Not politically correct. Is that ok?

meldy · Jun 10, 2008

My teen MC has more than a few moments which are less than politically correct.

But she thinks and reacts like a normal teen would IE: bugs the fat kid, avoids the goth.

Its not a pretty, happy, Pleasantville type attitude.

But its real.

Is this morally awful? am I slitting my own throat by having a MC who is a bit of a little bitch?

Zoombie · Jun 10, 2008

Snort...my MC breaks all his girlfriend's fingers.

To save the galaxy. IT's for a good cause! Honest! Don't walk away! COME BACK!

<ahem>

It's okay to have her be a bit of a bitch. Just have redeeming qualities like a really cool hat or something else nice. Like...a really cool hat. Really really cool. Like...Alucard cool.

That'll do it.

Zenera · Jun 10, 2008

Well is there anything about this character that someone can feel sympathetic for, or at least relate to? I personally could not relate to this character, because I was friends with, " fat," kids and I am a goth. So what redeeming qualities does this character have? What reason would people have to like this character?

meldy · Jun 10, 2008

I think my MC is much like a regular teen and hope the reader will be rooting for her despite her personality flaws.

Still trying to get it organized and pretty enough to get it Beta'd then I guess I will know for sure :S

KTC · Jun 10, 2008

I wouldn't want to read a 100% politically correct novel.

reenkam · Jun 10, 2008

Sounds fine to me. Sure there are people that will decide not to read it because of those small parts, but I think that if that's your character, than that's your character.

changing a character for a few readers when most are okay with the matter isn't good. it'll change your story into something unrecognizable.

write on!

JoNightshade · Jun 10, 2008

One way I sometimes deal with that is to have the character acknowledge that she knows it's not "right." Have her say something or act a certain way and think, "In a perfect world I wouldn't be saying that, but I live in the real world." (Or something like that.) You can also have her not be concerned about other people behaving PC about HER flaws. I think most people know that theoretically, it's not nice to make fun of fat kids. But then they make excuses, like, oh, it's just THIS fat kid, because she's so annoying...

Small example - in my WIP, my disabled character says something totally un-PC about handicaps. Then I have him think, "That was totally not PC. I should have said __ and __. Wait a sec. I'm disabled. I should be able to use whatever words I want!"

Hollan · Jun 11, 2008

I agree with Zenera. In HS I was goth and friends with 'fat' kids, so I don't think I'd relate to your character either. Plus, who are 'regular teens?' I'm not PC at all, in my writing or otherwise, so don't get me wrong. I just don't understand who these regular teens are. Your character has to associate with some peer group, right? Jock, prep, emo? I'm gonna guess no on the emo ^_^ Whichever group she belongs to would explain who she makes fun of and why, without me raising any eyebrows.

King Dork is a good example of a non-PC MC, IMO. But he's definitely not a regular teen. He thinks 'normal' people are all psychotic ^_^

traininvain · Jun 12, 2008

I think you can get away with a main character being politically incorrect, as long as it is done in character and you at some point showcase an aspect to the character to make them sympathetic. You have to give the reader some redeeming values, reasons to root for/emotionally invest in the protagonist. If she flounces around mocking her peers and being shallow all the time and that's all there is to her character, well, then it is a problem.

sassandgroove · Jun 12, 2008

As long as she is likable in other ways, and maybe realizes she is flawed.

chevbrock · Jun 12, 2008

Right now, all over the world, there is bound to be a fat kid being teased. There might also be a goth teasing a fat kid. It happens in the real world. Some people will relate, some will be turned off. By that time, they've spent the money to buy your book, anyway.

HeronW · Jun 12, 2008

If you make her real, 3d with warts and good points, you'll keep the reader's interest.

Buddikins · Jun 13, 2008

I think it's fine. I mean, it's how people act, isn't it? Well, a lot of people, even if they don't care to admit it. It adds more realism that a totally PC novel has.
In high school, teens do do that.
Of course, make sure there's something good about her. Nobody wants to read bout someone that spends the whole novel teasing fat kids and running away from goths.

Not politically correct. Is that ok?

meldy

Instant humanJust add coffee

Zoombie

Dragon of the Multiverse

Zenera

meldy

Instant humanJust add coffee

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

reenkam

aka cupcake

JoNightshade

has finally arrived

Hollan

Stage name = Chainsaw Sally

traininvain

bonafide hustler

sassandgroove

Sassy haircut

chevbrock

HeronW

Down Under Fan

Buddikins