User blog comment:Creeper50/How to Make an Unlikable Character Worth Rooting For/@comment-4715955-20160804102711/@comment-26054278-20160804184005

I understand if you find it a bit odd, but I outright stated in the text that the reason he can't bring himself to kill people with black hair is because it reminds him of someone he loved in high school.

This example would work better if it were more specific. Saying that it's just because of the black hair makes him come across as kind of stupid. That'd be like if my serial killer wouldn't kill anyone who had glasses because his mother always wore glasses before she died. It's such a non-specific, random element, and it's practically laughable.

Your example would make more sense if it was that he refuses to kill a girl who looks and acts similar to his old love, as opposed to just any person with black hair.

This may be my opinion as well, but I think quirks should apply more so to personality traits. There has to be more to him than just liking a random object or type of media. I like movies, sure, but does that instantly make you like me?

In the case of your example, nobody is going to simply sympathize with the killer because he likes comic books. However, if he is charming, sarcastic, or overall interesting to follow, then we have more reason to follow him. Mikemacdee makes some very compelling points about this.

''How would Star Wars be if it were completely realistic for the first 50 minutes, then switched to utterly impossible afterward? With characters, the first impression of them will set up what rules the author applies to that character.''

Once again, your example makes little sense. This isn't about tonal shift, but about character depth. Character can change, and, if anything, that change can make them more dimensional. In fact, by making the character likable at first, this could enhance the story by making an emotional conflict. We like the character, but as he resorts to doing terrible things and tries to hold onto his humanity, we have to question our first impression of him, yet still follow him because of that initial trust. You don't have to do that to make a compelling unlikable character, but there are many routes besides that (such as the routes Mikemacdee has already described).

''Lastly, I have actually written a full-length screenplay, which I posted on another wiki, so yeah, I do have some experience in the craft. Buh-bye.''

Just because you have created a work does not automatically make you an expert on explanations and the craft of writing. Whatever praise you have gotten on your screenplay does not automatically mean you are in the right here. I've written 10+ stories on this wiki, yet I don't consider myself a particularly good writer, and by no means professional.

I also attempt to review pieces of media and stories on this wiki. Nobody has to agree with me. It all comes down to how well I can explain my dislike/like for a story; it doesn't matter if I may have written a potentially good story in the past. If I read your screenplay right now and love it, I still won't agree with you here. Mikemacdee's arguments not only make more sense, but are explained with better examples than the ones you have given.

Many people take classes, are experts in this area, and have much more experience than you or I. It is great to try to give advice, but it is recommended that one continues to seek more advice first to truly understand the craft. There are always ways to improve, even if you don't think there are.