“A writer's problem is to make his characters credible, not likeable.”
What this quote means
Brian Aldiss highlights an essential distinction for any writer: credibility trumps likeability. A character must be true, complex, with flaws, so that the reader can relate or identify, even if not likable. This demand for realism makes stories more powerful and memorable. It also applies to life: authentic people are not always pleasant, but they are real.
How to apply it daily
In your next conversation, be honest rather than complacent, even if it risks displeasing, but with tact.
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