In a post on Writer Unboxed, Jim Dempsey offers tips for using your hero’s weaknesses against them. “Every hero has a flaw, and that is a major element drives stories to their conclusions,” Dempsey writes. “Sometimes, however, the flaw leads to the downfall of the character.”
In some cases, the character is often blind to the flaw or cannot admit it. In others, the character doesn’t want to overcome the flaw or even nourish it. But even characters who want to change and eventually face facts will struggle with their weakness before they can do so. This often involves short-term or otherwise deficient solutions that don’t actually cure their emotional defect.
This is a great way to increase suspense, Dempsey says. “The same issue will inevitably return, and often magnified as time is running out,” he writes. “Or the problems accumulate and cause increased pressure for the character, leading to more and more obstacles for the hero.”
So, how can you make the most of your hero’s flaws? Dempsey suggests you start by making a list of those short-term solutions your character might try. Next, consider how those ineffective solutions impact your character. Did they help at all or make things worse? When and how does your character examine their choices? Do they win their final battle or is their weakness their downfall?
