From: ikonoqlast@gmail.com

On Monday, July 28, 2014 10:24:22 AM UTC-7, Jacey Bedford wrote:


Re character 'flaws'...


> I don't think we're talking about the same thing when we talk about
>
> character flaws. Having a flaw doesn't automatically make your character
>
> an asshole, it gives him/her something to overcome. Sometimes a flaw can
>
> be being too trusting or not wanting to leave anyone behind, so he
>
> sacrifices the many for the few or... you get it... and at the end his
>
> greatest trial will challenge his flaw and make him face up to it. If
>
> he's scared of snakes, he'll have to wade through snakes up to his
>
> armpits to achieve his objective. If he's scared of fire then fire is
>
> what will forge his resolve.


Ah, that isn't flaw/defect, that's personality/character.  They HAVE that.  At
least in my head.




> OK, it might not be something asd obvious as this, but you get what I
>
> mean. Don't make your characters too heroic or it will look as though
>
> you got them off the peg from Central Casting, make them human with
>
> human obstacles to overcome.


Rest assured, they are people.  They are good and competent people, but they
are people.




> Luke Skywalker had to overcome his fear of trusting the Force in order
>
> to be able to whomp the Death Star. Han Solo had to discover that there
>
> was more to care about in life than making a fast buck before he could
>
> save Luke's ass and win the princess. They both had flaws to overcome.


That kind of flaw is boring and trite.  The heroes are good at what they do
and know what they are good at (or not).  So are the villains.

In re the hero it will be some what problematic that a key antagonist is
better at his strength than he is...




> I suggest reading Donald Maass 'Writing the Breakout Novel'. Writing the
>
> Breakout Novel Workbook' and 'The Fire in Fiction.'


Thing is, Stephen King 'On Writing', sure.  Take it as gospel.  Guy I never
heard of?  What does HE know about writing?

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