Is this a bad time to say Lolita is one of my favorite books?

[pettycoat]

I've just been told to avoid writing protagonists with problematic views because their status as the protagonist means I'm automatically supporting their actions.

... I think I need to find a new writing group, guys.

Comments

[mudousetsuna]

BRB burning my deathnote stuff.

Oh wait.

That's ridiculous. Flaws are interesting! The more flawed, the more twists your story can have, in the right writer's hands!

[pettycoat]

Oh my god the cringeworthy arguments I used to have about Death Note. My best friend was part of the "Kira Did Nothing Wrong" crowd. It certainly made our conversations interesting.

I agree. I just have to wonder if I'm the "right" writer, y'know?

[mudousetsuna]

Don't be so hard on yourself! Even if you might struggle to portray it all well or how you want to, you can always improve on it. The concept of flawed characters isn't the problem here. It's close-minded readers superimposing their pearl clutching values onto the writer as if the story itself speaks for you and your personal views. Not everyone can separate reality from fiction, but I think personally if you start second guessing your characters instead of just letting the story itself form then the end product is just going to be boring. You can always go over the finished product or chapters individually to be sure that it's clearly told, but... I don't think you need to dumb it down. I would personally hate reading a story like that.

[pettycoat]

Thank you. I'm my own worst critic and try to keep myself open to all criticism, even if I don't always agree with it, and the constant second guessing is a problem I need to work on. Better to have a terrible draft than yet another abandoned project.