On Unlikable Characters in Erotic Fiction

31 Jan 2019

Going over the handful of work in progresses I have, I realized I have a habit of using fairly unlikable characters. This made me ask the question of this site and erotica in general: How do unlikable protagonists shape the story, and does it effect your ability to enjoy the story/get off to it?

Additionally, does your opinion change if the characters are intentionally dislikable as opposed to the sort of character who you think you are supposed to like, but ends being utterly hate-able.

For myself, I like writing unlikable or insufferable people.

1 Feb 2019

Unlikable protagonist are problematic. If there's nothing redeeming about them, the audience may not stick with the story. People often want a character they can relate to and most of us think of ourselves as sweet, likable people. That said, a gentleman bastard who is nonetheless doing the right things, even if for sometimes dubious reasons, is popular figure in stories (Fleming's original James Bond is a bit of one, Scott Lynch has a popular fantasy trilogy about one). So I guess I am saying that they may be more fun to write than to read, so keep that in mind.