Any other fellow writers

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MargaretofCortona

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Why is it so difficult to write mean protagonist? I like the challenge. I even end up hating them.
Petty, mean-spirited, spoiled, self-centered.
In an earlier post, I mentioned how I wanted to write a fictional story based on St. Mary of Egypt or St. Pelagia the Penitent. Penitential stories are inspiring. No one likes a mean girl.

Blessed Angela of Foligno and St. Margaret of Cortona are more recent penitential women.
 
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It’s not difficult to write on something that you a) know well or b) are passionate about.

I wrote many, many stories in my youth when I did not have ankle biters. An unsympathetic protagonist can have tremendous interplay with a clever antagonist and draw the reader into confused allegiance with the wrong party, setting the plot up for some great twists.

People LOVE mean girls. I mean just look at the movie, Mean Girls! Regina George is seen as delightfully woeful despite her outright bullying.
 
MargaretofCortona said:
Regina George is not the protagonist.
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Correct, she’s the antagonist. However, my point was that she is a very vibrant and even lovable character despite her foibles. We cheer to see her downfall, but we don’t want her dead (as evidenced in the movie).

I used it as a lazy example because I was too slovenly to use Google. Which I’d suggest you try.

Here, I tried it for you. Here’s a Writer’s Digest article about “bad” protagonists.

 
I don’t know to be honest. I think of scandalous saints as penitents
 
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