Smacks upside the head, lessons, and reviews

I've been reading reviews a lot lately instead of doing my school work, but that's for two reasons: firstly, I'm so sick of school! I've been in school all year round (yes, summer and winter classes) and I'm just sick of it. And secondly, see the first thing.

But back on topic.

I've been reading reviews, and the thing that I happen to keep reading is this "smack her" comment about characters in various books. I feel like most people either want to hug the characters and root for them, or assault them--sometimes both.

And that got me thinking about my own characters. And I have to say, even though I wrote them, I feel the same way. I want to stand up and tell Grim to get his head out of his ass! Maybe yell at Nina and say that she's making the wrong choices! And definitely shake Uri until he tells me the truth!

But I think these strange reactions and emotions are good. I have no control over my characters (it's true), and when I feel these strings emotions I know that I'm being true to them. I'm being true to Nina and Grim by allowing them to fall, make mistakes, be assholes, be stupid, and ultimately learn.

I think that's what these reviews have really shown me. People hate books that they can't learn from, whether that learning is personal or what have you, it needs to happen. I'm an avid reader, and some books help me learn to relax and let things go (chick lit) and then some books make me think and re-examine how I see myself and my world (epics/fantasy).

I'm just hoping that people learn something from my characters--whatever that my be--and share it with me. If you learn never to trust a person, then okay. If you learn to re-examine religion/society or whatever than great!

But I like reviews because they remind me that I should read books that have... What's the word? Ah! Lessons.