Kelryn Colrite
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Character Poll Wrap Up
🕑 Added 2019-03-24 16:17:40 +0000 UTCFirst off, you guys are awesome. Have I told you that lately? Because you are. You're super awesome and thank you for participating in my recent poll. It was a really eye opening experience to see how certain characters have really affected you. So instead of what I was originally going to do, talking about my favorite underrated character, I'm going to talk about why I think all of the characters included are underrated in their own right.
Caution: Long Ass Rant Warning
Okay, going by the poll I'm gonna start with the character you guys think is least underrated to most. So, Katie. I understand some people’s hesitation to consider Katie underrated. She's a character that comes off very bland and, well, almost flat. In fact, the first conversation I had with my girlfriend about my work, she accused Katie of being a Mary Sue. Which is something that's hard to swallow when you pride yourself on character work like I do. The thing about Katie is that she's not what she seems at first glance. There's a lot more going on under the surface that we start to see as the story goes on and I believe have been really highlighted in the Scraps I've done lately. While Katie was originally my attempt at writing a character like Lilah that wouldn't die, Katie eventually became her own spunky, free minded girl -- while still retaining that sweet, girl next door, maternal energy that I loved about Lilah. To be really honest in regards of Katie, I don't think she's done growing yet. I still have more stories that I want and need to tell about Lil and a Katie and really, I think we've only seen the tip of the iceberg with her. So, to be fair, in many ways Katie hasn't even reached her potential for ratibility yet.
Now Evie. Oh, Evie, you've sure come a long way since being that snarky little bitch in …But Your Enemies Closer, haven't you? As some or most of you already know, I adore Evie. She's one of my favorite characters of all time. However, that doesn't mean that I don't think some things about her are dramatically overlooked. The biggest thing that always comes to mind is how she's Rebecca's support system, always has and always will be. If you really pay attention during Enemies Closer, you'll realize that Emily has very little to do with Rebecca's initial and most important growth. That's all Evie. What happens when Rebecca's confused and down on her luck? She goes to Evie. What happens when Rebecca is lost without any direction? She goes to Evie. Not Emily, not Celia or Rawly, but Evie -- everytime. You know who else seems to have that connection with her? Trent. Evies become this solid rock within her cast of characters and honestly I think that most people look at her and just think ‘yeah, the sassy little bitch’ and while that will never stop being true, it's only one -- or many -- facets of Evie’s character.
Next up, Jules. I feel as if some people would argue me on this one. That she's not underrated since she's the protagonist and narrator of her own book and such but then you have to remember that Jules appears opposite of Bear in that book -- and if you know anything about my readers, it's that everyone has a hard on for Bear, understandably of course. It's kind of the same problem that Lil and Katie have actually. Lil and Bear are both such big personalities -- for different reasons, Lil’s bombastic, Bear’s the prince type -- that they're significant others sometimes get left in the dust. Which is a shame when it comes to Jules since she's such a strong character. We're talking about a girl who left home at 16 to move across the damn country. She was forced to grow up between her choices and the accidental death of her brother that happened a few years after her move. Not to mention keeping everything together enough to finish school and start her career before she's even 23. Jules is… Kind of amazing. She has a strength of character that doesn't have to be screamed to be heard, she just is. The fact that people don't see that in her enough is the main reason why I think she's underrated.
Quick little bit before I get to the last choice. Okay, so Wren and This New Thing. This is a… Sensitive topic for me. Honestly I thought about making a seperate post about this but, hey, we're already here. So, the thing about TNT is that I hate it -- but not in the same way that I hated Sweet Tooth at one point, so let's just get that out of the way. TNT was a story I wrote to deal with some very real things that happened to and around me. It's not that it's… Bad necessarily but it is, well, painful to talk about. Which is why I've distanced myself from it for some time and I probably will if, and until, I can look at the story without all the bad feelings. As for Wren though, she was probably the only character I really liked from that story. I always enjoyed the sassy attitude and fun little details about how she challenged Aubrey -- I always think about the bit where Wren is mispronouncing things even though she has perfect recollection. It's funny in a subtle way. Anyways, that's my PSA on TNT. I appreciate everyone out there that really loved and connected with the story but I also hope you can respect my want to get a little distance on it. Maybe someday we'll talk about all this more in depth.
Okay, so last but certainly not least is my girl, Alex. Seriously guys, I was excited that you agreed with me here and then you didn't and I was fucking crushed -- except y'know, you guys that did. I've always believed that this girl got the short end of the stick. And I'm gonna talk about it at length. You were warned beforehand.
Alex is… The definition of underrated. I loved hearing about all the different ways that you guys thought she deserved more respect and you're right on so many accounts. She's always been patient. She's always been the rock. She's always been this perfect girl for Marley in so many ways, right? And just so full of grace and love no matter what Marley does because Marley has things so damn hard. Everyone around her dies and everything around her gets destroyed.
But let's pan the camera back a little bit, shall we? Take Tanya first. Marley was in an out of that woman's life for years without any word. Sure they had a bond and everything but when it was all said and done, Marley lost her aunt. Alex lost her mom basically, and lest any of us forget it was Alex taking care of her before, during, and after the Lilah ordeal. And speaking of Lilah, I should bring up the fact that she's been Alex's best friend since they were teenagers. Marley lost her lover but Alex lost her childhood best friend. I mean that shit is just rough.
Now that I have all of that out there for you, think about the ways they react to these tragedies. How Marley is always flailing, relying on her emotions and usually foolishly trusting them to lead her down irrational paths. Alex never strays, never falters, is always steadfast because people need her. The great thing is that it never comes across unrealistically. I guarantee that you've known -- even without knowing it maybe -- the person that's always keeping things light for everyone else and keeping spirits up in the midst of bad situations because they can just handle it better. It doesn't mean they don't feel, they just don't do it in front of you.
Honestly, the reason why I think Alex is more underrated than anything else is because of this goodness. She's just good and she doesn't need to be. It would be so easy for her to be someone else completely what with her upbringing and surroundings but she isn't. She chooses to be Sunny, the rock, the clown, that sweet, cool girl. In a sea of broken and fucked up characters that just mess up at every turn, Alex is trying her hardest to just keep everything together selflessly. She's literally the glue that holds my entire world together and anyone that enjoys this whole Kenna Colrite Collected Universe -- got a nice ring to it, don't it? -- owes her a quick debt of gratitude.
And on that note I want to mention that in my own thoughts this week about my characters that deserve more love, I'm considering writing a story about Alex. I know everyone wants Trifecta from her perspective but I'm not too keen on pulling a Midnight Sun -- Google the book's story if you don't understand. Instead, I'm thinking about going back a little farther and talking about Alex before Marley, like a Trifecta prequel.
Let me know if you guys would be interested in reading a story like that in the comments and thank you for getting to the end of my long ass rant. It was a joy to get to talk about my kids at length like this. I always love getting to share all the tidbits that I don't feel like come across as loudly on the page and I love all you people that care to listen about them too. You make my day, everyday.
Comments
Kelryn Colrite
Oh no, please don't apologize. I just wanted to explain my unwillingness to write on it just yet. Although, since youve asked about TNT, I do have a planned scrap about Amanda and Aubrey so maybe that'll be a nice intro back into that story.
Valerie Mogel
Once again, I want to start off by thanking you. I too love the "long assed rants". It gives us so much insight into what went into each of your children, as you call them. That being said, if I could have picked more than one I probably would have. I think they are a underrated to some degree. More stories about Lil and Katie??? Yes Please!!!!! It would give you a chance to show Katie in the light that you see her. We are only starting to get glimpses of it. As for Jules, I don't think she's as underrated as you think she is. I think she comes across as a perfect counterpart to Bear. And so much stronger then she seems to think she is. Now for Wren. I liked TNT. And when you are ready to write more on it, we will be here to read it. Last, but certainly not least, on to Alex. She first loses Marley through no fault of her own. Then she has to go through seeing her best friend, who used to have a crush on her, become lovers with her first love. That was certainly not easy. Then she loses her best friend and Marley again. Then she loses Tanya, basically her mom. It seems like everyone around her either dies or leaves. And she handles it all with such poise and maturity. Yes, I googled Midnight Sun. As much as I would love to see all of Trifecta through her eyes, I can see why you wouldn't want to do that. However, you could fill in the gaps. We know that after that fateful summer Marley went and became a famous writer. But what was Alex doing for those years? What led her to be sharing a place with Lilah? How did the events of that summer shape who she became as an adult? We know they did, because she isn't the same "Sunny" when we see her next. And after Lilah dies, when Alex needs Marley the most, when Alex has just lost her best friend from teenage years, Marley leaves again. For two years. How did that effect Alex? It's those gaps that I would love to see a story about. Even if it's not a full blown story, but one of your little snippets to fill in the blank spaces in her side of the story. So yes, I would be more than interested in reading a story about Alex before Marley. Ohhh....one last thing then I'll wrap up my very long winded response. I think Delilah is also a very underrated character. She played a huge part in getting Alex and Marley together and in shaping who they were for the rest of their lives....ok. I'm done.
Jane
So love your long pieces like this. Reading how you feel about your characters / kids and the passion and feeling you have for them it shows so much in your writing, it's what makes you so brilliant an author. Yes plot is important definitely but what is a plot without characters in it that grab your heart so. As this poll has shown all your kids are loved and rated, even if like me we voted for someone other than Alex. We all take something different from your work and although I voted for Katie I do love Alex and would to see her take center stage in het own story. Thank you. You are awesome
Tina tenner
I absolutely love when you talk about you kids. As their “mom” I can feel how proud you are of them. I thoroughly enjoy having your prospective of each character, some I didn’t consider (especially Evie). And I have read your stories a number of times. I believe it may be time for some rereads with this new take. One of the things I love about you, besides your beautiful stories, is your willingness to interact with your readers. Your posts, rants, and scraps mean so much to your readers. It allows us to understand your characters and writing even more. I to would love to read about pre-Marley Alex, also a little more on Focus. PS: I apologize for my vote bringing up bad momeries.
JuliaP
Absolutely like these "long ass rants" - as you like to call them - from my point of view you can post as many of them as you want! :D Also definitely like the idea of the coming of Alex before Trifecta!! I'm honesstly suuuuuuuper happy that Alex got chosen!!!!! :D
Stray137
So I may have voted for Katie, but just one thing about Alex that sparked me while i was reading this! Alex is never selfish in Trifecta; never....EXCEPT!!! When shes with Marley. Those sex scenes after Lilahs funeral are the one time Alex is selfish in all of Trifecta. And most people would probably see that as a bad thing. Something toxic or whatever. But when it comes to these two its not because Alex wants to be selfish its because Marley is the only person she can be weak around. And like wow. The only time Alex is ever selfish is around the only person she can rely on. And thats fucking something
AJ
Sorry for all typos. Typing on phone sucks.
AJ
Okay excuse me while I go all fangirl for a moment. I freaking love this shit! Like it's one thing to be able to go along for the ride so to speak as each new chapter comes out but to get to see inside your mind as to your own thinking or feelings for what are family members, if you will is freaking amazing! Your letting us in to a part if you that is your world. It NEVER occurred to me to see Alex in that light. Like she was just the super strong woman who is a rock with the unwavering ability to roll with the punches. My mind is blown at the moment, in a good way. I would totally love to see a prequel to how Alex became who she is. Okay, will attempt to keep fangirl gushing to a dull roar and go back to the corner. Lol.
