In a post on Writers Helping Writers, Angela Ackerman says the key to character is finding relatable flaws. “Flaws are often the most difficult to figure out, because knowing which negative traits will emerge in someone means exploring their past to understand who negatively influenced them and what painful experiences they went through,” she says.
Often, people consider their flaws a feature, not a bug. The bad attitude that keeps acquaintances at bay also keep people from getting close enough to cause emotional hurt, Ackerman explains. “When a person fails, they often take it to heart, blame themselves, and don’t ever want to be put in that same situation (because they’re sure they’ll only screw up),” she writes. “Adopting a character flaw or two will ensure he’s never going to have to worry about dropping the ball again.”
But those flaws keep the character from trying again, succeeding, and growing as a person. They can also cause conflicts in relationships, as the character is trying to keep others at arm’s length. “And in order for them to solve their big story problems and succeed, they will need to examine what’s holding them back…their flaws, and the fears that caused them,” Ackerman says.
However, flaws shouldn’t be random. “Make sure you know the ‘why’ behind a flaw…it will help you understand what’s holding them back in the story, how they need to grow, and will point you toward conflict that will trigger them in negatives ways so they become more self-aware,” Ackerman writes. So, how can you do that?
- Make Friends with the Character’s Backstory. “Brainstorm your character’s backstory, thinking about who and what influenced them, and what difficult experiences they went through that soured their view in some way, damaged their self-esteem, and cause them to avoid certain people and situations,” Ackerman recommends.
- Poke Your Character’s Wounds. Figure out what your character will do to prevent a repeat of their emotional pain, and then put them in circumstances where avoiding further pain is the wrong choice.
- Undermine Your Character’s Efforts. Use flaws to undermine your hero’s drive towards their goal.
- Look for Friction Opportunities. Use the flaws to create friction and conflict between your protagonist and the other characters.
- Use Your Own Flaws. “We all have flaws based on our own experiences, as do all the people around us,” Ackerman says. “So, if you’re feeling brave, look within and find the bits of yourself that may not cast you in the best light. Do you get impatient easily? Do you feel like you always have to be in control? Are you sometimes a bit rude, quick to judge, or you make excuses to get out of responsibilities?”
