Redeeming the Unlikable Hero

with guest Elaine Stock.

 Hello, Seekers! It’s an honor and a treat for me to visit Seekerville today to discuss my debut novel, Always With You soon to release from Elk Lake Publishing. With the novel’s non-traditional love-story elements between a member of a religious sect and a young woman from an atheistic family, it’s been brought to my attention that Tyler isn’t your average likable hero. Yet, when the story idea of romance and eventual marriage between this bad boy and an innocent yet naive young woman came to mind, I had to find a way to make Tyler redeemable. But by story’s end, how was I going to make my readers able to imagine that they could invite Tyler over to meet their Great Aunt Bertha?

The image of bad conjures up all kinds of thoughts, does it not?

I knew from the beginning that Tyler had to have good qualities within him. Perhaps they were buried, misshapen by the abuse and trauma he might have suffered first-hand as a boy, and jumbled in the name of personal survival.

So, yes, I believe that a bad man can become a likable hero by story’s end.

How? What worked for me was to show a change in his character. Tyler had to be pulled and shaped by love, and warring old and new beliefs in his life. Ah, what we all do for love!

One of the best writing tips I ever received was from my dear friend, author Christine Lindsay, when she pointed out that I needed to emphasize more visceral feeling in my stories. It’s one thing for a writer to tell that a character can reason his way through a story, but it’s essential to make the reader feel the deep inward emotions as the character feels them. It’s my hope that I’ve succeeded in Always With You.

Without wanting to give too much of the story away, I will illustrate with a short study of Tyler’s Character Arc of how he changed from the beginning of the story to its end. What’s a Character Arc? Simply, it’s the inner change of a character despite antagonizing elements throughout the story. At first, since no story should properly conclude by the first chapter’s ending, this character must show that he (or she) has a lot of issues he’s dealing with and that these issues will trip him up throughout the story and make the reader question whether he’s able to overcome them. It’s this vulnerability of character that is the driving force of the story.

The Character Arc is the character’s inner journey. He’s going to face obstacles (and we hope a lot!) that force him to either do nothing (boring!), or adapt (possibly interesting  … ), or change (yes!). Remember, readers want to see change. Readers expect to see change. Part of the inner journey is one step forward and two steps back as the character moves toward his new life.

In the opening of Always With You, Tyler becomes an instant hero in Isabelle’s eyes when the two encounter each other for the first time. Isabelle is in danger and Tyler rescues her. As attraction pulls these opposites together, Isabelle sees Tyler as clean-cut, wholesome, a family man, and a man of faith. Her vision of her rescuer shadows the limited knowledge she has of him belonging to this group of people, The Faithful, living on the outskirts of town. All that counts to her are his good traits. However, as the two fall in love, Tyler is split in two between his contrasting behaviors when he’s with Isabelle versus when he’s with The Faithful. Note: tension builds in Tyler and tangled emotions—one that we can all relate to—ensue.

What’s a bad boy to do? Cue persuasion. A wee bit possessive of his sweetheart, Tyler convinces Isabelle that his god loves her and is watching out for her … like his own family will. Isabelle comes to see it Tyler’s way.

 

 Another sweeping-under-the-carpet by Tyler is his gradual but constant hiding of the truth from Isabelle. Bad boys enjoy putting on their best faces! Plot wise, nefarious events begin to happen about town. When it comes to Isabelle, Tyler sees himself as changing; he thinks in terms of “us” instead of “me.” This new identity serves both Tyler and Isabelle well when Isabelle encounters disapproval at home and must select between her family and Tyler. She chooses her beloved, a man who can do no wrong. They marry.

Are they living a happily-ever-after yet? Of course not! Character-arc wise Tyler has lots to learn. Tyler oscillates between sweet but manipulative kindness toward Isabelle and outright attempt to control her. This too has a price tag of heavy guilt, especially when he learns he’s going to be a dad, but more importantly when he sees Isabelle loves him unconditionally and is beside him in support.

 Tyler doubts his once strong convictions. Yet, he still tries to restore peace in his ever-changing immediate family that’s now ripe with tension and fragmentation. Plus, he’s acutely aware that he’s under close scrutiny and condemnation from The Faithful leader. This guy has a lot of pressure on his shoulders!

Tyler and Isabelle argue. Not pretty.

What happens when bad boy Tyler recognizes his actions with The Faithful have consequences? Rather than focus heavily on the plot I play up the emotional upheaval between Tyler and his love for Isabelle.

After a few plot detours and the introduction of a new and vital character, there comes the ultimate bottom line in Tyler’s cycle of life, one I hope the reader will see as his key to redemption in this love story.

I’d love to know what makes you keep a character in your thoughts, as well as what redeems an apparent bad boy. Have you read any other books with where the author handled redeeming an unlikable hero?

I’m offering a Book Giveaway of my debut novel Always With You, upon its release (a printed copy within the US and a digital copy outside the US). In addition, I presently have a special contest to help celebrate my new website (look for the Mailing List House icon). Hope to see you there! Leave a comment. Winners will be announced in the Weekend Edition.

 

Always With You

Can she move forward without knowing her past?

Will he enjoy his present if he can’t free himself from what he left behind?

In the heart of the Adirondacks, Isabelle lives in the shadow of a dark family secret whose silent burden strips her family of emotional warmth and faith in God. Tyler belongs to the religious sect called The Faithful, which Isabelle’s father dislikes immensely. Yet, because Tyler is part of this group, Isabelle sees only a man devoted to his family and faith.

She wants it; she gets it; they marry.

And when the truth comes out, Isabelle faces two choices:

Staying could endanger her child.

Leaving could cost her life.







A former Brooklyn gal, Elaine Stock lives in the Northeast with her husband where she enjoys spring, summer, autumn, and puts up with the winter. A member of ACFW and WFWA, she also is a contributing author to the international “Happy Sis Magazine.” In addition to Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads, she hangs out on her active blog, Everyone’s Story, dedicated to uplifting and encouraging all readers through the power of story and hope.