Write Your Book: Act 10- Only Human

Write Your Book: Act 10- Only Human

I am not going to deny that quite a lot of story protagonists, are not human. But then again, I feel that it is important for a character to have identifiable human failings. Even, Superman is hindered by his own sense of humane justice. Superman’s weakness to Kryptonite plays second fiddle to how he gets himself exposed to it in the first place. I doubt supervillians would be targeting him in the first place if it were not for the fact that he feels obliged to help innocent civilians.

So here’s a list of human weaknesses to match last lesson’s list of human abilities.

Write Your Book: Top 8 Human Failings

1.) Arrogance: Your character is deluded into thinking that the world revolves around them. In their mind, no one is more important. Your character has a superiority complex and so snubs the thought of teamwork.

2.) Reputation: Your character is the core of rumours and accusations. Decent folks don’t want to be associated with your character. Whether your character is as bad as others say, is not the point. Life is going to be difficult for him/ her.

3.) Cowardice: Your character prefers fleeing over fighting. In their mind, its better to live to fight another day and to generally avoid confrontation. People label him/ her a ‘coward’. Perhaps, that is true.

4.) Dependency: Your character has an acute addiction/ obsession. It could be physical or it could be psychological. Cravings can occur randomly or at set intervals. Your character feels a void that can only be filled by their object of desire.      

5.) Lecherous: Your character is Ken Akamatsu.

6.) Love: There is someone that your character holds very dear. Their ambitions will be incomplete without their loved one. This can inhibit them but they would not have it any other way.

7.) Poverty: Money is not the most important thing in life but life is sure difficult for your character. Making ends meet is a constant struggle. Your character would be very content with two meals a day. They feel embarrassed by their underprivileged status.  

8.) Temper: Conflict seems a regular occurrence with your character. They simply get too angry too quickly. They can’t help are easily lured into arguments with mere taunts.  

The above are but a few examples that I have selected. There are many, many more. Now that you’ve got the point, hurry up with that character creation.

More next lesson. (Write your Book)