If you think about it, every trait, even the good ones, can be taken too far or have a flipside to it.
What if our good traits start to work against us and create conflict for us or add tension to a situation?
I’m really Type A about some things. I have to be on time. It’s almost an obsession for me…and I’ll do just about anything to be on time.
That definitely has a bad side. If I get any hint that a situation will make me late…a traffic jam, a last-minute emergency that crops up…I’m stressed out. Stress isn’t good for me and isn’t good for people around me, either. :) I’m not nearly as fun to be around when I’m stressed out—and that’s a lousy way to start out a lunch date or a night at the movies, or a school event, or whatever I’m on my way to.
An organized person who plans their day may have low tolerance for a sudden change in plans.
Sometimes people who are too nice don’t have much of a backbone.
Someone can be industrious but could cross the line into being a workaholic.
Charismatic people can be egotistical.
Intelligent people sometimes need constant stimulation or else they get bored.
And on it goes. :) Have you thought of the flipside of your characters’ positive traits and how they might trip them up?
Me too type A and yet I’m a free spirit inside trying to get out from under the Type A person.
Thanks for the tips on looking at the flip side.
Elizabeth – That kind of thinking is exactly why your characters have some authenticity and depth to them. Every trait has negative and positive aspects to it, doesn’t it? And thinking about flip sides prevents major characters from being too perfect (something that always annoys me about characters) or too evil (again, annoying). Thanks as always for the food for thought.
Good observations. And so true
Too much of a good thing can definitely create problems. Although I like throwing my characters into situations they aren’t trained for, looking at the flip side also opens new possibilities. Thanks for the good post.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
Love this post. Flip-sides add so much dimension and realism to characters.
Such a good post. That is just exactly what’s happening to my protagonist. She’s so determined and focused that she almost misses the one thing she’s really searching for.
I try to remember this every time I create a new character. There’s always the flip side of any characteristic. I don’t think I’m a Type A personality; but I do hate being late…hate it hate it hate it.
Yes! A perfectionist can drive others crazy. And I know this from personal experience…
I’ve got a cop in my WIP who’s a really good cop but so focused on the way things should be done it makes him inflexible in off beat situations.
I think that’s a perfect way to think about it. I have many of the perfections/imperfections as you and a good writer will write both sides of those coins into their book.
CD
Flippin’ good post, Elizabeth! I was having my doubts about realistic conflict with one of my characters and you just gave me a new direction to go. Thanks!
And thanks for stopping by the blog! Always a pleasure!
Absolutely. My heroine is a type ‘A’. She is 110% dedicated to her music. This means she is also stubborn and I use this trait in many a conflict scene.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
This is an excellent point I didn’t really think about when it comes to characters. Thank you!
You always have such great information. This is definitely something to make a note of. :)
Kiran–Thanks! :)
The Old Silly–Thanks for coming by, Marvin!
Teresa–Good luck letting that free spirit out!
Alex–I live with one of those, myself! :)
Margot–I like your idea of applying the flip side to a bad guy, too–because no one can be bad ALL the time!
Linda–Inflexibility is a great one to work with! Lots of potential for conflict with that.
Clarissa–It’s kind of fun to think that someone’s good traits can work against them, too. :)
Nancy–I think stubborness works really well to produce conflict.
Terry–Thanks! And thanks for dropping by.
Carol–Can’t see the forest for the trees? I’m like that, frequently, myself!
Heather–Thanks so much for coming by!
TK–Thanks so much! Hope it helps. :)
Elspeth–Me too!! Hate it. Oh…and someone acting like I’ve dropped the ball on something when I haven’t. Oh Lordy. It just makes me flip out…
It’s that double-edged sword we speak of. On the one hand, something is good, on the other, it can be taken to extremes. Yes. The so-called good characteristics become the flaw.
Interesting post! I never really thought about a good point being a drawback for a character, not in that sense.
Mary–And I love flaws. :) With mysteries, it’s especially fun because not everyone is who they seem to be.
The Golden Eagle–Isn’t it funny how even the good traits can trip us up sometimes?
Stacy–I’m glad you’ve got some more ideas for conflict! Oh, we do love to torture our characters… :)