Your Protagonist
Your protagonist can have flaws, shortcomings and in general be a rude person, but the reader must be able to identify and have empathy for him/her and must be the central character of the story. I just finished reading three books by Jo Bannister who authored the Brodie Farrell Mystery. The first one, 'Reflections,' was a disappointment, however since I had three additional books from the same writer I figured maybe the other novels will get better. As a rule, when I get a book that is part of a series, I generally get all of them and read the books in the order of the published year.
In the Brodie Farrell Mystery, the protagonist, Brodie is not a very like able person. Although the author tries to explain what made the character this way, it does not come across as reasonable or acceptable. In 'Flawed,' the main character driving the story line was not the protagonist, but her best friend Daniel and part-time lover Jack, a policeman. Brodie entered the story in a deus ex machina mode and solved the problem. In 'Closer Still,' Brodie participates and solves the conflict. However the story line is propelled by Daniel and Jack, yet improbable as it is, Brodie solves everything. This kind of ending is difficult and leaves the reader unsatisfied. In fantasy, soft core and hard core sci-fi, the reader will generally accept this king of ending, providing the foundation had been properly laid and is logical. Examples: Lord of the Rings trilogy, when Gandalf the Grey, later known as Gandalf the White, returns as dawn rises and changes the losing battle turn to a winning one.
Two points always to remember, your reader must like your protagonist and and the protagonist must be the center of the story, not a side line participant who at the end resolves the conflict.
To read a detailed explanation of the deus ex machina in literature, movies, television, etc. and Lord of the Rings trilogy, please go to:
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