What "first impression vibes" does your main character impart?
Do we like them immediately, or do we dislike them?
In real life, we tend to like those who are most like us. Perhaps we are close to the same age, share the same style or interests, or are living similar moments in our lives. We gravitate away from those we don't immediately understand--perhaps someone from a different culture or socioeconomic status, or someone much older or younger than us.
We will most certainly dislike someone who is acting in a way we don't consider normal ("normal" as it reflects our own values or belief systems, of course).
Many of our interpretations of a person are enacted on a subconscious level--at the time, we don't even realize we're judging or making assessments, sizing the other person up, if you will.
The same applies to fictional characters.
We are going to most relate to and enjoy reading about someone who is like us.
But. . . .
It's also likely we will become bored with them, and this is why our characters should be unique--just representative enough of the demographic to relate to the intended audience, but different enough to pique and maintain the reader's interest.
Readers are not going to identify with every character acting between the covers of every book, and this is why, as writers, it's up to us to create enough sympathy surrounding a character that readers can't help but connect to them in some real way.
The writing advice for how to do this varies: some say give the character a dog--something to love dearly--or a tragic backstory, or a noble cause.
But whether they are good or bad, likeable or unlikeable, the reader *will* develop an opinion at that first meeting, and it's up to the writer to use the tools at their disposal to overcome (or build on) that first impression to whatever degree is necessary to keep the reader turning pages.
Be Brilliant!
~Katie~
