Even if your protag resorts to doing something naughty, give them an empathetic reason for doing so.

Show them capable of love.
No matter how self-centered your character may be, how vile or criminally minded, the teddy bear factor must be present. Give them a pet, a younger sibling, or something else cute and cuddly to love. 

Vulnerable vs Capable
Too much vulnerability makes your character a wuss. Over the top confidence labels them as snooty. The ironic thing is that you should have a blend of both in your protag.

Interesting side note: while I searched on how to create likable characters, I came across a book that's been recommended to me several times and one I intend to purchase. Save the Cat! is really a book about how to write screenplays but one that every fiction writer should have on their shelf--especially if you struggle with connecting with your reader. And honestly, who doesn't?

A Rose By Any Other Name

Names are important. Think about it. Would you want to be named Benedict Arnold? Immediately brings to mind a traitor, right? Or what about Adolph Hitler? Super villain, hmm? Well, the same holds true for your fictional characters. Choosing names is a huge part of character development.


Charles Dickens is the best of the best when it comes to this technique. What kind of personality do the following names foreshadow when they're first introduced?


Wackford Squeers
Uriah Heap
Charity Pecksniff
Dick Datchery
Kit Nubbles


Personally, I don't think there's a hero in that bunch. Here's a grouping of names taken from my own writing. Who are the heroes?


Clive Witherskim    Ethan Goodwin      Nigel Thorne     Alexander Moore


You got it: Ethan & Alexander. Pretty easy, eh? And all accomplished with 2 little names.


But sometimes it's more complicated than cracking open a baby name book and running your finger down the page. Different genres call for different tactics. For instance, in writing historical, specifically in the regency era, I can't have a character named Zuba Starshine and have it be believable. That would be more of a 1960's hippie kind of name. And what if you're writing a pirate series? How to come up with something more original than Blackbeard?


I came across some great name generating sites for help in situations such as these. Stop by and check them out even if you're not currently looking for character ideas...they're a 'Heap' of fun.


Ethnic Name Generator

Pirate Name Generator

Fantasy Name Generator

Nerd Name Generator

Jedi Name Generator

Hip Hop Name Generator

Celebrity Baby Name Generator

Mafia Name Generator

And those are just a few. Next time you need to name a character, do a little research and give it some meaning. It worked for Dickens (every one of his books is STILL in print). It can work for you.

Lessons from Downton Abbey: Characterization

Everyone's got their favorite characters in Downton Abbey...but why? What makes us so attracted to these fictional people?

After giving this some thought, I've come up with a few ideas that would be easy to incorporate into any story, historical or not.

Depth

Great characters have lots of layers. Lady Mary is a prime example. Every now and then we get a peek at the great insecurity she feels, which is often made up for in careless arrogance. Interesting combo.

Foreshadowing

A character's outside appearance hints at their insides. O'Brien looks like a shrew on the outside and guess what...she is.

Complexity

Characters that aren't overly serious all the time, such as Mr. Carson, make them three-dimensional--and wholly relatable.

Imperfection

I know. Seems like you'd want your hero to be all that and a bag of chips, but guess what? Those are the kind of characters we usually want to slap. Matthew Crawley is a great guy, but he's a little too slow to take charge in some situations.

Astonishing

Memorable characters are surprising. I never know what's going to come out of Violet Crawley's mouth. Oh, I like to think I know, but often it's not what I expect.

Secretive

A hidden past is a great idea. But don't tell it all at once. Toss out tidbits every now and then. Hint at it, even. Who honestly didn't wonder about Mr. Bates' past?

Zealous

A compelling character often has a cause which they are passionate about, usually one that involves justice. Lady Sybil Crawley cares about politics, women's rights specifically, which pretty much endears her to every female on the planet.

That seems like quite a laundry list, and I'm not advocating a spreadsheet to check off each trait for each character. Good news: these qualities can be summed up.

The bottom line is a great character has to be relatable... or the reader is going to shut the book and never return. And that's what Downton Abbey has going for it. At times, everyone is as despicable as Thomas or sweet as Anna. Consider that when crafting your next set of characters.

Build-a-Hunk Workshop

Malls. Gotta love 'em. I live in the land of the kingpin of them all--Mall of America...full of the usual Victoria's Secrets, not one but two Bath & Body Works, and of course the requisite Build-a-Bear Workshop.

Most cities have a Build-a-Bear, but if you're not lucky enough to be familiar with the stuffed animal retail business, let me fill you in. Think mall store full of cute little outfits on hangers, surrounded by deflated, fuzzy animal pelts. In the middle of the store is a big, fluffy cotton machine.

Enter a small child who, once over the horror of the lifeless stares from plastic eyeballs, picks out a limp piece of fur. Said child gives this to an adult who then jams it onto the machine and shoots stuffing into the fabric carcass. Voila. Instant lovable plush toy. And as a bonus, the kid gets to put a felt heart into their bundle of love before it's sewn up.

Mildly entertaining, but what's this got to do with fiction? Hmm?

Plenty. Creating a hero is a lot like going to one of these mall stores. First, the outside pelt must be chosen. Biceps, pecs, a six-pack, longish hair, and don't forget the chiseled facial features and all-consuming eyes.

Add to this mix a resonant voice, some talent, and the smell. Every leading man has a smell, whether it's spice, musk, possibly sawdust or leather. Take a sniff. Yep. Smells manly--and a good one at that.

There. Now we have the lifeless pelt waiting to pump in some guts.

My male characters tend to be deeply spiritual whether they've met their Savior or not yet. They also have dealt with or continue to overcome some kind of deep tragedy of the spirit.

And don't forget the bonus of a heart. My heroes must have sensitive hearts and questions that beg for answers lurking beneath their waistcoats.

It's these qualities, coupled with integrity, that bring my leading man into direct conflict with their heroine--who inevitably does not understand him--and into a fair amount of conflict within themselves.

Finally, before my hunk-of-man is complete, he must have some kind of flaw. A physical imperfection works, but a spiritual or emotional blemish is even better. As the relationship between hero and heroine deepens, those flaws become either a battle wound to wear with pride or a final issue that is laid to rest with humility.

The possibilities are endless and the combinations make for a lovable hero every time.

Whew...I'm sure glad this doesn't have to go on my credit card.