I picked up a copy of The Everything Guide to Writing a Romance Novel by Christie Craig and Faye Hughes the other day and came across a great list of how to make fictional characters lovable.
Thirteen Ways to Make Characters Lovable
1. Make your character an underdog. Give them a handicap and have them refuse to give up.
2. Have your character willing to admit he made a mistake and set out to make amends.
3. Make your character hurt emotionally but remain strong for others in his life.
4. Make your character kind to the underdog, small children, elderly people or animals.
5. Have a character who is self-sacrificing.
6. Have a character who is able to laugh at his or her own mistakes.
7. Have a character who is levelheaded.
8. Have a character make a mistake but for the right reasons.
9. Have a character who is the strong, silent type and means well but is unable to express it.
10. Have a character who takes risks and is willing to pay the price.
11. Have a character who has depth, layers and secrets.
12. Have a character who is able to forgive.
13. Make your character work against the odds to succeed.
What makes characters lovable for you? Can you think of other reasons to add to the list?
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I would add “sincere” to this list, as well as “honest.”
Both of those things can inadvertently add to the conflict, when a character acts altruistically but falls short of his expectations.
Great list, though. Thanks for sharing that! :)
Ciao for now!
by Ms Menozzi October 22nd, 2009 at 2:52 amHappy TT!
Great list, Shelley. I agree with Ms Menozzi. I would put sincere and honest in there too.
Happy Thursday!
by Stephanie Adkins October 22nd, 2009 at 4:27 amI’ve always liked the type of character in number 3 when I read.
As for levelheaded, I’d add that I like to see a level character until a certain quirk makes the character tip. shows strength and weakness.
by Ella Drake October 22nd, 2009 at 4:38 amHappy Thursday!
Excellent list! Number 11 is one of my favorites. Happy T13!
by ChrisQ October 22nd, 2009 at 4:42 amI don’t read romance novels. But I like reading about underdogs.
My 13 is posted, if you can stop by for a visit it’d be awesome…but if you can’t have a great Thursday anyway. Click HERE and scroll down a bit on my post.
by Hootin' Anni October 22nd, 2009 at 5:02 amGood stuff, even when you twist the circumstances, the core of a character is broken down here very nicely.
by Inez Kelley October 22nd, 2009 at 5:33 amGood stuff. I think she covered all bases.
by Adelle Laudan October 22nd, 2009 at 5:48 amHappy T13!
Nice list; I love those characters who are bigger than life, so to speak – and I realize that’s when characters have some of the characteristics listed above
by Zora Stout October 22nd, 2009 at 5:49 amGreat list, must add that I always like it when someone kicks a little ass when its deserved too.
by Richard October 22nd, 2009 at 5:49 amgood writing tool! are you doing nano?
happy tt!
by she October 22nd, 2009 at 6:19 amThis is an awesome list. I’m with Richard. Have the character kick some ass. LOL.
by Jennifer Leeland October 22nd, 2009 at 6:34 amWonderful characters!
Have a good Thursday!
by Harriet October 22nd, 2009 at 6:38 amhttp://iamharriet.blogspot.com/2009/10/if-jon-gosselin-and-octomom-got-married.html
So in other words, someone nice who is struggling.
by Alice Audrey October 22nd, 2009 at 7:20 amhm. I like having a character be protective and ass-kicky, too.
Nice list.
by Elise Logan October 22nd, 2009 at 7:53 amGreat tips!
*hugs*
Paige
My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/
by Paige Tyler October 22nd, 2009 at 8:37 amExcellent list, Shelley!
by Heather October 22nd, 2009 at 9:16 amGreat list Shelley!
by Karen Erickson October 22nd, 2009 at 9:34 amI like characters that in the beginning you think they are hard, tough and dark but as the story goes on you see they are actually really nice, tender and have big hearts and not at all as tough and hard as they thought they were.
by Mary October 22nd, 2009 at 12:15 pmA character should have the ability to see whats on the inside and not just what’s on the outside.
by Linda Henderson October 22nd, 2009 at 1:37 pmSounds good, I’ll have to remember all that for my next ms.
Happy TT.
by Janice Seagraves October 22nd, 2009 at 2:39 pmJanice~
Christie Craig is a HOOT! She sends me links for Win a Book, and getting to know her has been a pleasure. I’ll definitely listen to anything she says about creating character.
by Susan Helene Gottfried October 22nd, 2009 at 2:42 pmThis is a great list. It appeals to me as both a reader and writer.
by Dancing in the Morning Sun October 22nd, 2009 at 6:31 pmI like fighters, underdogs, and layered characters. Great list. :)
by Amy Ruttan October 22nd, 2009 at 7:14 pmThat sounds like a good book! Some of them on the list sound like “Save the cat!” moments especially 4 and 5. I personally struggle with writing multi-layered characters, but then, it’s not easy!
by Yvette Davis October 23rd, 2009 at 9:02 am