The Hungry Student
There are so many things. Literally, so many, we all have our own reasons. You pointed out that the concept of caring is different, but similar, to liking them, and quite so; the two concepts overlap amazingly well. They aren't mutually inclusive though.
But, some notable things that make me care about characters, even ones I don't like, are: vulnerability as opposed to invulnerability (will Tyrion die? I doubt it. Kinda), flaws, reasons for flaws, self-awareness of said flaws and other characters being aware of flaws (does a lot to make me want them to stay alive), relative strategic heroic inferiority or at least equality (the exact opposite of what happens with 'Murican heroes in a Tom Clancy novel), watching them engage in things like normal conversations and behaviors which trick me into believing that the character is more than the author's hypothetical intellectual construct, and finally, seeing them going through downs as well as ups. I need to know that a character has the capacity to lose, even if they've won all the time up until this point. If they can't, then why should I care? Where is the fun in seeing someone win all the time?
edited 4th May '14 4:26:55 AM by gingerman
I will think of something witty and profound to stick down here. Some day
In the pursuit of great, we failed to do good.
Credibility. A combination of flaws and strenghts is always good to make characters believable. Their struggles need to resonate with our own. This extends to villains as well. A villain who does what you yourself are thinking in your darkest moments is far more engaging and interesting than some Complete Monster Card-Carrying Villain.
rollin' on dubs
There is self-doubt and there is wangst. Peter Parker is an uncool Emo Teen, but Spider Man is a hero. It's the interplay of the two that makes the story entertaining.
When one element takes over: Wangst, Rule of Cool, Crazy Awesome, Fun Personified at the expense of all else, that's a flat character.
Tropes Are Tools, a character should be more than just one trope or one "thing".
As Sf Debris points out: "Shatener is the man who screams "KHAAAAN!" but he's also the man who can scream without saying a word."— From his Wrath Of Khan Review and how Shatener has depth that made the movie memorable.
edited 4th May '14 10:58:42 AM by TairaMai
All night at the computer, cuz people ain't that great. I keep to myself so I won't be on The First 48
Or in other words how you avoid those Deadly Eight Words/indifference.
No to be confused with how to make people like a character... which is something I think relates to how much people relate/likes the character...
I think good authors makes us care even about characters we might hate... Hence my question.
what do you think?
Make your hearth shine through the darkest night; let it transform hate into kindness, evil into justice, and loneliness into love.