While the most symmetrical and perfectly cut gemstone is beautiful, I think the unusual shape or sized stone is more interesting.  So, too, are characters in a story.  Let’s face it, the ones with no flaws are boring and unreal.  Each one of us have oddities that make us unique and in our own way – beautiful.  The protagonist with quirks makes her/him more engaging. And if our characters seem real to the reader then they can identify with them, care for them, and enjoy reading about this little world you’ve created.

At first it was hard for me to give an antagonist redeeming qualities. They are, after all, the “bad guy” in the story.  In order for them to be “real” and not just a 2-dimensional stereotype, they must be flawed in a human way.  Someone who is nasty through and through for no obvious reason is hard to empathize with, don’t you agree? You want to create a person people love to hate.

Liddy in Feisty Family Values is abusive to her children.  Why? She’s had to raise her 3 children alone, doing a job she hates with no hope for the future.  She drowns her sorrows in liquor and that only makes her depression worse.  Like her father she won’t take responsibility for her own situation, blaming others.  Have you ever felt like the world is against you?  That you’re stuck where you are like a hamster on a wheel?  We probably all have at some point in our lives, but we don’t all make the choice to drink or hurt others.

In order for the characters in our story to become “real” to the reader they have to make real choices, some good, some bad.  Their life in the story can be grand fun, but it’s life’s imperfections or challenges that promote change.  Our protagonist will hopefully make better choices that will help them grow and find what they’re looking for: love, joy, happiness, security, whatever it may be.  As readers we’ll cheer for the character that overcomes great obstacles to reach their goal, just like we do in day-to-day life.

Enjoy your imperfect characters, they are beautiful creations in their own right. And I think you writer’s will agree, writing is an imperfect science, but it can be fulfilling and enjoyable to do.

Write on my friends.