How many times have you rooted for a story’s hero while secretly hoping something bad happens to them?
I find myself doing that a lot, and it happens much more often when that hero is too one-sided. You know what I mean, right? A one-sided character is too good. Their flaws either don’t exist or are so minor that they don’t really count as actual flaws. A one-sided hero might be worthy of winning in the end of the story but is rarely worthy of a place in your long-term memory.
In short, these characters are forgettable. They’re not the kind of characters I want to read about or root for. And they’re definitely not the kind I want to write about. You think it’s hard to slog through a read with these weak characters? Try slogging through months of writing about them!
In the realm of storytelling, heroes have long been the epitome of virtue, embodying the highest ideals and moral principles. They are often portrayed as paragons of goodness, fighting evil and overcoming insurmountable odds. However, in the evolving landscape of literature, there is a growing recognition that heroes, like real people, are more complex and multifaceted. They possess flaws, make mistakes, and sometimes, they aren’t entirely good.
Here’s how I go about crafting nuanced heroes who aren’t all good.
Understanding the Complexity of Heroes
Before delving into the process of creating imperfect heroes, it’s essential to understand why complexity matters. Real people are not purely good or evil; they are a blend of strengths and weaknesses, virtues and vices. By mirroring this complexity in my characters, I make them more realistic and relatable.
Berney’s Rules for Creating Complex Heroes
1. If They’re Too Good, They’re Bad
Good guys with no bad tendencies are not realistic. More importantly, they’re no fun to root for. I want my readers to realize that the playing field isn’t just uneven, it’s a long-shot at best that my heroes will even survive, let alone win against whatever antagonist I pit them against. If my hero is brave, I might make him reckless. If she’s smart, I might make her arrogant. There needs to be a flaw that counters the hero’s strength. Something internal that is far more likely to derail their journey than some external person or force.
2. They Have to Have Seen Some Shit
I’ve made no secret about the fact that I’m an avid outliner. More than that, though, I dive deep into my characters before I write a single word about them or from them. How can I honestly portray these fictional friends of mine if I don’t know them inside and out? So I being with a deep backstory. I examine their character traits, their internal conflicts, their habits, their histories. I even write about how I want them to change during the course of the story I’m about to write. Only then, once I understand what makes them tick, do I begin to put them in harms way.
3. Grey Areas Are More Compelling Than White Hats
Real-life decisions are rarely black and white, and I make every attempt to ensure my heroes’ choices reflect this complexity. I put them into situations where the right course of action is unclear and/or uncomfortable. I force them to make difficult decisions. I never let them off easy. And why should I? That’d stunt their personal growth and create a rather boring and predictable story. These moral ambiguities highlight their flaws and humanize them for me and my readers.
4. They Should Struggle With Themselves as Much as They Do With the Antagonist
Internal conflict is a powerful tool for revealing a hero’s imperfections. That’s why my characters often grapple with their own values, desires, and fears. This struggle manifests in various ways, such as guilt over past actions, doubts about their mission, or conflicting loyalties. These internal battles make my heroes more relatable and provide opportunities for growth and further conflict. They also raise the stakes when it’s time for that final epic showdown with the antagonist.
5. They’re Gonna Need Some Help
I have to admit, so far in my literary journey as a novelist, I have found it more engaging to create intimate worlds with few characters. But that just means that these few characters take on even greater importance. My supporting characters often play a significant role in highlighting my hero’s flaws and complexities. In real life, nobody succeeds alone. And in fiction, it is rare that a hero doesn’t owe a debt of gratitude to someone (often many someones).
6. Winning is Boring
Let’s face it. Winning is boring. It’s the part that readers somewhat expect to happen. It’s the twists and turns and unexpected setbacks that keep the pulse racing as you turn the page. That means I have to hold off on the win as long as I can as a writer. I have to keep throwing obstacles in my heroes’ way. Honestly, as the writer, this is the most fun for me. I think as a reader it is as well. It’s not whether or not a hero will win in the end that keeps us reading. It’s how they’ll do it and what they’ll sacrifice to make it happen.
Imperfect Heroes Are The Perfect Protagonists
Creating heroes who aren’t all good offers several benefits (for me as the writer, and for you as the reader). In the landscape of modern literature, heroes who aren’t all good resonate more deeply with readers.
They reflect the complexities of real life, offering a richer and more authentic narrative experience. Often, in my genre at least, they aren’t always the most reliable narrators. But they’re always relatable. And that’s what makes you want to root for them, in spite (or because) of their flaws.
