Four letters strike fear into the hearts of romance writers everywhere: TSTL.
Too Stupid to Live—the worst possible criticism. The brand on the forehead of idiotic protagonists that just can’t be ignored. The sign that the reader really, really hates your character and hopes that they won’t survive till the last page.
Today I ask what, really, is TSTL Syndrome? Gut instinct says that it’s a problem with characterization, because the ire of the reader gets focused on the offending character. But I suggest that TSTL is merely a symptom of other afflictions in a book—and not just one.
Here’s an example:
As the first shots rang out, Binky felt Brutus’ hand clamp around his bicep like iron. He pulled Binky behind the shelter of the concrete pylon. Overhead cars thundered across the overpass. Binky gazed up at them helplessly as shrapnel peppered his arm.
From the shelter of their van, the gunmen kept firing.
“Why are they shooting at us?” Binky demanded. “What have I ever done to them?”
“You killed their mother,” Brutus growled. “What did you expect?”
“No, that was an accident.” Binky recalled the day clearly, the image of the woman lying motionless in the crosswalk still burned in his mind as though it were yesterday. “I was just trying to get through the light because I was late for a rehearsal I had to be at. It was my first leading role at the Cupcake Playhouse.”
“Right.” Brutus drew his pistol.
“And that wasn’t even my fault because how could I have known the toilet was going to overflow? And so I was driving fast and I didn’t see the old lady in the crosswalk because it was dark and she was wearing all black. I regret it every single day.”
“She was the widow of the head of the Tortellini Family,” Brutus said, through clenched teeth. He lunged out to return fire. The report of the gun echoed through the cavernous space like thunder. “What did you expect?”
“You mean they’re in the mafia?” Binky’s heart hammered. “But it’s a mistake. Couldn’t I try to talk to them?”
“The time for talking is over.”
Binky stared at his rescuer, taking in his lean, strong body as he pumped out round after round. Finally the shots faded. Their pursuers had fled. Brutus holstered his weapon and turned toward Binky.
Staring into those deep blue eyes, Binky whispered, “Who are you anyway?”
I have four fresh letters to describe this scene: B.A.R.F.
Here two separate forces conspire to make Binky look like a moron. First the author is trying to get too much exposition into an action scene. Could Binky possibly think of ANY other time to talk about his play? Like maybe when fewer bullets were flying?
And how could Binky, who would have certainly been tried for vehicular homicide, not remember his victim’s name and not know her family by sight? If they truly are the Tortellini family, wouldn’t they have been glaring at him from the gallery during his trial?
In addition to that, the author is doing her best to make the love interest, Brutus, look cool. But rather than having Brutus do anything exceptional or clever, she just has Binky get dumber and dumber so that Brutus can seem more awesome by comparison.
Another common fail could be referred to as, “Is this really the time?”
When the first shots rang out, Brutus grabbed Binky, pulling him behind the shelter of the concrete pylon. Overhead cars thundered across the overpass. The sensation of Brutus’ body against his suffused Binky’s entire awareness.
He felt his cock swell with desire. His heartbeat quickened, his skin flushed. Were they going to do it right here?
Now if you’re like me you’re wondering how Binky could possibly manage to get a boner while in imminent danger of death—not after surviving but during what should be the most terrifying moment of his life. Binky’s TSTL attack is the result of the author trying to create a unique sexy setting (under fire under a highway overpass) without realizing that any dumbass who thinks about his dick this much while in a life-threatening situation is not a keeper.
This brings us to my personal favorite drama-based TSTL scenario: Hurt/Comfort gone wrong.
As the first shots rang out, Binky felt Brutus’ hand clamp around his bicep like iron. He pulled Binky behind the shelter of the concrete pylon. Overhead cars thundered across the overpass. Binky gazed up at them helplessly as shrapnel peppered the pylon.
From the shelter of their van, the gunmen kept firing. Brutus pulled out his gun.
“Why are they shooting at us?” Binky demanded. “What have I ever done to them?”
“You killed their mother,” Brutus growled. “What did you expect? Here, take this.”
Brutus pulled a second pistol from his jacket and pressed it into Binky’s hands. “Cover me.”
“Cover you?” Binky stared at the gun. “I don’t know…” Suddenly a barrage a fire erupted from the van. Binky jumped and the gun fell from his hand. After that he felt a thunderous crack and blinding pain and a bullet penetrated his leg. The gun Brutus had given him seconds before lay smoking on the asphalt.
“I can’t believe it,” Binky stared at the blood welling from his injury.
Brutus was at his side immediately. “It’s going to be okay, baby.”
“I’m sorry,” Binky said, through tears of pain and humiliation. “It misfired. I…”
“It’s my fault,” Brutus’ voice turned husky. “I should never have given you a gun.”
I suppose some of you might think that by shooting himself, Binky has reached maximum stupid. And you are right. But also consider Brutus:
What kind of person must he be that he finds a man this inept attractive? What the hell is wrong with him? Is he such a power-tripper that he has to find idiots to rescue to make himself feel better? How creepy is that?
While it is undeniably true that drama requires characters to take more risks than the average sensible real-life person might, it is also true that when drama goes wrong TSTL is right around the corner.
Drama gone wrong is not the only reason characters end up branded TSTL. Another source is unmet expectations of skill and competence, as you can see below.
As the first shots rang out, Dr. Binky felt Brutus hand clamp around his bicep like iron. He pulled Dr. Binky behind the shelter of the concrete pylon. Overhead cars thundered across the overpass. Binky gazed up at them helplessly as shrapnel peppered the pylon.
From the shelter of their van, the gunmen kept firing.
Binky stared at his rescuer, taking in his lean, strong body as he pumped out round after round.
Staring into those deep blue eyes—the eyes he remembered so coldly telling him that they needed to “take a break” so many years ago. Dr. Binky cried, “Why are you doing this?”
“You’re the president’s top neurosurgeon, Binky,” Brutus growled. “And I’m here to save your fine ass, so you can save his.”
Just as Brutus spoke a bullet whizzed past his arm. Brutus ducked back behind the pylon. “I’m hit.”
The tiny rivulet of blood trickling from Brutus’ shoulder reminded Dr. Binky of all the time that had bled away since their days together in the Special Forces.
“A tourniquet should stop the bleeding.” Brutus’ voice was low and strong.
“A tourniquet… Right.” Dr. Binky felt the panic rising within him, what if he lost Brutus—again? Dr. Binky’s vision tunneled and he hit the dirt.
Oh, poor Binky! How could the cruel author have made him such a bad surgeon? Sure, fainting at the sight of a loved one’s grievous injury might be somewhat acceptable if Binky were an accountant or Waldorf School teacher. But when Binky’s surgeon there is an expectation that he can handle the sight of a little blood, particularly if he’s supposed to have also have served in the “Special Forces”. On top of that, his author seems to have sent him to an unaccredited medical school where scratches are treated with tourniquets. When he keels over, we keel over too, groaning at how badly he’s failed in the face of all the expectations that the author has built up around him.
And yet we know why our author did it. Her impulse was to show Binky’s visceral reaction to Brutus being shot. Unfortunately, in doing so she made him unbelievably incompetent at his job.
The same rules apply to Special Agent Binky, Detective Binky, Chairman Binky, Top Gun Binky, Genius Hacker Binky… Even Father Binky.
Writers of the world, I beg you. Don’t keep making Binky look like a dope! Give him a little common sense, be willing to do some research on his behalf and we’ll all come out of it happier…and maybe even smarter.
Got any favorite TSTL situations? How do you think they could be solved?
Nicole Kimberling’s Contact Information
email: nicolekimberling@gmail.com
Okay, generally TSTL is annoying, but the having sex/getting boners in dangerous or completely inappropriate situations (at funerals for example) really irks me. I get the author is trying to show they strength of attraction and passion/lust, but seriously? I’d like to think that a man can control himself somewhat when the situation warrants it.
Yeah, this.
“Howard, your arm is hanging by a shredded tendon.”
“Whatever. Let’s fuck.”
And it keeps happening throughout the story! And the sex is always the-best-ever! :doh:
Dear KZ,
I don’t know what you’ve got against fucking the injured, but I think this prejudice of yours needs to be addressed.
Did you know that injured people, especially mortally injured ones, are MOST likely to be rejected by potential sexual partners? How could you deny a guy who has just lost 4 pints of blood that blowjob he’s always wanted? Sure you might have to tape a tongue depressor to his dick to keep it up because of the lack of blood, but that’s why they always have tongue depressors in first aid kits. Didn’t you know that?
Compassion, KZ, that’s what it’s all about.
Love,
Dr. Binky
:hysterics:
You guys are too funny!
I agree that these scenarios are most likely the authors fantasy that she or he want to turn into reality. Well, a bit of reality check won’t hurt, hunny. :grumble:
Hey Cleon, long time no read! Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Tam, thanks for coming by.
There are stories where people get boners at funerals and don’t think, “What the hell is wrong with me?” Damn, I wish I’d known that when I wrote this.
HAHAHAHA. Great article Nicole, sums up TSTL Binky perfectly. I do agree with Tam – characters having sex at the time when they are in mortal danger just wants me do a head desk and multiple times – more than any other TSTL syndroms. You really should write a book about what not to write in the romance novels with Binky as Main Character 🙂
OMG this and so much:
“without realizing that any dumbass who thinks about his dick this much while in a life-threatening situation is not a keeper”
Hi Sirius,
Thanks for the comment!
Oh, poor Binky! To have a whole book written about how dumb he is? That would be so mean!
…funny though. 😀
Tam is so right!
Another situation I really, really hate: The hero is seriously wounded, takes painpills like sweets, but wants nothing more than having sex. And he is able to have sex!!! Oh man, did you ever hurt so bad that you couldn’t look straight? And because of the pain, did you have to pop so many painpills? Believe me, there is no sexdrive and no sex on your mind.
Whenever I read something like that I only want to scream and normally I stop reading….
Could this be considered a TSTL situation? IMO yes!!!!
Hi Eve,
Oh, yes. A character who ensures the blood flow to his penis before his brain is definitely TSTL.
And yeah, what is in those pain pills? Viagra? As far as I can tell any sort of pain killer results in a certain level of whiskey dick–not to mention unconsciousness.
I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that authors who write situations like these are either quite young or quite sheltered and therefore haven’t yet experienced the majesty of opiates…or of intense pain.
On a related note, its also weird when a character is either way too drunk or way too sober than he should be after the number of drinks he is supposed to have had.
“After a glass of wine, Binky’s head started to spin…”
Only if Binky is a 98 pound fourteen year old.
Or, alternately,
“Binky felt nervous. He’d never been the a club before. He sat at the bar and ordered shot after shot until finally the entire bottle of Absolut Vanilla was empty. Finally feeling relaxed he headed out onto the dance floor, able to show off his sexiest moves.”
So much wrong with this. No way could Binky actually dance after drinking that much vodka. Sure, he might think he can dance, I suppose, but mainly he’s just going to get 86’d by the security staff for lurching into other customers. In addition, no bartender is going to serve him that much booze. And why is Binky drinking straight Absolut Vanilla? Who does that?
Surely all these are signs that the author is not an experienced inebriate.
This is so perceptive:
the author is doing her best to make the love interest, Brutus, look cool. But rather than having Brutus do anything exceptional or clever, she just has Binky get dumber and dumber so that Brutus can seem more awesome by comparison
It’s easier to make Binky drop below a normal level of competence, than do research into what kind of specialized skills Brutus might have.
I think that much of this jarringly unrealistic behavior (the TSTL character and also the badass heroines in paranormal romance who are gratingly obnoxious) comes from authors copying popular trends. Trying to emulate their favorite book.
Instead, they should be visualizing the scene like it’s really happening. Okay, that’s me in this situation. Would I really say this? Would I really react like this? What would I think if I were in this situation and saw another person reacting like this?
Hey Val, good to see you!
RE: Authors trying to emulate their favorite books.
Yes, I agree there is a certain level of “fictitiousness” of character that is the result of a character being based on another character. And its usually easy to spot. The character’s wardrobe is often a giveaway, especially if its very like a costume.
Poor Binky!
People getting horny in life-threatening situations is on top of the list. On the other hand, getting a boner in certain inappropriate situation–like somebody’e else’s wedding, etc.–have great comic potential.
Women in movies, who were there only so there would be someone to rescue, used to drive me crazy.
“Stay here,” says the studly hero. She nods but as soon as he’s out of sight, she starts wandering around, gets in trouble, and has to be rescued. Of course, if she did stay put, the movie wouldn’t have a plot.
Hi Lou!
When I was researching this article, I realized that a lot of people argue that TSTL characters are necessary for plot. The argument goes that if characters were not stupid then they would never get into trouble and therefore there would be no excitement or drama.
But what sort of object lesson is that? If you’d like to experience excitement, be as dumb as possible? I mean, the horror genre makes its money on turning characters into morality tales and object lessons, but I think that romance is just a less judgemental genre than that. (I could be wrong, though. :smile:)
That’s why I appealed to authors to not be so unkind to Binky. So often, his idiocy is really not his fault so much as the author’s lack of ability to make a compelling plot.
And BTW, I think the TSTL “gets captured and has to be rescued all the time” heroine is the result of an author who wants a character to have excitement and drama while maintaining a completely passive (and therefore blameless) demeanor. This heroine is always right because she never actually does anything and therefore can’t do anything wrong. They are never to blame for anything that happens in the story and so always command the moral high ground.
These characters are written by authors who have issues with perfectionism that extends too far into the character. Whenever I read them, I get the sense that I can see through the story directly into the author’s mind. And I always think, “Girl, you need to be less self-conscious.”
LOL
Soooo funny, and I totally agree, especially about the sex when in dangerous situations, just DON’T
Also, so many Binky’s 😮
Hi Majken, thank you for your kind compliment.
And it’s true. There are so many Binkys, alas…
So funny and true! I always remember a story I read last year where a rescued guy had rectal surgery after having been raped repeatedly by his captors, and his rescuer had anal sex with him in the hospital bed a couple/few days after the operation. 😕
Jeez 😯 that’s just all sorts of wrong
That is just :nuts:
But seriously, I think stuff like this is the result of an author having a disturbing sexual fantasy that she does not realize is both disturbing and achievable only at the level of fantasy. Therefore she writes this scene thinking, “yeah, that’s so hot.”
Really it’s two disturbing fantasies colliding. First there is the fantasy where the character is raped SO HARD that he has his rectum torn and then has to have SURGERY. (THE HORROR! THE DRAMA! WHAT PAIN!)
Then there is the fantasy where the wounded protag gives it up in a hospital bed to Prince Charming at great personal risk and sacrifice. Fucking Prince Charming might KILL HIM. But he’s willing to do it anyway because he loves him SO MUCH!
While Dr. Binky would approve of ass-fucking a guy who has just had ass-repair surgery (see his letter to KZ above) most people would wonder what the hell is going through Prince Charming’s mind as he contemplates tearing out the sutures. (SO SEXY!)
An reader thinks, WTF? But I suggest that here the author is writing straight from her subconscious.
Everybody has fantasies that they don’t realize are totally fucked up. When those crazy and highly personal fantasies make it onto the page that the character becomes TSTL.
Or just a creepy loser.
That’s why honest beta readers are CRUCIAL. They help keep the too weird for the public shit off the page. 😆
(I’m sorry I just can’t seem to stop typing all-caps in this one.)
Hold me while I throw up. Thank the gods I never read this book. Could you please email me Mandy with the name of the book so that I will never request it for review? Thanks.
I groaned, squirmed, and face-palmed while reading this. Which is to say, you got your point across! Good post! ;D
Thank you, Christine.
All part of the service. 🙂
“any dumbass who thinks about his dick this much while in a life-threatening situation is not a keeper”
Still crying over that one. Best test of life long mate there is 😀
Of course the TSTL character never learns or over learns. Binky will learn to duck when shots are fired, simply look around wondering where Brutus is and assuming the only reason he’s not around had something to do with the most amazing sex they had the night before underneath the mafia hitman’s van while Brutus was sewing his arm back on.
Or the author will want to make up for Binky’s stupidity so when shots are fired Binky will pullout his sniper rifle and take them all out.
Hi Issa!
“Or the author will want to make up for Binky’s stupidity so when shots are fired Binky will pullout his sniper rifle and take them all out.”
Oh noes! PTSD TSTL Binky! :escape:
Nicole
When I read this essay prior to posting it on the site I laughed out loud but the different Binky’s weren’t far fetched and I wasn’t at all surprised at the characterizations in your post.
One of the major reasons I stopped reading het romance was because of the TSTL heroines who turned my stomach and made me ashamed to be a woman. Now the MCs in M/M romances are emulating these TSTL heroines and I’m getting turned off.
I emailed Ally Blue once a few years ago (she is a registered nurse) and asked her if it was at all possible for an MC to have vigorous sex three days after he had been in a serious automobile accident where he had sustained a terrible brain injury, several broken limbs, internal injuries etc. Of course she thought the question was funny because there’s no way that anyone who was injured like this MC could possibly have sex.
This is not an isolated case. Another character broke his legs yet he drove himself home in a car with manual transmission a couple days later. Minimal research on the internet would have indicated to the author that it wasn’t at all possible for the character to drive. Obviously she doesn’t drive. What is wrong with these authors?
I’m so fed up by these TSTL characters that as soon as they appear in a book I put them down. I’m tempted to write scathing reviews of these books, but if/when I do, other authors and fans of the authors who wrote the books would say that I was unprofessional and disrespectful and was using snark in my review. I think it’s the authors who are disrespectful to readers by expecting us to believe that their TSTL character could act the way they describe. I know that these books are fantasies but they are not my fantasy because contemporary M/M romances should have an element of believability. I always remember the Tom Clancy quote “The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense”.
Hi Wave! Thanks for having me.
You know, as an editor TSTL characters are one of the hardest problems to address because the authors are so sensitive to how their protagonists are perceived and take the TSTL criticism more personally than other remarks.
So I think some editors/beta readers focus on other aspects of the MS when giving feedback in order to avoid conflict. Kind of a “pick you battles” sort of approach. But probably the most valuable feedback an reader can give (before the book is published) is to remove TSTL-ness from the MS.
After the book is published, it kind of doesn’t make sense to comment on it, as you mentioned, because the reviewer just ends up sounding mean.
I’m not a reviewer, but if I were writing a review, I guess I would just address the cause of TSTL rather than the symptom, such as, “This plot makes no sense,” or “I have a hard time believing that Dr. Binky graduated from an accredited medical school,” or whatever.
But like I said, I’m not a reviewer so I don’t know for sure.
Nik
I always wonder about the role of beta readers and editors. I do understand your comment about picking your fights but some things are important such as characterizations and plots, without which why bother writing the book? Isn’t part of the role of beta readers to advise the authors about characterizations and plot elements?
It’s not as if these books are romantic comedies – some are serious murder mysteries. Don’t get me started on the cop stories. Some of the characterizations are so ridiculous I wonder if the authors have ever met a real cop or researched law enforcement, before they wrote their books.
Two weeks ago I had to ask one of the reviewers not to review a book because that person was so incensed at just about everything in the book. If the review had been written everyone would have said that the reviewer was mean. I read the book and the reviewer was absolutely right.
So many authors are now writing murder mysteries who know nothing about law enforcement and I want to cry when I read their books. I have always loved murder mysteries since I first started reading fiction, and I get very upset at the way that law enforcement is portrayed in M/M. The norm seems to be cops having sex in a boardroom with the Police Chief just outside the door (this actually happened in a book and this was the smallest sin in the book).
Fiction is fiction – yet there is such a huge difference in terms of credibility between a mystery written by Ruth Rendell, for example, and mysteries written by some M/M authors who are only interested in how many times the MCs have sex in order to meet the requirement of “erotic”.
I don’t mean to diss all authors because there are many standouts but lately I seem to get the ones whose characterizations are just horrible.
Reviewers get a bad name when we point out obvious flaws in the books we review. We don’t do this to be mean but our job is an uphill task a lot of the time. It’s no wonder that we burn out when we read so many books with TSTL characters.
Thank you for highlighting this today Nicole. I and many readers appreciate you.
Hey, you’re welcome!
“Reviewers get a bad name when we point out obvious flaws in the books we review. We don’t do this to be mean but our job is an uphill task a lot of the time. It’s no wonder that we burn out when we read so many books with TSTL characters.”
It’s the classic quandry–especially in a genre this small where everybody either knows or knows of everybody.
To authors (and even to publishers) reviewers are only valuable as reliable dispensers of good publicity. But readers are looking for actual assessment.
And its a catch-22 because the only thing that makes a reviewer’s appraisal valuable is if he or she shows a level of discernment. Without bad reviews, a reviewer’s opinion is rendered worthless, but no author wants to be that bad review that gives a reviewer credibility.
It’s a rocky road for sure. Burnout is inevitable.
But I think that with your site, you’ve sort of transcended being just a review site. I think that what you’re doing is editing the Romantic Times of m/m. And while the reviews and giveaways are extremely valuable to readers, your site is also of use to writers. I mean basically, both JCP and me are writing largely for writers. Ditto for JL’s columns about publishing.
RE: bad mysteries and cop stories.
Yeah, Officer Binky is very VERY prevalent in m/m. Personally I like to think of him as not a cop, but a stripper dressed up in fake ripaway cop clothes–like in Magic Mike. I know that doesn’t help a reader endure his antics, but it might be a line that helps a reviewer describe why she didn’t like a book perhaps?
“Officer Binky, supposedly a ten-year veteran, read like a stripper who’d found a cop costume and somehow infiltrated police headquarters to dispense blowjobs to the needy.”
“I had to ask one of the reviewers not to review a book because that person was so incensed at just about everything in the book. If the review had been written everyone would have said that the reviewer was mean. I read the book and the reviewer was absolutely right.”
I think you were right to keep a reviewer from submitting a screed, but mainly because screeds are very boring to read. If the review had been scathingly funny (and accurate) would you have published it?
“Officer Binky, supposedly a ten-year veteran, read like a stripper who’d found a cop costume and somehow infiltrated police headquarters to dispense blowjobs to the needy.” – so stealing this line Nicole for the next sex obsessed cop in mm mysteries 🙂
Hey, steal away Sirius!
Yeah, Officer Binky is very VERY prevalent in m/m. Personally I like to think of him as not a cop, but a stripper dressed up in fake ripaway cop clothes–like in Magic Mike.
This is so funny Nicole. I could see Officer Binky as Magic Mike. Unfortunately, laughing all through the review isn’t going to help a reader who is really looking to buy a detective novel or murder mystery. 🙂
If the review had been scathingly funny (and accurate) would you have published it?
We did do a very funny review recently – a one-time reviewer wrote the review which I thought was screamingly funny, but of course the author wouldn’t. It was a Hanukkah story and the review went viral but one member of the Jewish faith, another reviewer, thought we were making a mockery of Jews even though the reviewer was Jewish. We can’t win.
Re the book I mentioned that one reviewer thought was loathsome, I chickened out and asked someone else to review it because I knew the review would have been really, really bad. I did tell the second reviewer why I was sending the book to her but not the details.
And its a catch-22 because the only thing that makes a reviewer’s appraisal valuable is if he or she shows a level of discernment. Without bad reviews, a reviewer’s opinion is rendered worthless, but no author wants to be that bad review that gives a reviewer credibility.
This is so true and some days all we post are 2 and 3 star reviews. Our reputation is probably shot with some authors, but if they wrote books that made sense they too would get 5 stars.
To authors (and even to publishers) reviewers are only valuable as reliable dispensers of good publicity. But readers are looking for actual assessment.
Reviewing is a tough gig Nicole. Now I’m going to read what I hope is at least a 4 star book.
I’m hoping that a lot of authors read this column and realize that they need to do some serious work with their characterizations before they release their next book. However they will probably never recognize themselves. If they did, it would make our job a lot easier and we wouldn’t have to rip yet another book for TSTL characters. 😮
It’s too bad you only write a column every other month Nicole, and no, I’m not hinting – a deal is a deal. 😀
I know that the genre is made up of a lot of new writers but when will they graduate from writing school?
“Unfortunately, laughing all through the review isn’t going to help a reader who is really looking to buy a detective novel or murder mystery.”
Sadly, no. I personally really want to read something that could be described as “gay Columbo” but fear I will never have the opportunity.
“I know that the genre is made up of a lot of new writers but when will they graduate from writing school?”
Well, writing is kind of a journey so I guess what you can hope for is that writers constantly strive forward rather than just sitting down in the middle of the road and crying.
…and maybe read a couple of mysteries before trying to write one. Hell, just watching a bunch of BBC series might help solidify both the idea of a detective AND a mystery. (I personally love Foyle’s War.)
I love F’sW too – excellent stories, characterisations, production values. A Foyle’s War type anthology written by yourself and the other Irregulars? *SWOON*
Would this help as some inspiration? It comes from my nan’s old newspapers – https://pinterest.com/pin/395472410998200245/
Hi Maraehl. That guy in that paper is pretty swoony himself.
RE: Historical Irregulars… I’m not sure I’m disciplined enough to write historical. I’m one of those cooks who never follows a recipe right, you know? I’d be like, “Whaddaya mean I can’t have elastic till 1820? That’s lame!” 😀
” Isn’t part of the role of beta readers to advise the authors about characterizations and plot elements? ”
Absolutely, but TSTL is extremely hard to fix because it has many causes. Some beta readers might have no idea what elements of the story are working together to derail our Binky.
What I’m saying is–a beta reader can only solve problems that they know how to recognize. “This character comes off as truly stupid,” is not a useful criticism.
This one might work:”Because this character knows nothing of police procedure, and is also supposed to be a policeman, he seems below par as a cop.”
But because so many MC’s are just fantasy versions of the author, it might work best to avoid talking about the character at all. Rather going through the MS and addressing the issues around the TSTL character with questions like:
“Is this procedure accurate?”
“For me the repercussions of getting caught having sex in the boardroom seems to outweigh the sexiness factor. It makes me disrespect Binky for having made that decision.”
Stuff like that. But not all beta readers are equal to the task of taking on TSTL.
And, I’m sorry to say…
some people even like it.
Consider–personally, I find Twillight’s Bella TSTL. But gazillions of girls all over the world disagree with me. So there’s also the matter of taste.
I almost fell out of my chair laughing. (Also, very useful advice for betas.) So thank you very much, Nicole.
Good Evening, kiracee. And thank you for the comment. It is only through the feedback that I know if something worked or not. 🙂
Great article even from a reader’s point of view, because sometimes I know something isn’t working and I can’t name it 🙂
I treasure the moments when a hero decides to step away from danger instead of bomb-diving into it, it also makes for a more interesting plot, I think. You have to find a different way to address a situation, it’s too easy to storm a room gun-blazing or disregard the most obvious instincts of self preservation and be captured. Let the bad guys work for it a bit too 😀
Hi Emanuela, thanks for reading!
“Let the bad guys work for it a bit too.”
Excactly! A hero is only as smart as the villain he outwits.
Thank you, Nicole, for being able to frame this discussion in the kind of snarky terms that shouldn’t get into reviews, but everything is spot on. And rollingly funny without pointing fingers at anyone. But yup, I have read too many Binky characters. And Bella is definitely TSTL.
Hi Cryselle, thank you! I knew that any discussion of characters or scenes that were TSTL would have to be deliberately written by me or the whole thing would just be an exercise in hurt feelings.
In addition to that, the author is doing her best to make the love interest, Brutus, look cool. But rather than having Brutus do anything exceptional or clever, she just has Binky get dumber and dumber so that Brutus can seem more awesome by comparison.
This is something you see a lot in crime and mystery fiction. In order to make the killer seem fiendishly brilliant, the hero is usually forced to be a complete dumbass who can’t follow procedure or even commonsense — even when his life (or his loved one’s life) depends on it.
The old Throw the Gun Away or I’ll Kill Binky directive, for example. And the cop/special agent/reporter/whoever does it. Every time!
The flipside of this is giving the antagonist omnipotent powers because somehow it’s easier to make the villain superhuman than just come up with a few believable really smart tricks and traps.
What a great article, Nicole!
Hey Josh! You know I always get so excited when you like something! (I’m such a fangirl)
“The old Throw the Gun Away or I’ll Kill Binky directive, for example. And the cop/special agent/reporter/whoever does it. Every time!”
And it’s really counter-productive because all that’s going to happen in that case is that Brutus throws the gun away and Binky picks it up and shoots himself with it.
Binky’s gonna get plugged either way.
:muck: …plugged.