Interesting. I don’t need “likable.” Relatable, yes. Interesting, yes. Makes me root for her to learn some hard lessons through the story, absolutely. What do you think?
Are Likable Characters Important in Women’s Fiction?
Interesting. I don’t need “likable.” Relatable, yes. Interesting, yes. Makes me root for her to learn some hard lessons through the story, absolutely. What do you think?
Laurie Boris 
I don’t need to really like a character to enjoy a book. The post you shared by A Writer’s Path uses the example of Gone Girl. That’s a great one to choose, because although not many readers will like Amy, we can relate to her (though not with all her actions), and it’s still a great read. Same goes for The Girl on the Train. I wouldn’t necessarily want to be friends with the main character, but I enjoyed reading about her.
Those two books are on my list, Carrie. I love a good flawed character!
Definitely flawed women in both!
I agree with you. I don’t need to love a protagonist to the extent of wanting to be BFFs, but I want to see some redeeming characteristics or qualities.
Yes…something to keep me rooting for the character(s).
Early in my career I attended a retreat hosted by an author who had been well known in the 80s (although to be truthful I’d never heard of her–I went b/c my friend talked me into going) She did a critique of the first chapter of a ms by everyone there. When she got to mine, which was an early version of Kate Jones, she tore me a new one, insisting that I make her more likable, that readers wouldn’t want to read about a woman who was a sarcastic smart ass. She was much kinder to everyone else. I decided that getting that much of a strong reaction meant I was on the right road. Many years later, I now have TWO sarcastic smart asses in two series, and I haven’t heard anyone complain, so no, a character doesn’t have to be “likable” for me to read. 😀
Ha! DV, I love that! I had a similar thing happen with Frankie, my protagonist from The Joke’s on Me. An agent at a writing workshop told me she was too snarky, that she couldn’t relate to her sense of humor, and that I should make her “softer” to appeal to the market. Pfeh. (And I LOVE your sarcastic smart asses!)