Unlikeable, Interesting, and Imposing

Thinking about character development

I find that I'm just drawn to anything that's going to challenge me as an actress. So, anything that's going to help me grow. -Audra McDonald

Dear Writers,

I think this newsletter’s goal has always been to reach—do something that can make us grow. Well, this week, that’s what I did.

This week, I bought my Mother of the Bride dress! I saw friends. And went to a retreat. AND I saw GYPSY, starring Audra McDonald. I had just finished watching Jesse Eisenberg’s A REAL PAIN. So today, let’s talk about what we think about the lesson we have probably all had: Make your main characters likable! And if maybe, that advice has changed.

As many times as I have written, “What does your character want,” I have also asked, “What makes your character likable?”

This question makes me consider the stakes of the reader—and the reader’s allegiance and loyalty. I have been pushed to find something redeeming in even the most detestable characters. Otherwise, how will our young readers ever identify with these people? Will they care?

Well, let me tell you: let’s reach. Let’s see if we can’t grow.

Watching Audra play the ambitious, imposing and unstoppable stage mother, Rose, was something glorious. (I mean: HER VOICE.) And it was also uncomfortable. McDonald imposes her voice on the music the same way her character imposes her drive on her daughter’s and would-be husband. She isn’t kind. She isn’t a good listener. She isn’t happy. She has one goal: fame.

She is definitely not a good mom.

I have not been able to stop thinking about her. Did she get what she wanted? Yes. But at what cost? I wondered what the Roses of today would think of her actions.

I had a similar reaction to Culkin’s character, Benji, in A Real Pain. Unwrapping his emotional journey (through the POV of his more quiet cousin) was nothing but painful. He does and says things that make the foundation feel unstable. He is both angry and amusing and vulnerable and unpredictable. He is admired and pitied. And Eisenberg’s character? He grows. But again, at what cost?

I don’t want to spoil anything. So go see it. Sit in his discomfort. Feel his cousin’s anguish. Especially the ending. I know I’m being cryptic, but this movie and these two characters really made me think about how people break as well as what WE need to do to live better lives.

Are you ready to reach? And groan? And grow? And write?

For characters to come to life, we have to know them from the outside in AND the inside out.

So today, draw a picture of your main character.

On one side, right down all the traits you see and feel from the outside in. In other words, observe your character from a distance. Embrace what makes them likable…and unlikable. And REAL. And painful.

Then flip it. Get inside your character’s head and ask: what are you trying to say? Do? What do you want? What do you want others to notice about you? What is important? What is making you fight?

These traits should reveal what the reader is going to care about and respond to.

Friends, more than ever, we need to stand together. We need to support one another. We need to help each other. In terrifying times, it can be hard to focus. I hope the prompt helps you find a new way into the story. And feel good about the process.

Need more motivation? Here’s one last quote from Audra. (Also: she used to practice her Tony speeches with a hairbrush for a mic.)

I've spent my whole career trying to stay out of any box that anyone could put me in. 'I'm going to do a play now.' 'Now I'll do a musical.' That was my instinct. So I don't feel boxed in. But 'African-American woman' is part of my identity. I don't want to relinquish that - especially as a mother, helping my daughter find her identity.

Hold onto your priorities. Take chances out of the box. Have a great writing week.

Sarah