Reflection 6

                Over the years, I’ve found genre to be a taste that’s regarded almost subconsciously in my case. I’ve never felt any feelings of distinct or tangible attraction towards any genre or subgenre, but instead I’ve observed that I tend to feel more motivation to read the next page when I take a sincere interest in the protagonist. Whether or not the protagonist lives on a space station, in a castle, or in the slums is irrelevant to me, so long as I care about what happens next to him.

                There are a few traits that I look for in characters. I abhor the stereotypical “heroic” character, because I find that if I can’t bring myself to actually believe they would survive what just happens, then the value of the character has deteriorated; I’m not one to suspend my disbelief. This also includes all “chosen one” characters; that being said, I approve of characters who adhere to the credentials of an “Average Joe”. I like to read about a character who can get beat down, who doesn’t have to survive the next risky situation, because then the experience of reading about him feels much more genuine.

                I don’t encourage writers to tell the story of “Average Joe”, like I may have implied. I want to see a human being the character—someone who isn’t extraordinary or clairvoyant, but someone who’s also made into an individual by their own unique faults, quirks, and history. This can cover all genres, because I don’t need to connect or see myself in them, like so many other readers claim.