Giving Your Characters Flaws

By georgelthomas on 16 Apr 2024 • ( 0 )

Hi everyone! How are you all? Today’s post is all about characters and, in particular, their flaws.

Giving Your Characters Flaws

Crafting a compelling character is no simple task; they need to feel real, relatable, and believable. One way to achieve this is by giving your characters flaws, which not only helps with developing them and bringing them to life but also plays a large part in story progression and reader engagement.

What Are Character Flaws

Character flaws are traits or qualities that limit a character in some way. These could be minor quirks, like being excessively talkative, or more significant issues, like struggling with addiction.

Flaws aren’t there merely to avoid creating a “Mary Sue” (a character who’s too perfect), but rather, they make your character feel real by creating a layer of depth and complexity. But it’s not just about slapping on a random flaw; it’s about integrating it into the character’s personality, backstory and the main plot.

Types of Character Flaws
There are generally three types of character flaw: minor, major and fatal.

Minor Flaw:
A minor flaw is a flaw that helps a character to stand out in readers’ minds but doesn’t have a significant impact on the plot. For example, a character might be chronically late or overly fond of puns.

Major Flaw:
Major flaws have quite an impact on the plot and also on character relationships. For instance, a character might struggle with trust issues, affecting how they relate to other characters.

Fatal Flaw:
The fatal flaw is a flaw that leads to the character’s downfall or a significant setback. For example, a hero’s overconfidence might lead them into a trap.

Tips for Creating Flawed Characters

Figure Out the Flaws:
Start by determining your character’s major flaw, which should, ideally, tie into the plot. Then, consider several minor flaws to make them more human and relatable.

Use Flaws to Drive the Plot:
A character’s flaws should affect their decisions and actions, causing conflict and driving the story forward.

Make Flaws Consistent:
A character’s flaws should be consistent with who they are and their backstory. For example, a character who grew up in poverty might be overly thrifty or more economical than someone who grew up where money wasn’t an issue.

Avoid Stereotypes:
Be careful not to fall into stereotypes when assigning flaws. Not all villains are cruel, and not all heroes are fearless.

Use Flaws To Bring Levity:
From those such as Homer Simpson to Michael Scott, some of the best comedic characters are hopelessly flawed. Consider using flaws to inject humour into your story.

All in all, giving your characters flaws is crucial for creating realistic, compelling characters. It makes them more relatable to readers, adds depth to their personalities, and drives conflict within the story.

So, when crafting your next character, remember that their imperfections often make them perfect for your story.

Thank you, as ever, for reading my post. I really appreciate it!

Until next time,

George