Paper-Doll Characters
Characters as flimsy as paper
Paper-doll characters are those so shallow they don’t seem real. They are the ones given the bare minimum of soul, just a surface skim of who they are – no individual quirkiness.
These are the characters where you’re left thinking they are as thin as paper without the rich layering *thinking of chocolate cake* that makes them come alive.
Clogging up the story
Some paper-dolls do have descriptions, sometimes realms of information about their looks, what they are wearing and their day-to-day activities. But unless these are vital for the storyline it’s just useless information adding unnecessary weight and clogging up the story.
Paper doll characters are a mortal sin for books
Paper-doll characters are a mortal sin for books. A sure-fire way to fail. These are the books usually either marked DNF (did not finish) or given a low rating. They are the ones that don’t stay in the mind of the reader nor on their bookshelves.
For more bookish pet peeves see The Things I Wish Authors (and Publishers) Knew
What do you think? I’d love to hear from you!
chucklesthescot
Agreed! I hate this kind of useless character especially the brain dead airhead women who seem to have no purpose as and MC other than to annoy me!
Jess@Fairday's Blog
A great reminder for writers! I have never heard characters described this way before- but it totally works because I got it right away. 🙂 I just gave up on a book with paper doll characters.
Olivia @ The Candid Cover
I couldn’t agree more with you! I need some in-dept and relatable characters or the book is totally lost on me.
Mareli Thalwitzer
I know there are plenty of people out there who is now going to hate me – but that is EXACTLY how I feel about Wilbur Smith’s characters….. his stories are mostly great, but the characters just don’t work for me at all! They are flimsy and YES! – Like paper dolls.
crushingcinders
I agree! But then I don’t like his writing at all. ?
Michelle @ FaerieFits
Oooh, this is so true! Nothing annoys me more than when characters don’t actually contribute much. Or play a role and are then forgotten about. And this is always a good reminder for writers too! 😀
crushingcinders
Yes! I know the ones you mean. We learn so much about what they look like and then they are never mentioned again
Kimberly Sabatini
I completely agree!!!