Round Robin Blog Fest February 2022

 

This month's Round Robin Blog Fest Topic : Feb. 19 - Describe a flawed character you might use as a heroine or hero in a story. How did they become so flawed? How might their flaws affect the story and what will happen to them?

“It seems to me that most characters, in anything, are flawed in some way, just like most people. You look for the good in the flawed people and vice versa, and then try to make them appealing in some way. – Author: Aiden Gillen

Flawed characters are what make a story far more entertaining than perfect, well-rounded characters. Any book or movie would be dull without characters who have an issue they have to overcome. A lot of the time, it’s those flaws that help to drive the plot. Not only does the character have an objective to achieve, they must also battle their fears or hang-ups to get through to the end. Think Indiana Jones and his fear of snakes.

In general, there are three types Of Character Flaws:

1.     A minor character flaw is an imperfection which serves to make them memorable to the reader, but doesn’t affect the story.

2.     A major character flaw is more noticeable and restricts the individual, whether physically, mentally, or morally.

3.     A fatal flaw can cause a character to bring about their own downfall and possibly their death.

 

It’s true that you want your protagonists to be likeable but you also need a reason to cheer them on when they struggle. Giving them that flaw such as a fear of snakes when they’re a brave, tough guy (Indiana Jones) or a fear of not only leaving your house but of pretty much everything, yet they have to rescue a child (Nim’s Island) will give the reader that extra bit of relatability.           

Would you be engaged if the main character had everything they wanted and never had to struggle? What would be the point of reading their story?

But if that same main character suddenly lost everything, or discovered the luck they thought they had was a by-product of criminal activity on the part of their partner, that would turn their lives around and they wouldn’t see life as the same rose garden. In fact, they’d become the underdog in how they dealt with those new situations. Their perfect worlds would suddenly be flawed as would their attitudes toward the changes they’d need to make.

In my newest book, The Conned Lady, Katie Mullins' biggest flaw is that she trusted the wrong people and paid the price. Only the bad guys have infiltrated her closest friends who all have their flaws and secrets. I found this book interesting to work on because it wraps up the series and forces Katie and her boyfriend Danny to face their worst fears.

NEW RELEASE THIS MARCH!

THE CONNED LADY is the explosive conclusion of the Wild Blue Mystery series!

Let's find out how the rest of the Round Robin team feels about flawed characters!

Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2yB

Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

Round Robin Blog Fest November 2021 Flawed or Evil Characters

 

I'm back for yet another Round Robin Blog Fest!

October was a bit hectic since I was packing to move to a much nicer place than the one I'd been living in for the past 5 years. This one is above ground, has lots of windows, and my cats and I LOVE IT!! My office new office actually has heat! 

So, all pleasantries aside, what are we discussing this month? Describe a flawed or evil character you have or might use in a story. How did they become so flawed? What part will they play in the story and what will happen to them? 

In general, a good character should be flawed. It’s hard for a reader to root for a “perfect” character than one who has taken their share of hard knocks. When it comes to evil characters, the opposite is true. They can’t be all bad or they become stereotypes and unbelievable.

https://books2read.com/All-That-Shines

In mystery novels, a good “bad” character needs to have redeeming qualities to throw off the reader and created a series of red herrings. As readers get to know the suspects and weigh the good and bad of each, they see motives and opportunities appear.

One of my favorite flawed characters is the victim in “All That Shines”, book two of my Glitter Bay Mystery series. Sebastian Hayward the Third ends up dead in the middle of Vintage Sage, a vintage boutique owned by Sage Miller. Here is how the reader is introduced to Sebastian and his protégé, Hamlet.

The front door opened behind us. Before we even had time to turn around, a man groaned. “That is the most hideous shade of yellow I have ever seen.”

I bit my lip. Hard.

The man in the doorway was slim, but of average height with a short, black Liza Minelli wig and pasty skin that, judging from his sharp incisors, probably hadn’t seen sun since the early 1500s. His pointy face reminded me of a hairless gerbil. He wore a loose white shirt, a pair of tailored, knee-length pants, and yellow, three-inch heels covered with sequins. I raised my eyebrows. His lips were pinker than my sister’s cheeks. At least his handbag matched his shoes.

“Oh, dear.” The larger figure who strolled in behind him was taller and wore hot pink, tailored pants. His broad shoulders and hint of a belly stretched his yellow dress shirt to its limits. His fingernails resembled short daggers painted the same hot pink as his pants. He wore a platinum bobbed wig and bore the hint of a five-o’clock shadow.

I tossed Laken a worried glance.

She cleared her throat. “Sebastian. You’re early.”

“No way.” I gasped. “Seriously?”

It was a good thing the furniture was already in place. From the waif-like look of Sebastian, we would have had to move everything on our own if we’d waited for his help. While his sidekick might have been more helpful, he probably would have worried about breaking one of his nails.

Sebastian shot her a dramatic look. “What are you talking about, darling? We said noon. I’m here at noon. Good thing, too. This place is a complete disaster.”

“What disaster, it’s your furniture?” I snorted.

“It’s already noon?” Laken scowled. “No wonder I’m hungry.”

“Hungry?” Sebastian handed his handbag to the man with the pink nails to hold before he strutted closer to give my sister air kisses. “Darling, you’re a model. Hunger is a perpetual state of being.” 

While the reader sees a flawed, self-important, pompous figure, we are reminded of his goodness later on. He helped Sage’s sister Laken get into the modeling industry then later to get out of a bad marriage to a B-list actor. He remained her friend long after others in Hollywood shunned her. 

To Sage, he's someone who can't be trusted.

To Laken, he's one of the nicest people she knows.

So where does the truth lie? In that fuzzy gray line down the middle. Right where it should.

In the end, it's Sebastian's own actions that lead to his demise and not even his friends can save him. But they can help solve the mystery of his death.

Let's do some blog hopping and see what the rest of the gang thinks!!

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

    Dr. Bob Rich  https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2ue

    Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

    Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

    Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/

    Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com

    Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

 My last word today comes from Sebastian's protege who is in mourning: