I'm about to write a short story. Kind of a test run to

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0IVvxrmI44

>>10004235
I e never seen any of the Shrek movies but based off of that clip are you suggesting that I should make him a bit of a dofus?

I do actually kind of like that idea. I just realized that you guys probably get questions like this occasionally, forgive me for not following protocol and if I posted this in the wrong place.

>>10004230
>How does I make him lovable?


you can't. Thieves place their welfare ahead of yours. they are inherently assholes. not even Jack Vance could make Cugel loveable.

>>10004230
First off, it takes years to write something good, but don't worry if it doesn't come out like Nabokov on your first try.
As for the likability thing, maybe have him be generous with his spoils, like a Robin Hood type or like he has kids to feed. Barring that, give him a tragic story where he gets raped as a child or something. I dunno, most people don't really like thieves.

>>10004230

Put him in a situation where he was wrongly accused and then essentially forced to do menial work. Make it known only to the reader that he's not ACTUALLY a thief. If he does steal, arrange it so he has some sort of redemption arc, or like a twist where he never actually stole anything.

>>10004728
Read Luigi Vampas part in the count of monte cristo. He is a thief so you don't have to avoid that altogether but he is still cool

>>10004230
Make him charismatic. Make him have an incredibly ironic inner monologue. Otherwise make him Robin Hood.
However, both are clichè.
It's hard to make an immoral character likeable without resorting to clichès

>>10004230
>Elmore Leonard's Out of Sight now a major motion picture starred by George Clooney.jpg

You could make this thief a local hero of sorts,a Friendly Neighborhood Robin Hood, who steals from the corrupt and looks out for the poor folk in need of help.