How to Find Your Character's MISBELIEF (or Fatal Flaw)

[@rociomiranda5684]

For anybody who may read my comment: sometimes you have to start writing, even finish a first draft, before you can figure out what you want to say, this truth that is driving the story. Abbie's advice is great and I watch all her videos, but in the end it comes down to who you are and how your brain works. There isn't a method that works exactly the same for every writer. In my case I often write to find out what I think and how I feel.

[@orchidcolors]

Thank you for this. I was getting a bit...frazzled? about how I didn't already know all these things.

[@marianacavalcante6348]

That is sooooo true! I started writing a story in 2020 and I remember when this video came out. I was sooo lost lol I honestly didn't knew my character very well. Now, almost 2 years later, i'm watching this video again and IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW! I know my character enough to answer this questions. Everyone has it own time and way to figure out your own writing 🥺🥲

[@baylee8659]

Do you have any of your work posted somewhere?

[@TheRevisedWriter]

When MY brain doesn't work, I slam my head into the keyboard a dozen or so times. When I wake up a couple of hours later, I feel refreshed and am able to write again! 😜

[@Anima_lod_drawing]

🙏🙏👍🏻 and

[@kaileyspencer9244]

You know, I watched Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" today, and when you started talking about dissatisfaction because what they believed they wanted isn't actually what will make them happy. Tiana believed that working super hard to get her restaurant was what she wanted, but she realized that it was the people she loved that made her truly happy. After all, what are dreams if we don't have people to share them with? And Naveen, he thought being rich and partying all the time would bring him happiness, but he discovered that being with Tiana and seeing her happy is truly what he wanted, so much so that he was willing to be a frog forever just to spend that forever with her.

[@mih568]

Also a thing that she thinks will make her happy is her want of becoming a human again since the start.

[@mishthemaverick8607]

Love that movie 😭

[@cristinaramos9828]

Omg thank you so much for this super great example!

[@LFDLittlefluffydino]

Holy crap!

[@mannychuva]

Great analysis!!

[@bethanyalister6467]

My character’s misbelief is that showing signs of emotion is weakness and that letting people in will only slow her down. So she learns throughout that it’s okay to have emotions and it doesn’t make you any weaker for crying about nothing, or falling in love or for laughing at something stupid. And I guess my story isn’t about a character discovering themselves but about *exploring* the deepest parts of yourself that are even hidden from you

[@baylee8659]

Love this

[@minutemansam1214]

My character is somewhat similar, only the reason she doesn't want to get attached to people is fear of loss. So she is very guarded, and there are only a few select people who are in her 'vulnerable' zone, and one of them is someone who was in her life before the trauma that triggered these behaviors.

[@Ahshsihdsjchi]

My character is similar, but it isn't that emotions are weakness, but that emotions are a joke and shouldn't be treated as serious (I will point out that he only applies this to himself, he has depression) throughout the story (especially at the end) he learns that this is wrong and that his emotions and depression should be taken more seriously. This is actually because the villain of the book has a similar fatal flaw, and he sees just how much damage it can do to someone

[@singhsumit603]

Mine is trauma. My character believes that if someone hurts you, you hurt them back. In the worst way possible. There's no need to care how unhinged you have to become to take your "revenge". Though she doesn't exactly change her thoughts (maybe she does, I'm on the first draft and starting from scratch because I feel like the story is flat), there are points when this affect others and how she takes her "revenge"

[@DreamCatcher...]

​@@minutemansam1214omg this story is about me 😭

[@ExploreImagineDefineCreate]

My character's disbelief: you need excitement and adventure to live a happy and fulfilling life. The story is set in a fantasy world were the MC wants to become an Adventurer/Traveler. However, as many warn about the many dangers and hardships he begins to learn that his choices and actions have consequences. He will need to grow up and leave the life of thrills behind to settle and focus on himself and what truly makes him happy.

[@blacktee31]

I want to read this now

[@gallerycatstudios8018]

Ooh, sounds interesting! Where are you gonna publish it?

[@AaroneStefano]

No, that's my misbelief about the world 😅 help lol

[@mariav.r.4184]

i want to read it already!!! Hope you are doing amazing, keep writing!

[@SHInangli]

This seems similar to my misbelief lol

[@writingrose9772]

My characters misbelief is, if he tries something once and fails it means it will never work. Which of course is not true, especially for me who never gives up on anything xx

[@kathyl6677]

Sounds like my daughter. 😕

[@writingrose9772]

Lol and my mum is called Katherine xx

[@thestrangeandstupidone8116]

Huh that character sounds awfully a lot like me(i mean can you blame me? Everything i wanna do fails while i see people succeed in just one try, i wanna be like them but my luck is just nonexistent so yeah...)

[@Rambrus0]

My Characters misbelief is that you have to be special to matter. My main issue is that im unexperience in how to explore that topic. I want to explore how you dont have to be talented or gifted to be a valuable person, to have a value in the world. Its enough if you are kind and caring towards others and you can make much bigger changes in the world just by beeing a kind person, than beeing a genius. UI: The funniest part that as im writing this down, my goal is becoming much clearer to me. I value your videos Abbie and thank you for your many helpful videos

[@annasolyom5221]

Hi! Vagy mondjam inkább hogy szia? :DD Abból hogy azt írtad 'Ui" megsejtettem h magyar vagy, és utána rámentem a csatornádra, és tényleg! Örülök, hogy nem egyedül vagyok itt magyar! Nekem is sokat segítenek Abbie videói, én is próbálkozom az írással. És amúgy nagyon tetszik, amit írtál:) "you don't have to be special to matter", ez amúgy az én életemben is jelen van, úgyhogy átérzem... Remélem egyszer tényleg megírod ezt a könyvet!

[@Amy_Mi6]

Who needs therapy when we have Abbie?? Writing advise AND answers to why I struggle with anxiety issues - yes, please!

[@kathanfors6416]

This video is mega helpful, but I'm wondering what you think about characters that don't have much personal growth like James Bond? Characters who already have their shit together and are looking to help other people more than finding personal happiness cuz they kinda already have it. These characters usually don't have a misbelief from what I can deduce. What do you think allows these exceptions to be successful and/or do you think flat character arcs like these are of real value?

[@Amy_Mi6]

@@kathanfors6416 Everyone has a weakness. I think if you can pin down your character’s weakness that can be a point of internal conflict and growth. Your MC could have something in their past they haven’t resolved - a past mistake they can never fix. The misbelief in that scenario would be that they are not a worthy individual until they are able to atone for their past when the truth is that they are worthy and their past does not define who they are. Or you could just go the way of external misbelief - Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible (1996). Ethan believes his boss and mentor is a good guy but then turns out to be the villain. I know that goes against Abbie’s rule, but in the the case of a James Bond like character, maybe you can get away with a less than three dimensional MC and still grab the reader based simply on the good guy vs. bad guy/vindication angle. However, I will say if you can find a way to give your MC depth your story will be 1,000 times better.

[@KutWrite]

@@kathanfors6416: Yes, as Amy said, everyone has a weakness. For Bond, it's women and ego. He scoffs at Q's inventions, but ends up needing every one of them. The women get his guard down, though he regains it later, often when his superpower of charm wins them over to the "right" side. Much as I enjoy a few of the Bond books and movies, they're not life-changing - for me, anyway. There's a place for a simple thriller, but compare that with one that imparts an important theme, such as, say, one of Kubrik's thrillers. Or a fine thriller about a down-and-out detective who believes a lie about a past love: "The Yakuza" starring Robert Mitchum and directed by Sidney Pollack. Or "The Maltese Falcon" in which Sam Spade's misbelief gets his partner killed.

[@kathanfors6416]

@@Amy_Mi6 TBH, I'm not writing an MC like described, personally I'm all about that character growth. I'm just binging wisdom before embarking on writing my baby which I'll inevitably screw up and rewrite since she's my first lol

[@pineneedle116]

Mhmm. You get it. 😌

[@umagonz]

unbelievable ! After I answered all the questions and then added the motive, the goal and the plot , my mind was blown away. It makes it way more easier to understand ! And my main character's misbelief is "You need certainty to be happy/ You can't be happy and live with uncertainty" . Great video as always !!!

[@alainad6364]

Hey! Your character actually helped me clarify mine!! I've struggled so much in sorting out his misbelief (he's basically the exact opposite of me so that doesn't help...), but your comment about uncertainty really sparked some clarity😂

[@umagonz]

@@alainad6364 glad to hear! :)

[@0O806tYfOr]

That's kinda what my character's misbelief is, but I'm struggling to decide what's his desire to clash with the missbelief.

[@Akigirl2004]

My overarching theme is that true freedom is an illusion. It can be found in any circumstance/situation. It all depends on your point of view and what makes you truly happy. The two main characters are from different backgrounds and have found themselves in a similar situation. Shawn is from a higher status family and is set to be a member of council for the up and coming heiress. His false truth is that finding the humor in everything will make him happy. He takes pride in doing what is expected of him, but his freedom is doing it in his own way. Agatha is from a lower status family and at a young age, shows that she posses powers. As customary with the few individuals each generation who possess power, they are set to be a member of council. Her parents and herself are now set for life and she has a coveted position of power, but the tasks and expectations make her feel trapped. Her false truth is that she will never be free until she can get away from all of it. Together they explore different views on what freedom means. In the end, they teach other that sometimes you need to fight for the freedom that you want and other times you have to enjoy the freedom that you already have

[@aytanitamamasita]

That sounds so captivating! Have you finished it by now? And if so, what it's title?

[@trynastayproductive]

Why does it sound so much like my story lol???? It's amazing

[@hectorsantanalizardo1331]

Step 1: Find your story's (truth) theme (1:36). Step 2: Flip this true upside down and make it a lie (2:59). Step 3: What could've happened in my character's past to make them believe such a thing (3:29). Step 4: Write that backstory scene for your character (4:19). Step 5: Describe (or write) other scenes in the character's past that cemented this misbelief as truth to them (5:04). Step 6: Ask yourself how is my character dissatisfied with their life today because they believe this lie so firmly? (6:07). Step 7: Ask yourself: What my character thinks will make them happy, based on their misbelief? (6:54). Step 8: Ask yourself: what steps could my character take now to actively pursue this goal (7:47). Step 9: Clarify the motive, the goal, and the plot (8:47). Step 10: Let this drive the story forward (9:15).

[@kasfizamanshama2136]

We need you in all her videos

[@wobuziak7288]

you're a legend

[@rebeccaa3869]

Abbie you’re a GENIUS I’ve been brainstorming stories my whole life and I’m finally trying to write a book and you’ve helped me so much you deserve so much recognition thank you!

[@AbbieEmmons]

Wow, thank you so much!! I'm so glad this helped you out! :D

[@esi1765]

But abbie I need your help or can anyone tell me what if my character's desire: is to get a specific person and his fears: are being deprived. Misbelief: that he can't get her because he will broke her heart and also his self. Because they belongs to different family were they aren't welcome (forbidden love trope) also staying away from her will not cause more troubles So what would be his goal for rest of the story based on his misbelief maybe "stay away from her" but then how could my story will go ahead if he only wants to shun her. If I make sense abbie pls tell me or maybe I should change this

[@greyhood2564]

@@esi1765 Your story makes perfect sense. The guy wants the girl, but he is afraid that if he is with her or if he pursues her she will be hurt by his presence, maybe by him. But he can't stayaway from her because he is deeply in love with her. [Additionally & optionally, perhaps he sees her with another man (maybe more men) and that makes him jealous. But also, this other man (or men) are not very nice to her; they're rude/disrespectful and don't treat her how she should be treated and that makes him angry.] Basically, the important thing is that he has to overcome that fear of losing her or hurting her so that he can be with her and love her properly.

[@witchy-eesh6516]

@@greyhood2564 Wow, I saw this reply super late. But I'm glad you helped me 🙏🏻 you are a genius thank you. I almost stopped and had given up on that tale but now I'll begin again. And mainly thank you first to give a sense of plot to what to add to the story.

[@witchy-eesh6516]

@@greyhood2564 Wow, I saw this reply super late. But I'm glad you helped me 🙏🏻 you are a genius thank you. I almost stopped and had given up on that tale but now I'll begin again. And mainly thank you first to give a sense of plot to what to add to the story.

[@alainad6364]

The character I'm currently working on (I'm writing a series and juggling four protagonists...so erm, *currently* is the key word there) believes that if he ever chooses himself over his family (particularly his brother...who's sort of a villain?) then he has failed them. The next layer to that misbelief is that he is able to constantly give and give and give without hurting himself; he basically is unaware of the fact that he sees himself as sub-human. Anyways, your video helped me so much in clarifying, not only this particular character, but all of them!

[@teenytitan7728]

So he's kind of a people pleaser. Fascinating.

[@maddimaribee]

ooo i love that

[@kdc5997]

That sounds like Elijah Mikaelson

[@jadrael]

The whole "big truth" and then "flip it upside down" was revelatory for me. Thanks! Going from "Chasing your dream is better if you have someone by your side" to "Chasing your dream only works if you do it alone" creates a great starting point for a story. Similarly, "Sometimes, you have to to be willing to give up your dreams for the one you love" turning into "Sometimes, you have to chase your dreams, even if you lose the ones you love" is really neat. These videos are very helpful!

[@imani1193]

Oh gosh, my character has multiple misbeliefs. Layers of lies. 😂 Thank you for your amazing and insightful content!

[@septemberstorrie]

My character does, too. Thankfully I’m working on a trilogy so I’m going to try to conquer one per book.

[@seldomwhispering8769]

Lie lasagna

[@Lady_Jay42]

This is what I'm struggling with. I'm just starting, but it feels like the protagonists (one in particular) have so many misbeliefs that I'm finding it hard to solidify a single goal or truth. I hadn't planned on writing more than one story... I'm worried that if I have too many it will become mushy lie lasagna @seldom whispering That was the best lol

[@shootingstars6762]

​@jennylivingston2131 Well, realistically, we don't conquer all our flaws at once. If your character still has misbeliefs by the end, that's okay. Just focus on one misbelief for now. If you end up finding a way for them to conquer more than one, that's great! But it's okay if your character hasn't conquered all the flaws you wanted by the end. It just makes them feel more relatable.

[@jessw1168]

Also, different misbelief are held with different levels of tightness. A character who vowed 6 months ago that they were never going to waste time with a romance again after their most recent breakup will hold that "looser" and change that belief quicker than a misbelief planted in early childhood and encouraged their entire life.

[@ailsa2434]

LOVE!! So glad to have it clarified that the reason the character is dissatisfied with their life AND has a goal that drives the plot is BECAUSE of the lie they've believed. So good. And so true! Now I'm looking at myself and my own dissatisfaction and I'm like... dang. Abbie called me out.

[@allisonhodge9910]

I'd love a case study video to go along with this one! I'd say two of my MC's false beliefs are "I can’t depend on others and have to fend for myself" and "I can’t protect the people I care about."

[@ranbowfut8790]

My character’s misbelief (and truth) that he’s believed for a very long time is the idea that he needs to help everyone, and if he doesn’t/can’t, he is a bad person. His parents and religion focused a lot on serving others, and he believed that if he couldn’t do every benign action, he was a failure

[@teenytitan7728]

Your main character sounds like a people pleaser. I recommend you watch infinity train season 2 the the main character has a similar misbelief.

[@ricekrispies1917]

So I've recently been watching Vinland, which is still ongoing at the moment. I was more than a little mind-blown as you kept breaking this video down. I'm like, honestly awed at how clearly these ideas translate into the protagonist's misbelief and overarching theme of the current story I've been eating up like a hungry animal. You've opened my eyes Abbie

[@mcawesomeytyo3312]

I created the misbelief that my protagonist needs to protect everyone he cares about at all costs including his life. This would mean that he will try and save the day even without any training or preparation which led him to getting seriously hurt as a result

[@melodid5023]

My charakters missbelieve is that he can't ever be or show his true self because no one will ever accept or love him this way!

[@MyTubeofYouChannel]

I have been struggling with my character's internal conflict for YEARS- all of my character's lack direction and agency- but suddenly this video has helped me organize what I already had into usable internal conflict and has boosted the meaningfulness of this story. THANKYOU! Diving into the backstory for solidifying that misbelief was so much more important than I realized.

[@umagonz]

Yessss thank you so much for this !!! I've finished doing an outline but my protags misbelief is a little shaky

[@verilykyrie]

Loved this video! My character’s misbelief is that there is one person in the world she is meant to be with and if she doesn’t make it work with him, no one will ever truly love her.

[@Missy04]

I'm a bit late for a comment, but better late than never, right? Abbie, thank you so, so much. I'm writing a pretty big fantasy story atm and one of my beta-readers for the 2nd draft said that my character is the most boring and annoying one she ever read. That hurt me in so many ways because I thought I wrote him very badly. But I've come to realise that it wasn't my writing that was bad, but the fact that I had no real misbelief for him. He just stumbled through the story and I realised that the plot drove him, not his misbelief and his goals. Thank you so, so much for this video, it helped me a lot on finding the real reasons for my character to act. You're a true queen! 😇

[@madisonc.4082]

My characters misbelief is "if you need help from other people than you're weak / if you're not strong enough to do it on your own then your weak." Or something like that... I'm still working it out a little bit, but this is what I got so far. I'm gonna go put these tips/steps into practice right now! Anytime I watch one of Abbie's vids I get so motivated to write! Like, Right. Now! When I'm looking for certain tips on certain things usually it's just like "Okay, cool. I'll try that next time I sit down to write." But after finding Abbie's channel it's like, "OHMYGOSH! YES! I need to do this RIGHT NOW! WOOHOO! TIME TO WRITE!" 😁 😊 🙂 😯 😯 😅 hehe thanks for being great Abbie! Please don't think I'm weird! Lolololol

[@Daydream-247]

That similar to mine !!

[@_Bleh_83]

Same it’s also similar but instead his misbelief is “I have to do thing alone to protect people” and whenever they will get a partner they just leave them behind

[@joannereadsandwrite]

I love how simple and clear your steps are. As a writer, I usually do this but never as organized as this. While Misbelief> Motive> Goal> Plot works, I also like to work out the Obstacles after the Goal because this will also inform the plot. I'd like to point out to anyone feeling overwhelmed while watching this video that it's okay to not have all this information at first. For some, they may have to first chug out the discovery draft before they know their character well enough to do this. With my current work in progress, I coincidentally stumbled on a discovery process that worked for me. Because I was too busy to dive straight into writing or even outlining, I gave myself permission to do nothing but let the idea percolate in my brain. As I lived my busy life and consumed media in all forms, my story and my characters were not far from my mind. I found myself having several aha moments at random times. Like ''Yes, my hero would definitely do this" "This would make sense with my heroine" or "This could be interesting". I did nothing with these little sparks of ideas except typing them in my notes app in barely understandable shorthand but before long, ideas started building on themselves as I continued to live my life and consume media. Several weeks- maybe a few months- down the line, I had all sorts of thoughts about my story and my characters. Going through this video helped me distill my thoughts clearly as I move to a more concrete story-mapping phase. My suggestion is to give yourself time to know your characters and your story. Then come back to this. It would be way more helpful than overwhelming at that point. Hope this helps someone.

[@liamurati]

AAAAAAAH ABBIE THANK YOU for bringing structure and clarity in this crazy mind of mine. I was struggling to find a deeply rooted misbelief for my antagonist and here we go: MISBELIEF: In my community, I am insignificant, invisible and unworthy of love (Hi there painful backstory). TURNS INTO: My community is harmful to me and the world but I am different. TURNS INTO: I can save the world, let's find them all. Mwahaha.

[@AzraKhan-gm4ft]

Every time watching your videos just pushes me to grab the notebook, uncap the pen and just Write!! Well, I have written my first short story of 20+ pages. Thank you so much. Loads of love from India🥰

[@amberpowell5826]

My character believes that she needs to earn love in order to feel it. So, she ultimately markets herself as wife material and invests her efforts in men that just take everything and anything until she breaks. I have to say that I have researched, studied, and participated in workshops and none of them satiated the structure that I needed to shape my story as this video. Your channel has quickly become one of my favorites!

[@kayligo]

Sounds like a great book!

[@dinneyney4043]

Oh I love that!

[@EE-iw3fy]

Please write that whole novel and hand it to all the "pick me" girls on TikTok. Sure they annoy me but I don´t think they are completely bad people, actually I feel like at least some of them are extremely unhappy with themselves and think they need male validation, attention and love in order to have a happy future. But oh s any women are so unhappy with the lives they are reaching for because daily life isn´t some aesthetic housewife video and some some old fashioned romantic little *whatever kind of media you wish for*. Btw no I do not want to say with this that your character is a pick me, but I think it would be a huge eye-opener to "pick me" girls.

[@ishandeulkar9935]

This video came at a great time for me in my writing process! I'm writing a fantasy novel where the MC has magic but doesn't know it, she just knows that something is off about her. The MC believes that she is different and doesn't deserve to belong in her society. It stems from her mother faces prejudice as a mage and then her mom left when she was just 10. Now she wants to belong but is incredibly mistrusting of others and struggles to make relationships. It's worsened by the fact that some people actually do disregard her as different or other. My issue is that she doesn't really have a goal before her magic appears and the plot starts because she doesn't genuinely believe her life can really get better. She is too scared to explore who she is really is and would rather hide and stay under the radar, continuing to live as she is but not sticking out at the risk of attracting unwanted attention. I've gone a bit more in-depth in my podcast comment so I look forward to your thoughts on it. Thanks Abbie!

[@serox8887]

maybe someone else should take notice of her at the beginning and give her a helping hand. But she must first bring herself to trust him. So she could be pushed out of her comfort zone and she can pursue her main goal. Hope i could help you

[@starfood]

maybe some bad entities or individuals can push her out of her comfort zone by inflicting or trying to inflict physical damage. And then that can kickstart her escape/ adventure to find out why they are attacking her and who she is? just throwing ideas out her ahha

[@6298-u9c]

Lol mine is the opposite, she does not have power so her family sees her as weak and abandons her so she believes that if people see your weakness they use it against you or don’t want to talk to you, her goal is to get stronger to impress her family and be let back in Don’t copy 😏

[@davyolivierbilombo3533]

My chararcter misbelief is that you can't trust anybody in order to achieve your goals. When he was little he needed help from people when his father was beating his mother but no one cared about him. He aslo watched his friend getting kidnapped but couldn't find help. Thanks to you Abbie I can understand the need of backstorys to corroborate the character way of seing the world

[@biancasantiago2958]

I love your videos thank you for posting! My character (mis)believes that her purpose in life is to help others, and that she will never be fulfilled until everyone else is completely secure.

[@aurorapipitone4758]

You literally helped me figure out the plot of a story I've been thinking about for over 1 year. I followed what you said step by step and now i have the complete plot of my story This was amazing, thank you so much

[@somethink.g]

This is not only a guide to make a character, but to actually find a story premise. Thank you so much Abby you're freakin awesome!

[@dancingpears]

I have been writing the same story for a DECADE. I just started going down the rabbit hole of Writerslife Wednesdays, and while all of them are valuable, THIS VIDEO IS EVERYTHING.

[@Chronicle_MV2]

Sometimes videos like this makes my brain hurt. There is so much information that it's hard to follow sometimes. I mean I know what you're saying but it's like my brain is refusing to connect the dots. Like a computer that freezes when a advanced program is working in the background. My knowledge of the three act structure was simple before and finding out about these extra steps now is confusing. Like the theme part. I don't know if my story is the kind that has a theme. Stories with themes makes me think of old literature which I don't read or watch the adaptions of. This isn't a rant or me complaining about your videos. Your videos are amazing and very informative. I just feel like whenever I try to for a solution for something (whether on stories or videos), everything I find isn't really for the stuff I'm working on. It can get really discouraging and it sometimes makes me question if I should continue doing what I enjoy or curl up in my bed and stay there. Sorry if this sounds like I'm complaining. I don't mean too.

[@teenytitan7728]

You're overthinking it. You just need to find an explanation that fits your understanding. I kind of had the same problem until I found this channel.. and remember baby steps.

[@noonebossesthegarnet2890]

Buddy I’m in your shoes, so I understand. It’s just overthinking. Writers and artists especially ameturs tend to overthink things a lot.

[@paigenalex4eva]

I feel the same way. Before finding her videos, I thought I had a KILLER idea for a murder mystery series. But after watching her videos now idk....I can explain my characters perfectly, but not in the ways that answer her questions. Maybe her advice is genre specific? Idk I'm kinda down in the dumps now. Like if I cant do what she's talking about, does that make me a bad writer? 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@kierasthoughts2480]

@@paigenalex4eva no, it doesn't make you a bad writer. You might be a pantser (write by the seat of your pants) or a plantser (Makes a few simple plot points, but mostly write by the seat of your pants). All writing styles are valid, you just have to figure out what's best for you. I definitely jump between pantser and plantser. Full on plotting kills my creativity. I might use some of this, but I know I won't use all of it. However, I can craft my story as I write and discover my characters' depths with these steps in mind.

[@alexsheckell2162]

My MC's motivation in the sci-fi/fantasy story I'm working on is to find someone to heal his dad. I don't understand how he could need a misbelief in this particular story. I don't personally see how this advice works for every story. There are misbeliefs in the background that kinda go with subplots, or at least one, but you don't need a misbelief to find someone to heal your father do you? I don't entirely get her line of thinking in this particular video. I don't think it makes us bad writers. 🤷‍♀️

[@readeroftheelderscrolls]

Thank you so, SO much for this video. I was struggling with a rather complex idea - to take a character that seems to "have passed her character arcs", so to speak. And I had lots of problems with the thought "does she change through the story at all?" And as I watched your video, I finally got it. I found her misbelief - that all that happened to her, her whole past was for naught, because she isn't perfect and can't hold up to the ideal of her former mother figure. And maaaaaan was that a revelation for me. It also was a little bit fun to see that the character that is actually considered by others to be a guru of sorts still has to learn a lot about the world and herself. Thank you very, very much.

[@maxvoroshilov3207]

Abbie, so many thanks! That was on spot! I am fighting with the first completed draft, not a first raw draft, and it seems I have just found how to make it way sharper and focused. The protagonist has to fight his shadow, a sort of inner cave man that often chases him in a form of an old man, an inner Mummy returning, so to say, and the conflict is about the hero believing the lie of exploring and living out so-called spiritual dimension only, which splits his life and vision etc. That lie will have to be destroyed by his Alter Ego, a Future that will have a stronger pull than the cave of his past!

[@cassidyann7738]

Wow. I've found it so difficult to figure out my MC misbelief, but this made it appear out of thin air so effortlessly. I came to realize her misbelief was different from what i had thought it was. 😮

[@rosaulnier9902]

This video helped me find my protagonist's misbelief - Control is an illusion. Any semblance of control you have over your life can and will be taken away at a moment's notice, and there's nothing you can do.

[@jerrysstories711]

Ugh. This is why I can't write when I'd depressed, even though writing is the thing that lifts me out of depression. There's not a truth I want to shout from the rooftops, only things I wish were true and used to shout when I thought they were true. Maybe my feeling of resignation is a symptom of a lie I believed, but that lie is far more convincing than any hope that's been dangled tauntingly in front of me lately.

[@OystersEntertainment]

I think you should write a story around that theme.

[@saragarofano6471]

Ikr that's why I'm still stuck

[@Ahshsihdsjchi]

I'm writing a story about depression, so..

[@EE-iw3fy]

Maybe write something like a fairy tale - no it does not need fairies. Or make a character strive for a world that you want or something^^ Also, I feel like not all books need to have a plot line like this. For example I loved the book Kim Jiyoung; it just tells about her life, all these situations she was in, all those real hardships women like her had to go through. I don´t exactly remember the story and it´s end, but it wasn´t so... idk... big thing like? It was more a character written to tell how sh*t the world is to many of us, what it does to us. Maybe you can write about how it could be. Idk I feel like if it´s your book, it´s your rules, especially if you´re not publishing it. maybe even make your character believe the world is like ours but it turns out to be rather like the one you have in mind.

[@jerrysstories711]

@@EE-iw3fy Well, you're basically recommending I write a story without conflict or obstacles, just a spectacular display of teamwork.

[@kathyl6677]

Hey, Abbie! Wednesday already?! I'm writing a flat arc character, but I now understand why people ask me what MY "why" is. Great content, d always. Thanks.

[@kingofkemonos3391]

Kathy L u could make it flat as long as your character affects characters around them. Kinda like dragon ball.

[@jasleensihra9754]

Flat arcs highlight how the MC has to hold onto their truths throughout the story, and yeah they feature how their truths change others around them

[@SpiritedHeart94]

My main protagonist has magic-induced amnesia (unbeknownst to her) due to a childhood incident, and it caused a rift between her & her parents for several years. When she loses them in an accident (NOT a car accident) that she believes to be her fault and is forced to move back to her hometown where the incident happened, she immediately throws herself into finding out what happened to her back then. She believes that regaining her memory is the only thing that’ll make her happy by giving her a sense of closure (without having to talk about the accident).

[@dawnpoint]

Thank you Abbie, I dare say my action thriller novel has gone from mildly entertaining to face-punch awesome (if I can ever finish it!) thanks to your curriculum!

[@AbbieEmmons]

Way to go!! That's awesome, I'm so glad this video helped! :D

[@yanittakp1934]

Thanks Abbie! I really needed this. I’m stuck in the ‘theme’ part of my work in progress, and I’ve been procrastinating for weeks! This got me back on track🥰

[@KeithGrant]

I've watched a dozen videos on character arc and "the lie" and this is by far the most practical at actually helping nail it down in the writing process

[@sherrylatrice8733]

"Our mindset is the only thing standing between us and happiness." Not only does this help me understand my main character better, it helps me understand myself better. Thank you Abbie.

[@alexis2318]

bruh i kid you not, the first 3 minutes and 30 seconds of this video made my whole story fall into place and ive been working on why something isnt clicking for so longggg. thank you sm girl

[@hanschroer]

My character's misbelief is that he is not a monster, he is a not a bad person, all his decisions are for the common good. His AHA moment is when he realizes he is, in fact, a monster and has done horrible things for the sake of "the future".

[@seaweedbrain4127]

need to read this book asap

[@why__8729]

Theodor's misbelief is that he can only be loved and cared about if he's useful in some way, the cause of the misbelief is his (now dead) narcissistic mother, who just wanted him to be useful, she never actually cared about him, but the truth is that he can be loved, cared about, appreciated no matter if he's useful or not, that people should love you for YOU, not your money, not your intelligence, not your popularity, skills, etc., But YOU. This may be cheesy or cliché, but I still love it

[@ProphetActual]

Thanks!

[@mayareichenbach3790]

I love your channel!!! I’m writing a short story for writing camp right now and I’ve been binge watching your videos. The misbelief of my main character is that she thinks that everything needs to be certain and in control/ already planned out. Thanks!!

[@beefhardcheese3414]

I've been writing most of my life, and always struggled greatly with developing internal conflict and character motivations. I've tried a hundred different approaches and styles from any number of books, trying the advice of authors of every possible genre, style, and success level. None of them worked. Then last week I watched "How to Find Your Character's Misbelief", and... Everything just immediately clicked. In five minutes I had plotted out the internal conflicts (and from there the plot arcs) of pretty much every named character in my WIP. So I just wanted to say thank you to Abbie for this, and for giving me the key to finally properly get my novel-writing motor running.

[@sapodilla25]

This is the most useful channel for writers. Thank you for the quality content without the unnecessary fluff.

[@ehhhhhh1885]

My character's misbelief is that everyone is perfect, and that if something bad happens, it's his fault and his alone. He can't even conceive that other people have problems and conflict of their own

[@KarmasAbutch]

Thanks

[@ranbowfut8790]

This helped me clarify what my character’s psychology is and how it will tie to the themes and plots of the story, thank you so much! On a side note, a lot of this is legit psychology that we see in everyday life.

[@AbbieEmmons]

I'm so glad this video helped you! The psychology aspect of writing is SO crucial to understand and write good characters.

[@sarahbass8130]

I just want to say thank you for all of the videos you've put out. I have been sitting on a story idea for about 7 or 8 years and have felt so lost in where to start. Writing a book without any training is no joke! All of your videos have been so helpful, and I finally feel like I have the tools to craft my story in a way that does it justice. Thanks a million!

[@KashishK]

My character's misbelief is "I’m a failure if I mess up in front of people." It's rooted from her parents who always succeed and never thought about sharing their mistakes, so they never really mess up in front of her. This lead her to believe that she had to be perfect and please everyone from a young age. Her goal is to always keep everything perfect and impress her parents that she can handle everything. She's a huge planner, so if something goes even slightly off, it throws her off too. My other main character's misbelief is "If I focus on work, I'll become a workaholic. I’m never going to be loved if I work" (work meaning job/career) This is rooted by her parents who are workaholics and never show any love or affection to her. Her goal is to be loved/cared abt in friendships and make her parents happy. (In my story this character is also in a curse, so that's another goal.) My characters are teens btw. I hope this makes sense and is good for my story. I gave my characters character voice, internal conflict, misbeliefs, goals, fears, personality, everything and did some serious plot working. I'm writing a fantasy adventure trilogy, planning to publish it summer (July) 2024! Thank you so much Abbie and I'm excited to read your book too! (The Otherworld

[@fermio]

I arrived in your channel through your Pride and Prejudice analysis and am now a permanent resident due to your writing tips. Instant subscribe. Your content is fantastic!

[@cayoumans]

I'm nervous because I haven't figured out my main characters misbelief yet. There is a side character (who more and more is looking like an antagonist) with a more personal misbelief in life and this whole video spoke to him more. I'm hitting the drawing board again to figure out how to make it make sense to my MC but I seriously appreciate your content 100% !

[@teenytitan7728]

Well if the side character is going to be the main villain/antagonist. Then why not make the protagonist's trueth the opposite of the antagonist lie.

[@margobarrett589]

This video came at the perfect time! My second mc has this inner conflict and huge misbelief that he holds onto and has been thinking about since age three!!! It has torn him apart!!! He has been told ever since birth that he is different, and his brothers hate him for it, but he doesnt know why he's different. The only thing that distracts him and makes him happy is being around my main main character and helping her out with her struggles and her plot. He doesnt hv much screen time, but I'm trying to make his POV compelling and make the readers love him just as much as my real mc. Thankyou, Abbie you hv reassured me!!

[@dancersupreme3023]

I have been thinking about this since I started my main character! I was so excited when this video came out (but didn’t have time to actually watch it until now) and I am so glad I can get to the bottom of this now! Thank you Abbie Edit: and can I just say I love the bloopers you add to the end of the video, I think they’re super fun

[@obsxss_ve]

My scene for the misbelief was literally some weird royalty discussion over dinner haha

[@wendychavez5348]

I love these guides! I keep comparing what you're teaching to what I know of the writing process of my favorite authors, and--wow! You make it so understandable. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

[@lessing3607]

Thanks a million, Abbie. You have inspired me to think in a different direction. I started writing without being able to articulate the theme line of my story clearly. I have just discovered it to be: people will like you when you listen with empathy.

[@asher99]

It took me about an hour, which may not be very long at all, *but*, along with your video on negative character arcs, this was the best method to create a character with a negative arc and a good misbelief... so to speak. Thanks for your insights, they really help flesh out a story and the characters in it! Cheers, Abbie!

[@ASMRAbigail]

Not me getting EMOTIONAL because you just helped me work through so much and get the 'aha moment' I needed. I had so much of my story but struggled with her 'way'. This just gave me the answers! GIRL. U DA BOMB!!!!

[@joshuasword]

As a huge fan of Lisa Cron's books, Story Genius and Wired for Story, I was so happy to find this video. It distills down everything into a few actionable steps. Thank you.

[@Blabbermouth-w5w]

WOW. You wonderful person, you pointed directly at my MC's misbelief that's been staring me in the face this entire past year. I was looking at a completely different one this whole time. TY!

[@dion789]

This has helped me a lot. I write fanfiction that takes place after the series is over, which means the character development is pretty much done. But this has helped me figure how to go from there.

[@artinthechurchmeraolive1098]

Only half way through this and I must say this is *`~EXCEPTIONAL~`*

[@ZZDoesStuffYT]

This video actually was really helpful,if you are struggling with internal conflict, then this is the video for you, I was confused and jumbled, but then I watched this video and now it is so much easier, I even have a few ideas for internal conflict in my next book! Thank you Abbie!!

[@eliseb20]

I've been reading writing advice like crazy since I began crafting my story a year ago; no one has made it as clear and understandable like Abbie; thank you, you've officially become my writing sensei 😊!!

[@sketch4363]

This video is great! After following along with it my protagonist is so much better. Her misbelief is that “No one will ever love me”

[@growithjoy]

How are you this amazing? Thanks, just wrote out my theme which I kinda knew but never vocalised, and now I have a theme, a misbelief and a backstory for it. Amazing.

[@ViceN53X]

I think of Prince Zuko throughout this video 🤔

[@akgwriting9481]

Aang is a good one too

[@arsharmoniaetchaos]

hi, firstly i am not a writer, not my main career or even main hobby... but i was always writing and always wanted to write a story ...for 20 years all i cared about was to come up with a story and to only care about the plot and characters have to come next and simply play the role like puppets and help the plot happens ..because that is the most important thing... the plot but finally i changed my mind and more than the plot i wanted to talk about a person ...i wanted to make the character and that was 90 per cent of all the story i want to say... the character... and right at this time i find your video and now i am even motivated more and can see things more clearly... just wanted to say... thank you and love you❤️

[@ricklime7403]

Wow Abbie, you’re incredible. I’m screwing together the motivation to write my first novel and your channel is a phenomenal resource. Your passion is infectious, your approach is straightforward and compelling, and your presentation holds my attention from beginning to end. Thank you ever so much!

[@gayag6096]

I'm so glad Abbie exists and is making these videos for us. I'm really mind blown by the simplicity yet how important it is. I also love how she makes these videos in such an organized and simple way. than you thank you thank you Abbie :)

[@paolaserrano2266]

Hi! Thank you for the printable :D I'm NaNo prepping for the July camp and this helped me a lot to clarify my MC responses and actions. He's an orphan in a fantasy world, and his misbelief is that he needs to find his birth family, despite having an adoptive and loving family.

[@RakdosSynyster]

This is so helpful, I can't wait to sit down with a pen and paper and do this for both of my MCs!

[@mikeporter2846]

I know this is an older video but all I have to say is WOW! I'm currently writing my second draft of my book and I know my main protagonist still needs a little something to help push his story arc and I think this video has helped me realize what it is! My second protagonist is solid, he has his lie, but this one character needed word. Now I think I can start to figure out what his character flaw is! the flaw or lie that my character is going to believe is basically that knowledge is better than strength. Scholarly pursuits are more important than physical strength or in the other case, Knowledge and understanding of the magic in my world will always trump raw strength. The truth this character will come to find out is that both must work together to truly become strong. Thank you so much for this video! I think I've solved a problem I've been trying to figure out for a few months just now!

[@WeAreTheTwintails]

Oh my gosh, this video is wonderful! Suddenly I understand my main character like I never have before! He had this misbelief this whole time, and I just never realized it. Now I can weave it in, and strengthen everything around him!

[@WeAreTheTwintails]

He makes so much more sense now. How did I not see this? Wow.

[@beinggodsman]

I've been watching the 3 act story series videos. This one I've watched twice so far. This video is the key that has unlocked a few doors for me. Call it my "AHA!!!!" moment. Thank you for sharing your passion with us and encouraging us to change the world with our story. You rock!!!!

[@wenwilloughby8197]

Holy moly, I tried this and suddenly I was able to see the reasons my story existed - the reasons I'd always known but not *known* I'd known until now. :O This is worth a Subscribe, bloody hell. Thank you! ♥

[@AucklandNZ1]

I'm well into my story but needed guidance with my character's misbelief. This video is amazing and i took many notes. Thank you so much Abbie

[@diasana9445]

That's exactly what I needed! You're so amazing, omg. You help me so much. Thank yooou!

[@JesseMurphyactor]

Great video - very concise, clear, and well communicated. Your passion for writing and helping others write the stories they want to tell is very apparent. Thank you

[@magicmoon65]

So, I've watched a couple of your vids so far, but every single one I find myself going "Yes. Yes. Yes!" to-- you seem to perfectly lay out everything I believe about character and story, something I try to articulate and am frustrated at how rare the understanding of character is in writers. You do such a good job laying it out and guiding it, too, that even though I think I follow most of it already, I want to go back when I start my second draft and really make sure I hit every point. However, the one thing that has popped up that I don't passionately agree with is the idea of starting with theme. I should probably watch your video on theme to see if you view it differently, but so often I was told that you had to start with a life lesson or moral. And that never worked for me, because for me, I need to attach to a character and situation and it's actually exploring their character arc that drives me. The idea of starting with something that is more universal and creating a character around it just feels wrong to me. However. Something you said actually does make me think a bit more. You mention starting with theme and then flipping it, but also that this is the discovery that the protag will make. By thinking about it like that, as not a universal theme but the discovery I want to push them to make, that is something I can solidly work with. What is their discovery. I'm not against theme in general, I'm just against starting with it because it always felt abstract and deteched. I believe that theme arises organically when a person tells a story and puts the work in, that what the character discovers speaks to a greater truth, and that authors should also see what themes have arisen to ensure it's what they want to tell. I just dont agree with starting there. However, starting with what the character would discover is a much better way for me to think about it.

[@sharonefee1426]

Sounds like a good advice. Though the pantster that I am, I get a feeling I will ruin everything. Though even thinking of my characters, I'm not sure they always have one. For two I can tell: 1) Putting people away will benefit you in the long run 2) The character shall be good forever. But my other main 2... I can't think of any. One has a technnical misbelief rather than internal one (believing a legendary place exists). I can't think of anything speical other than that... and the other one... I guess his misbelief is "everyone is against me", though unfortunately, because of his cristumstances, it's quite hard to change that... I guess? (Yeah, thinking out loud... but in writing...)

[@lulda7]

This seriously came to me just in time! Thank you so much :) I was so confused at first about what you mean by "misbelief" and why it is so important, but now it makes so much more sense.

[@ChristmasBlizzard]

Abbie, you just made my book much better! I have a plot-driven story I first wrote in 2005. The first book I ever wrote. Indeed, my inspiration for becoming a writer. It's a great plot, but that's all it is. I am sitting down to rewrite it now. Thanks to you, it's going to be a great story. The awesome plot twist will be tied to my MC flaws. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

[@L.DacreTynan]

Hi Abbie, I came back to this video, once the series ended just the other day - been keeping up and jotting notes and plotting and such, and I've come to this video as I really needed to sit down and get honest with my ideas. PROBLEM: My side characters have a better misbelief than my MC does. Well, perhaps I should say I have a clearer, more identifiable understanding of their misbeliefs, at this stage (which blew me away as I went through this process, because I expected my truth, to be more evident in the MC and therefore easier to find their 'lie", but now I feel more connected or at least understand the elements going into the side-characters. I think I'll get there, I have some idea's perculating as we speak (even just writing to you, is giving me something to work with... {coming back to the step 7: Ask yourself WHAT DOES MY CHARACTER THINK WILL MAKE THEM HAPPY...} ...as this video really propelled the bigger issue of theme to the surface, but I just wanted to let you know that if nothing else: Your videos raise issues and concerns I hadn't even understood. And of course, knowledge is power. So, thank you! Dacre ps. I look forward to thanking you in the acknowledgements section of my first published novel, one day.

[@soytuya2040]

This is GOLD. It kind of makes me happy because I've always kind of had a motive that drives the mc to a goal, but having a vague idea is nowhere near as motivating as a writer than discovering the depths of the character. Discovering these new characters is always one of my favorite parts of writing. I actually just started writing this character who is so quirky and unlike anyone I've imagined before and I'm just like... "I don't know her." But it's all good because she matures eventually haha It's just so much fun.

[@jessicajordan680]

It's great to see your face Abbie! Your videos always give me a boost of motivation to work on my sadly neglected novel. Misbelief: "I need Validation from others to redeem my flaws." Or something like that. (I read that and it sounds like a high school drama but the setting surrounding her is quite serious.) I hope you and yours are doing well Abbie. Thank you for continuing on with us and inspiring us to create even when the rest of the world is chaos.

[@jayclay1]

I really like your channel, probably the only one I've seen that feels like you put the writing first, instead of just trying to be a youtube personality. My theme is about finding salvation through choice. One character believed he was fighting for good, only to realize he wasnt. He believes he can't be forgiven for what he has done, and even though that may be true, he realizes that he can now do what he knows is right. The other character has believed a lie she was told from birth. When she finds out the truth, she decides she is more willing to do what she must because she has the choice and wants to. Thanks.

[@hahurrhowdy1843]

Abbie you’re a genius! how you explain things and how your brain works really helps me tame the wild mess in my head and I feel like I can finally be organized to put it out on paper

[@mgrey555]

Your intro is easily the greatest intro on KZbin. 👍 Also your advice is pure gold

[@wii-i9f]

Wow! This made my character so much more interesting, and it also made the general plot clearer. Thank you!