Should We Always Relate to the Protagonists?

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A Clockwork Orange, book reviews, characterization, Gone Girl, literary fiction, literature, main characters, opinion, protagonists, The Kite Runner, thoughts

A few weeks ago, I came across this essay on the Huffington Post’s books section. Written by Evan Gottlieb, an English professor at Oregon State University, it asks the question whether it is imperative for readers to identify with the main character in the books they read.

Gottlieb says that this is something new with readers, most likely because of the advent of psychologically complex characters in the 19th century. Before, the thoughts and actions of protagonists weren’t as deep and were mostly symbolic. Now, they are more realistic.

So does that mean all protagonists have to be relatable to any potential reader?

If, as Gottlieb points out, relatable means “likable”. In that case, I would say that is not always necessary. I’ve read books where I didn’t like the main character but enjoyed the book anyway. The Kite Runner didn’t have Amir as a likable protagonist, but the story was amazing. Louis in Interview With The Vampire was whiny, but it was a very entertaining book. From what I’ve been hearing, the popular novel, Gone Girl, has unlikable characters but is a very good story.

However, you might recall my review of Kushiel’s Chosen, where I made it clear that I couldn’t stand the main character, Phedré, and almost put the book down for good because of her. On Amazon and Goodreads, there are many reviews where people say they couldn’t enjoy or even finish a book because the protagonist was so unlikable.

So there is a need for likable characters. However, is it plausible? Meaning, do all main characters have likable or even interesting for a story to be told?

Not necessarily, and here’s an example: perhaps many of us read or saw the movie A Clockwork Orange in college. Now, Alex is wholly an unlikable character! But Anthony Burgess’ book continues to receive good reviews not because Alex is such a lovable, caring, sweet protagonist whom we root for from beginning to end (Ha! I can’t believe I used those words, even mockingly).

That is because Burgess has a point to make about forcing people to be good, and torturing them to stop being bad. The book makes the reader ponder what is the right or wrong way to stop antisocial behavior, plus show that even the justice system can be worse than the criminal.

See, who Alex is isn’t the point of the story – it is what happens to him that is the point.

I think some books require the protagonist to be liked and others don’t. I can’t see a romance novel being successful if the main character is widely disliked, but a thriller can call for a less than likable one.

Evan Gottlieb’s essay ends off with these lines which ring true:

There are, of course, many other good reasons to read literature: for entertainment, for instruction, for inspiration. But from the 18th century onward, novels have shown themselves to be remarkably effective, durable technologies for encouraging us to extend our understanding to others, no matter how different or unlikable they might initially appear.  And if that isn’t a good reason to pick up a good book, then I don’t know what is.

Staten Island to Get Ferris Wheel to Attract Tourists

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Ferris Wheel, New York City, news, NYC, opinion, tourism, tourists

Before I begin, I just want to say that this blog is primarily about my book, my writing journey, vampires and other paranormal creatures, and entertainment related to the urban fantasy genre. However, there will be times when I discuss issues related to my novel, such as abusive relationships and Staten Island, the primary setting of my first book, The Dark Proposal.  

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Staten Island is in the local news these days – shocking, because even though it is the fifth borough of the great New York City, it is overlooked a great deal as if it doesn’t exist. I know many would argue that it really doesn’t, but that’s another bog posting.

Anyway, the city announced Thursday that it will build a 625 foot Ferris Wheel – said to be the world’s largest – not too far from the ferry terminal in St. George. The purpose is to attract tourists to Staten Island and the project will cost $230 million.

Now, I’m not usually a cynical person, but I couldn’t help but roll my eyes when I read about this.

First off, I really fail to see how this ride will encourage tourists to see Staten Island. Sure, they’ll travel across the New York Harbor on the ferry, ride the Ferris Wheel and then hop back on the ferry to return to Manhattan. In other words, they will only spend two hours the most in an area less than a square mile in size. There aren’t much other tourist attractions in that spot, save for the small Staten Island Museum and the St. George theater, which can have great productions at certain times of the day. There are a few good restaurants to dine at. But other than that, tourists will not get the whole scope of the borough, and it will remain a mystery to so many.

Which is why I think the $230 million should not have gone to this massive ride – which I predict will be an eye sore – but instead, should have gone to creating a much better transportation system on the Island. Right now, we have a single railroad line on the east side, and about two dozen city buses which can take you anywhere if you are willing to deal with constant stops and crowded spaces for a long period of time. If the city genuinely wants to showcase Staten Island, they ought to focus on making transportation easier so tourists will want to see this place.

Image via Wikimedia Commons

After all, some of the Island’s noted locations are out of the way. Snug Harbor may be the closest, but you still need to take a city bus over if you want to see any theatrical productions it puts on. The Alice Austen House is near the Verrazano Bridge, and this museum tells the story of the famed photographer who was ahead of her time in so many ways. Most especially, Staten Island has New York’s only living museum complex, Historic Richmondtown, which has about a dozen authentic buildings from the colonial era, plus volunteers dressed in costume and pretending to be shopkeepers, farmers, and so. Unfortunately, it must take 45 minutes by city bus to go there. I have seen tourists from all over the world take the long commute, but I’m sure many more will come if the transportation on the Island were a lot better.

Before the Great Recession, there were talks about improving the Island’s transportation by having a North Shore Railroad, a ferry to either New Jersey or Brooklyn (I’m not so sure) and other ideas were in mind. Those plans were shelved when all hell broke lose financially in this country, but it seems the city has money again.

And its all going to a silly Ferris Wheel.

Come on, what good does a Ferris Wheel do to a place so often overlooked and scorned by anyone from the outer boroughs? How will it help put Staten Island on the map and educate tourists about the Forgotten Borough? Even if thousands ride this thing everyday three years from now (it is expected the wheel will be ready by then), are they really going to want to see more and get to know more about this place? As I mentioned before, I really doubt it.

We Staten Islanders know we are not as glamorous or exciting or diverse as the rest of the city, but its not like we want to run and hide. I’m sure plenty of us would like to let the world know that we exist, and this ride does not help. We are an isolated island despite having a ferry system, four bridges and being part of one of the greatest cities in the whole world. This Ferris Wheel will not help end our isolation.

To Be Safe or Not to Be Safe?

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authors, books, condoms, love scenes, opinion, safe sex, Sex, sex scenes, writers

I had an issue when I wrote one of my sex scenes in my upcoming book The Dark Proposal. Besides making sure it wasn’t written poorly or textbook-like (do you know there is an award for Worst Sex Scene in a Book? Who would want that one?), I also wanted to make it as realistic as possible.

But if I was too realistic, that would’ve ruined the sexiness of it all, right? I mean, we all know first-time sex isn’t as smooth as Hollywood portrays it – but then again, if I were to mention the real awkwardness, my readers probably wouldn’t enjoy the scene very much.

Sure, I have the main character, Claire McCormick, being both excited and nervous in the moments leading up to her sleeping with Daniel Bertrand – we all go through that. But once the passion begins, everything is so simple and effortless.

Perhaps too much.

Also, what about the use of condoms? I know, its an issue no one really likes, but they are important. After all, who wants HPV, crabs, HIV or whatever? In the real world, the average person would – and should – smack themselves for not using one, especially with someone they are not committed to.

But when it comes to a lovely sex scene in a book or movie, does it matter?

Well for me, it depends on the kind of story it is. Take for example the HBO series, Girls, a favorite show of mine. They show the use of condoms and I applaud them for it. Not necessarily because we all need to be reminded to use them, but because Girls is supposed to be about the realistic portrayal of real life relationships and sexual encounters. A lot of people in the real world use rubbers, its a fact of life.

But when we’re watching a movie or TV show with a lot of raunchy sex scenes, the use of protection kind of kills the moment. I remember many years ago, I was watching one of those cheesy, silly soft-porn shows on Showtime and one of the episodes dared to show a woman insisting her partner use a condom, which he gladly puts on. I remember feeling as if the romance and sexiness of the scene died by the mere show of the condom. Movies or programs that are meant to titillate their audience are supposed to do that – but not educate. When we watch those shows – at least for me – we kind of want to escape reality sometimes, and enjoy a good sex scene without remembering the realities of the world.

Oh, to imagine sex without any awkwardness, no diseases are exchanged, no one gets pregnant, and everyone is OK once its over!

But is it wise to leave out the realistic parts of a sexual experience in a movie, TV show or a book? I say yes, if you are aiming to entertain rather than educate, or want your audience to escape reality rather than share it. My book is not meant to be a soapbox about the importance of safe sex; if I had any of that in there, it would’ve not only ruined the sex scene but also not make sense for the whole book, even if mentioned for a brief sentence. Maybe some other time with another book, I’ll make safe sex an issue if it goes with no only the scene but the entire story.

But that’s not excuse for you not to use protection, contraception, or get yourself tested as often as possible.

Is There Still Room for Vampires?

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authors, books, opinion, publishing

I think most people have an interest in vampires. Whether for erotic reasons or their version of evil, the fascination with the undead is as old as time.

As of late, vampires have been very popular, thanks to the Twilight saga, HBO’s True Blood and The Vampire Diaries. The bloodsuckers are everywhere, and some are wondering when they will return to their coffins and stay there.

But, there may be a chance vampires will continue to remain popular for some time, and I certainly hope so. After all, I will be releasing a vampire book this coming summer as an E-book. If all goes well, I’ll write two more books, thus making a trilogy.

When asked what my book is about, I tend to say: “The bad news is, my book is about vampires. The good news is, the vampire is the villain/antagonist”,

Sounds humorous, but will potential readers roll their eyes, complain of yet another vampire book on the market and move on to something else? It’s highly possible, and I might be taking a risk releasing my book to the world.

However, I don’t believe all is lost. I believe there’s still room for vampires to be read about by readers. This is because there are some people who read that genre religiously, and not just teenagers going through a phase. I actually know a few who collect books by Anne Rice, obsess over True Blood and The Vampire Diaries. It is because of those people that the vampire genre will not die (pardon the pun), even when the fad fades.

Yes, trends come and go, and I remember vampires being huge when I was in junior high. Interview With The Vampire had come to movie theaters and it was a big hit. My friends and I developed an interest in the undead and started reading not only Ms. Rice, but also YA books by R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike. The latter’s series, The Last Vampire was popular among us, and it had an effect on the vampires I wrote about in my novel.

But eventually, the vampire fad calmed down after a few years. Then in 2009, it erupted again with Twilight and vampires seem to be everywhere – though it does feel like the genre will calm down again until it rises ten years from now. I think that because the last Twilight movie will be out in November, and after that, vampires will officially come passe – although how True Blood and The Vampire Diaries do on the Nielsen ratings will determine if the fad really is over.

So, whether the vampire trend will remain alive for some time or go to sleep remains to be seen. I really think those two shows I mentioned will signal the end or the continuation of the fad. Personally, as a fan of True Blood, I hope it will continue because the show is funny, sexy and exciting to watch.

Anyway, passing fad or not, vampires will always strike the imagination of the general public. They represent immortality, sex, and unlimited powers and freedom. They are creatures of the night, a time of seduction and mystery. As long as most people see that, vampires will be around for as long as they have been already. Whether they are enormously popular or have a cult following depends on the time period.