|
|
Post by vrabinec on Apr 7, 2014 9:52:29 GMT -5
This kind of an offshoot of Suzie's Woman who likes sex" thread. So, if a chacter has a character flaw, in this case it's greed, does there need to be some definitive ruling on the flaw in the book? Let's say the greed is used as a device that drives the plot, but otherwise, it's irrelevant to the plot because other plot threads pick up the story and carry it on from there. Now, greed is certainly one of the minor themes, but not the main one. The MC ends up having bigger issues. Is it incumbent on the writer to have the MC either reject greed or embrace it in an anti-hero kind of way? Or can that be left dangling? It doesn't feel like it's worth the space to tie it off.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2014 9:59:43 GMT -5
I think flaws help to deepen characters, but I don't think you have to make the protagonist and antagonist antithetical in their flaws and strengths, just in their goals. It may help in certain plots, especially if it's a larger theme, but I think you could also make your protagonist have a parallel desire for something like legally building a large company from the ground up. Achieve with your own hands instead of stealing and dealing, etc.
|
|
|
|
Post by Suzy on Apr 7, 2014 10:00:54 GMT -5
Hmm, yes. Don't know. I'd go with the anti-hero way, actually. Flaws make characters more human
I solved it by my heroine having a great soul searching moment and then realising how wrong shed' been. And then her best friend tells her it's quite normal to want a sexy man even if it's just for the moment. It's all done in a dialogue section, which I think works.
|
|
|
|
Post by Daniel on Apr 7, 2014 10:23:42 GMT -5
I don't think the book needs to have a definitive ruling. I think it's okay to let the reader provide his or her own ruling. If the character flaw isn't part of the character's transformation arc, I don't think you need to tie it off.
|
|
|
|
Post by Becca Mills on Apr 7, 2014 11:30:42 GMT -5
I don't think the book needs to have a definitive ruling. I think it's okay to let the reader provide his or her own ruling. If the character flaw isn't part of the character's transformation arc, I don't think you need to tie it off. I agree. But I'd be careful to make sure the greed sticks with the character -- not to just have it there when it's convenient as a plot device, then have it sort of vanish when it's no longer needed. It should keep showing up as a consistent personality trait. |
|
