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Post by K'Sennia Visitor on Aug 4, 2018 23:58:52 GMT
I've read many books where I thought the main character was extremely stupid and annoying, but I assume the author didn't feel that way about their character. And I know I've read different reviews where one reader hated a character and another loved them or wasn't bothered. Which means TSTL is subjective, as are many things in writing and life.
If I'm reading a comedy, and I know it's supposed to be funny, then I don't mind silly and incompetent. In fact, I rather enjoy it, and a lot of my comedy characters act just like that. But if say I'm reading a cozy mystery and the amateur detective is constantly falling down and needing to be rescued, or I'm reading an apocalyptic thriller and one of the main heroes is always coming up with really dumb plans that go horribly wrong and get them killed over and over again - and it is not marketed as a black comedy, but instead everything the character does is taken seriously and other characters are always talking about how smart and wonderful this character is and how much they need them, then I tend to get super annoyed and want to stop reading (or stop watching the TV series).
What about you?
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Post by prolificwriter on Aug 5, 2018 0:54:06 GMT
I think a lot of writers use stupid character actions to move the plot forward. I hate those kind of characters (whether in books or TV or movies) and just find it to be lazy writing. If the only way to move the plot forward is for your character to be an idiot, then you’re doing something wrong. Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison is a perfect example of an MC that’s TSTL. She makes terrible decisions over and over and over again while the other characters treat her like she should be their leader. Needless to say, I didn’t read past the first book in that series. But it’s popular, so what do I know?
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Post by possiblyderanged on Aug 5, 2018 12:04:21 GMT
I think some people read the advice that a well-rounded character should have faults/weaknesses, and takes it too far. Or else they have no idea how to write a good character. Either way, I don't read books like this (and I hope to goodness I don't write them!).
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Post by kateelizabeth on Aug 9, 2018 21:19:14 GMT
Years ago, I remember reading a regency romance about a heroine who ran away, was kidnapped, and then rescued by the hero. Then she decided that it would be such a good idea to run away again, with the kidnappers still on the loose. I may have screamed a little in frustration. Also, a recent regency romance that I liked, still had fairly stupid people for the leads. However, I guess if they realized that they actually loved each other early on, it would have been a short story. I like short stories.
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Post by K'Sennia Visitor on Aug 9, 2018 21:59:21 GMT
Years ago, I remember reading a regency romance about a heroine who ran away, was kidnapped, and then rescued by the hero. Then she decided that it would be such a good idea to run away again, with the kidnappers still on the loose. I may have screamed a little in frustration. Also, a recent regency romance that I liked, still had fairly stupid people for the leads. However, I guess if they realized that they actually loved each other early on, it would have been a short story. I like short stories. And that right there is one of the reasons I struggle to read romance. I cannot stand the contrived nonsense to keep the lovebirds apart. It makes me like serial killer crazy.  |
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Post by writeway on Aug 11, 2018 23:56:21 GMT
It's not just romance. I see the stupidest characters in thrillers and mysteries (which I happen to love, but many times the characters do the dumbest things.)
This is the perfect example and what TSTL characters always do a lot in suspense/thrillers. Someone hears a noise outside in the middle of the night (usually a woman) and they go OUTSIDE to check instead of calling the police or something. They do this in almost every horror movie or thriller and it gets me every time. How stupid can you be? Maybe, maybe if you had a gun, I could see going outside but I tell you if I hear a noise outside my house at night, the last thing you will ever catch me doing is going outside my house! ROFL!
Oh and I'm from Texas, a chick AND I don't have a gun, so hell no I wouldn't be going outside to investigate a noise. ROFL! Whatever noise it is, as long as it stays outside, I'm minding my own business.
Also, I can't stand weak characters and how in any genre if a character is TSTL how come it's always a woman doing the stupid stuff? That's an insult and as a woman I make sure not to write those types of dumbass female characters. A dumb heroine will make me put the book down in a hot second.
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Post by K'Sennia Visitor on Aug 12, 2018 2:21:44 GMT
I've seen plenty of stupid characters in cozy mysteries, as well. I'll never understand why everyone in town shares their secrets with this woman. All she does is trip and fall down and need to be rescued by the handsome sheriff and the handsome, mysterious stranger who showed up in town right before the murders started. And the only reason the mystery is solved is cos the murdered gives the woman way more credit than she is due and decides to kidnap her, tie her up, and then brag and lovingly explain exactly how she did everything until the handsome sheriff shows up to rescue her. these stories are still entertaining, but the amateur hour lady-in-distresses do annoy me muchly. The exception is when the heroine is so stupid she makes me laugh. If I can laugh then I enjoy the ride and I don't care that she just sat down to have a cup of tea with the murderer. Oh, and I love snow. So fill your story with lots of snow and othery lovely wintery things and I'll forgive a lot. |
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qirky
New Member
Posts: 32 
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Post by qirky on Aug 12, 2018 7:57:42 GMT
I think most of it comes down to a writer's lack of respect for the reader. Sorry.
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