Whether they're standing against authority or resisting the status quo, the actions of defiant characters can add layers of depth to your story. Here are some quick tips on how to effectively write defiance in your characters.
Question authority and break rules
Don't easily back down from challenges
Rebellious and do the unexpected
May appear stubborn to others
Don't easily conform to norms
Value their independence and freedom
Resilient in the face of adversity
Assertive and direct
Courageous in the face of danger
Act based on their principles and beliefs
Direct and stand their ground during disagreements
Don't shy away from tough conversations
Don't let others manipulate or control them
Not afraid to express their opinions
May challenge others' viewpoints during discussions
Stand up for what they believe in
Protective of those they care about
May be argumentative or confrontational
Don't give in easily during negotiations
Can be inspiring, encouraging others to stand with them
Head high with a strong posture
Serious or determined expression
Maintain steady and direct eye contact
Use expansive, open body language
Do not shy away from physical confrontation
Cross their arms to show resistance
Move with purpose and determination
Not easily intimidated by the physical presence of others
Clench their fists when frustrated or angry
Adopt a challenging stance
Not easily swayed by popular opinion
Confident in their own abilities
Persevere no matter how tough the situation gets
Believe strongly in their cause or principles
Refuse to be victims
Unruffled by criticism or opposition
Disregard rules they don't agree with
Risk-takers who often choose difficult paths
Value transparency and honesty
Can come across as proud or arrogant
They may succeed in overturning an unjust system
They can inspire others to stand up against injustice
They achieve their goals through sheer determination
They may help someone break free from oppression
They can contribute to a significant societal change
Their defiance can get them into trouble
They may alienate themselves from others with their behaviour
They can face severe consequences for breaking the rules
Their relationships may suffer due to their stubbornness
They can be misunderstood and labelled as troublemakers
Rebellious
Nonconformist
Contrary
Dissident
Contrarian
Unruly
Insurgent
Uncooperative
Unmanageable
Mutinous
Intransigent
Insubordinate
Recalcitrant
Resistant
Obstinate
Obstreperous
Noncompliant
Indomitable
Unyielding
Fractious
if i was a popular minecraft youtuber id just tweet "hey guys stop drawing shipping fanart of me and my friends/coworkers, i only fucked one of them and seeing me paired with anyone else is kinda weird and crosses my boundaries" and then i'd turn my phone off
do you ever see a person and you are overcome with incredible fondness? and you just think "oh." but not in a romantic or sexual way you are just filled with warmth and it makes you happy, it just does. and you think "i'm so happy you exist. i'm happy you are somewhere out there in the world, doing your thing". it's love but also not entirely
like people are lovely and i feel it in my entire chest like a burning candle that smells like roses and a sunny day
things to ask yourself when designing a female character:
how much blood is she covered in
are her eyes filled with madness
can she rip things to shreds with her fingernails
i really believe that discussing the character with someone who shares ur interpretation is the closest u can get to modern day philosophy. we are like plato and aristotle but talking about a fictional guys trauma
Entrance
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ComicArchive/ About / Linktree
Character Arcs
Making Character Profiles
Character Development
Comic Relief Arc
Internal Conflict
Character Voices
Creating Distinct Characters
Suicidal Urges/Martyr Complex
Creating Likeable Characters
Writing Strong Female Characters
Writing POC Characters
Building Tension
Intrigue in Storytelling
Enemies to Lovers
Alternatives to Killing Characters
Worldbuilding
Misdirection
Consider Before Killing Characters
Foreshadowing
Emphasising the Stakes
Avoid Info-Dumping
Writing Without Dialogue
1st vs. 2nd vs. 3rd Perspective
Fight Scenes (+ More)
Transitions
Pacing
Writing Prologues
Dialogue Tips
Writing War
Writing Cheating
Worldbuilding: Questions to Consider
Creating Laws/Rules in Fantasy Worlds
Connected vs. Stand-Alone Series
A & B Stories
Writing YouTube Channels, Podcasts, & Blogs
Online Writing Resources
Outlining/Writing/Editing Software
Losing Passion/Burnout
Overcoming Writer's Block
How To Name Fantasy Races (Step-by-Step)
Naming Elemental Races
Naming Fire-Related Races
How To Name Fantasy Places
Character Ask Game #1
Character Ask Game #2
Character Ask Game #3
1000 Follower Post
2000 Follower Poll
Writing Fantasy
Identify Strengths and Virtues: List positive traits that make the character likable or admirable. These could include bravery, intelligence, loyalty, or compassion.
Identify Flaws and Vices: List negative traits that add complexity and realism. These could include arrogance, selfishness, impatience, or a propensity for violence.
Create a Detailed Backstory: Develop a background that explains why the character has their particular mix of virtues and flaws. Consider their upbringing, significant life events, and personal experiences.
Determine Core Motivations: Identify what drives the character. Is it revenge, love, ambition, survival, or something else? Motivations should be realistic and relatable.
Set Up Moral Dilemmas: Place your character in situations where they must make difficult choices with no clear right or wrong answer. These dilemmas should challenge their morals and reveal their complexity.
Showcase Contradictions: Allow the character to make decisions that might seem contradictory. For example, they might commit a crime to protect someone they love, revealing both a moral and an immoral side.
Construct Meaningful Relationships: Develop relationships with other characters that highlight different aspects of your morally grey character. These relationships can help explore their multifaceted personality.
Use Relationships to Drive Conflict: Relationships can be a source of moral conflict and development. Conflicts with friends, family, or rivals can push your character to reveal their grey areas.
Illustrate the Impact of Actions: Show the real-world consequences of the character’s morally ambiguous decisions. This adds realism and stakes to the story.
Allow for Character Growth: Let your character evolve. They might become more virtuous or more corrupt over time. This evolution keeps the character dynamic and interesting.
Make Them Relatable: Ensure the character has traits or experiences that the audience can relate to or sympathize with, even if they do questionable things.
Maintain Complexity: Avoid making the character too sympathetic or too unsympathetic. The balance between good and bad traits should make the audience feel conflicted about the character.
Avoid Clear Labels: Do not overtly label the character as good or evil. Allow their actions and motivations to speak for themselves.
Employ Subtlety: Use nuanced behavior and dialogue to reveal the character’s moral complexity. Avoid heavy-handed exposition.
Seek Feedback: Share your character with others and seek feedback on their complexity and believability. Adjust based on constructive criticism.
Refine Motivations and Actions: Continuously refine the character’s motivations and actions to ensure they remain compelling and consistent throughout the story.
Core Traits:
Strengths: Intelligent, determined, loyal.
Flaws: Arrogant, manipulative, vengeful.
Backstory:
Grew up in a tough neighborhood, witnessing crime and corruption.
Lost a loved one to a gang, fueling a desire for revenge.
Motivations:
Driven by a need to protect their remaining family and seek revenge.
Moral Dilemmas:
Joins a criminal organization to infiltrate it and bring it down from within.
Struggles with the ethical implications of committing crimes for a greater good.
Relationships:
Has a strained relationship with a sibling who disapproves of their methods.
Forms a complicated friendship with a morally upright police officer.
Consequences and Growth:
Faces the legal and emotional consequences of their actions.
Gradually questions their own morality and seeks redemption.
Balance:
Helps the community but uses unethical means.
Shows moments of kindness and ruthlessness.
Subtlety:
Reveals their inner conflict through small actions and dialogue.
Avoids overt explanations of their morality, letting the audience interpret.
By following these steps, you can create a compelling morally grey character that adds depth and intrigue to your story.
@themazerunnernerd have i completed this yet
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