How to Write Flawed Characters and Antiheroes

Plus, discover 10 ways to beat writer's block fast. [Web Version »]( &p1=%405r%2FMWlXxe0ToIchjI0s1FI%2BTBowgVG5TMAN0sDRCTG8%3D) [header]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) [Name]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) [No More Mr. Nice Guys: How to Write Flawed Characters and Antiheroes]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) Not so long ago it seemed every writer agreed: Protagonists must be "likable." Then something curious happened. Everyone began to realize that "likable" is merely a few degrees from "nice," which in turn nudges perilously close to "boring." People may not like spending 200–500 pages with a wanton wretch, but they don't like wasting time with a Boy Scout's shadow, either. In truth, protagonists need to be compelling -- better yet, fascinating -- not necessarily agreeable. And what makes characters compelling or fascinating is their capacity to surprise. A character who is predictably anything quickly becomes a one-trick pony, incapable of maintaining reader interest for long. The challenge is especially daunting for characters who may disaffect readers with some particularly repellant trait -- a vicious temper, a drinking problem, arrogant self-confidence, outright immorality or even criminality. And yet some flawed characters are among the most fascinating -- and profoundly loved—protagonists of all time. To name just four: - Holden Caulfield, The Catcher in the Rye (an aimless, jaded, venomous cynic) - John Yossarian, Catch-22 (a World War II bombardier who will do anything to avoid flying combat missions) - Dexter Morgan, the Dexter novels (the serial-killer son of a serial killer) - Rachel Watson, The Girl on the Train (a mysteriously obsessed drunk) How, then, does one create such a potentially reprehensible character who nonetheless fascinates? The Allure of Transgression We may tell ourselves that we respect the law and those who uphold it, but there's a little larceny in every heart. The character with a wily knack for seizing a dubious opportunity (or avoiding an odious chore) seldom fails to appeal -- as long as no one gets hurt. This points to: Two Important Truths - There's an implicit understanding that we had no part in making the rules, and that many of them are meant not to protect us but to keep us in line. Our intrinsic desire for freedom and autonomy rankles at this sort of benign coercion, and we instinctively recognize that the goal of "the law" is often not just order but conformity, even oppression. The suspicion that there is "rot at the top" and that corruption is the rule, not the exception, never lurks far beneath the surface. And so, with that in mind, we admire those who refuse to fall into line. - There is a natural limit to the appeal of transgression: the degree of harm to others. We don't mind seeing a greedy plutocrat bilked or a bully brought down a peg, but empathy wanes in direct proportion to the innocence of the victim. Push this too far, and you'll need to provide a countering virtue that shows us the character isn't simply a monster. [Read more...]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) [5 Lessons Writers Can Learn from the Film Can You Ever Forgive Me?]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) [Story 2]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) The 2018 film adaptation of Lee Israel's memoir Can Your Ever Forgive Me?, which details her criminal misadventures forging letters by famous authors, was met with critical acclaim -- and it offers several valuable lessons for writers. [Read More...]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) [10 Creative Ways to Beat Writer’s Block Fast]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) [Story 3]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) We're smack in the middle of NaNoWriMo, and some of us are probably a little bit behind on our word count -- definitely, definitely not me, but you know, some of us. Cough. Right. Anyway, it's time to pick up the pace: This piece from the WD archives by Fred White provides some super speedy ways to beat writer's block and accelerate your story. [Read More...]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) [Believing in the Muse]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) [Story 4]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) Here, author Lisa Freeman shares some of the weirdest places she's ever written. We also asked our Twitter followers to share the strangest places they've penned a story or article. What's yours? [Read More...]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) [Story 5]( ) [Get Paid to Write: How to Land the Best Assignments Writing Copy and Content]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) Learn how to get paid to write. Join us for this free webinar, sponsored by AWAI, and learn what the best paying opportunities are for writers, how much you can expect to make for each of the projects, where to find good-paying clients, how to land the assignments, and more. [Read More...]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) [Puzzles for Writers: 3 Quotable Cryptograms]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) [Story 6]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) In the [January 2019 issue of Writer's Digest]( ), we included a cryptogram in our Potpourri for the Pen column. Solve it, plus two additional cryptograms, to discover writing wisdom by famous writers from past issues of Writer's Digest magazine. [Read More...]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) [Name]( ) [Your Weekly Writing Prompt]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) [wd-logo]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) Thesaurus Abuse: Visit a thesaurus website, or grab a thesaurus from your book shelf if you have one. Search or flip through until you find five preposterously verbose, bombastic, grandiloquent alternatives for everyday words. (See what I did there?) Using all five terms, write a scene about a character who writes "purple prose" or speaks in overly flowery language. Make sure the character uses at least one of the words incorrectly. Include the reactions of the less pretentious characters he or she is addressing. [Find the color chart and post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments here ...]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) [Jess Zafarris]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) Jess Zafarris Follow [@jesszafarris]( ) Jess Zafarris is an energetic multimedia journalist with more than 8 years of experience writing and editing, and the online content director of Writer’s Digest. Please do not reply to this email. We are happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have. Please [click here to contact us]( ). This email was sent by: F+W, 10151 Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA [Unsubscribe or Manage Subscriptions]( &cid=DM85085&bid=854626357) | [Web Version »]( &p1=%405r%2FMWlXxe0ToIchjI0s1FI%2BTBowgVG5TMAN0sDRCTG8%3D) We respect your right to privacy. [View our policy.]( )