Loose Change

Creating a character you don't like

I've been reading Stephen King's On Writing, and have just gotten to the part where he talks about his early issues with Carrie.  One of the issues was that he didn't much like Carrie White.  This strikes a chord with me, as I am writing a story now where I really don't like the main character.  I think he might be a good character, but I sure wouldn't want to meet him.  I have written about psycho characters and loser characters before, but never about a flat out sleazeball who is the hero of the story.

I'm not guessing this will be my Carrie (which apparently pretty much made Stephen King's career), but I am interested in the process.  My wife thinks it sounds crazy to create a character you don't like, but sometimes you just start writing and have to read the page yourself to find out who you created.


Current status: 54 items in 69 submissions. One new market attempted,  Raphael's Village

New feature of the blog:  At the beginning of each month, I will list my rejection, acceptance and submission stats for the past month.  Should give some sense of whether I am diving off a cliff or climbing a golden ladder.

Last month's stats: 20 rejections, 0 acceptances, 67 submissions.  Queue the cliff diving music.