Quirky is Awesome

I love quirky characters, but they're hard to write. Quirky can quickly turn into annoying.
I've always loved Amanda Quick's heroines because they leap off the page.

An awesomely quirky character is someone you remember years later. You think about the character and smile. My absolutely favorite quirky character is Kate (played by Meg Ryan) in the movie French Kiss.

Do you like quirky characters? Do you write them? If someone wrote your autobiography, would you be awesomely quirky?

Comments

Tana said…
I love quirky characters too. When I used to write chick lit it was the best part of making my characters sparkle. I like the new look around here!
September 15, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Deb Shucka said…
I adore quirky characters, and I sure hope my story reveals quirkiness. One of the reasons The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo worked so well for me was Lisbeth Salander, one of the quirkiest I've read in a long time.
September 15, 2010 at 4:25 PM
Jessica Nelson said…
Oooh, Deb, really? I've been debating about reading that book. I think you just sealed the deal for me. :-)

T. Anne, that's true. I can see how chick lit would leave room for quirkiness! Thanks on the new look compliment. :-)
September 15, 2010 at 7:04 PM
Susan J. Reinhardt said…
Hi Jess -

I like quirky characters also. Me quirky? It's not how I'd describe myself at all.

Blessings,
Susan :)
September 15, 2010 at 10:43 PM
Warren Baldwin said…
I like real life quirky characters. They don't fit into any mold, speak their mind, resist becoming like everyone around them ... they remind us of the value of individuality. So, yes, I like the quirky characters in fiction, too.
September 15, 2010 at 11:26 PM
Debra E. Marvin said…
Lisa Samson does great quirky characters--quirky and utterly charming.

The older I get the quirkier I get but I have a friend...

really quirky.

Jessica, are you feeling better? Weren't you under the weather this week? If not good. I'll be glad to be confused.
September 16, 2010 at 6:22 AM
Karen Lange said…
I like quirky characters as long as they don't get too overpowering. I think they can be challenging to create and use.
Have a great weekend:)
Karen
September 17, 2010 at 10:32 AM
kathy taylor said…
I'm wondering if I write any who aren't quirky! I also love Meg's character, her phobias and her intolerance for lactose. They make her so real. If someone were to call me quirky, it would be a compliment. I've been called much worse. ;-0
September 17, 2010 at 10:37 AM
Faith said…
Quirky characters are fun, as long as they're not brainless. I think sometimes authors confuse 'quirky' with 'ditzy', and that can get frustrating.

But authentically quirky -- that's fun to read!
September 17, 2010 at 2:22 PM
Amy DeTrempe said…
I would not be quirky, or at least I don't think so. I love quirky characters and I have only been successful in writing them a few times.
September 17, 2010 at 5:23 PM
Jessica Nelson said…
Susan, I wouldn't describe myself that way either. Wish I was, but I'm not. :)

Warren, me too!

Debra, thanks for mentioning her! I've read one or two of her books and would like to read more. So you're quirky, huh? ;-)
And yeah, I've been having this funky cough, and then HIVES, of all things. LOL But they're gone so I'm hoping everything else will clear up. Thanks for asking. :-)
September 18, 2010 at 7:33 PM
Jessica Nelson said…
Karen, I'd agree with that. Quirkiness can't be forced.

LOL Kathy! Me too! I'd take quirky over boring any day!

Oh Faith! If I ever get pubbed, remind me not to ask you to review my story! I've definitely struggled with making a quirky character appealing. Right now she hits the fifty mark. Half my readers love her, half hate her. So you make a really excellent point here. Thanks! :-)

Amy, I'm not sure I've ever been successful with them! LOL But I sure love reading and meeting them. :-)
September 18, 2010 at 7:35 PM
Julie Dao said…
I love quirky characters! But I can't seem to write them very well - they usually come off a little too bubbly. I am definitely not quirky myself, which is probably why I have so much trouble :)
September 19, 2010 at 5:56 PM
Jeanette Levellie said…
I like some quirkiness, but too much makes me nervous, since it reminds me of real life people who make others around them suffer!

My favorite quirky character is Felix Unger in The Odd Couple.

I don't think I'm quirky, but people who are don't realize it, do they? The ones I know who are most quirky are blind to it.

Great post, as always!
September 20, 2010 at 8:09 AM
Linda Kage said…
I LOVE French Kiss. That is exactly the kind of character that I adore to read. So, I'm all for quirky too! Luke's character to offset her was perfect too!
September 20, 2010 at 8:41 AM
Jennifer Shirk said…
I love quirky characters too! They're so much fun to read. Meg Ryan does great quirky characters so does Sandra Bullock. :)
Kristan Higgins writes some good ones too!
September 20, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Diane J. said…
I love quirky characters. Janet Evanovich does a wonderful job with her characters, Lula, Grandma Mazur, even Stephanie Plum. The stories are a true treat.

I hope to write quirky characters, I haven't attempted yet, but in my next book attempt I want more humor and quirk.
September 20, 2010 at 2:59 PM
Jill Kemerer said…
It depends on the character and who is playing the character. I have a horrible bias against certain actors--for no apparant reason! Terrible, huh?
September 21, 2010 at 1:16 PM
Jessica Nelson said…
LOL Jill! That is kind of horrible. *grin*

Diane, I want to read the Plum books! Haven't gotten around to it, but I've heard so much about them.

Jennifer, yeah, I pretty much love everything Bullock is in! Great characters/actors....
September 21, 2010 at 4:34 PM
Jessica Nelson said…
Julie, haahaaa! I'm not bubbly either. Excitable, but not really bubbly. You might write them better than you think...you never know. :-)

I don't know Jeanette, you might have some quirk to ya. *grin*

Linda, I KNOW. Luke is perfect for her. *swoon*
September 21, 2010 at 4:37 PM
Nancy said…
Usually I like quirky characters. Michael J. Fox's dad (teenage version) in Back to the Future is quirky and I love Hercule Poirot.
I would think I'm quirky, but Jeanette says people don't think they are, so there you are, I'm not. (smile.)
September 28, 2010 at 11:39 AM
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