Broken characters inspire memorable stories. Think underdogs and anti-heroes. If you want realism and depth in your story, add character flaws developed from brokenness.
What do someone who’s been cheated on, a boss who’s just been fired over a scandal, and a grieving spouse have in common? They’re all experiencing brokenness that could change everything from now on–for better or worse. An inciting incident has broken through their normalcy, creating the story that’ll follow.
Brokenness provides a character background, too. A child left alone all the time may turn into an introverted adult, unable to trust others. A kid suffering from many childhood afflictions may be fascinated with the macabre (a la Stephen King). A child struggling with poverty may prioritize money-making as an adult. Whatever’s broken them once, they don’t want to experience again. And character flaws will arise from the ashes of old burns.
I’m cheap. Having been raised on zero name brands and dinners from boxes and cans, I come by it honestly. Experiencing my family’s financial upheaval in my early teens reinforced it. We relied on hand-me-downs, never took big vacations, and rarely called a repairman. My parents’ house was falling apart by the end, thanks to DIY house repairs and poor upkeep–a setting that features in one of my books, One Thing Better.
Though I’ve become less cheap over the years and try to have a generous spirit, my first question is always, “How much does it cost?” I feel extreme guilt over “me” purchases…. like self-publishing books, maintaining my blog, getting my nails done, and good coffee. But Joe keeps reminding me, “Life’s too short for bad coffee.” And he’s right, though I do a mental cha-ching with every sip.
My character flaw creates positives and negatives in my life. I know how to shop for the best deals. I use coupons and find smart ways to save money. But I don’t have the nicest clothes or brands. And years of spend-shaming myself out of proper self-care or things I truly need has hurt me in the long run (and frustrated Joe… and me). Plus, I miss out on good things simply because they cost money.
Likewise, such dichotomy should exist in the characters we create. The brokenness they’ve experienced (or will experience) will spark character flaws that mingle with positive attributes.
Like in these writing prompts with murky character flaws:
A married man cheats on his wife with an old girlfriend early in their marriage. His action hurt his wife so much that he vowed never to do it again; in some ways, it broke him as much as it did her for the pain he caused. He’s been a model husband for over a decade. But his hypersensitivity to his wife’s feelings suffocates her. Will she end up hurting him the same way?
Or an alternative to the same prompt. Despite her husband’s renewed faithfulness and diligence, her trust is still shattered ten years later. She won’t let it go. A once happy-go-lucky woman transforms into a nervous one; she can’t handle it if he breaks her heart again. So, she keeps tabs on him obsessively. Will her inability to forgive lead to the ultimate betrayal?
Now to escape the infidelity string…
Growing up, the main character’s parents fought constantly. Bickering over the smallest things, they couldn’t get along. Annoyed and frustrated, the kids learned to make themselves scarce, sequestering to their rooms to stay out of it–they learned the hard way not to get in the middle or take sides but keep their mouths shut. Now that he’s a married adult, he shuts down in any discussion that could lead to conflict. His husband has always praised him for staying calm and never sparking fights, but there are some fights they need to have. Like why he’s spent years pursuing a law degree to be a litigator when he can’t bring himself to argue.
Your main character loves routine, order, cleanliness, and rules, the opposite of the chaos he experienced as a child. But when the person he loves most asks him to break the rules, he’s faced with an impossible decision. Does he betray the careful life he’s built or lose his only friend?
For more writing prompts like these, check out my blog on being a Control Freak and Quirky Questions about your main character.
In my Delilah Duffy Mystery Series, my main character Delilah fears the water because she nearly drowned as a child. But she loves the beach, and her water phobia doesn’t stop her from starting over on the island she loved visiting and where her Duffy relatives call home. Living in a place that triggers her anxiety helps her face her fears and puts her in danger.
To determine character flaws sprung from brokenness, answer the following questions:
What’s the worst thing to ever happen to your main character, and how did it change him? Explain any resulting character flaws or attributes.
What does your main character fear most? And how has he created a life that avoids it?
What’s the worst thing that could happen to him NOW?
Respect your curses, for they are the instruments of your destiny.
If you struggle to answer questions about your character, consider your brokenness. What has chinked your armor? And what’s broken you in an all-consuming way? I’ve taken hits in my parenting and dents in my self-esteem. But grief and anxiety have broken me in an all-consuming way at times in my life when I’ve been in pieces and desperately searching for Super Glue. Or anything that’ll put me back together again. I’ve been Humpty Dumpty, lying in pieces.
Brokenness is a human absolute. We’ll all experience our Humpty Dumpty moments. So should your characters. When inventing the fascinating, complicated, confusing, beautiful people that’ll crank your storylines into forward motion, answer the previous questions and then:
Shape the character and her lifestyle around her fears and brokenness.
Then, mastermind the events that’ll bring her to the edge of those feelings again… only worse.
And finally, put her back together again. Hopefully, stronger and better than she was before.
With this brainwork, you’ve not only solidified her internal conflicts but also outlined a 3-act plot. How very Shakespearean of you! Seems simple, I know. But it’s the foundation of a great story. The bones. And if you don’t have great bones, then your story won’t stand up. Ha!
Looking for more ideas? Check out my caffeine-infused writing prompts. Share your thoughts on character flaws below. Don’t worry–we welcome flaws here, at least the fictional ones.
