Despite what TV would have you believe, you can never be too nice. Creative works are full of “nice” characters who overcome the heartache of being a boring doormat to transform into a vibrant vixen. But what about nice characters who aren’t incels or Pollyannas?
In a post on the Writers Write blog, Anthony Ehlers offers advice for creating nice people and avoiding cliches and BS. “Readers and audiences like a stable and consistent character as their ‘guide’ in the story,” he writes. “They love to have a character to champion.” However, we often struggle with the idea of making our characters too nice. We think nice means boring. Characters need flaws! we yell.
Ehlers says we need to dispel five myths about nice characters:
- Nice doesn’t mean perfect. Nice people still have bad days and make mistakes. They have room to grow.
- Good isn’t boring. Your nice character might not be the life of the party, but they can be a good listener and engaged friend. They have hobbies and interests and want something from life.
- Good isn’t weak. Nice people aren’t necessarily stupid or easily pushed around. They aren’t fragile and they do have limits to their decency.
- Good people are leaders, too. Nice people don’t have to be indecisive or bossy. They can lead with compassion and empathy.
- Good people aren’t stupid. It’s easy to mistake a sunny disposition or hesitation to speak with simplemindedness. But good people are easy to underestimate.
