This week’s therapist question deals with refining an unlikeable character. It’s easy to create unlikeable characters even though we are trying for likeable, strong protagonists.

Q: What if I have an unlikeable character? How can I fix it?

A: No one starts out to create an unlikeable character. But in the course of creating conflict and flaws, add tension and motivation, we often create a narrow, slightly negative heroes and heroines.

Sometimes values play a part. For example, I was going to create a character who fathered children he’d never seen. When I talked it over with my brainstorm partner, Susie May, she said, “But we aren’t going to like a man who’s never seen his kids.”

But I had reasons for his predicament. I saw and felt the “why” of his situation. I’ve known good men, who for one reason or another, had children with whom they had no relationship.

But she was right. In fiction, as I develop the character, I have to make valuable, plausible, understandable reasons why my HERO (of all people) had twin girls he’d not seen in years.

One of my first submissions to my first agent got sent back to me with: “I don’t like the heroine.”

When I braved an email to ask about it, she said, “Just make her more sympathetic.”

Oh, okay… Now how do I do that?

I got practical. What makes me like someone? What makes me likeable? What makes me like a character? Compassion. Sense of humor. A sense of strength even if they are in a hard place. A idea of where they want to go. Who they want to be. Likeable flaws. Yes, there is such a thing!

Let’s go back to my hero who had twins he’d not seen in years. What if he didn’t know he was a father until after they were born? What if the girl married another man? What if her parents refused to let him see his daughters? What if he was told they were better off without him? What if, being young, he cared more about his career than children he had no relationship with? What if there was family pressure to become a certain kind of man and fathering illegitimate children didn’t fit that image?

Okay, now we get him. We understand. He has a likeable flaw.

Or, what if, the heroine is battling deep fear and anxiety. She wants to be a singer-songwriter but every time she tries to go on stage, she panics, breaks out in a cold sweat, can’t feel her hands or her feet.

Flawed, but gaining the reader’s sympathy.

If you’re getting feedback that your characters are unlikeable, consider that you’re not allowing enough of their true inner journey, inner struggle show. You’re probably not giving the reader enough of the internal emotion.

You have to let your characters feel and react, letting the reader into their heart and mind.

Here’s a couple of reasons why your character might not be likeable:

1. You’ve not done enough emotional character work. What are his fears, dreams, goals. What’s the lie he believes? What happened in his past that shaped him at the time of the story opening? What internal journey do you want him to go on?
2. You’re trying to be funny but it’s coming across snarky. I’ve seen this a lot. Writers trying to be quip and cute bit it ends up sounding rude and mean. So make sure you’re humor isn’t attacking or making fun of other characters.
3. You’re not giving enough character history and motivation for why the protagonist is doing what he’s doing. If he’s robbing a bank, show the reader it’s because he’s at wits end to find a way to ransom his kidnapped wife.
4. The character is the center of controversy by how own actions other than being thrown into a situation. For example, if he’s being arrested for robbing a bank because he wanted to buy a new Porsche, we don’t feel for him. But  if he’s robbing a bank to save his wife, we feel for him.
5. Last reason why your protagonist might not be likeable. You don’t have a definitive enough story goal. What does he want in this story? What will he do at the end he can’t do at the beginning?

So, what tangible things can you do to make your characters more likeable.

1. Give him an endearing flaw. What if he’s so black and white he doesn’t understand any of life’s grey issues. That becomes part of the story journey and character development.
2. Put the hero in a sympathetic situation. Instead of having him instigating something, have him reacting to a situation he finds himself in. For example, my unwed father finally gets a chance to meet his daughters. It’s been ten years. Why mess up his life, and theirs, now? But he’s been giving the opportunity and as uncomfortable as it is, he’s going to take it. Sure, he got himself into it, but given the chance to do the right thing, he does.
3. Give him a noble quest and cause. What good thing does he want in the story? In the scene? Even if your protagonist finds himself in an odd spot, what good does he want to come from it?
4. Create dialog with secondary character that reveals the protagonist’s true identity. Even if he’s in the middle of robbing a bank, show how he’s doing wife. He feels helpless, at wits end. We see lots of characters we like in this kind of tight situation but we cheer for them. We know good will somehow come of it.
5. Make the dialog count. Show his true identity by what he says.

Watch movies, read books with edgy protagonists. What makes you like and cheer for the characters? Study likeable characters then apply what you learn to your characters.

Happy Writing.
***

Best-selling, award-winning author Rachel Hauck loves a great story. She excels in seeing the deeper layers of a story. With a love for teaching and mentoring, Rachel comes alongside writers to help them craft their novel. A worship leader, board member of ACFW and popular writing teacher, Rachel is the author of over 15 novels. She lives in Florida with her husband and her dog, Lola. Contact her at: Rachel@mybooktherapy.com.