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?
