by Julie, prepping for the 4th in Somerville
I am delighted to welcome Lori Roberts Herbst to the blog today. Lori serves on the Sisters in Crime board, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know her this past year. She’s also a wonderful writer, and I can’t wait for you to learn more about her protagonist, Callie Cassidy.
Truth is, I don’t find perfect people too interesting—though to be fair, I’ve never known any.
Nor do I care for the righteous, holier-than-thou types.
And don’t bother me with a syrupy sweet goody goody who can do no wrong.
I like ‘em flawed and funny and smart. And apparently, so do most of us.
Authors, and especially series writers, understand the importance of a “likable” protagonist. If readers are going to continue to follow a character through a number of books, they have to feel an affinity for the person and a desire to spend time with her. But what exactly defines “likability”? For me, at least, it’s not what you might think…
Here are a few examples. One of my all-time favorite TV characters is Dr. Gregory House, played brilliantly by Hugh Laurie. The character’s arrogance is boundless, as is his self-absorption. He verbally bludgeons employees and rarely exhibits kindness or compassion. At first glance—and even under deeper scrutiny—the man appears to be the antithesis of likability.
But we do grow to like him. We admire his intelligence, his skill, his abilities, and the fact that he uses those talents for good instead of evil. We enjoy his acerbic wit. And though he doesn’t display it in an obvious way, House is loyal to people he cares about. A brief scene every so often convinces us that beating within that tortured soul is a good heart, and we stick with him in anticipation of its continuing emergence. (Side note: Did you know House is the medical mirror image of Sherlock Holmes? Until recently, I didn’t, but in hindsight, it’s obvious. House/Holmes. Wilson/Watson. Keen powers of deduction. Drug addiction. Residence at 221B Baker Street. Face palm. How did I miss these connections?)
I’ve also fallen in love with Lucas Davenport, the protagonist of John Sandford’s Prey series. Though Lucas softens emotionally as the series progresses, he is a fundamentally aggressive vigilante cop who believes the end is more important than the means. But the “end” always occurs in the service of justice, so readers can support him when he takes the law into his own hands. Plus, the man is witty and charming. What’s not to love?
Same with Sue Grafton’s private eye Kinsey Millhone. We admire her intelligence, her cleverness, her loyalty—and her quirks. She is far from perfect, far from sweet, and a bit damaged by her past. But she strives for insight, and she journeys toward what is right, good, and fair.
When I consider the real world, it’s much the same. The people I’m drawn to exhibit depth, eccentricity, and passion. Though I would cringe if they went around killing criminals in the name of justice, I can sense that potential in many of them (you know who you are). I like them not because they’re perfect, but because they’re always trying to be better. And they have a sense of humor. For me, that’s critical.
Following my analysis of likability, I re-examined the protagonist of my own Callie Cassidy Mysteries. I’m pleased to say, I believe she fits the bill. I find her tenacious, humorous, flawed, and interesting. She has made—and continues to make—mistakes, but she owns them and strives for personal growth. She is a cynical optimist, an outgoing introvert, a hard worker, a fun person. Her friends and family rally around her and genuinely like her. As do I.
And I hope readers like her, too.
How do you define likability in characters? Who are some of your favorites?
Readers, the first book in the series, SUITABLE FOR FRAMING, is an Amazon 99 cent daily deal Monday, July 3!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Wedding bells are ringing in Rock Creek Village. But when a venomous villager crashes the nuptials, events take a toxic turn…
The long-awaited day has arrived—Callie Cassidy’s best friend is tying the knot. The wedding is perfect—even Callie’s golden retriever and her tabby cat have donned tuxes for the occasion. Callie’s trainee is documenting every moment, with the help of twin brother. Then an uninvited visitor barges in—the twins’ absentee father—and an angry altercation ensues. When their father later winds up in a coma, the victim of poisoning, suspicion mounts against the twins. With detectives stonewalling her, Callie turns for help to her family and friends. Together, can they prove the twins’ innocence—and reveal the true culprit?
Buy link: Amazon
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Silver Falchion and CIBA Murder & Mayhem award-winning author Lori Roberts Herbst writes the Callie Cassidy Mystery series. A former journalism teacher, Lori serves as Board Secretary for Sisters in Crime. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, as well as the SinC North Dallas chapter and the Guppy chapter, where she moderates the Cozy Gup group. Lori lives in Dallas, Texas. Find out more at
Website: www.lorirobertsherbst.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lorirobertsherbst/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorirobertsherbst/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lori-roberts-herbst
Welcome to the blog, Lori! Likability is a tricky thing. Best of luck with the new book, and thank you for serving Sisters in Crime and the Gups.
Thank you, Edith! It’s an honor to be here!
Hi Lori, I’m with you, I love Dr. House. I had to go to the one night and the doctor asked me what I expected from him. And I told him I want you to be like Dr. House and keep on looking until you find out what is wrong with me. It did end up I needed emergency surgery. For books, I loved Kinsey Milhone, Dr. Scarpetta, Temperance Brennan and many more. I love the cover of your new book and congrats!!
Thank you! And so true! Who needs bedside manner?
Welcome to the blog! I love this post and it makes me think about protagonists I like. I confess I’ve never watched an episode of House.
I haven’t either, Sherry!
Oooh, you might want to give him a try. He’s addictive (and an addict, so there’s that…) Thank you, Sherry!
Congratulations on NEGATIVE REACTION. I’m sure the reactions will all be positive.
Likability in characters is difficult. Especially as it seems everyone has a slightly different perspective. I’m printing this post for a reference.
Thank you, Kait! I appreciate you!
Think a likability of a character is in how an author portrays them. Good or bad, it’s when we see characteristics in them that we may see in ourselves or someone we know. When an author can take the “bad” character and make them likeable and show the “good” characters will all their human flaws is when the story is really working its magic.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Great point, Kay. Reminds me of the saying, “There’s some good in the worst of us and some bad in the best of us.”
Congratulations on your new book, Lori! I too love House! Hugh Laurie’s nuanced performance went a long way to helping viewers peel back the layers of the doctor’s crusty surface. I knew of the House/Holmes connection from the beginning and loved the diagnostic detective all the more for it. I also enjoyed the structure of the show: each episode had a medical puzzle solved by the end of the hour, while clues to the long-running arc of the series were sprinkled throughout. The biggest question— who is House?—unfurled over the arc of the series. I found this a perfect way to structure my own private eye series. For my new book, private investigator Vandy Myrick is a grieving and emotionally damaged woman who acts out in self-destructive ways while trying to help her clients.
Sounds like a character I’ll fall in love with. When does your new book come out?
Thank you! So often when likability comes up, authors don’t seem to understand the points you made. And your examples of deeply flawed but still likeable characters are wonderful examples of how to make it work and sustain a long running series.
Thank you, Mark! As a reader, I do have to sense some redeeming quality in a character to like them, but I can forgive a lot of transgressions if the character has insight and humor!
Good analysis, Lori. Congratulations on the new book!
Thank you, Molly!
I would say a likeable character is one who you can relate. It would be someone who you feel could be a friend or relative. They would have a great sense of humor, kindness, compassion, a sense or right and wrong, adventerous to name a few. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Thank you, Debra! I agree—those things are very important when I’m reading, as well.