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In general, a "good flaw" will matter, meaning it will impair the hero in their quest, and presents an obstacle for them to overcome. Not necessarily permanently, but for the purpose of this story ...
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#4: Attribution notice removed
by
System
·
2019-12-19T22:13:06Z (over 4 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/38691 License name: CC BY-SA 3.0 License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#3: Attribution notice added
by
System
·
2019-12-08T06:28:27Z (over 4 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/38691 License name: CC BY-SA 3.0 License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision
In general, a "good flaw" will **_matter_** , meaning it will impair the hero in their quest, and presents an obstacle for them to overcome. Not necessarily permanently, but for the purpose of this story at least. The flaw can be a disease or crippling, or it can be psychological: They hold a grudge, or they aren't very smart, or they are too impulsive, or they are too gullible or easily conned. Maybe they always look for the quick fix; maybe they are lazy. Maybe they don't pay attention to the feelings of others. For some fighting characters, they can be too prone to seeing violent solutions instead of other better solutions, like subterfuge. Maybe they joke too readily and offend people, or maybe they really don't have a sense of humor at all. The flaw can be they are a very poor liar, and people know when they are lying. The flaw can be they are too blunt with the truth, _and think they should be._ The flaw can be they are too judgmental of others, and this leaves them with very few friends. For many "nerd" stereotypes, their genius is balanced by a flaw of being terribly socially awkward and spurned. That could apply to a character that is NOT a nerd, too. If the "flaw" doesn't really matter, it doesn't influence the plot or character and doesn't have to be overcome, it is less of a flaw and more of a trait; and probably doesn't need to be described. The POINT of the flaw is two-fold; it humanizes the hero (they aren't perfect in everything), and it is used to cause many small conflicts that slow them down or denies them information or resources they need to complete their mission, or shuts down certain paths to that information. The socially awkward nerd isn't going to somehow seduce the hot secretary to get into her boss's office.
#1: Imported from external source
by
System
·
2018-09-04T20:20:44Z (over 5 years ago)
Original score: 3