How to Write a Character Flaw

[@marktwain368]

You teach us with simple, no-nonsense advice, full of insights that new writers wouldn't possess. Really valuable stuff! Thanks, Ellen.

[@torinoCo.]

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[@AmericanActionReport]

I just discovered your channel a day or so ago. Your advice is so compelling that I usually forget to press the "like" button. Great work.

[@ladymaiden2308]

Dude I totally know what you mean. I have adopted a habit of hitting the like button immediately if I already know that I'm a huge fan of the person just so I can help the channel up, knowing full well I was going to hit that like button anyways. And it serves another purpose. I watch a lot of things on KZbin, so it's very helpful to me if I revisit something, unsure of whether or not I've watched that one already, if that like button's already blue when I get there, I know that it's that one I've already seen. That especially helps when I'm looking for one in particular that I haven't seen, this way I can narrow it down LOL. Cheers!

[@kit888]

00:01 Intro 00:20 Fear of giving a flaw to a character Don't worry, flaws are endearing 01:25 Flaw versus quirk or trait Flaw causes trouble in character's life, connected to backstory and misbelief 04:20 Making readers care despite flaw Link flaw to backstory and misbelief 06:00 Characters without flaws Character arc feels forced 08:10 Finding flaws Think about story's theme Dig into goal, motivation, backstory

[@grzegorzbozyk2023]

I think I did quite well with flaws of my MC. He's lazy, passive and lacks leadership skills. He's also not very charismatic. He tends to do nothing unless his morals oblige him to get on top of the situation (and even then he can be unwilling to do so). His dark side is different: charismatic, powerful and a natural leader - but at the same time he's violent, his morals are very vague and he has tendency to think that the end justifies the means.

[@calin6327]

Lazy and passive arent good for MC. Others are fine, he can be a dick

[@legome7450]

@@calin6327 The Hobbit is the number 3 bestselling book ever and you can easily say that Bilbo is lazy (at least in the start)

[@strawberry4829]

This advice was great, I was having trouble with the flaw of my characters.

[@alyssakennedy9466]

You mentioned in an earlier video you wanted to know if you were helping us out so I thought I'd comment: Starting the outline of my sci-fi novel I had a clear idea of what flaw (remorselessness) I wanted the character to have. When I changed the main protagonist's gender I backtracked on the flaw because I feared the flaw was "too masculine" - which I assure you my inner feminist struggled with. Your video has emboldened me to allow the flaw with hopes the readers can relate to it. I also hope the audience struggles internally with justifying her ambiguous cruelty because she personally avoids feelings - a secondary flaw which has its own recourse. More importantly, remorselessness does an excellent job of carrying home my over-all philosophy as well as my reason for writing the novel. Awesome videos! I hope you continue to put them out.

[@luciuscabralzenardo2897]

Hello. I'm interested (yeah for a comment) I had a feeling your work may like me. Can I find something you wrote somewhere?

[@FaniKaramanou]

I'm catching up with this series and I have to say this was the most helpful advice I've found on character flaws. :-)

[@markmeyer7456]

This lesson is on target for me. I’m writing my first book. Now I understand the story will improve by including the protagonist’s primary flaw much earlier than I have. Thanks for your many great videos!

[@vanyadolly]

This was amazingly helpful, thank you. It helped me to define my protagonist's flaws in a way that's more meaningful to the plot.

[@willc3900]

You’ve been grinding awhile! Thank you! Just discovered your channel an odd month or so ago and very grateful for you

[@SOLDIER1st_Class]

Thank you very much I really appreciate you. I was struggling to figure out what my story was missing and I realized my character doesn't have a flaw not only that it's been really hard to figure one out but what you said at the end and thinking about why I wrote the story and the overall theme will definitely help thank you Ellen

[@sophiagreen2580]

Omg I was just thinking about this and here it is a video. Thanks Ellen!

[@RobizGaming2024]

I love how you explain things. I am currently starting on my first novel, and this has helped me tremendously. Most definitely subbing for future content from you. Thank you.

[@muslete]

This is great. I was longing for this,.My protagonist sounded so perfect, couldn´t be. Thank you !

[@Garrison_the_Barbarian]

About a year ago, I wrote a first draft novella called Demon Axe and the main character was a heavy metal musician named Daniel Mercer. His main flaw was that he was easily susceptible to bouts of PTSD, which was first triggered by watching his band mates die at the hands of a machete-wielding murderer. Judging from what I’ve heard you say in this video, Daniel probably could have benefited from having a back story to explain his mental states. I most likely just figured that heavy metal music is painful in nature and that the puzzle pieces would click into place in no time at all. I’ll definitely think about everything you’ve said when I eventually go back and edit the hell out of Demon Axe. Thank you so much for making these videos, Ellen. You’re awesome!

[@dash2869]

It's strange to me that people struggle with this because giving my characters flaws is, for me, the most fun part of character development. I just found this channel - great videos, and I'm considering using your editing services sometime in the near future. Thanks for the great content!

[@juonithzramos1089]

Listening to you explain character flaw so efficiently made me think of my own. I literally pinpointed it while watching this video. Now I'm sitting here thinking how my character arc is evolving (if it even is)

[@ImaginArt24]

Can you describe the four different types of characters: Static, Flat, Round, and Dynamic charaters and how to write them?

[@DaDunge]

0:53 You can do that but then you can't have them as PoV character but you can have a flawed PoV character who's the guy next to the guy. Also you may well want to take the paragon of virtue down of his high horses later. I'm sorry but it's so fun to do. I love face-heel turning characters who were to perfect.

[@velocitor3792]

This was a very thoughtful and helpful video. Thanks!

[@shanikapowell6672]

This was so helpful. I didn't know the different between a flaw and a personality quirk. Your explanation was eye-opening. This course is such a resource!

[@oldguyinstanton]

Thank you for this video. Great information.

[@lucbranchaud1322]

A challenge to write a manuscript. Fantastic advice! Thanks Ellen

[@tartanwarriors5882]

I just found your channel, I find you to be very structured and everything you said made sense to me. I never really thought about flaws in this way. I am definitly subscribing:)

[@EllenBrock]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@kenzikapture3729]

Ellen Brock I appreciate the video, My own character flaw is that he is suffer by doing things what he can't do which means that what he's doing his job is a waste that he either lacks conviction or gives up.

[@amalieklitgard2149]

Thank you for the great tips, Ellen! I really learned something and became inspired.

[@charlottemcmullen4414]

I LOVE your videos. Thank you!

[@DomesticatedGoth]

What about negative character traits that impact the character's ability to make good decisions, but don't really come from a traumatic or negative life experience? My MC is impulsive; she doesn't always think before she acts, and she's a bit hot-headed and has a tendency to react to things based on emotions rather than reason; she gets caught up in the heat of the moment and it gets in the way of her achieving her goals, and gets her into trouble she could have avoided entirely if she didn't speak first, think (or regret) later. She's not like this because of any specific event, it's just her personality, however being impulsive and reactive aren't good traits to have. She does also have a 'negative schema' flaw, something rooted in a false belief (she's overly protective of her little brother because their mother was neglectful, and basically she had to raise her little brother) but that is only important to the parts of the plot where her brother is a key player, whereas her being impulsive and reactionary are important throughout the plot. She does learn to reign herself in a bit, but it's not something she can fully overcome, as it's somewhat her nature. She does learn to find ways to give herself thinking space, to try and walk away from confrontations, etc. so it is something she has room to grow on, but it's not a false belief she can identify and change, and more part of who she is that she learns to manage better. Is that still a good flaw for a character to have? I think it's a character trait that's common enough for people to empathise with, but it doesn't have any specific narrative origin that can create a firm emotional hook to for people to relate to, however.

[@mementomori-q9v]

I think that's a good flaw to have for a character, I've seen it a lot in different characters, but there's still room for it be varied. I have a few characters that are kind of like that too, and maybe her flaw doesn't have to come from one specific event, but maybe it developed from a string of events that gradually changed her personality. Or perhaps there's another character that influenced her in some way, like a role model, a family member, a friend etc.

[@ulrikschackmeyer848]

Well, lets imagine for a moment that she grew up with out learning the advantages of moderate discipline. She had to develop an overly discipline way in order to protect her brothers. But perhaps she feels that 'this is not her self' so she reacts overly spontaneous to balance the percieved burden of discipline. She might have insights (Dreams, good friends, fortune teller, shrink?) that makes her realise her own inbalance? That she needs to work more on 'the middleground of her personality' rather than protecting her brothers too much and her self too little. As a psychologish I would say that me and my colleages often imagine or discuss that something like this might i fact have happened in the past of those we, week to assist but do not yet understand. So this might actually be a perfectly 'natural' explanation for your MC's foibles. Just saying. Let me know if it makes sense for you.

[@mosespray4510]

Wow! Great video on a difficult subject. Thank you!

[@Balmarog]

[@naggynerd]

This was incredibly helpful, and exactly what I needed to improve my protagonist. Thank you very much!

[@ayeletdrago]

I learn so much from your videos! This is so helpful, thank you so much!

[@princepatrick4697]

I love your advice I need your help in editing a science fiction novel I had just written.

[@werelemur1138]

Thanks for laying this out so clearly!

[@lisadowney6777]

Thank you, Ellen! That was very helpful!

[@maralucecatherine1372]

this is so helpful! thank you.

[@protorhinocerator142]

Off-topic here. I really like that candle jar on the mantle. Where do you even get such a thing?

[@amandatavares4741]

Ellen, I love you!

[@emoemmo3211]

You talk a lot about connecting the flaw to a certain event in the backstory of the character. What if you connect the flaw to the wrong event, so it doesn't fit? Is there a way to distinguish how to write the character's backstory so that whatever flaw They have is relatable? Thanks for this video by the way! It's helped a lot by itself!

[@foberdud7576]

Well done on the video. Subscribed 👍

[@joepalkovic]

I'm writing a character who is kind of cynical and judgmental because of his past wounds from a close sibling. But my beta readers are telling me they don't like him because of his tendency to go off on angry rants. Are there certain flaws that readers can't get past? Or do I just need to do a better job balancing the good with the bad? Thanks for your great vids!

[@DomesticatedGoth]

Maybe it's not the flaw itself, but how it is expressed? Like, if the character has a tendency to go off on angry rants, then maybe it's best to tell rather than show in that specific context; if perhaps having the introspection explicitly stated, or giving what the character rants about given as dialogue, find a way to tell us this is happening without being given his exact thoughts or words on the matter, or just have the most important snippets of them.

[@kyanshi]

I have a similar problem in that my characters can come off as a bit preachy. what I do is I step back, look at the situation they are in, and plan out what I want them to say. here's my trick: 1) keep in mind the other characters. are they going to just sit there and listen to their sermon or are they going to interrupt and give their two cents? think of how their speech would be received if they were real and talking to a real person. 2)Personality. Look at your characters personality, is this something they would say or is it what _you_ would say? I've noticed people make their characters say what they want to say in a given situation. remember how your character is. is what you've written really what they would say? 3) Breakdown your rant. pick and choose what is most relevant for your situation and get rid of petty details that don't really matter. Is it really that important to the conversation? is your character petty enough to say this or that? do they want to hurt someone, or are they just angry and need to vent? 4) my most important tip: is what you've written something that would come up in a normal conversation you would have with another person? If the answer is no, then you have too much. I have a character that I write out what I _want_ him to say, and review it with him in mind. His history, his temperament, his opinions, everything that makes him him. when I read over the dialog, I realize that it's idealistically what _I_ would say, not him. so I simplify and alter my words until it's him speaking and not me. God this turned out longer than I intended

[@Ayaforshort]

If your character doesn't like people, why would people like your character? Anytime a main character is mean to people around him (and it isn't comedic) you start walking a fine line. I think readers like to see either a grittiness to the story or situation, think House. Or they want to see some instances of softening and evidence of compassion. Think about it. House is an A-hole. But he is also a disabled life saving surgeon with an addiction who has seen some stuff in his life. *Who spends all of his time SAVING PEOPLE'S LIVES* If Harry Potter was an A-hole. Even though it would be justified because of his upbringing. His story wouldn't be fun because we follow him. *on a fantastic journey of magical discovery where he is the special chosen one and everyone knows his name* people would have hated him if he was cynical and judgemental. So basically the flaw needs to fit the characters backstory and also the characters voice. Their _personality_ is the *LENS* (filter) in which the reader is *VIEWING* the story. It all needs to be cohesive.

[@meganeby4406]

Great video!

[@edbarna8355]

Love you boot camp!

[@patbrumph6769]

Great video, thanks.

[@Shatterverse]

Good video but you focused exclusively on false beliefs as creating flaws, but there are other possible factors. One is a character's nature; for example is if the character has a chronic illness - sickly (Rastlin, Dragonlance), mental illness (The Joker), cursed or monstrous (Dracula), whatever - they have a flaw that can become a major burden to themselves or others. Another is a character's personality, specifically a character who is a-typical for the society or environment they are in, but not in the society or environment they are from; this could be anything from a feral human (such as Tarzan) to an alien (ALF), supernatural creature (fey creature), foreigner (tipping, paying, hospitality, and gifting are very different in some countries, for example), or even your own 'kind' raised elsewhere (Stranger in a Strange Land).

[@EllenBrock]

This video is focused on protagonists that have positive character arcs which are the types of characters that have flaws. The positive character arc is present in the vast majority of fiction. The examples you gave are either not protagonists or are characters who don't have positive character arcs. Many of the examples you give could be used as character traits but there would most likely still be a character flaw built on a false belief of some kind if a positive character arc is present. It's not really possible to have a character overcome a flaw (the positive character arc) if it isn't based in a belief. I think most of what you're referring to are stories with a flat arc (the world tries to change the character, but the character doesn't change). I hope this clarifies! Thanks for watching!

[@epochabove8453]

Could a protagonist have a negative character arc, and in turn become the antagonist?

[@Kksaeyi247]

I agree with the idea that a character flaw should be tied to the struggle in their character arc or the plot of the story. I'd try to tie a flaw within a negative personality trait they have to give them depth and expand on what is given like in your example. The negative personality trait of stingy-ness steaming from their backstory creates the flaw or false belief which they must over come. I tend to build characters up from the current personality I have in mind and think of what could potentially lead to those trait (adding and subtracting the traits or aspect as I brainstorm). I however would disagree that making a likeable character, their unlikeable flaw should be explained by their past. This could easily be used to superficial justify a characters actions rather than explore the character themselves. Having the drunk driver express serious remorse, struggle with the consequences of his action would be more interesting to me that learning why they were drinking that night. I believe Midnight Mass had a character exactly like this and I was endeared to him before learning about his backstory or having his actions explained in a later scene (one that broke my emersion and made roll my eyes while the emotions were running high). In "The Legend of Jeff" by JCS Criminal Psychology, they posit that giving a character a glimmer of humanity (saying thank you, call the doggo a good boy, etc.) can be enough to endear someone to a character. As everyone and their mum will tell you, a first impressions matter. If they show compassion to their inner circle first, then act heartless to other around them leave a writer a lot of room to work with in the story without having to justify through backstory. How the character arc goes is what could later colour them as a likeable protagonist or a disheartening antagonist. It's the fact that there is a possibility for a character to change and grow into someone the reader can root for. Much like how some young girls are fond over the idea of the hot ass-hat changing into the hot decent-human-being.

[@mearetsuni5925]

Not a writer but this is very interesting, I don't understand what you mean by connecting a flaw to a false belief, though.

[@TammyGibaud]

Thanks Ellen. So, just from today's lesson, I have realized that my mc Troy is the one who instigates the horse heist, and that he doesn't agree or relate to Pallaton the warrior mentor, because having been raised without a dad, he resents all father figures. Gotta go, digging in deep today.

[@1911odisea]

I logically don't the circumstances or how old your mcTroy is, but boys without father figures are usually desperate for it, not hateful.

[@DomesticatedGoth]

Perhaps he doesn't like that he yearns for a father figure, thinking he should be self-sufficient, so resents them when they come along, because he sees himself making that connection, and doesn't want to lose his independent streak? Perhaps the father left in a way creating abandonment issues, and so now he's worried if he gets attached to a father-figure, that they'll lose them too ? Perhaps he was raised by a female-centric society of Amazons? I think it needs explaining, but I don't think it's unrealistic, I think it just needs the reasons put there.

[@Thecatspajames]

Would my character being antisocial be a flaw or should I add the trait of being uncaring to fit it right?

[@austinfunk2607]

Ellen Brock, do you read the comments? I feel like you're quite smart and have a good visual imagination. I see your eyes shift from imagining words to imagining images, and they shift between the two quite gracefully. You speak of quirks, and you certainly have the fair share of your own. Perhaps you've absorbed all the characters you've read, or at least the ones you've found intriguing. I find you intriguing. I can't say for certain, but... well... I suppose I can. Certainly your character will effect mine and manifest within the story I write. So, thank you! Ellen Brock

[@slateyslate9640]

Austin Funk you're writing a character based on her?

[@austinfunk2607]

Slatey Slate Sure, why not? I'm sure she'll effect every character I ever write.

[@austinfunk2607]

I'm curious, why did you ask?

[@slateyslate9640]

Austin Funk well you wrote in your comment about her quirks and how she was interesting. I was just wondering if you meant you were going to make a character inspired by her, since this is a video on character flaws. So I asked out of curiosity.

[@austinfunk2607]

Slatey Slate Uhm... I wouldn't put it that way. I don't see her quirks as flaw so much as endearing.

[@longjourneyfilm1995]

Great! In film terms: What's the wound? What's the weakness? How does it effect the character?

[@KutWrite]

Oh, good tips. I would never have thought of the list, yet that makes revisions an orderly process... prioritized, even. I think the technique will work well with my software: yWriter5.

[@kayleec9349]

Thanks! I found out I've been doing the trait/flaw mix up in my current story. Got to go fix that...

[@carlottathefriendlyperson7710]

I have a problem with my characters; there are two people that live logether, travel together, share the same problems (pursuit), have the same objectives (becoming dancers) and are currently investigating the same thing (a strange, non-trading town). They do defer in personality somewhat, and I believe it it somewhat clear, but neither of the characters have any goals that are different from one another. All chapter in wich these to characters have an appearence in, is usually written in both points of views. Is that a bad thing?

[@shia_games]

Really usefull 😍😳😳😘🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗 thank you ....

[@peppinhof5248]

My character flaw is that he thinks he have never done something important in his life (normal a monotone backstory) and for this reason he thinks he is passive in his life and he couldn't do nothing important to change the world in his life. What do you think? Can this work?

[@jhljhl6964]

Nature vs nurture?

[@pollywanda]

Love this channel---it is always a great help with my writing.

[@carlosforma5978]

My character's story is actually driven by the flaw(a sort of obsession with what he believes to be all he has left after a tragedy), stunting his emotional development, and the weakening of the flaw is what makes him falter on hos objective. Is that wrongly structured for a novel? The obsession is the only way I can think of motivating him to try to achieve his objective, aside from being a supernatural "chosen one", and the gradual recovery from that exact flaw changes the perception of the goal(making the goal harder but avoiding guilt). Basically, I can't really have the flaw of the character work against his objectives, so I'm afraid it's unusable from the start...

[@memma1101]

I think that’s a very good flaw idea. Maybe because he’s the supernatural chosen one, he rejects it because he wants to either protect or not spend time away from his obsession. The thing that could hinder his objective is the fact that he is reluctant to do anything because he is so devoted to his obsession. He needs to learn to take action and fulfill his goal, and that his deep obsession is hindering him. Hope this helped, sorry I’m so late, and hope it made sense!!! If I got things wrong just ignore me

[@Grifiki]

Writing a Novel is about growth within the Writer! IF you don't like yourself, I suggest you write that in, and learn from it!

[@memma1101]

Hey, Ellen, or whoever happens to stumble on this comment, is a major hoarding problem a flaw, and how would you form that into a character arc? Thanks :3

[@carlmanvers5009]

I am giving my lead character a couple of my own personal flaws. They *do* say 'write what you know"... :/

[@thereccher8746]

Flaws don't make a character likable, they make them empathetic. There's a difference. These flaws have to be something the audience sees in themselves to create the empathetic link. It has to be realistic.

[@mennaayman9689]

can a character have more than one flaw affecting the plot?

[@Grifiki]

"Judgement Day. Down on Luck. Knees. etc. Thrown into the Pit."

[@cweeeds]

amazing thanks!

[@RauhanAalto1]

In short, it is all about how the responsibility is borne by the character for his flaw.

[@christheother9088]

One of the many reasons the "Force Awakens" Star Wars movie failed for me was that the character Rey had no flaws.

[@ioche_au]

www.pajiba.com/star_wars/no-rey-from-the-force-awakens-is-not-a-mary-sue.php

[@Ayatron34]

Jeez, what movie were you watching? She got captured by kylo ren because she ran away from destiny. that's called a character flaw.

[@Ayatron34]

***** What, you've never felt like ducking responsibility? You can't relate to unwillingness to change?And fear of change?

[@Ayatron34]

***** No, I don't. If you think flaws must be even with abilities, then you are lost.

[@Ayatron34]

***** First you say the character had no flaws. Now you've backtracked from that and said the flaws are there but too uneven. When the only characters who require balance are RPG characters. You call rey "good looking" when she wears no make up and is in fact fairlly average. I mean what, you expect her to be ugly? Luke Skywalker was able to fly an x wing on his first time, and do the impossible in destroying the first death star. Anakin destroyed the Trade Federatiion control ship, build c3po, pilot and repair a podrace and so on Luke's only flaw was that he was a little whiny. Rey also had limits on her lightsaber duelling struggling against a twice wounded Kylo Ren. It's not about being a fan, it's about being objective, and telling you why an extremely well received lead character in the 3rd highest grossing movie OF ALL TIME, was in fact a good character. You're entitled to your OPINION, however you also need to recognise the objective success of the character of Rey.

[@littleshadowone]

with the over spending thing, it can cause a character to spiral into debit, being a character flaw.

[@myendeokatch9043]

I think it’s important to hear what she says, but to take it all very lightly as there should be no format for any kind of art. Every ‘rule’ they tell you about in writing has been broken artfully on countless occasions I promise you.

[@jordanjenkins1671]

WOW! Sagely advice! Thank you!!!

[@gt8736]

I have the problem of making my characters so flawed I fear people hate them😂 but then I actually want people to?

[@phatzCy02]

Can trust issue can be a flaw?

[@HasekuraIsuna]

Yes, if it impedes the characters progress towards their goal!

[@elliecooper8752]

How do you write a book with lots of characters

[@willemmmmm]

I know this is super late, but I have the same issue with lots of characters. In my first draft they all kinda seemed the same and not like real people, so I just spent weeks planning every character so they were like a real person. Then just subtly add moments and clues about your character that will make them seem more real and compelling. The characters should drive the plot, not the other way around

[@zoeyoung2763]

Hey what's your blog name?

[@jayharrison6971]

Think your helping me get my mojo back

[@carlajenkins1990]

Scarlett O'Hara. She thought she was the center of the damn universe. "That she was the cutest little trick in the county and all men were just dying of love for her." She had to lose everyone before she knew she loved Rhett. That is quite a character flaw. Take that master class from Margaret Mitchell.

[@Gaia_Gaistar]

Love me some flawed characters. Although I may be guilty of giving them too many flaws. I love fuckup underdogs.

[@wesleypatterson3286]

the best example of a likeable flawed character in my opinion is the main villain of an Ebook called "Dont Be a Hero." in a flashback, he details how during his collage years he fell in love with and started dating a woman with no powers. One day he convinced her to go with him to an anti-Vietnam war demonstration. While there one of the kids with powers attacked a police officer, and all hell broke loose. In the commotion, his girlfriend is mistaken for a person with powers and is shot dead. This event shaped him into thinking that people with powers were inherently better, and he decided that people with powers should rule the world, and normal people should essentially be second-class citizens.

[@PaleHorseShabuShabu]

The villain spent years making collages?

[@memma1101]

Seems to me that kind of situation would arouse the opposite false belief. That everyone with powers is bad, because his girlfriend was shot under the impression she had powers. It was because of people with powers she died, right? Correct me if I’m wrong, I’ve never read the book

[@Grifiki]

Did he or didn't he cheat! Is he not as perfect has he believes he is

[@spookyrosev6467]

Unfortunately it does not help that people that think any character flaws make a character unlikable and accidentally imply that a character has to be morally perfect to be a good character. I would say this is Mary Sue logic, except paradoxically these are the same type of people that think any type of talent even if portrayed as moderate or realistic is Sue-ish

[@pRahvi0]

So, the characters need flaws that matter (= affect the plot) and have a reason to exist. This is a very useful piece of advice, thank you. I was having serious trouble when I realized that my villains are better characters than some many my heroes, just because the villains - obviously - had flaws (that matter).

[@ClarkyClark]

Great video! I'm catching up on your backlog and I'm loving it! Quick question; would a deep delusion, or insanity in form of paranoia, count as a flaw? I'm worried my character doesn't have a flaw, but merely an unfortunate aspect of his psyche.

[@ClarkyClark]

Winter Krane thanks for your reply! I took some time and really considered what you said and ended toning down the idea of insanity and made it more of a deeply held false belief, almost to the intensity of a religious zeal. This helps move the plot, keeps him as active character and not merely a victim of his mental state. I really appreciate your thoughts, thank you.

[@mattosso7676]

Hey Ellen! I really enjoy your videos. What your thoughts are on character flaws in the crime fiction/detective fiction genre? (i.e. Sam Spade, Philip Marlowe, Mike Hammer, Harry Bosch in books and Walter Neff (Double Indemnity), Jake Gittes (Chinatown), Detective Somerset (Se7en), Bud White and Ed Exley (LA Confidential), etc in film. Typically, it seems that the protagonists in that genre don't really change for the better and that the outcome of the story only serves to reinforce their cynical life view and belief system that they had from the beginning of the story. What do you think? Does the author need to approach that genre differently in regards to character flaws and character growth??

[@ethanmazarire361]

My character has Dyslexia, but I'm not sure how to work that with my story

[@PaleHorseShabuShabu]

Star writing at the end and work your way to the beginning.

[@zahrahanifa5041]

Ethan Mazarire mine as well! He always have bad score at school because he has a big problem with reading. But he's really good at math.

[@jayharrison6971]

PTS IS one of my characters issues screams set them off which in a supernatural fighting story is I reckon a pretty relevant flaw

[@jayharrison6971]

I say PTS cause not diagnosed and stuff

[@alexbkoppelman641]

This is great! Do you have any recommendations of books or movies to watch that demonstrate a good character flaw?

[@DaDunge]

Got to love some character flaws, these are what makes the characters interesting.

[@therealr0bert]

Open to all opinions. How might I make selfishness endearing? I'm writing in the first person point of view, the MC doesn't see himself as selfish. Am I at high risk of his flaw not being portrayed well enough? Should I have another character spell it out?

[@MrHoeBow]

enginesnblades Constantine. Vertigo comics character who cares about his self (and close family). I haven't read any of his books so this is based on popular opinion.

[@therealr0bert]

INSERT USERNAME Oh good idea. I've never read the original stuff, I'll have to check it out. Thanks.

[@MrHoeBow]

enginesnblades Alan Moore, known for V for vendetta, Watchmen, and various other great works, wrote a Constantine comic.

[@Heraclanthes]

My characters are so flawed even I'm starting to pity them

[@plantedhealth7198]

Dexter

[@nanchoparty]

Ellen's eyes are blue as fuuuuuuuuuuuck, dude. I mean that platonically, of course. They're just so blue.

[@adriang6259]

Interesting.... Thanks.

[@mayuarijo]

💚

[@Mary-eo7ir]

Is wanting to prove herself too much, to the point where she ends up hurting herself by putting herself in dangerous situations too cliche? I feel like a lot of characters have a saviour complex

[@Mary-eo7ir]

Ya know?

[@music4thedeaf]

“Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery - celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from - it’s where you take them to."- Jim Jarmusch

[@khatack]

If it feels too cliche, then it probably is. Try giving her multiple flaws instead and see where they take you, which ones create the most interesting situations and problems for her in your narrative? Let her flaws guide you and eventually you'll learn the more interesting ones that you really want to explore further in your story. Remember that the flaw is first and foremost a tool to help you tell a compelling story.

[@defminerva13]

Wow awesome quote

[@minty916t4]

Abiasaf López You made me very happy. Thanks❤

[@Grifiki]

"Callouses so insists in wearing loungers with his Dinner Suit?"

[@slvrrgld9]

I don't even know what flaws is

[@lilypond5158]

My character's false belief is that everyone chooses themselves over others. This is all because she was abandoned as a child. This prevents her from truely trusting anyone in her life.

[@lilypond5158]

The thing is people around her constantly prove her right

[@mrpinkfreak4168]

me who gave my character 100 flaws and dont know how to add good strengths:

[@NoName-ym5zj]

Is being naive a character flaw?

[@wormbag80]

Yes

[@HasekuraIsuna]

If that impedes his or her progress towards their goal, yes.

[@daniellehall1857]

I have three characters who have the same flaw- they were all sheltered and rich and have to live away from that comfort- and instead of bringing them together its the thing they hate most about each other essentially. I didn't even realise at first that that is what they were all angry about but I like it and I'm keeping it.