Maybe without meaning to, we're always telling ourselves little lies--probably so that we feel better. i.e: I'm not really that whiney. Or, when I broke that kid's arm it wasn't my fault. Or, I don't tell lies. Or, there's nothing I'm ashamed of.
But the rub of personal narrative?
no one likes a perfect protagonist.
Seriously.
Polyanna? Only interesting because she (SPOILER) gets paralyzed at the end.
Well, I spent today writing about my *own* life. It's something I haven't done for awhile, bad writing teacher that I am.
And the thing is? That imperfect protagonist thing?
It's really hard. Really, really hard.
So I feel your pain, students. Doesn't make the pain any less necessary, unfortunately, but I still feel it.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SfTeTU5xdbvaQxBD4GbkYpsFi_b0y7ubyJ8TknXUBwwC6VoSXVa8calK9X-W5mbsh6jSTqV4a41UGl2HKr1qB0k7WuBalWIfoiK_-z7KIjS5rZt_PobRIDZxKHzlumoV_z3m/s400/polyanna.jpg)
2 comments:
you are no Polly. Really.
That is why I like your blog. Warts and all. That is why I love ya.
I just had this thought the other day regarding a story I've been fiddling with for, oh, three or four YEARS now.
You're right: perfect is boring, not to mention awkward when you try to contrive a perfect person in a less than perfect circumstance.
Karen
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