The Problem with Perfect Characters
You ever read a story where the main character just... has it all together?
Me neither.
Even superheroes need therapy these days. Audiences aren’t looking for perfect—they’re looking for real. And nothing says “real” like a flaw that’s holding your character back.
Why Flaws Should Come First
Your character’s flaw isn’t a bug. It’s the whole blueprint for their arc.
Flaws give your audience something to care about. A reason to hope. And—most importantly—a path for your character to change.
The best arcs don’t start with strengths. They start with mess. And they give us just enough time to watch it all get cleaned up… or explode beautifully.
Examples You Already Love
Han Solo starts as selfish and jaded. Phil Connors is insufferably self-absorbed. Shikishima can’t live with his own cowardice.
If they all started heroic, we wouldn’t care when they save the day. Because we wouldn’t believe they needed to.
It’s the mess that makes the arc.
How to Do It in Your Own Story
Start by identifying what’s actually in your character’s way. Not the villain. Not the weather. The flaw.
Do they:
- Sabotage relationships?
- Freeze up under pressure?
- Believe something about themselves that isn’t true?
Then, link that flaw to the plot goal. Make the flaw the reason they’re stuck.
[.ai-prompt]Use this AI prompt to help you out:
“Create a character whose biggest internal flaw directly conflicts with their main story goal. Describe how that flaw shows up in their behavior, what lie they believe about themselves, and how that flaw could be tested or challenged during the story.”[.ai-prompt]
