8 Ways to Create Character Flaws: Learn All Your Character’s F Words

By Bonnie Randall 

Part of the How They Do It Series (Contributing Author)

A double shot of Bonnie's wisdom this month--here's another peek at creating solid character flaws.
In my counseling practice, the following F Words are actually called Major Life Areas, but if I say MLAs I either sound jargon-y or like I’m using some sort of strange sports acronym. So let’s stick with F Words (which comes with the added bonus of appeasing the not-so-secret part of me that likes to swear).

When examining a person’s Major Life Areas, we determine their level of function, their level of dysfunction, what they value in life and why. A person’s “F Words” reveal their flaws and lay bare their strengths. In fiction, just like in real life, your character’s F Words will show you how he or she thrives in some areas while struggling in others. Some of his/her Major Life Areas will be over-developed compensators for others that are woefully impoverished and painful for him or her. Difficulty in Major Life Areas reflect both inner and outer conflict—which, in fiction, is gold.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com