How do you write a flawed character without it seeming forced, or making it painful to read?
Asked by: Julie Wade
How do you write a flawed character?
Tips for using different types of character flaws better
- Explain your character’s flaws. Whatever your characters’ flaws, explain them. …
- Make the flaw fit the character. Make the flaw seem reasonable to your character. …
- Find additional character flaws as you draft.
How do you describe character flaws?
According to Oxford English Dictionaries, a character flaw is ‘a fault or weakness in a person’s character‘. A character flaw can be defined more fully as an undesirable quality in a person. It is an imperfection, limitation, deficiency, phobia, or a problem that affects the way others perceive us.
Why does the author like to write flawed characters?
The villain’s flaw helps create tension in a story because it makes him more vulnerable. While flawed characters make for interesting protagonists, a story will be stronger if the author makes the main character likable. Flaws are what create tension in a story and they give an author a way to create conflict.
What is the importance of creative flawed character instead of perfect character?
Flaws and moral failings are, after all, an integral part of what it means to be human. Without these shortcomings, humanity would experience little conflict, triumph, or growth — all elements that define the stories we write. For a character to feel real, they must share in our flawed humanity.
What are your 3 biggest character flaws?
10 Common Examples of Character Flaws in Literature
- Abusive. Being abusive is a character flaw many literary villains possess. …
- Addiction. Addiction is another common plot device used to move a story forward or create conflict in the character’s life. …
- Excessive Pride. …
- Fear. …
- Greed. …
- Jealousy. …
- Incompetence. …
- Lust for Power.
How do you deal with character flaws?
Be considerate of others and how they feel when <insert flaw> causes them pain. In consideration of others, learn the art of apologizing. In further consideration of others, ask those around you what they feel when you demonstrate said flaw and ask them for feedback on alternate responses. Give yourself grace.
What is Nico’s fatal flaw?
holding grudges
Nico di Angelo: His fatal flaw is holding grudges. He will hold a grudge even if it costs him his own life. In The Battle of the Labyrinth, his deceased sister Bianca tells him that holding grudges is very dangerous for children of Hades.
What is considered a physical flaw?
Physical Flaws. What counts as a physical flaw is often very much in the eye of the beholder. This character flaws list covers looks, injuries, abnormalities, and conditions that many would consider to be physical flaws and imperfections, but views may vary. Hygiene. And we mean really terrible hygiene.
How do you make a flaw positive?
So here’s the game plan:
- Be honest and upfront. Don’t skirt around the weakness or sugarcoat it. Just tell it like it is. …
- Tell a story. But not one like the aforementioned sob story. …
- Turn it around into a strength. Show the positive side of your weakness, again, positively.
Why do characters need flaws?
Flawed characters are fascinating and drive a story forward. Their flaws create a rapport with the reader or audience and makes it easy to empathize with them. Flaws make people care not only about the character, but also what happens to them. Resist the urge to make a character perfect.
Do characters need flaws?
“Flaws in your characters give your novel depth and make characters believable.” “If a character is perfect, then all the conflict in the story is someone else’s fault.”
What is a flawed protagonist?
Flawed protagonists are gifted individuals. They are cleverer than their enemies, more persistent, resilient. Dr. Chance keeps outsmarting his opponents, with his side-kick’s (D’s) help, while Breaking Bad’s Walter White is the best meth cook in the business.
Can a true hero be flawed?
The true test of a champion is not whether he can triumph, but whether he can overcome obstacles- preferably of his own making- in order to triumph.
What is a character flaw in literature?
A character flaw is a trait that prevents a character from being perfect. Sometimes this fatal flaw leads to a character’s demise or at least undercuts their character strengths and presents a prominent setback they must overcome.