Gah.. Im Having To Relearn How To Post On (or Even Just Using), Social Media, Let Alone On A Completely

Tips for writing flawed but lovable characters.

Flawed characters are the ones we root for, cry over, and remember long after the story ends. But creating a character who’s both imperfect and likable can feel like a tightrope walk. 

1. Flaws That Stem From Their Strengths

When a character’s greatest strength is also their Achilles' heel, it creates depth.

Strength: Fiercely loyal.

Flaw: Blind to betrayal or willing to go to dangerous extremes for loved ones.

“She’d burn the whole world down to save her sister—even if it killed her.”

2. Let Their Flaws Cause Problems

Flaws should have consequences—messy, believable ones.

Flaw: Impatience.

Result: They rush into action, ruining carefully laid plans.

“I thought I could handle it myself,” he muttered, staring at the smoking wreckage. “Guess not.”

3. Show Self-Awareness—or Lack Thereof

Characters who know they’re flawed (but struggle to change) are relatable. Characters who don’t realize their flaws can create dramatic tension.

A self-aware flaw: “I know I talk too much. It’s just… silence makes me feel like I’m disappearing.” A blind spot: “What do you mean I always have to be right? I’m just better at solving problems than most people!”

4. Give Them Redeeming Traits

A mix of good and bad keeps characters balanced.

Flaw: They’re manipulative.

Redeeming Trait: They use it to protect vulnerable people.

“Yes, I lied to get him to trust me. But he would’ve died otherwise.”

Readers are more forgiving of flaws when they see the bigger picture.

5. Let Them Grow—But Slowly

Instant redemption feels cheap. Characters should stumble, fail, and backslide before they change.

Early in the story: “I don’t need anyone. I’ve got this.”

Midpoint: “Okay, fine. Maybe I could use some help. But don’t get used to it.”

End: “Thank you. For everything.”

The gradual arc makes their growth feel earned.

6. Make Them Relatable, Not Perfect

Readers connect with characters who feel human—messy emotions, bad decisions, and all.

A bad decision: Skipping their best friend’s wedding because they’re jealous of their happiness.

A messy emotion: Feeling guilty afterward but doubling down to justify their actions.

A vulnerable moment: Finally apologizing, unsure if they’ll be forgiven.

7. Use Humor as a Balancing Act

Humor softens even the most prickly characters.

Flaw: Cynicism.

Humorous side: Making snarky, self-deprecating remarks that reveal their softer side.

“Love? No thanks. I’m allergic to heartbreak—and flowers.”

8. Avoid Overdoing the Flaws

Too many flaws can make a character feel unlikable or overburdened.

Instead of: A character who’s selfish, cruel, cowardly, and rude.

Try: A character who’s selfish but occasionally shows surprising generosity.

“Don’t tell anyone I helped you. I have a reputation to maintain.”

9. Let Them Be Vulnerable

Vulnerability adds layers and makes flaws understandable.

Flaw: They’re cold and distant.

Vulnerability: They’ve been hurt before and are terrified of getting close to anyone again.

“It’s easier this way. If I don’t care about you, then you can’t leave me.”

10. Make Their Flaws Integral to the Plot

When flaws directly impact the story, they feel purposeful rather than tacked on.

Flaw: Their arrogance alienates the people they need.

Plot Impact: When their plan fails, they’re left scrambling because no one will help them.

Flawed but lovable characters are the backbone of compelling stories. They remind us that imperfection is human—and that growth is possible.

"kill them with kindness" WRONG boop

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seeing passing by cars at least 3 am is so fucked up because, why are you driving and outside at this late of an hour, but at the same time, like so true, there is basically no one out here, you go girl, id wanna be outside where there is no one and its peaceful too, the streets are perfectly quiet and calm, might as well take a drive!!

GUYS GUYS GUYS WE'RE GONNA HAVE AN AROMANTIC VISIBILITY DAY!!! IT'S BEING CREATED NOW !! IM SO EXCITED AHHHHH

got me tumblr on me phone

time to use this as my little journal of sanity questioning thoughts!

and maybe draw

probably draw

i got no fucking clue how to word thoughts!

Reblog if your blog is boopable-safe so you can get all the (probably new) achievements. I don’t care about notes I just want boops

Writing Description Notes:

Updated 9th September 2024 More writing tips, review tips & writing description notes

Facial Expressions

Masking Emotions

Smiles/Smirks/Grins

Eye Contact/Eye Movements

Blushing

Voice/Tone

Body Language/Idle Movement

Thoughts/Thinking/Focusing/Distracted

Silence

Memories

Happy/Content/Comforted

Love/Romance

Sadness/Crying/Hurt

Confidence/Determination/Hopeful

Surprised/Shocked

Guilt/Regret

Disgusted/Jealous

Uncertain/Doubtful/Worried

Anger/Rage

Laughter

Confused

Speechless/Tongue Tied

Fear/Terrified

Mental Pain

Physical Pain

Tired/Drowsy/Exhausted

Eating

Drinking

Warm/Hot

watching the salt just absolutely pouring in is very funny and wild, but at the same time, it gets to the point where it is very concerning

like, guys, can y'all like, stop calling people racist over not letting a character in a video game win, or even better yet, stop blaming japanese players for your team's loss??? or calling specifically japanse players racist?????? like just some friendly advice, just don't? do that????

i hoped for big man to win but well shucks we lost, shiver won again, and so what? i don't have to have a fucking fit and blaming whoever the fuck over fictional characters not winning a thing?????? you are genuinely being irrational, i hope you know that

idc if your little team in a video game lost and you're not happy about the results, if you're publicly freaking out over it, you are actively part of the problem of making the community a salty toxic shithole

There has been a massive increase in the amount of hate and ableism towards people with tourettes that is accepted.

It is now considered socially acceptable and seen as ok to mock, "fake claim," and insult people with tourettes. It is seen as ok to harm us, even by other disabled people.

I have had people close to me make a mockery of my disability. People who have said to my face they think tics are cute or said I looked weird. People who have mocked my tics in front of me. People who have made it clear that my struggles are a joke to them.

Tourettes is a real disability. A scary, dangerous disability to live with. Tourettes has hurt people. Tourettes has killed people.

It is not just saying inappropriate words and giggling about it afterwards. I've gotten bruises from tic attacks. I've spent nights laying in bed, with my head surrounded by pillows, unable to do anything other than accept that I'm gonna get hurt and wait for it to be over.

Tourettes is not cute. It's not fun. It's not something to mock.

It is traumatic. It is painful. It is debilitating.

Please, treat it that way.

Stop partaking in minimizing how serious this disability is. Stop allowing people to bully those with tourettes and mock the disability. Stop fake claiming or asking for "proof" that someone is suffering.

This shouldn't be seen as ok. This shouldn't be so commonly accepted.

am i the only one to consider horror movies (and in due, some horror games) not scary? and instead just outright gross? like, why are you covering the screen in blood and gutting everyone on screen, it's so unnecessary, you're being dramatic