Killing the Self-Conscious

Jeanette · Oct 8, 2009

When your editor or agent says, "Make your main character in your novel a bit... self-conscious," what does that mean to you? And how do you go about doing it?

ChaosTitan · Oct 8, 2009

Huh. I've never had my agent or editor say to make my character more "self-conscious." If they did, I'd probably email them and ask for a little better explanation of what they're asking me for.

But if I had to guess, I'd say your MC isn't reacting internally enough to external events. They don't reflect on their situation, the things happening, or realize how things are affecting them.

maestrowork · Oct 8, 2009

I'm not sure.. your subject says "killing the self-conscious" but your post says "more self-conscious."

I agree with ChaosTitan. I think it means the reaction of the narrator/POV character with regard to what is happening. Does the character think, "OMG, that could happen to me" when a bus explodes? Or does she react at all? Something like that.

RJK · Oct 8, 2009

How much internal monologue do you have? Is your MC showing any indecision before he acts? Any reluctance?

backslashbaby · Oct 8, 2009

Is your MC too full of himself/herself? Just a thought.

Lady Ice · Oct 8, 2009

Jeanette said:
When your editor or agent says, "Make your main character in your novel a bit... self-conscious," what does that mean to you? And how do you go about doing it?

Maybe the character's emotions aren't always clear; perhaps he doesn't show much reaction to anything.
It could also be to do with the character's arrogance, maybe.

Jeanette · Oct 8, 2009

D'oh. I meant less self-conscious. My bad, y'all.

maestrowork · Oct 8, 2009

Less internal thoughts and less navel gazing and definitely cut down on the "me me me" thoughts. Focus more on the external events and have her observe more instead of constantly bringing everything back to her.

backslashbaby · Oct 8, 2009

What Ray said. And if she gives opinions on things, make them confident, too. I'd think your MC must wonder what people think about her a lot, or maybe she seems meek in her views in general.

DrZoidberg · Oct 9, 2009

If you post an example of what your editor was complaining about, this would be a lot easier.

Bufty · Oct 9, 2009

The way the question was framed I doubt the Editor gave an example. If she had there would have been no need for the question.

DrZoidberg said:
If you post an example of what your editor was complaining about, this would be a lot easier.

jinkang · Oct 9, 2009

Without seeing a passage, if I were to hazard a guess, the M.C. is too analytical of his or her own actions?

For instance, most people don't think too much about opening a door....unless there is a good reason for it (father-in-law on the other side...wife, after a drink binge....etc). But if our MC thinking about the philosophy of turning of the door handle...how it matches MC's life--turning and unturning, only to be used by others once again--then, we have an overtly sensitive MC.

Haha.. just my two cents.

veinglory · Oct 9, 2009

Less thinking, more doing, IMHO.

smoothseas · Oct 9, 2009

Perhaps they were speaking to vulnerability issues. Self-doubt and high stakes make for empathetic characters.

Killing the Self-Conscious

Jeanette

American Novelista

ChaosTitan

Around

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

RJK

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

backslashbaby

*

Lady Ice

Makes useful distinctions

Jeanette

American Novelista

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

backslashbaby

*

DrZoidberg

aka TomOfSweden

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

jinkang

Learning

veinglory

volitare nequeo

smoothseas

Life sucks... Then ya die...

Killing the Self-Conscious

American Novelista

Around

Fear the Death Ray

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

~~~~*~~~~

Makes useful distinctions

American Novelista

Fear the Death Ray

~~~~*~~~~

aka TomOfSweden

Where have the last ten years gone?

Learning

volitare nequeo

Life sucks... Then ya die...

*

*