Post History
Question: What is the difference between an up-front character and an jerk? Answer: For any individual regardless of gender, the difference is between acting in a way that is true to core value...
Answer
#3: Attribution notice added
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/45527 License name: CC BY-SA 3.0 License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision
**Question** : What is the difference between an up-front character and an jerk? **Answer:** For any individual regardless of gender, the difference is between acting in a way that is true to core values, along the lines of showing integrity (and this might manifest as forthright, outspoken words and deeds--or it might not) and acting in a way that is inconsiderate of others. "Jerks" don't consider their actions, or the effects of their actions on others. Within your narrative, or your character's thought, make it clear that she is weighing her options and choosing based on ethics, values, or something similar. Shade her dialog, shade her actions. It's the difference between a character who does something because they have an axe to grind (jerk), and a character who does something because it rights a wrong or is otherwise consistent with core values. Your character does not need to hide their core values. Same argument in the case of a character withholding an action.