the little, shy, unimportant heroine

[marycatelli]

One of the most dangerous of literary ventures is the little, shy, unimportant heroine whom none of the other characters value. The danger is that your readers may agree with the other characters.

-- C.S. Lewis, Selected Literary Essays

Comments

[jordan179.livejournal.com]

Very true. What some writers forget is that unless such a character has -- and demonstrates to the reader -- hidden depths of courage or intelligence or some other positive virtues, the reader may react by thinking "Okay. She's nice. But rather boring."

[marycatelli]

If that!

Goes for the men, too.

[writerjenn.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's great!

[marycatelli]

Glad you like it.