Nov 20, 2021 -- 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?
Thank you, Rhobin, for this month's topic.
I find that to utilize the true impact of a flawed or evil character on a storyline, an author must have plotted either a series or a novel comprised of 80,000 words or more.
I would be inclined to choose a series if I was writing a contemporary or YA historical novel. I'm undecided on attempting a historical fiction comprised of 80,000 words plus.
Of course, I'd need to ensemble a multidimensional cast in my fictional drama series. Starring a patriarch/ matriarch of a powerful, complicated family.
A generational homesteader/ rancher/ business owner/ and devoted father/mother (or controlling). Rags to riches could be the start of the story or backstory. However, poverty needs to be skimmed over, and the family must also be powerful. The hero can't be corrupt, but he can walk the line only killing/harming if 'forced' or has no other choice.
Perhaps he/she operates in a corrupt world where politicians are compromised by influential oil and lumber corporations, and land grabs make developers billions.
Plot twists are rampant: shifting alliances, unsolved murders, open wounds, and hard-earned respect; add constant conflict with those it borders -- an expanding town, an Indian reservation, and whatever else might cause another layer of trouble.
Everyone has flaws or a blind spot that can lead a person down the wrong path.
Examples in my own stories?
All of my novels have flawed characters. Sometimes it's the hero/heroine; other times not. Disclosure will compromise my storyline or create a spoiler alert.
Cowboys Make Great Complicated/Flawed Heroes
YA Stories Must Be Historically Correct--but not focus entirely on Good vs Evil.
(Very few are born Evil)
Humor and Quirky Plotlines Address 'Real Issues' too.
Four Stories/ Four Genres: Contemporary/Romantic Comedy/
Cozy Mystery/Paranormal
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/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com
Oh, looking to the future, Connie. I suspect we'll be in agreement that all our characters are flawed. anne
ReplyDeleteI think you are right -- a seriously flawed character can't be exposed and understood in a short novel. Since we all make mistakes, one in a story is understandable, but when a character continually repeats mistakes, they are not mistakes but methods.
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ReplyDeleteOh Connie, I disagree! You can bring a flawed character to life in 100 words, and even expose her to a life-changing event, as here:
ReplyDeletehttps://bobrich18.wordpress.com/2017/10/20/hate/
If we want to make our characters as realistic as possible, they will all have flaws but not necessarily be evil.
ReplyDeleteThere was a time when I couldn’t write more than 15,000-20,000 words. Some of those stories included evil villains that I believe people got to understand and know quite well. So, I think it is possible to do it with fewer words than 80k. Now, a lot of my stories seem to require at least 25,000. I don’t know what that says about my evolution as an author. LOL
ReplyDeleteIt’s always interesting to see what everyone thinks. :)
I found your comment about cowboys being good complicated characters so interesting. When I was a kid paying 12 cents to see a Western (Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Hopalong Cassidy) they were all uncomplicated heroes. Then came Shane, High Noon, and a lot of TV and Western movies where life was more complicated. Dances with Wolves many others had conflcted characters. Now in Longmire, almost all the characters are conflicted and it makes for a lot of interest(and tension). Good post!
ReplyDeleteFlawed characters can be brought to life in all lengths of fiction. I love that you've kept from giving away anything in your novels! I had that same thought which is why I shared my blog about the victim! Well done!
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