tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100373839462710495.post8902882272089432007..comments2023-11-03T08:19:23.868-04:00Comments on Elizabeth Poole: ThoughtsElizabeth Poolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03214706118828699708noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100373839462710495.post-61156901475445436492010-03-17T12:28:01.936-04:002010-03-17T12:28:01.936-04:00Here is my question: is your protagonist so unlike...Here is my question: is your protagonist so unlikeable that a reader is likely to give up on the story before he becomes likeable? If so, then you definitely have a problem. If not, well then, redemption is a story to tell. He doesn't always have to be likeable. Really he <i>never</i> has to be likeable, he just needs to be empathetic. There needs to be a reason for the reader to root for him even if he's a jerk.<br /><br />But like you say, in the end you just need to decide what works for you. It may not be to everyone's tastes, but if it's to your tastes, you should fret about it. There's still plenty of other work to do. You don't need to obsess about the work you've already finished.Joseph L. Selbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11851550951042358953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100373839462710495.post-25825590769966755672010-03-12T21:36:02.254-05:002010-03-12T21:36:02.254-05:00Wow, you guys are awesome! That is exactly the sor...Wow, you guys are awesome! That is exactly the sort of gentle but firm encouragement I needed to hear. <br /><br />Roxy: hot chocolate with marshmellows? That's a brillient idea! Have a great weekend yourself!<br /><br />Michael: Thanks for the personal testamonial. I KNOW it doesn't work, intellectually...but then I always think, "well, but what if..." Now I can just use your experience as proof it doesn't work. Thanks for taking one for the team. ;)Elizabeth Poolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214706118828699708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100373839462710495.post-15114589187087212052010-03-12T19:47:45.946-05:002010-03-12T19:47:45.946-05:00I'm with Roxy on this. You are indeed your own...I'm with Roxy on this. You are indeed your own boss. I wouldn't let your inner censor loose unless you felt it was absolutely needed. I spent a whole year re-editing my manuscript once. I censored my voice to try and make the story more pg-13, and in the end it wasn't the same story. The content was mature, but the voice was that of a nervous child. It didn't work at all. I scrapped the entire edited version, and kept the uncensored manuscript. No one is going to judge you for your story unless you explicitly say, "this is about me." Even then, most people are fascinated by creatives so you have plenty of wiggle room to let loose. Write what you want to write.Mike Emeritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09189686728737757743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100373839462710495.post-90472539117087698502010-03-12T15:27:47.793-05:002010-03-12T15:27:47.793-05:00Tell those silent expectations where to go, Elizab...Tell those silent expectations where to go, Elizabeth! You're the boss of you. (And your writing, of course.) I think we all feel too much pressure as we try to seek and improve and move forward. I'd say, get yourself a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows and revise until you are tired of it. Then go and do something else for a while. Be kind to yourself and have a great weekend. (In spite of the weather. :)Roxyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09787088898112141579noreply@blogger.com