Writing Prompt: Your Very Flawed Character
1/4 April Course: Story Core — How to Creating Your Flawed Character
This week, we’re focusing on the first element: the character that wants something.
If you’re not following, check out our April mini-course introduction.
To start, define your character
Who are they? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Avoid cliches and use archetypes only as a starting point for your character’s development.
Next, identify their flaw
What’s preventing them from succeeding? Your character’s flaw defines their arc and is the core of their story.
The plot is just them bumbling until they realize they must overcome this to win in the end. If they don’t, they’ll truly fail, and the story is a tragedy.
They can fail to get what they want (their external goal); the girl or boy, the treasure, or even die in the end. But if they overcome their flaw — they win.
Now, what does your character want?
Be specific. Is it a physical object, an emotion, or an experience? And, why do they want it? What drives them to get it?
Lastly, some key things to remember
Show your character’s flaw through their actions and decisions. How they handle the plot. What they do when the poo hits the fan. How they manage.
And even if your character is flawed, readers should be able to connect with them on some level. Pet the dog. Help the grandma. Love reading.
Your character’s flaw should be in direct conflict with their goal, creating tension and driving the story forward. E.g. The Shy Girl who wants the Guy.
Raise the stakes to make the reader care about your character's quest to achieve their goal. No stakes, no investment. Something must be at risk. Generally, it should be death. Death of self, a loved one, a job, or an ideal.
Your character must appear human. They’ll make mistakes and face setbacks, but it’s how they respond to those challenges that’ll define them.
And here’s an extra tip
Don’t be afraid to let your character surprise you. Sometimes the best stories come from unexpected character choices.
Your character is the heart of your story, so develop them fully. Make them real and they’ll walk their own path, and all you have to do is jot it down.
Now, it’s time to get writing!
Story core prompt
A detective is assigned to solve a murder case that has gone cold for years. The victim’s family member wants justice, but the detective must overcome corruption and his own personal demons to bring the killer to justice.
Share your story at Microcosm
300 words MAX for the story bits
Tag your story as you like, e.g. Fiction or Flash Fiction
But don’t use Writing Prompts please.🙏 link back to the prompt so others can find it too.