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Allie Pleiter | Balancing The Quirks And The Oddities
September 28, 2009
How do you give an old story a new twist? Holiday romances are time-honored
favorites. Everyone likes to see the guy finally get the girl under the
mistletoe. Not that the holidays don’t provide lots of material for those of us
who tend to put humor in our stories, but it can be hard to achieve that "smile
while you tear up" quality that most readers look for in romantic comedy. For me, the balance is the difference between "quirky" and "odd." We love quirky
characters, mostly because they represent parts of us we don’t want to the world
to see. Character traits run amuk are funny, especially if they’re character
traits we have ourselves. That’s what makes them recognizable; what makes them
quirky. "Odd" characters, on the other hand, don’t feel recognizable. They have
character traits we don’t see in ourselves--or they’re so overblown that they’re
traits we’d never admire. If you’ve ever heard the phrase "a vice is a virtue
taken three steps too far," you see what I mean. I can be charmed by someone
who’s compulsive--someone who hides the fact that she alphabetizes her spice
cabinet or a man who eats his food clockwise around their dinner plate but tries
to make sure no one notices. I can’t be charmed by someone who’s domineering,
controlling, or manipulative. In short, what makes quirky characters lovable is how much they are like some
part of us. Mac MacCarthy, my hero in Bluegrass Christmas, charms me because he
just wants to shake the world to attention. He goes about it wrong lots of the
time, but his motives are good. Mary Thorpe is stumbling her way into a new
believer’s life, and she gives into the fear so many of us share; "they’ll never
like me once they know the real me." Laughing at Mac and Mary helps us laugh at
ourselves. And, in this particular story, laugh at the lengths we’ll go to
achieve that "perfect Christmas." Because, as you can well guess, the results are anything BUT perfect. Allie Pleiter Leave a comment today and one lucky winner will receive a copy of her lastest
book Bluegrass Christmas!
Comments
19 comments posted.
Re: Allie Pleiter | Balancing The Quirks And The Oddities
I also tend to like it when the characters have quirks as well. It humanizes them and helps me to be able to relate them more. I think to myself "This is someone I could be friends with if they were real." or "Gee, this is someone I would like to hang out with."
(Cherie Japp 9:54am September 28, 2009)
I love Christmas stories. A quirk makes the story a bit interesting.
(Helen Livermore 10:53am September 28, 2009)
Is the person with the odd behavior capable of down grading their behavior to a mere quirk or are they hopeless?
(Karin Tillotson 11:28am September 28, 2009)
Quirks can definitely get out of hand quickly. If it is something I would not tolerate in life, I would not tolerate it in fiction.
(Anne Jones 11:53am September 28, 2009)
I haven't had the best of Christmas's, so to read a story that would lighten the mood at the holiday time would be fab! I am a romantic and sensitive person who adores Christmas, they just bring misery too. Anything that can make me laugh or smile then or about that time is awesome!
(Freda Mans-Labianca 12:00pm September 28, 2009)
I love Christmas stories and a little quirks add to the story. Thanks for sharing!
(Gail Hurt 1:43pm September 28, 2009)
Can a oddity be redeemed? Actually, I
believe it can. Helping a character--
or just those who relate to that
character--discover the virtue behind
the vice is key. The domineering
person can be redeemed to someone
who protects. But it takes a major
crisis to create that kind of character
change. That's why I usually strike the
balance toward quirky with my
sympathetic characters, but I can let
the darker side of my villains come
out.
(Allie Pleiter 2:14pm September 28, 2009)
Christmas is my favorite time of year. Reading a story with love, romance and having it set at Christmastime is a bonus. It puts me in the mood for the decorating, the gift buying, and everything else associated with the holiday. Can't wait to read your book.
(Theresa Buckholtz 2:15pm September 28, 2009)
Well, who wants perfect anyway...that just wouldn't be any FUN! I can only imagine adding quirky and Christmas together would make for a fun story...one I would love to read !
(Cathy Howard 2:41pm September 28, 2009)
who dosent love a good heartened Christmas Story.
cant wait to read it.
(Ann w 3:23pm September 28, 2009)
Can't wait to read this one! We all try for that "perfect Christmas", but we'll never truely reach what we have in our minds! ;)
(Kelli Jo Calvert 3:50pm September 28, 2009)
I like quirky characters too. Also, I'm glad to see all the new Christmas novels coming out now - I just love to read a few throughout the holidays.
(Cheryl Snyder 4:26pm September 28, 2009)
Christmas stories are always a treat, but reading one set in bluegrass country (my backyard) is even better!! Can't wait to read it. :)
(Deborah Anderson 5:56pm September 28, 2009)
You are correct. When I hear "quirky", I am not hesitant. However, when I hear "odd", I stand back a little.
(Debra Miller 6:02pm September 28, 2009)
You're right as you describe the difference between quirky and odd. I think the biggest character flaws are those that allow people to hurt, humiliate or frighten others.
(Sigrun Schulz 7:27pm September 28, 2009)
Oh, I love a good christmas story. Finding your true love is the best gift of all.
(Mitzi Hinkey 7:57pm September 28, 2009)
For me quirky translates to a lot of fun & a connection to the character.
(Mary Preston 8:05pm September 28, 2009)
With the holidays approaching, I find that I am in the mood for a 'happy ever-after'Christmas story with real-life characters. That is my gift to myself.
(Rosemary Krejsa 9:19pm September 28, 2009)
Quirky is good. It is good to recognize all parts of our personalities, even the ones we don't particularly want to claim. Sounds like a good Chriatmas story.
(Patricia Barraclough 11:03pm September 29, 2009)
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