tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post323370781727837347..comments2024-03-26T06:47:57.605-04:00Comments on Get Lost in a Story: Get Lost in a Story with Polly IyerJacqui Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12793508141294935459noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-3702725570776927452013-07-04T13:20:41.285-04:002013-07-04T13:20:41.285-04:00Congratulations to bn100. I picked her name out of...Congratulations to bn100. I picked her name out of a bag and sent her a Kindle copy of Threads. Happy reading.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-58617635528299112352013-07-02T21:03:41.215-04:002013-07-02T21:03:41.215-04:00I agree, Linda. I've been trying well-known ne...I agree, Linda. I've been trying well-known new-to-me writers lately, and some of my friends' books are better. Some of the stars are coasting, and the H/hs I used to like are tired and cliche. Always looking for fresh work.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-80427131322703601942013-07-02T11:02:18.882-04:002013-07-02T11:02:18.882-04:00If I'm not able to connect or like the hero/he...If I'm not able to connect or like the hero/heroine I find it extremely difficult to finish the book. Depending on how "bad" it is I might skim the book to the bitter end or if my patience is worn too thin I'd put it down. Lots of great books out there to read rather than waste my time on something that leaves me frustrated.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796250279878652019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-39072351316846830992013-07-01T20:25:23.913-04:002013-07-01T20:25:23.913-04:00Great points, Claire. The writing makes a big diff...Great points, Claire. The writing makes a big difference. A writer's beautiful prose and a realistic character, no matter how unlikeable, will draw a reader back to the author. An unlikeable series MC might be more difficult to pull off. I can think of one TV show where the character's views were unlikeable, but the actor portraying him made him likeable in spite of that fact--Archie Bunker. This may not be a good example, but thinking back, it was a tricky bit of writing and acting, but they somehow made it work because Those Were the Days was really a message show. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your views.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-4186651900360784702013-07-01T19:29:12.072-04:002013-07-01T19:29:12.072-04:00Hi Polly, great question to get us thinking. I thi...Hi Polly, great question to get us thinking. I think the key is whether or not the character is realistic even if unlikeable. We wouldn't have good drama or tension without some unlikeable characters, but it would take a damned good writer to create and sustain my interest in an unlikable main character. I would expect, at some point in the story, to find out why s/he is this way and would expect to learn more about why this is so. I once read a series where the author created an unlikeable character, then needed him in a later book in the series, and totally turned him on his head - with a pretty lame excuse as to why he was originally that way. I still find it implausible, but the rest of her writing is so excellent I've never let it get in the way of seeking her works.Clamo88https://www.blogger.com/profile/16742188896080634218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-14609633481154587962013-07-01T17:03:40.263-04:002013-07-01T17:03:40.263-04:00Thanks for stopping by, Maggie. I agree with you a...Thanks for stopping by, Maggie. I agree with you about the stupid gene. Only it's not only the heroine. Heroes do it too, but for some reason it happens with women more. Hmm, that thought alone makes me mad. Is that because it's acceptable for men to take chances but not women? Interesting concept. Sounds like another blog post. Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-56419610804844339662013-07-01T16:43:22.828-04:002013-07-01T16:43:22.828-04:00Hi Polly,
Great post! I very much enjoyed your ans...Hi Polly,<br />Great post! I very much enjoyed your answers, especially about the people you'd like to meet and your questions for them.<br />You asked about unlikable characters. I believe we each have our lines in the sand for that one. My personal "omigosh I can't believe I'm still reading this book" comes after the second time the heroine does something I consider unbelievable. I usually give an author the benefit of the doubt first time around, but once the female leads acts dumb or otherwise in a lesser capacity than I've been led to believe is within her character - I'm done. That book becomes a "did not finish". I keep those opinions to myself about specific books however. As writers, we work too hard to bring a book to publication.Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-42904372420682081182013-07-01T16:20:30.827-04:002013-07-01T16:20:30.827-04:00I think "interesting" is the key, Clover...I think "interesting" is the key, Clover. There's a line a writer can't cross or s/he loses readers. Scarlett was definitely interesting. Male characters have more leeway, I think, although I just read one where the male MC was a total schmuck (am I allowed to say that word?) until the end. I would have closed the book, but it was an audio and I was trapped on a long distance drive, so I finished listening. Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-83128632038279430592013-07-01T15:42:09.319-04:002013-07-01T15:42:09.319-04:00Interesting question. Depends on why the heroine i...Interesting question. Depends on why the heroine is unlikable. For a romance heroine though, she has to be likable or who cares if she gets her happily ever after, but for other genres, the heroine can be downright nasty and still really interesting...Clover Autreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12627410482268422941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-75776842127907782032013-07-01T14:37:10.068-04:002013-07-01T14:37:10.068-04:00Only if the story is good and I want to know what ...Only if the story is good and I want to know what happens, bn100. Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-11739628385195775562013-07-01T14:36:00.468-04:002013-07-01T14:36:00.468-04:00And Scarlett sure wasn't that, Kate. I agree. ...And Scarlett sure wasn't that, Kate. I agree. I found her fascinating. I never once wanted to close the book.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-64398879584605260932013-07-01T14:22:18.758-04:002013-07-01T14:22:18.758-04:00I usually finish the book by skimming it.
bn100ca...I usually finish the book by skimming it.<br /><br />bn100candg at hotmail dot combn100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-16279558951640147362013-07-01T14:10:49.946-04:002013-07-01T14:10:49.946-04:00I don't care if a character is unlikeable as l...I don't care if a character is unlikeable as long as they are not boring. And I love Scarlett O'HaraKate Eileen Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03203733155111556223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-1363117838027227692013-07-01T14:10:38.395-04:002013-07-01T14:10:38.395-04:00I'll probably get slammed for saying this, but...I'll probably get slammed for saying this, but I don't think most male writers get deep into their characters. That may account for thriller writer Follett and why you found his characters cardboard, Michele. Women are much better at delving deep. Maybe it's a Mars/Venus thing, but I've been trying to think of a male writer who writes three-dimensional characters, and I can't think of one. Maybe Nicholas Sparks, although I can't really say because I've never read any of his books. Help, anyone?Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-49666990584098557812013-07-01T13:54:13.628-04:002013-07-01T13:54:13.628-04:00Hi, Polly. I can appreciate any character who'...Hi, Polly. I can appreciate any character who's three-dimensional. The surface ones leave me cold and I'll stop reading. Ken Follett is a case in point. I loved his earlier works, The Key to Rebecca, Eye of the Needle. I managed 60 pages of his 940-page Winter of the World and stopped because the characters were cardboard cutouts. Liking is subjective, but I have to have enough to engage the like/dislike.Michele Drierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06944263184981732147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-4741808810726107322013-07-01T11:58:50.840-04:002013-07-01T11:58:50.840-04:00I agree, Ellis. Dumb is an unforgivable characteri...I agree, Ellis. Dumb is an unforgivable characteristic. The TSTL character is one most writers try to avoid. I have one character who does do something stupid. I made sure she acknowledged it, but it was there for all to see. I appreciate your stopping by.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-80663650683776902902013-07-01T11:55:34.865-04:002013-07-01T11:55:34.865-04:00Linda, those books do fascinate even though we don...Linda, those books do fascinate even though we don't like the characters. I read one recently that did that. I wouldn't read this bestselling author again because I understand her books have the same types of characters. Others seem to be enthralled by the writing, so maybe that's the draw. Most of these books fall into the literary genre, but I write genre fiction, and that's what I prefer to read. Thanks for stopping by.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-74964130061864028232013-07-01T11:46:24.327-04:002013-07-01T11:46:24.327-04:00Uh, May is not unlikeable. :-) Should have said I ...Uh, May is not unlikeable. :-) Should have said I agree with May. Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-39764479240998940642013-07-01T11:44:45.491-04:002013-07-01T11:44:45.491-04:00Hi, Polly. Good post. I'm more into fairly rea...Hi, Polly. Good post. I'm more into fairly realistic women, neither despicable nor saintly and not too cutesy, but that fits the genres I enjoy. Dumb is the worst sin and will make me close the book in a hurry. <br /><br />Like May above, Scarlett O'Hara is a good example of an unlikeable but fascinating character. I read GWTW through to the last word--and loved it. However, Melanie was too good. We could all use a little spice. Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-47661334001533706232013-07-01T11:41:41.207-04:002013-07-01T11:41:41.207-04:00I usually choose (and like best) books where I can...I usually choose (and like best) books where I can empathize with and root for the heroine and/or hero. However, I'm in a book club and our recent selections have included some titles with unlikeable protagonists. I wouldn't put these books at the top of my enjoyable read lists, but they were fascinating portrayals of how evil folks think. I read them to the (bitter) end. Linda Lovelyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-7797556386101037292013-07-01T11:17:22.757-04:002013-07-01T11:17:22.757-04:00Lots of things that only need microwaving so I don...Lots of things that only need microwaving so I don't have to cook. Thanks for having me today, Donnell. Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-53846844108297853942013-07-01T10:46:24.410-04:002013-07-01T10:46:24.410-04:00Polly, welcome. And May I read that sci-fi articl...Polly, welcome. And May I read that sci-fi article. I don't understand those particular comments against women sci-fi writers as well. For a writer to criticize any writer -- sorry, I didn't think it was very cool of Stephen King to dish Stephanie Myer. It takes a lot of guts to put our work out there. Anyway, enough lamenting. Polly, spill, what's in your freezer :)Donnell Ann Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07943037206984648849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-59351532151793490892013-07-01T09:56:52.122-04:002013-07-01T09:56:52.122-04:00Men seem to be on our case lately for more than no...Men seem to be on our case lately for more than not being able to write science fiction. 'Nuff said.<br /><br />As far as Scarlett--I think people forgive her because of the times. Yes, she's selfish and spoiled, but she's also trying to hang on to her heritage in a war-torn city. There's a little sympathy and understanding for her as well as frustration. Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-12009160599128162492013-07-01T09:50:47.979-04:002013-07-01T09:50:47.979-04:00You make a good point, Maureen. Liking or not liki...You make a good point, Maureen. Liking or not liking a character can be very subjective and trigger a personal dislike. If I really dislike a character, if s/he is so repulsive, I'm not apt to finish the book. If it's the author's M.O. to write that type of character, I would most likely not read him/her again. That's just me.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3417651694294092310.post-66253387481325164632013-07-01T09:34:21.414-04:002013-07-01T09:34:21.414-04:00I agree with you about female writers fighting wit...I agree with you about female writers fighting with each other. I got really angry the other day reading an article written by a MALE writer about how female writers shouldn't write sci-fic...etc. You would think that we are living in the middle ages....<br /><br />As for likable characters, I would say that Scarlett O'Hara isn't meant to be a likable character but a lot of people like her anyways. I like sarcastic smartass girls actually.... I have a problem with goody-goody ones...<br />Mayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15387167891201652109noreply@blogger.com