WHAT IF...

It is true, if you think about it

Chiron : (teaching English) 'The pen is mightier than the sword.' Can anyone tell me why?

Young Annabeth : Because pens are easier to sneak through metal detectors.

Chiron : NO

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.

Kane Siblings Swap

I'm not talking 'what if Sadie was the elder sibling' or 'what if Carter stayed with the Fausts' (which would be impossible, as explained later). I'm saying, what if Carter looked like Ruby, their mom, and Sadie looked like Julius, their dad? Imagine Carter Kane before the first book, our nerdy, obedient, geek of a boy dressed in a button down shirt and slacks, always following up with a suitcase in one hand and NBA stats on the tip of his tongue...with the curliest blonde hair you've ever seen and light skin and eyes blue enough to rival the sky? Imagine Sadie Kane before the first book, our rebellious, confident girl with combat boots and attitude ready for absolutely anything...with red streaks in brown hair and dark brown skin and warm brown eyes that are always filled with fire?

It's always specified in the books that Carter was discriminated against and his dad always told him to dress properly to never give anyone an excuse to be racist. Even if Carter wasn't dark anymore, I'm pretty sure Julius would still want his son dressed impeccably. And the fact that people always got confused when Sadie, Carter and their dad went out (is heartbreaking) doesn't change. It just becomes more frequent, seeing as Carter, who looks like his mum, is with his dad permanently. Everyone they met, at dig sites, museums, ceremonies, hotels, would be confused for a split second. And Carter, honestly, would go through what Sadie describes in the Red Pyramid. An African-American who doesn't look African. And for Sadie, well, that's another story altogether. It's specified rather clearly in the books that the Fausts never liked Carter because he resembled his dad. Can you imagine them getting Sadie, who is only one gamete short of being a carbon copy of her dad? I'm not saying they'd hate her. I trust them enough (I hope think) to still love Sadie because she has her mother's spirit and Ruby is really reflected in our little Kane girl. But I can imagine them flinching every time they see Sadie and her dad standing together, because damn, they look similar. They wouldn't hate her, but a part of them would never truly accept her. And she'd still be as rebellious as ever. Blue streaks in the midst of chocolate coloured hair? She's up for it. But then, instead of Carter, she'd go through the racism that Rick's described. (I am purely quoting the Red Pyramid here, because I personally have no experience of racism and don't want to comment much on something I don't know much about). But she would have to face it.

In summary, the idea just seems really cool to me, and yes, I believe that the House of Life would still influence the court case and give Carter to Julius, since he's the elder one, regardless of any skin tone. It would just be cool to see Sadie vibing with their mom while looking like her dad and Carter and their dad travelling the world, proving stereotypes wrong and being an amazing biracial father son duo.

I Think About This A Lot To The Point Where It May Be Unhealthy

I'm a bit of a writer, and sometimes I sit reading romantic oneshots and headcannons. And I just get thinking, why does everyone write about 'the first time they met' or 'the first time they kissed' or 'their first valentine's day together'? If it were me, I'd want to read a oneshot titled 'the 315th time they kissed and yet they felt fireworks in their stomachs' or 'the 100th time he hugged me and secretly stole my coffee from the kitchen counter'. I want to read about love persevering. I don't want to read about a guy or a girl who's just fallen heads over heels. I want to read about a couple who has worked their way through the kinks in their relationship, smoothened out the wrinkles, ironed out the problems, and still love each other wholeheartedly. I don't want to read about the first time a guy or girl kisses me. I want to read about the day he kissed me just to distract me from the fact that he was being chased by the police (now wouldn't that be an interesting one?) or the day she stole my car keys because she doesn't have a car and wants to buy groceries for me because I'm tired. I don't want to read about the 'I would cross the world for you, darling' kind of love. I want to read about the 'I would certainly cross the world for you, but only if you're paying for half of it afterwards' kind of love.

I don't want to read about someone falling in love. I want to read about someone working to love someone, earning that love, and making it theirs for the rest of their lives.

This Is Personally My Opinion, But...

WARNING : Moana 2 Spoilers ahead

Who agrees that Moana is starting to become a LOT like Percy jackson?

First quest, removes the negativity from a bad god and makes them good(ish) Te Ka -> Te Fiti Ares / Hades -> Knocks down Ares' ego by a decent bit / Removes Hades from suspicion

And by the time the first movie is over, Moana's 'got all the gods talking', in Matangi's words. Percy Jackson did pretty much the same.

Zeus, the King of the Gods, god of skies and thunder, hates Percy. Nalo, the god of storms and lightning, hates Moana. See any similarities?

Artemis, a fierce huntress and daughter of Zeus, dislikes Zeus' ways, takes a liking to Percy. Matangi, a powerful bat demigoddess who's a subordinate of Nalo, wishes to overthrow Nalo, takes a liking to Moana. Tamatoa, a crab who talks with the gods themselves, was humiliated and hates Moana. ...everyone knows Percy's humiliated more than enough minor gods and is on the top of every monster's bucket list of 'Demigods I Wish To Devour'.

Percy has a bestie named Frank Zhang, a big strong guy who can turn into animals. Moana has Maui, who needs no description.

Percy has Leo, a crazy tinkerer who's the best mechanic to be found and fights with a hammer. Moana has Loto, who's just the same.

And thus, I rest my case that Moana is 100% a daughter or descendant of Poseidon, and that she and Percy should be siblings with a knack for gathering the undivided hate of all the gods. (I would die to see that AU made canon)

And, as a final point?

They both have adorable little sisters.

I am an absolute fangirl for these 2 siblings (❁´◡`❁)

Carter and Sadie Kane doodles 👀? 🙏🙏🙏

we love the kane siblings in this household

This Should Really Be Canon

"Hey, Annabeth?" Percy asked, poking his head into his bedroom, where his girlfriend was sitting cross-legged on the floor, solving some papers. "Yeah?" she asked without looking up as Percy plopped himself down next to her. "How long will you be staying?" The question made her pause, before she turned, eyes roving over Percy's look. "You see this?" she said quietly, raising her hand and twirling her finger around the only gray streak of hair in Percy's raven black head of hair. Her matching grey streak glinted in the sunlight as Percy's eyes darted up to where her finger was. "I'm going to stay with you till this one turns grey," her finger moved to twirl the neighbouring obsidian lock around it, "and this one," her finger went to the next one, "and this, till all of them match this one," her finger went back to the original grey strand, the only one in his hair, "I'll stay with you till we're both old and have grey hairs and I'll stay with you beyond that too."

Percy looked touched, warmth and surprise mingling in his sea green eyes, before he muttered sheepishly, "I was kind of referring to how long you'll stay at my place, 'cause Mom's asking if you're waiting till dinner-" "Oh my gods, Percy! You could have asked that better!" "What? I just asked how long you'll be staying!" "I thought you meant-forget it." "But, wait-" "Forget it." "Wise Girl-" "Forget it before I refuse to solve your papers." "Hold on, so...you'll stay with me forever?" "...of course, Seaweed Brain."

apollo getting a combat ukulele

me, with a ukulele too:

WARNING : Contains themes of self-hate, mild suicidal mention if you squint hard enough, and enough depression to give a dog a heart attack

"Yourself?" the alchemist raises an eyebrow behind his wire-rimmed frames.

You swallow, feeling embarrassed already, but nod.

"Yes, um, they're for me," you answer hesitantly, trying not to let him see how awkward you're feeling.

The alchemist surveys you with an unrecognisable emotion in his eyes that's either disgust or concern or confusion. Or probably even a mix of all 3. You really have no clue. Either ways, it makes you feel like you're being literally dissected and observed from every point of view possible, and you squirm uncomfortably in the chair.

"You know how love potions work, am I right?" the alchemist asks, and you almost jump in your seat as he speaks after what feels like an eternity.

"Um, right, yes! I, uh, the person you like drinks it and then, if you're the first person he or she sees, they fall in love with you," you recite quickly. You had memorised the line off Wikipedia from the number of times you'd contemplated using a love potion.

The alchemist gives you another deep, profound look, before delivering the very line you'd dreaded hearing from the moment you came up with the stupid plan, "It's not going to work."

You sigh in resignation, slumping forward and burying your face in your palms.

"Why not?" you ask quietly, forgetting to hide the tremble in your voice.

"Because the only person who can make you love yourself is you yourself," he says, and you look up, confused.

"What? Do you really think I don't know that? That I haven't tried?" you ask, getting mildly pissed, "I have tried so many times, for so many years, to love myself. You think I don't want to feel confident? To feel amazing about myself for once? To feel like, it's okay to be alive? You think I don't wish I was like the other people? You think I don't wish I were someone who doesn't want to claw her eyeballs out everytime she gets reminded of how imperfect she is? I've tried, Doctor, I have tried everything. I tried encouraging myself. I tried not to think negatively about myself. I tried to keep myself motivated. I tried to talk it out with friends, family, to keep myself away from drastic measures. But no one, NO ONE is ever there to watch me sob in bed at 2 a.m because I'm just a huge bloody mess. I have done my best to act as my own therapist for years and years now, and it doesn't work. How am I supposed to convince myself that I'm worthy of survival? That I'm not just a waste of time, space and money? You think I don't know, that the only person who can love myself truly is me? You think I don't want that?!"

You have to admit, the alchemist had nerves of steel to just sit there and observe you calmly as you ranted angrily in front of him. He gives you a few seconds to calm down and silently offers you a glass of water.

"Sorry," you try to apologise after the outburst, immediately feeling ashamed, but he shakes his head.

"Don't be sorry. It's a common experience for those who feel self-hatred to want to lash out occassionally and wish they were different," he says with all the calmness of a gentle ocean breeze.

"...so, why won't the love potion work?" you ask carefully.

"Because the love potion only makes people's emotions towards you change. It can't change your emotions. If you don't like yourself, you can't drink it and expect your emotions to change," the alchemist says. He's still simply sitting behind his desk, elbows resting on the polished rosewood desk, fingers interlocked below his chin, his gaze on you.

You sigh, disappointed. "Alright then, I suppose this was just a waste...Thank you for your time." You stand, about to leave and go home and despair about another failed plan, when he stops you.

"I may not be a therapist," he says suddenly just as your hand grips the cold steel handle of the door, "But I can still give suggestions."

You pause, facing the door. Half of you wants to leave and never return again, but the better half of you forces you to stay, even if you're still facing the door.

"Like what?" you ask, and your voice is so fragile, so brittle, begging for hope and love and acceptance, a voice so dangerously close to being pushed over the edge, a voice that's screaming for help, even if you'll never admit it. As you turn to face the alchemist, he can see the pain in your eyes as you rebuke yourself mentally for ever being here, the dread in the taut lines of your face as you mentally scold yourself for troubling the alchemist with your petty problems, the resignation in your pursed mouth as you wait for him to deliver advice that you've probably heard all your life.

"I know, there's clearly not much that I can say that will ever possibly make you feel better. I know, trust me. I've seen others go down that rabbit hole before too. And...the only thing that helps? Forgetting it exists. Get to work. Get to life. Work. Eat. Sleep. Study. Meet friends. Have fun. And for a while, forget your problems. I'm no therapist. I don't know what you're supposed to say to a person going through absence of self-esteem. But distracting yourself and reminding yourself that life's not all about you can make you better. It may not drag away the problems. It may not make you feel awesome all of a sudden. But it can give you a break. A resting period, where you can gather your strength once again to fight your battles. Just stop thinking for a while, and be busy."

You're surprised. You thought he'd tell you some amazing life secret that nobody knew that could magically fix your problems. Hey, miracles do happen now and then.

But instead, he just tells you to be busy.

For a second, you're annoyed, and you're about to tell him that you're a very busy person as it is.

But then you get what he means.

He meant to be so engrossed in living life, that you forget about your problems now and then. Your mind can freshen itself to face the problems of your heart another day. He meant that you should be so concentrated in working, relaxing, enjoying, laughing, smiling, speaking, that your brain doesn't get the time to hate yourself. He meant that you should live your life in your own way to the fullest, so that even if you hate yourself, you can never say that you didn't give life a shot. That even if you hate yourself and don't think you deserve to exist, the one good thing you managed to do was live life to the best of it.

And somehow, even though you still hate yourself, even though you still wish you were never born, you manage to offer the alchemist a small smile. A smile with hope, acceptance, and the determination to keep moving on. A smile that holds the courage to face the world and yourself with renewed vigour. A smile that holds all the pain of a person drowning in self-hate, yet also holding the joy of a person who knows what to do.

"Thank you, Doctor. I guess I didn't need the love potion after all."

“You have to understand, the use of love potions is both morally gross and legally r-”, you interrupt the alchemist, and say the potion is meant for yourself.

Help a Family in Need

I am reaching out on behalf of my dear friend, Mohamad S., who is facing one of the most challenging times of his life. Mohamad is 37 years old and left his homeland in 2015 in search of a safer and better future. He’s a kind, hardworking man, and his small family has always been his greatest priority.

Living abroad, Mohamad has recently endured unimaginable loss and financial strain. Amidst the ongoing conflict in his homeland, his mother passed away, leaving behind his sister and her five young children—the last remaining members of his immediate family.

As the situation worsened, Mohamad managed to help his sister and her children escape to safety in Egypt, covering their immediate needs and securing a temporary refuge for them. Since then, he has been fully responsible for providing everything they need to survive during this transition.

In his efforts to support his family and cope with this devastating loss, Mohamad has found himself deeply in debt. To make matters even more difficult, he recently underwent knee surgery, which limits his ability to return to work for the foreseeable future. This has made it even harder for him to manage his financial responsibilities and the pressing need to provide his family with a stable future.

Mohamad is now working to bring his sister and her five children to join him in Belgium, where he hopes they can find stability and opportunity after all they’ve endured. This transition, however, requires significant resources that he is currently unable to meet alone.

For privacy reasons, we are not sharing Mohamad’s full name, as he has chosen to keep his identity discreet. While he initially refused the idea of asking for help, I couldn’t stand by and watch him struggle alone. I insisted on doing this for him because he deserves a chance to overcome these challenges.

Your contribution will help Mohamad repay the debt incurred during this difficult time, cover ongoing living expenses for his family, and assist with the costs involved in bringing them safely to Belgium.

Mohamad has been a good friend of mine for years, and I’ve always admired his resilience and generosity. Any support, no matter the size, will make an incredible difference in helping Mohamad and his family rebuild their lives after these painful experiences.

Thank you for reading his story and considering helping a man who has always done everything he can for his loved ones.

Adam

✅ Vetted by Association: @bilal-salah0

Donate & share: Donation Link

gofundme.com

Donate to Help Mohamad reunite his family and clear his debt, organized by Adam Bin Ali

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