do u ever get scared of writing these dark, problematic character taking into consideration cancel culture is growing stronger each day? i know it sounds like an anxiety inducing ask, but i must admit it is a fear of mine.
Honestly, this is such a QUESTION. And tbh the answer is, yeah, and I think about this a lot.
I do think that we should be mindful of our writing, like in an ask I posted earlier today where I talked about some things that might be offensive if youāre writing an asexual character. There are offensive or problematic portrayals of characters that can reinforce harmful ideas or stereotypes.Ā
But, I do not believe that a well rounded character who does bad things or has many negative traits is problematic just becauseā¦they do bad things and have negative traits? I see so many book reviews that get so mad that characters do bad things, and claim this book is problematic because the character has a toxic trait, or is hurtful to another character, orā¦.makes a mistake?Ā
FOLKS. Letās remember that one of the basic rules of writing isĀ ācharacters need to have flaws.ā But I feel like a lot of people only want characters with attractiveĀ flaws, or flaws that they can understand and relate to, flaws they can condone and say āsure, that was a mistake, but I get it, it was a misunderstanding.ā And thatās fine if those are the kinds of books you want to read, but I will always write problematic people who do awful shit because I think itās interesting and I donāt think thereās anything wrong with it. I think those characters are interesting to read about. I donāt care if their actions frustrate me, if anything, I love it when aĀ characterās actions frustrate me. Thatās when I feel like Iām really seeing a character and perspective that isnāt mine, because I donāt agree with their actions. And part of why I read is to experienceĀ perspectives different from my own, that IĀ could never conceptualize.
I think fiction should be a place to examine human nature, and that means even the problematic parts. Because thatās authentic. People are like that in real life. They are flawed, they are toxic, they are problematic. And Iām going to write about them for that reason.Ā Sometimes, you want to write about a protagonist who is toxic or does shitty stuff or just makes mistakes! Thatās! Good! Thatās kind of what fiction is about. Writing about something doesnāt mean condoning it and more people should remember that.
So yeah, I will write problematic characters until I stop writing, which will occur upon my eventual death. My current MC, Sybil, sheās a problematic kid. Sheās toxic, and judgemental, and possessive, and she objectifies other peopleās pain to suit her own agenda. And thatās why I like her. Those are also the things my critique partners like about her. I love hearing thoughts on Sybil from a crowd who understands the appeal, because it reminds me that there is an audience for these kinds of stories. (Shoutout to my prof who described her asĀ āa heartless piece of work who is somehow still extremely loveable.ā honestly, tea.)Ā
I like writing good people too, good people are still interesting of course, but even when I write good people, what I enjoy writing most about them are their mistakes and flaws. I think thatās what most interesting to examine in a person, even if the mistake is irrational, even if it was a shitty thing to do. I donāt need it to be justified morally, sometimes I donāt want it to be.Ā
I do worry about people throwing a fit because Sybil isĀ āproblematicā and getting #cancelled, but thatās the entire point of the book. Sheās supposed to be problematic!! Thatās the point!!Ā To take an already toxic character and have her undergo a transformation because of other people vilifying her, a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy. Itās much less interesting to me if sheās just a good person being misrepresented by some local legends. Itās much more interesting to me if sheās already toxic and having to wrestle with that aspect of herself while still trying to maintain hope that she isnāt who everyone believes her to be, and if anything, letting her toxic behaviour shine through as she tries to maintain a hold of control over her identity by any means necessary. If that upsets someone to read, then itās not the book for them, but I will stand by her character. So Iām saying it now: if you want morally pure content with a good protagonist, Honey VinegarĀ will not be the book for you, nor will my collection. Sybil isĀ āproblematicā in that she does and thinks questionable shit, but I think as a character, thereās nothing wrong with portraying that.Ā The place as protagonist shouldnāt have to be reserved for unquestionably good and moral people. Sometimes toxic or morally grey characters have the most interesting stories to tell.Ā
Anyway, rant over. Thatās my collection of thoughts.Ā
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