I strive for "sympathetic." If I know why a character/author acts in a way I find disagreeable, but I know what caused it, or a scene offers a good reason for that behavior, then I'm on board. For example, if the author who was a teenager who made a terrible mistake is told by the parents never ever to mention what they've done in order to keep up appearances, and the author found him or her self with a habitual need to steal, then I can sympathize, particularly if the author shows internal conflict, such as when he/she buries all those stolen items instead of using or really wanting them.
Great post, Meghan! I'm glad I came across it even so late. I write fiction and the idea to make details work more than just for texture I call "doing double duty." In our critique group we always talk about leveraging the setting, the details, the weather, etc. I love the idea of making the details work on THREE levels. That would really enrich the story. Will have try that.

This sounds like the type of novel I love. Thanks for posting it. I've dealt with a relative who was meth addicted and had to deal with it in much the same way Raine does, at one point coming to a realization that this person might be lost to us forever. Tough love came in the form of having to tell this person not to call or contact me until he had cleaned up and been through some type of rehab program. And apologized for the harm he did to everyone. Amends. It's not easy to do. Enabling is a result of denial and a hope that we can help/save the individual.

I love seeing other's booklists! I loved GOON SQUAD and NIGHT CIRCUS. I'll have to read MAN IN THE TOWER and FLORENCE AND GILES. Love your blog, Helen. Glad I connected via SheWrites. Will also have to read your novels! Just downloaded ALISON WONDERLAND. clairemca noted that your books was associated with GOON SQUAD. Didn't see that on Amazon. What were they referring to? Thanks!

I love this letter to your muse. Sweet, poignant, and has so much yearning. You brought your muse to life in a simlilar way to mine.
My muse finally took form when I started blogging as Captain Val, a pirate and captain of the Gobsmacked. I had great fun making her appear, finally, after all these years, giving her a life as I have characters in my novels. I knew her name instantly, but put out a call for anyone who could guess her name. Finally someone did after they stopped thinking about gender. I think my muse morphs, though, and sometimes becomes a man because that's the energy I need for a particular novel. Right now, though, my muse is aboard the Gobsmacked and clinking glasses of champagne. Here's the link if you'd like to meet my muse. She blogged about the latest pirate fashion: http://gobsmackedwriter.blogspot.com/2011/09/time...