What Type of Character Appeals To You?

[Iridescence]

Hullo, Iri here! I've got a query for you: What type of character most appeals to you?

My main character is a twelve-year-old boy. I am having problems giving him a personality of his own. I want a personality that appeals to the general public. Could you be kind and give this young boy his personality? Please? :)

Do you like:

A) a character with sarcastic/witty humor
B) a character who is shy, quiet, and thinks carefully before he acts?
C) a character who is slightly, yet endearingly, clueless?
D) a character who is stoic, taciturn--you know, the Quiet-Strength type of guy?
E) a character with a fiery temper/stubborn disposition?
F) a cheery character whom everyone likes to hang around?
G) a character who is loyal and protective?
H) a character who hates to fight and prefers peace?
I) the Reluctant-Hero type of character?

You can combine any of the options listed above. If you can think of another option, that would be fine, too (I am writing the story in first-person, if this affects your decision at all).

A billion thank-you's! :writing:

[Bowie20049]

Either G or I or H because he has a sister right? Though H sounds more side character than main

[Crocolyle]

Though this problem won't help, I'd say to just give him a personality that suits him... like, don't think about what we want--it's your character, make him your own. People will probably like him if you portray him sympathetically and portray him as if he's real.

I mean, everyone is naturally attracted to certain types of people, but that doesn't mean all your friends are exactly the same. Think of characters in a similar sense. While readers may like one type of character over another, but that doesn't mean they can't like another character.

Make sure your character is relatively consist, has some sort of conflict, and experiences change. Make the character flawed, but lovable.My favorite character in all literature is probably Michael Henchard from The Mayor of Casterbridge. Though the protagonist of the novel, he is deeply, deeply flawed (jealous, rash, controlling), but most people who read the book root for him, as the world around him crumbles as a result of his flaws.

[Bowie20049]

Though this problem won't help, I'd say to just give him a personality that suits him... like, don't think about what we want--it's your character, make him your own. People will probably like him if you portray him sympathetically and portray him as if he's real.

I mean, everyone is naturally attracted to certain types of people, but that doesn't mean all your friends are exactly the same. Think of characters in a similar sense. While readers may like one type of character over another, but that doesn't mean they can't like another character.

Make sure your character is relatively consist, has some sort of conflict, and experiences change. Make the character flawed, but lovable.My favorite character in all literature is probably Michael Henchard from The Mayor of Casterbridge. Though the protagonist of the novel, he is deeply, deeply flawed (jealous, rash, controlling), but most people who read the book root for him, as the world around him crumbles as a result of his flaws.

Yes yes, but she asked for it. She probably already thought about all that before. Might as well list my preferences.

Usually I would say everything you said, but I know Iri is intelligent.

[Shaun]

Anything but A and H. A is overdone thanks to Urban Fantasy and H is just annoying.

And just to add to Croc's message: You should always write for yourself, not the market. Write the characters you want to write. You can't write to the market, because it's unpredictable.

[Carraka]

Anything but I. I have bad experiences concerning C, but I suppose someone could pull it off. For the other ones, I can see how it could go brilliantly and how it can go poorly, so all of that depends on you and how much you remain true to reality. -points at Croc- His advice, basically.

As for what I like? Um, I guess I like witty, sarcastic, crude, incestuous, golden-haired, swordfighting failures. Or witty, sarcastic, crude, big-mouthed dwarfs. But if you did that, your 12-year-old would be perverted, and you would be copying. xP (Somehow I feel you don't want to write to my market.) Now, notice I'm not telling you to write a witty, sarcastic character, because I don't think those two traits actually define those characters or explain why I love them. The traits are a part of it, but I find that their relationships are a larger part -- the relationships with their family, society, and self.

Really, I didn't post here to tell you what kind of character I like or help you with your writing. I just wanted to describe Jaime and Tyrion -- again. Sorry.

[ScottyMcGee]

Anyone is really good, as long as they're interesting. But I guess I'd prefer a stoic.

[Crocolyle]

Anything but I. I have bad experiences concerning C, but I suppose someone could pull it off. For the other ones, I can see how it could go brilliantly and how it can go poorly, so all of that depends on you and how much you remain true to reality. -points at Croc- His advice, basically.

As for what I like? Um, I guess I like witty, sarcastic, crude, incestuous, golden-haired, swordfighting failures. Or witty, sarcastic, crude, big-mouthed dwarfs. But if you did that, your 12-year-old would be perverted, and you would be copying. xP (Somehow I feel you don't want to write to my market.) Now, notice I'm not telling you to write a witty, sarcastic character, because I don't think those two traits actually define those characters or explain why I love them. The traits are a part of it, but I find that their relationships are a larger part -- the relationships with their family, society, and self.

Really, I didn't post here to tell you what kind of character I like or help you with your writing. I just wanted to describe Jaime and Tyrion -- again. Sorry.

As soon as I saw golden-haired and incestuous, I knew you were talking about Lannisters.

[Carraka]

As soon as I saw golden-haired and incestuous, I knew you were talking about Lannisters.

And that is as it should be. They were also my least favorite characters for two books, if that helps.

[Meghan]

I do like the characters that fall under 'A', but they are rarely done well. They usually become 'the jerk that everyone loves because he's funny and hot'.

Some of these could be combined. E and G could be the same person -- a loyal young man who stubbornly protects those he cares for, to the point where their pain and suffering could drive him into a wild rage. Play around with your concepts, develop your character. Just think of the characters around him and how they'd react. You just kind of feel the character's personality blossoming once you reach a certain point.

[Norikoann]

I would say trying to find a personality to fit the public view isn't going to help you with character development. Sit down, take a walk, go on a drive, and think about your character. Let him tell you what he's like.

[Iridescence]

Yes yes, but she asked for it. She probably already thought about all that before. Might as well list my preferences.

Usually I would say everything you said, but I know Iri is intelligent.

Aw, thank you Bowie! I feel smart now :D

[Iridescence]

I would say trying to find a personality to fit the public view isn't going to help you with character development. Sit down, take a walk, go on a drive, and think about your character. Let him tell you what he's like.

Thank you. This advice is probably one of the most simple. For all the others, thanks!!! Your advice really helps. :D

[Rage]

I'd say 'I'.
Kinda like Shikamaru from Naruto, as in, he has good intentions, but he just can't be bothered with the hardship and effort.

[jordanisonfire]

I just go for someone who's interesting, or kick-ass... or both. I don't really like all the cliche "reluctant hero" type protagonists that are going around, especially in fantasy and sci-fi. I'd prefer someone who's more original. That said, what is original in fantasy anymore?

[Bowie20049]

I'd say 'I'.
Kinda like Shikamaru from Naruto, as in, he has good intentions, but he just can't be bothered with the hardship and effort.

Doesn't sound like a good main character to me. Sounds more like a foil

[Rage]

Doesn't sound like a good main character to me. Sounds more like a foil

I'd find it interesting, almost like he feels the inclination to help others, or do the right thing...yet he just can't be bothered with the hassle that comes with it. Could even be the only person who can achieve the things needed of him, be like a tortured soul.

[SprinkleSutton]

A character with sarcstic witty humor that ends up being a reluctant hero sound marvelous to me!

[Avery_Rayne]

As long as the character is interesting and plot is decent, I'll read it. Preferably I read characters with quirks and a dark sense of humor - they seem more realistic than some Rosalie *Twilight reference* or Mary Sue, who are practically perfect in every way. Other than that, if the writing itself interests me enough, I might let odd/strange/bad characters slide. It depends on the author and the plot, not to mention the setting for the characters and how they respond to it.

So yes, it also depends upon the person's/people's interests, which are difficult to pinpoint in one thread.

[miss_smiley]

Well, I find I agree with all the comments about not writing to the market, and very strongly with Norikoann - the characters seem more natural if you do that, and you're not going to end up twisting back on yourself in order to keep your plot, because some characters will do something (ie. Johnny stole a loaf of bread, because he has terrible morals, and as a result, is chased by the police, and exiled from community, where he starts to rebuild himself as a better man etc, etc.) that others wouldn't dare to do (ie. Lizzy values her integrity, and so, doesn't steal the loaf of bread, and goes about her hum-drum life).
Take a good, hard look at your plotline, and what your character does to keep it rolling, ie. If Darcy hadn't become attracted to Elizabeth, the entire story of Pride and Prejudice would be COMPLETELY different.
From that kind of information, you can start building their character. Or vice versa. Whatever floats your boat.
(ie of above: Darcy likes feisty women, so he's probably fairly dominant, or a masochist....... maybe that was a bad example...)
Personally, I build my characters, and then the story, but I know authors who build the story and then the characters - in my opinion, it works just as well. ^_*
Does any of that help, or was it useless waffle?

Go, girl, go!

[Bowie20049]

Flexible characters...!

[sXe_Jinxeh]

I'm appealed to quirky characters. Characters that are a little bitchy, really sarcastic, pretty much anything.

The only thing I have a problem with are characters who take themselves 100% seriously. This is different to me from a condescending character, I love dick characters who think they're better than everybody.

But any charcters that take themselves one hundred percent seriously are a major turn off.

[Iridescence]

As long as the character is interesting and plot is decent, I'll read it. Preferably I read characters with quirks and a dark sense of humor - they seem more realistic than some Rosalie *Twilight reference* or Mary Sue, who are practically perfect in every way. Other than that, if the writing itself interests me enough, I might let odd/strange/bad characters slide. It depends on the author and the plot, not to mention the setting for the characters and how they respond to it.

So yes, it also depends upon the person's/people's interests, which are difficult to pinpoint in one thread.

One question: what exactly is a Mary Sue? I've heard the term used, as well as Gary Stu, and I have a pretty good definition, but I'd like some reinforcement. I'm afraid I might have one or two of those in my story.

I don't know if I should start a completely different thread on this, but I don't want to be annoying and constantly put up post after post.

[Bowie20049]

Mary Sue/Gary Stue is someone who is absolutely perfect in every possible way (ie Edward Cullen), or completely angsty as well about what he is (ie Edward Cullen). Don't worry about your characters being any of them because I know you probably won't do it.

(Doesn't look at the protagonist for Snarling Wind... :|)

[Shaun]

Mary Sue/Gary Stue is also typically a reflection of the author's perceptions of him or herself, i.e. a fulfillment of the author's fantasized version of the self. At least, that's what I was taught.

[Bowie20049]

Mary Sue/Gary Stue is also typically a reflection of the author's perceptions of him or herself, i.e. a fulfillment of the author's fantasized version of the self. At least, that's what I was taught.

(ie Bella...forgot her last name)

[Iridescence]

Mary Sue/Gary Stue is someone who is absolutely perfect in every possible way (ie Edward Cullen), or completely angsty as well about what he is (ie Edward Cullen). Don't worry about your characters being any of them because I know you probably won't do it.

(Doesn't look at the protagonist for Snarling Wind... :|)

Say...what d'you mean by that? Is Sky perfect? Willow? Dear god...

[Shaun]

Willow is by far not a perfect character. I'm assuming you mean Buffy's Willow. Definitely not perfect. Lots of flaws, which makes her unique and interesting.

[Bowie20049]

Shaun, her novel has a character named Willow.

[Shaun]

Well that clarifies matters...

[Eilidh]

Bad ass characters.

[Bowie20049]

Bad ass characters.

NO! Don't listen to them...bad assedness is the epitome of cliche.

[jordanisonfire]

Can you actually get a character that ISN'T cliche anymore? I wonder...

[Eilidh]

It depends what way the author potrays them. Even the most original character can come across as cliche. When a author pulls of an amazing "bad ass" character, it's fantastic. Like any character, although I'm no a fan of nicey nice characters.

[Killian]

I think reading about a character who changes drastically throughout the story would be nice, seeing as how it seems like he's at an age where he would change a lot.

How about a character who starts off as a kid who loves fighting but won't do it around a certain person (not specifically the love interest, but someone he respects/fears/doesn't want to be like him/ect.) and doesn't care about betraying family/friends/love (you pick) but would rather die then break the rules/betray one of the earlier things listed/admit he's wrong? Also, outside of his love of fighting, maybe he could be a rather naive and cheerful guy that's impulsive and rudely blunt.

It's really up to you and the plot. Also, here's a site that I think explains a Mary Sue pretty well.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MarySue

[jcsk88]

Characters that ply a unique trade appeal to my reading tastes. For example, in Garth Nix's Abhorsen trilogy, the author convincingly creates an occupation out of the art of necromancy, and the main protagonist in this story treads the thin line between life and death. In the same vein, Chris Wooding's main characters in "The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray" are wych-hunters, demon-killers with a refreshing take on their profession.

[xcomplex]

D, I always love a mysterious 'dark' guy in the story. My main character is somewhat like that, You never would know what he is thinking by just looking in his eyes.

[Zaphkiel]

Hullo, Iri here! I've got a query for you: What type of character most appeals to you?

My main character is a twelve-year-old boy. I am having problems giving him a personality of his own. I want a personality that appeals to the general public. Could you be kind and give this young boy his personality? Please? :)

Do you like:

A) a character with sarcastic/witty humor
B) a character who is shy, quiet, and thinks carefully before he acts?
C) a character who is slightly, yet endearingly, clueless?
D) a character who is stoic, taciturn--you know, the Quiet-Strength type of guy?
E) a character with a fiery temper/stubborn disposition?
F) a cheery character whom everyone likes to hang around?
G) a character who is loyal and protective?
H) a character who hates to fight and prefers peace?
I) the Reluctant-Hero type of character?

You can combine any of the options listed above. If you can think of another option, that would be fine, too (I am writing the story in first-person, if this affects your decision at all).

A billion thank-you's! :writing:

I like the Reluctant hero types; those who don't want to fight, but get sucked into to it any way. I would also combine the=is with the shy, quiet ones, who think before they act.

[mephet]

Not really any of these: I prefer mixing stereotypes and bending them, rather than using them on the spot. For example, a character that is rather quiet and tries his best to think before he acts, but has to fight against his wild temper and/or protectiveness in order to act how he thinks is wise. Or a character that is endearingly clueless, but feels incredibly frustrated because of this, being somewhat of an active guy.

Nah, I don't know if my comment is what you really need. Personally I prefer mixes, but maybe you were going to complicate things after getting the stereotype done (probably so, I apologize), I don’t know. If I'd have to pick, I would say D, E and/or G. With D and E I wouldn't necessarily love the character, but I would find him interesting. I dislike H (annoying) and I (often ends up way too whiny for my taste, but I admit this can be done right in the hands of a good author).

[MasterCarlton]

As long as it ain't that Final Fantasy crap!

Were the hero is an angsty lonesome teen who goes on a journey, falls in love with his companion and finds the will to live again but while still bieng a miserable douche in order to keep the fans happy.

[Riley]

A) a character with sarcastic/witty humor
B) a character who is shy, quiet, and thinks carefully before he acts?
C) a character who is slightly, yet endearingly, clueless?
D) a character who is stoic, taciturn--you know, the Quiet-Strength type of guy?
E) a character with a fiery temper/stubborn disposition?
F) a cheery character whom everyone likes to hang around?
G) a character who is loyal and protective?
H) a character who hates to fight and prefers peace?
I) the Reluctant-Hero type of character?

A) I always love. Probably because that's a lot like me.
B) Nice to hear the thoughts of but otherwise is just a filler, in my opinion.
C) Gets on my nerves unless they're funny-clueless.
D) In real life I can't stand them, in book life they're interesting: Why are they silent? What are they hiding? A bit classic, but good.
E) Yep, they're like me too. I'll never back down.
F) They can really piss me off too, unless there's something else to them.
G) Those traits will have to be combined with something for me to like them.
H) Not at all: gives good conflict (to fight and save people or stay with your morals?) but are often just too "savior-like" for me.
I) Kind of; not bad, but can get repetitive.

My combo would be:
A + D + E + G = my ultimate favourite character.
Sarcastic humour + mystery + temper + loyalty = Damon Salvatore.

Ever read Vampire Diaries? No?!?!?! Read them.
Damon Salvatore is the most interesting character I've ever come across. He seems evil and you're told he is, but his big actions contradict this and his every-day things support this. You don't really get him and you really want to, so you keep reading to figure him out.
That, in my opinion, defines the ultimate character.
Or... Everything is laid bare and you can almost expect how the character will act, but the plot throws him in every direction, making him grow, change, evolve.
Both of those characters are awesome.

Damon Salvatore and Harry Potter... my favourite characters. ^^

[Merc]

I like a well-developed character of any type, but A gets boring and annoying after a while. B, C, D and H are my favorites, and a combination of E and H would be interesting (an anti-violence, easily-angered, insult-throwing, vengeful character seems great).

[trinity]

I prefer the reluctant hero. It doesn't appeal to me to find the hero always courageous, strong, and level headed. :P

[Rose]

I prefer:
A)sarcastic/witty humor
D)stoic-quite strength thingy,but you know not like he has the six packs...He's a twelve year old boy as you're saying(more like a 12 year old boy's strength) :)
G)Loyal and protective,but this seems like a side kick character trait not a main character's trait
F)Of course,cheery and every one likes to hang around with. :D

[snow_yuki]

A and E. :)

[ManyIdeas]

Probably E and G, it would give that characacter a lot to lose if he/she is fighting for something, and E because they usually get themselves into a lot of interesting trouble.

[Anira]

A) a character with sarcastic/witty humor
E) a character with a fiery temper/stubborn disposition?
G) a character who is loyal and protective?

Would be my ideal combo. But as other people have said before me (both in this topic and great authors like John Green), write for yourself not everyone else.

[lostbookworm]

A) a character with sarcastic/witty humor
E) a character with a fiery temper/stubborn disposition

I prefer a character who is sarcastic and always has an answer for everything and everyone, and once he sets his mind on something, he does it, no matter what. I also prefer a character who has a dark secret or trouble, like Francis 'Ziplock' Murphy. Francis got the name "Ziplock" when he talked too much to a "certain someone" at Clarissa Frayne, and got the bind from a ziplock bag super-glued over his mouth as a result (it is unclear exactly who did this, though it may well have been Marshal Redwood, the boys' apparent main supervisor). He has a habit of being unable to stop talking particularly when he has a joke or insult in mind.

[Weirdside]

This changes depending on my mood, the weather, the season, my clothing, etc, but right now I like A or C. I'm sick of all the other types. I'm in the mood for fun, and when an A and a C get into a room together, it's hilarity.

[Syn]

Damon Salvatore and Harry Potter... my favourite characters. ^^

I'll be honest, I haven't READ VD, but I watched the tv show. And I don't know the differences and similarities, but Damon is pretty darn awesome! He's the reason enough to watch the entire show.
But I REALLY HATE Harry Potter!! Actually I don't HATE him, I don't hate anything, but I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REEEEEEEAAAAAAALLYYY dislike him and his type of characters.
I always hated it when one guy is like the best and he's so cool and everyone keeps saying how cool and powerful he is and he's been like destined to so something, yet he's basically incompetent. Almost everyone around him, mainly that girl, are tens of times better and smarter than he is, yet he is the main star, for some reason. It annoys the living hell out of me!

Now, for the list, I'm not really sure which ones I prefer.. There is something to all of them, it just depends on the character. For example, I loved The Fool from Farseer and Tawny Man trilogies. He was so gracious and elegant, very quick witted (though not "witted" by the book's standards) and it seemed like he had an answer for everything, yet at the same time he was so fragile and kind. Or for example Burrich, from the same series, he was so stubborn, yet incredibly dedicated and hearty.
Or, for example, characters in Mistborn... Almost all of them are so awesome!! Kelsier is just so darn cool.. Amazingly powerful, ruthless, intelligent and so "in your face" and rebellious, but at the same time also heroic and protective. And Ham, with his brute-force looks and philosophical ponderings; Breeze with his outer coldness and inner kindness; Sazed, who is just so celestial in his servile attitude and his views of the world, yet sooo powerful when needed... And Marsh, who, despite being quit little in the first two books, still feels so great and awesome for his dedication, despite his apparent coldness.

I don't think it really matters to me what kind of qualities the characters have, as much as what they do with them. I think that Mistborn is a great example of what I mean,
there are so many different characters, yet they all do their best to do what they need to do. And I guess I'm a sucker for "good", but no matter how awesome and cool an "evil" character may be, the ones that do good and kind things will be so much closer to me. And I always feel sad and bad when a great character is evil and doesn't redeem him/herself.

I think I just realised that I love fairytales xD

[Kiba]

A) a character with sarcastic/witty humor BUT if done badly (making him always be witty or sarcastic), you stand a good risk of making him a jerk. I hate that kind of person in fiction AND reality. Just because you're witty/sarcastic doesn't mean you can't be nice as well.

B) a character who is shy, quiet, and thinks carefully before he acts? Nobody does this enough, and the ones who try to do it end up doing it badly. Just because you're shy and think carefully doesn't mean you're a pathetic loser who can't do ANYTHING without hours of thought.

G) a character who is loyal and protective? People also don't do this enough because apparently it's "boring." My best advice is to make this the dominant part of his personality, but not so much that he becomes "guy who only does something when [Character] is in trouble or wants a hug."

Simon Tam from Firefly is a GREAT example of loyal and protective, but still having his own personality. Normally he's an unassuming doctor who's a little bit very awkward around girls, but when his little sister River is in trouble, he goes orchestrates a plan to rescue her and then gives up a lucrative career that he loves to become a fugitive on the run, without a second thought. He stays with River even after discovering she's been put through brain-damaging operations that turned her crazy, and if you threaten her or anyone else he cares about, you just pissed off a doctor who knows exactly how much the human body can take without dying or going unconscious.

...God, I'm a geek.

[Rapsca]

I like all types of characters. It depends on the story context, but they must be strong and have a reason for being.

[Horror_guy]

Well, a twelve year-old boy is a good character to relate to.
You asked what we like, So the question can be what reader's like?
Readers don't like a particular character never. With a child, it should be even more crafted out. Character should be like on that the general public could relate to themselves. It should be neither too perfect nor too slithery. All over no character should go off the limits. The character should change in course of the story, with a particular character rising again and again and then going away.

[Write]

My personal opinion is A and E, but that's just me.

[joycey360]

A character with sarcstic witty humor that ends up being a reluctant hero sound marvelous to me!

I agree!

[Amateur_Voice]

This changes depending on my mood, the weather, the season, my clothing, etc, but right now I like A or C. I'm sick of all the other types. I'm in the mood for fun, and when an A and a C get into a room together, it's hilarity.

*nods in agreement*

I'm picturing a kid like this and it's making me laugh quite a bit.

I don't know why but Ron from Harry Potter just came to mind. (laughs)