How to Create a Hate-Able Protagonist

For this post, I will use Bella Swan from the Twilight series, just because I think she's about the dumbest MC ever in the world.  So, besides that...


Personally, I think the simplest way to do this, without having to make character traits for them that really do suck, is to surround your protagonist with freaking awesome people.  For example, Bella had Mike Newton.  Now, most people don't think much of him, but I think he's the best.  Even when Bella wouldn't go out with him and instead appeared to be dating someone two years younger than her, Mike was never mean.  He was never hateful.  He was Bella's friend, and he never, ever gave up on her, which I think was great.  And then, of course, there's Emmett.  *sigh*


Now, to go the other route, there are several traits you could use that will people hate them like THAT.  *snaps fingers*

1. Whiny-ness
2. Haughtiness (Hermione [the difference is that she had a ton of redeeming qualities - but before that, in the first book, didn't you totally HATE her?])
3. Stupidity/Ignorance
4. "Holier-than-Though"-ishness
5. Overly-Niceness (Percy Jackson.  Those books were terrible, anyway, though, so it probably wouldn't even matter)
6. Overall Annoying (Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer [that's right.  I'm the one Buffy fan that doesn't like her.  Know who else I like?  DAWN.  She's the greatest.  So there])

Follow either of these routes and everyone's sure to hate your protag!  :D