Types of Characters That Annoy You

this beautiful thief:

And, for the record, even if you didn't mean it that way, I do find it offensive that you referred to using real people as characters as 'gross'. If you don't like it, that's one thing, but it's completely different to insult the people who do.

I couldn't agree more, and not only because I also write RPF. I just think it's incredibly rude to put down something that many people put a ton of their time and effort into just because you don't like it. There's a right way and a wrong way to go about stating your opinion; resorting to bashing is definitely not the right way.

--

Pretentious characters. The ones that think they're so much more intelligent and better-looking than the two-dimensional friends that the author has written for them

Stereotypical characters really annoy me. I know that some people do feel the need in real life to fit into a label, but not everyone is either a goth or a prep or a rebel or a nerd...I could go on. For instance, I know people in real life who, at first glance, may fit the 'nerd' stereotype--they're incredibly clever and don't care that much about their appearance, but then when you get to know them they're also hilariously funny and loved by everyone. I don't like it when characters in stories are only ever one thing - people don't just fit one characteristic.

And then I also get annoyed by the really weak, whiny female characters who just cling onto their boyfriend and hope that he sorts things out for them. Seriously, most girls these days are not like that.

Characters who are mean for no reason. Characters who don't stand up for themselves. Characters who never say what they mean.

...I'm such a hypocrite.

Those female characters who are meant to be witty and badass and hilarious but really, they're just obnoxious, overdramatic bitches who, in real life, would make you ask, "What in the fuck is wrong with you?" And yet everyone still likes them, or at least never calls them out on their bitchiness.

It's as intolerable in stories as it is in reality.

"Sugar high" characters

Characters that do stuff for no obvious reason. Characters that have a skill for no obvious reason. Characters that are certain things for no obvious reason.

Icamane Potter:

"Sugar high" characters

This. So hard.

Characters who are all angst and gloominess all the time.

Characters who darken the entire story. Like, yeah, not everyone's life is perfect, but then again, not every girl with black hair and piercings has an abusive mother and drunkard father. It is a) slightly exaggerated to the eye-rolling point and b) so stereotypical it's not even funny. Can't there once be a girl who likes tattoos and ripped jeans who has loving parents, a nice childhood and good grades?

Mary Sues.

Vintage.Heartbreak:

Characters who darken the entire story. Like, yeah, not everyone's life is perfect, but then again, not every girl with black hair and piercings has an abusive mother and drunkard father. It is a) slightly exaggerated to the eye-rolling point and b) so stereotypical it's not even funny. Can't there once be a girl who likes tattoos and ripped jeans who has loving parents, a nice childhood and good grades?

Agreed. I know plenty of people like that, especially since I'm an artist and you get all kinds of people in art.

---

Those characters that are too giddy and uppity like everything in their life is over the top drama riden.

I also hate those ignorant ghetto girl characters that live in a fucked up ghetto life and doesn't want it to change or get any better. The funny thing is, I still read that shit 'cause it's like crack to me. Everyone has their crack addictions when it comes to reading. But I do like ghetto stories where the character knows their life is fucked up and they want to get out of it.

The two-dimensional sluts that are unfailingly air-headed, rich, blond, cruel, and looking to get laid.

Come on, Regina George isn't everywhere.

sibyl vane.:

The two-dimensional sluts that are unfailingly air-headed, rich, blond, cruel, and looking to get laid.

Come on, Regina George isn't everywhere.

That's not fair, even Regina has more depth than that.


---

I can't stand characters who victimise themselves, who spend all their time moaning about how shit they have it but refuse to do anything to change it.

this beautiful thief:

That's not fair, even Regina has more depth than that.

.

Very true, but her copycat characters sure don't.

Characters who have no balance - they're either one extreme or the other. Or characters who don't react realistically in certain situations.

mischief managed.:

Characters who have no balance - they're either one extreme or the other. Or characters who don't react realistically in certain situations.

Hahahah! I hate that too! Oh my goodness. That stuff just makes me want to go off.
<----- had to use that smily.
Thank god I'm not a victom of that. I guess it all depends on the writers personality also. I'm a very chill and mellow person, so I don't find it hard to keep a balance of emotions and reactions in the story. That doesn't include my story Extranormal because one of the characters has anger management problems. And it might not be the same for another character in Dream Life because he's bi-polar.

mischief managed.:

Characters who have no balance - they're either one extreme or the other. Or characters who don't react realistically in certain situations.

I totally agree, though I can understand why an author would find a character like this appealing to write about. Often in the search for originality this is what people jump to: extreme, way out there characters with out of whack emotions and no common sense. I guess it makes more of a distinguishable character, though not identifiable in the least.

And so as not to spam I'll add that I really hate characters who attempt to be witty, but instead just come off as obnoxious. Too much dark humor and sarcasm in one character can really bring a story down, cause I start to feel like the author went way overboard with it.

Characters who can't be forgiving.

Character's who are never wrong or are always in denial.

Characters who think they're different just because nobody in their school has the same hobbies and wears the same clothes as them. Just because your character writes depressing poetry and wears Hot Topic clothing doesn't mean they're different.

I don't like the characters that are made to be all tough, like towards one person but then when they actually need to be all badass they suddenly freeze up!