Character Flaws

Do you judge an author based on the thoughts, words, actions, and opinions of a character? For example, if there is a racist character in a book, do you assume the author is racist? If the subject matter is murder or abuse do you assume the author behaves that way or has those fantasies?

My characters start with a simple thought, then take on an entire life and personality of their own. Sometimes I’m surprised by some of the things they reveal to me, but it all makes sense in the end.

To fully tell their story, I have to include the things that I might personally find distasteful and disrespectful. Some of my characters do and say things I’d never think to do or say. On the other hand, if they were all like me it would be an incredibly boring book. I mean, our differences are what makes life interesting, right?

Or, are there some character traits that are so deplorable that you wouldn’t be able to read the rest of the book, or might even blacklist an author for including it?

Throughout writing the first two volumes of The Rideshare Chronicles, I learned a lot. There were parts of the books that I had to pause on during the process. I had to walk away from the book for a few hours, days, or even weeks. Scott revealed himself to be a fairly complicated guy.

I didn’t want to share any of his flaws. I didn’t want to let him develop the way he needed to. I had an idea of him in my head that went against the natural evolution of his character and story. I had to let that go. I had to accept him for who he is, not who I wanted him to be. (This is much like the living, breathing people in my life.)

I worried about how the world will view me and perceive me because of some of his experiences. I worried about how that might affect my life. I realized that his story needed to be told in the way it was told, and if people choose to judge me based on that, it’s their prerogative.

When I look at the story as a whole, it’s not fair to any of the characters, or the readers, to try to hide character flaws. We all have them. Why should fictional characters get to live in a world without them?

Our character flaws are part of what makes us unique. I mean, how boring would it be if we were all perfect? Our flaws allow us to stumble, get back up, learn, and grow; if we choose to. Our flaws also allow us to collaborate with others for a better picture. If flaw is a trigger word, we can change it to shortcoming, or think of it as the areas where we’re strong and the areas where we’re not as strong.

I suppose when someone chooses to read a psychological thriller or murder mystery they should expect some kind of distasteful character flaws, right?

I have a theory that we all possess every single human characteristic there is. For example, we all have access to every emotion possible. Just like emotions, characteristics have two sides to every coin. Selfish vs selfless. Mean vs nice. Bad vs good. We all possess all of those things. Our choices are what makes us more of one side rather than the other. But it’s all within each of us. I don’t think anyone is selfless all the time. Maybe most of the time, though. The same can be said for every characteristic you can name.

What’s your belief about character flaws and characteristics?