Recently, a new term has been circulating on the internet.

Cross that. It's been a solid while since this term is being used, misused and abused online.

But then before I start this chappie, it is worth understanding what the term 'simp'  means and how your male characters might be one too.

The definition itself is different depending on where you are looking it up. To prove:

Google: a silly or foolish person

Merriam Webster: A simpleton; simple fellow prone to foolishness.

Oxford Dictionary: The book's assumption is that single men are simps who know little.

And my favorite source, the urban dictionary and its glorious examples:

A word that everyone overuses without the correct definition. It means a guy that is overly desperate for women, especially if she is a bad person, or has expressed her disinterest in him , whom which he continues to obsess over. They're usually just virgins that will accept coochie from anyone, regardless of who they are. However, respecting wahmens ≠ simping.

And we will carry this topic with the above definition provided by urban dictionary since those who understand the current scenario well, are aware that the term honors those who overvalues females, hoping to get a sexual favor or attention in return. Often time the said simp defends the female despite obvious illegal/immoral acts she commit. I hope my twitter fam understand these references.

So, I was looking into the good guy trope and realised that not only him, but the bad boy after a while (or literally anyone with a different profession/specie but the same good/bad filter) is simping over the bland MC. I mean, there are levels for over valuing stuff, but they are obsessing just like I simp over nutella... no wait, it sounds wrong on so many levels.

So, we get the picture that the guy loves her so much that he is building literal shrines for her, taking pictures of her and stalking her and forcing her to accept gifts. Which is tots fine 'cuz he is... handsome? But if he is not, then the MC can just ask her hunky boyfriend (with the same habits) to beat the shit out of the ugly simp so she can end up with the handsome simp.

Logical much?

Also, I think there is nothing more monotonous than a male character whose opinions, interests and habits are not his, but those adopted to please the MC who doesn't even appreciate them. I mean, give the lad a life. These things can be ignored if this 'obsessive period' is some phase, but making it a vital part of his persona is unsettling and over used.

There, I said it!

It may not seem at first glance that the glorified alpha-male characters we all love in 18+ movies which we are not eligible to watch are just glorified simps who get what they want. If you look into their lives outside their girlfriend's arms, you'll realize that they don't have one. And these aspects strain the character development.

So, Lizzy, you're implying that 'simps' are unrealistic. But they exist in real life!

I know. But do actual people like them?

The thing is, the trope of a male who does everything you want, overvalues you and neglects himself, his hobbies and his friends just for you while equally mistreating you in the name of love is not new.

Ken from barbie, christian gray from 50 shades of flippity flappity, Mordecai from regular show (YouTube loves roasting his simping compilations), Tom Hansen from 500 days of summer, Micheal scott from the office, Gus from Pysch, andd I should stop here now.

I was personally kinda pained to include some names in the above paragraph. Since most of these men are the personification of the ideal boyfriend most girls want.

And I guess that's another reason why when people get into a relationship they realise that the reality is far from what they fantasized. Fiction is a powerful tool which helps the reader to create their own world in their own mind. But it also sets unrealistic expectations about love, life and a lot more.

The thing is, simp characters existed a long time before the internet-slangs coined the term (I am looking at you Mister Darcy), and it is only now that people are realising the negative effect.

So, take out some time and flesh out your male characters. Having a love interest is amazing and can help the character to learn a lot (or even become their source of motivation), but then setting up a whole scenario in which he is creepily obsessive or just can't respect HIMSELF enough to stop and re-evaluate his life choices, isn't healthy.

Damn, I sound like a grownup. wtf?

Btw on this very day (aka my birthday), last year I shared this message:

And as of today, we all are standing on 50.4K reads. The way time flies.

Thank you so much for getting in to the Anti-banality bandwagon! And don't worry, me turning 17 today will not prove that I am too old to find a hot millionaire on the streets, or get abducted by some hot non-existent werewolf.

IMPORTANT:

Additional note: Guys, i was planning several more updates. Like mega update kinda thing. But i guess with college and exams that gotta wait. Also, i am currently listing CCE as complete. I know i promised that i will take it to 200 chappies (WHICH I WILL), but not just right now. Perhaps after some time. I will update all of my reviews soon too, complete all of my hanging tasks before going on a hiatus. I guess I'll be back by november or december. And the only reason why I am listing CCE as complete is to save my current stats. I know not updating it will stop wattpad from promoting/suggesting it across their platform and this wil remove me from the stats too. But by marking it as 'complete' CCE will continue getting the attention it needs. I will be back soon with plenty of updates.

Until then, goodbye. Will see you all later. :)

Love,

Lizzy