3 Ways to Use Character Flaws

[@123TheMpoMan321]

But if I give my main character flaws, then I won't be able to live out my dreams of perfection vicariously through them!

[@AroundTheCampfire]

Levi, take down the video, we have to re-write it.

[@silentlybarking]

hahaha thank you mr.

[@santitriana2795]

Bars

[@thisusernameisalreadytaken5132]

Oooh, I think this might be what I need. I've had trouble incorporating my characters flaws well into the script of my graphic novel. All of them save for one have basically done no wrong except some small mistakes.

[@bobs8005]

Awesome did this help you finish the novel?

[@hyshimey]

I did not expect a haikyuu reference here. Great video, by the way!

[@PhoenixCrown]

You nailed it. Flaws make characters feel real, even relatable. I write fantasy, and especially there the world can be so drastically different from our own that a "realistic" character can ground the story. Not to say supermen or other paragons don't have their role in some stories, but without flaws, how do you have character growth? Makes for a rather boring MC in my opinion.

[@edamame6261]

Great video! I’m also definitely down for more haikyuu references haha

[@schizoidboy]

One thing about Superman I saw in a reproduction of the original comic is there is a conflict with him being Clark Kent. In the original he's with Lois at a dance and some gangsters start harassing and then abducting Lois. Superman as Clark Kent doesn't act immediately because he risks exposing who he is and in the process is forced to look weak and helpless in front of Lois. Granted he does save her as Superman, but he's created the image to Lois that his alter ego is a weak person. While this may not be considered a character flaw, it does put Superman in a position where he can act immediately and expose himself and risk endangering others later, or allow his alter-ego to be seen as weak and helpless to the woman he loves.

[@AroundTheCampfire]

Don't get me wrong, Superman is great. They get around his perfect-ness in interesting ways like exactly what you're describing, and I respect the fact that the character was created during a time when we just wanted super-powerful heroes to look up to. I think all that can be true *and* he can still be a little too perfect for my preference lol.

[@FitWitScience]

​@@AroundTheCampfire That's the point of Superman He isnt supposed to be relatable He is supposed to be inspiring

[@susnus]

"yes, the answers yes" I LOVE that opening 🔥

[@Kool_Jag45]

I only clicked this video because i saw Haymitch 😳

[@benbenward858]

Same 😳

[@andersnelson]

In my novel, the main character is deeply flawed. She is enslaved and bewitched by a wizard and has bad mental issues as a result, to the point that she even harms herself and has episodes of depression. The idea of magical spells and bewitchments may seem quite abstract and unrealistic to the average reader, but her reaction to her bewitchment makes it all seem terrifying real. This shows how a character's flaws in response to an event can make the event seem real. Vivid, even. This is true for my character, and it's true for Haymitch (from the Hunger Games). That's one reason why flaws are important.

[@gingerizard3262]

My characters have too many flaws.

[@leigh-anjohnson]

I find it odd that when talking about Superman, nobody brings up the personality flaws he can have that create story conflict. Like in the justice League animated show, Superman always has to be so in control because of his immense power and he has a hard time when things are not in control, such as during the Cadmus Arc where Lex Luther was manipulating everything. His own anger and paranoia about Lex led to Superman destroying a city. And another conflict he had with his team where he more or less admits that he doesn't see anyone as an equal because he is the invulnerable one who can take the hits... Superman is good and virtuous, seemingly "perfect", but there is a lot to mine from a character like this if writers put in the work.

[@AroundTheCampfire]

We were trying to keep these videos short-and that doesn't always bode well for discussing complex topics. And those are my favorite kind of topics. 🙃 Superman is so well-loved for a reason. I think you're absolutely right that he's imperfect, but he's also a great example of a character with no *obvious* flaws (outside of kryptonite) so he fit the bill for that intro. Thanks for checking out the video though! If we get a chance to chat about Clark again I definitely want to give more respect to the way writers are forced to find creative ways around his abilities. To introduce flaws and conflicts in other ways, which I do think is really cool. It just didn't quite fit in the space we had available for this script.

[@222quiet]

​@@AroundTheCampfire its easy to observe that superman, coming from a place where he is only taught how to be good, going into a planet where there is no limit to how deranged other people can be. he must learn to control his emotions, since he is virtually a god he must learn to control his emotions as well as accept that everything cannot be in his control, since even though he may seem like a God, he falls short in some way just like everyone else and has limits too. think about a child, whos been taught to be a good boy until he reaches preschool, and suddenly his world shifts upside down because the rest of the kids are bullies, messy, loud. how will this child deal with this? will he break and become like them? or will he look deeper into himself and learn exactly why what his mother taught him was important and use it to change his classmates into good students just like him? superman is a simple story, but its a story about entering an world that tests the limits of your own morals, and makes you ask yourself "why am i the good guy? why do i HAVE to be the good guy?"

[@yeahright1020]

But is it possible for the character to have too many flaws that make reading about them annoying? I don't know about anyone else but characters that are too flawed or "weak" annoy me, but it's also annoying when they're too perfect, I think the real problem is how to find the perfect balance?

[@AroundTheCampfire]

Oh, good question/point! I think it was Pixar that said something like: your main character doesn't have to be good at something-they just need to be trying their best." Something like that I think. That's why I actually love that short story from Neon Leviathan. Clearly the main character is incredibly flawed, really ruining things for himself, but at its core he's just trying to be with the people he loves. He's doing his best-his best just isn't enough. There's definitely a balance to be struck. A character who is too perfect is boring, and one that's too flawed and be annoying, like you said. There's no formula or anything for that, so I'd just say keep that in mind and bring in beta readers to run the characters by. That's probably the best way to get a feel for how they're written. -A

[@yeahright1020]

@@AroundTheCampfire Ok, thanks for clearing that up. I'll find some betas.

[@nakoochann]

superman actually has conflicts and flaws, lol