I'm one of your fans because I find your characters to be believable. They have dark and light. Strengths and weaknesses.
And you dig them traps to fall into, and sometimes they don't get out of it. This makes me worry, and care. What happens next?
Of course, they don't need to wallow in pain every chapter. That's not what I'm saying. But I like that they get affected by what happened.
This makes the sweet moments even sweeter :)
Lady Red casts a spell and marries Mr. Dark Handsome, turns him into a family guy and they live happily after with 2.5 children in the suburbs? Poor half-child lol.
That would be a very short story in my opinion.
This 'weak no-brain character' has strengths, but also weaknesses. That's why I keep wanting to read what happens to her. I also have other favs :)
I think the toxic comments weren't only because 'dark=bad', but because of a very one note ideal about how a woman should act.
A traumatic event should leave a crack in the mirror. Just another stone away from breaking!
I consider myself on the lighter end of the spectrum, the legacy style writing with a traditional family structure. But even then there are some bittersweet moments.
A death is sad, but can also come with a breath of relief their suffering is done, or with an evil grin if they were hated.
Pregnancy and birth can be a chance to explore depression, worry about if there is enough space and money for a new mouth to feed, or bring back old trauma.
Sometimes people don't react picture perfect!
This also leads me to wonder: What is strength/weakness?
Can traditional feminine qualities be strength? Waking up at 2 am to comfort crying child and then make them waffles for breakfast after 2-3 hours sleep? Is it weakness or strength?
Does it take strength to say: 'I've been hurt before. Will you be there for me?" I could go on, but I need to make some lunch now.
*Steps off soapbox*
