Feo Takahari
Auror
I'm trying to write my first longer story, and I'm having a hard time writing one character, a young would-be terrorist who allies with the protagonists for mutual gain. His philosophy is deliberately somewhat offensive, and I make a point of having the viewpoint character dislike him, but I don't want readers to hate him so much that he drags the rest of the story down.
In brief, his virtues:
* Brave in the face of danger.
* Honest and forthright.
* Respects and compliments the others' strength.
* The closest thing to a "cool" character among the main cast.
And his points of offense:
* Holds a social Darwinist philosophy, and wishes to see a world where strength decides power.
* Tells the one person who likes him, a biological male, that she's "not a real woman," causing her to cry.
* (Possibly) refuses to protect a homeless man from attack, calling him a "drain on society." (I'm debating whether or not to include this--it's a logical consequence of his way of thinking, but it may be too evil.)
How do you handle this sort of character?
In brief, his virtues:
* Brave in the face of danger.
* Honest and forthright.
* Respects and compliments the others' strength.
* The closest thing to a "cool" character among the main cast.
And his points of offense:
* Holds a social Darwinist philosophy, and wishes to see a world where strength decides power.
* Tells the one person who likes him, a biological male, that she's "not a real woman," causing her to cry.
* (Possibly) refuses to protect a homeless man from attack, calling him a "drain on society." (I'm debating whether or not to include this--it's a logical consequence of his way of thinking, but it may be too evil.)
How do you handle this sort of character?