S10E6 - Developing Character Flaws

Characters are the base of any story. Without well-developed characters, the plot will always fall flat. This series is dedicated to creating realistic, believable, and deep characters. It means getting to know them on a personal level. It takes developing more than their powers or strengths, but their flaws. It's not easy but it is possible, even for those pantsers.

Nothing influences character decisions more than their flaws and strengths. A protagonist's flaws will hinder them, slow them, and challenge them to become better than before. Antagonists can use those weaknesses to exploit and torture the protagonist. As Susan Bearman put it, fictional flaws "should be genuine and difficult to overcome." It's not simple clumsiness, either. Good flaws consist mainly of psychological weaknesses with some physical manifestations. Leigh and Ley explore different kinds of flaws and how they can be used to create realistic characters.

First aired May 21, 2020.