We all love a relatable, flawed story character — one who has struggles (and triumphs!) that we can identify with.

Good character flaws stir up drama, push character growth, and give your story’s plot more meaning. These flaws significantly impact a character’s life, shaping their identity and influencing their journey within the story.

Let’s take a look at some common character flaws (and some not-so-common ones). We’ll organize them into minor flaws, major flaws, and then fatal flaws.

I’ve been a creative writer and screenwriter for more than ten years now, and I know how important a well-thought-out flaw is for shaping your story characters and their arcs.

So, I hope you find the perfect character flaws for your story’s fictional characters here in this article! We’ll start with a description of what character flaws are, and how they drive character development.

You can also click here to go straight to the character flaws list!

What Are Character Flaws?

Character flaws are the little (or big) things that make a character imperfect. These negative traits can shape how they act and how they deal with others. They come in three main types:

Minor flaws – These are small quirks or vices, like always interrupting people or biting their nails. They don’t really change the story much – but they do make the character more real. Examples of minor flaws are:
1. Clumsiness: Bella Swan in Twilight is very clumsy. It makes her relatable and kind of charming, but it doesn’t really affect the plot much.
2. Fear of Snakes: Indiana Jones in the Indiana Jones series hates snakes. It adds some funny and tense moments but doesn’t change the overall story.
3. Awkwardness: Cath Avery in Fangirl is socially awkward. This helps people relate to her, but it doesn’t drive the main plot.
Major flaws – These can cause bigger problems for your character – like if they are arrogant or dishonest. A major flaw will often lead to challenges the character has to overcome. They are often the driving force for that character, and sometimes, even the plot. Some good major flaw examples are:
1. Arrogance: Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter is full of himself. His arrogance causes many conflicts between him and Harry.
2. Dishonesty: George Wickham in Pride and Prejudice lies and manipulates, causing major issues for the main characters.
3. Obsession: In The Girl on the Train, Rachel Watson is obsessed with her ex and drinks too much, which leads to her personal struggles.
Fatal flaws – These are the biggies, like extreme pride (hubris) or loyalty to a fault. If the character doesn’t fix these, it can cause their downfall. Some fatal flaw examples from literature are:
1. Hubris (Pride): Victor Frankenstein in Frankenstein has an unstoppable desire for knowledge and a belief that he is superior to others. This arrogance leads to his downfall when his creation turns on him.
2. Jealousy: Othello in Shakespeare’s Othello becomes overwhelmed by jealousy. In the end, it leads him to kill his wife and take his own life.
3. Obsession: Captain Ahab in Moby-Dick is obsessed with getting revenge on the white whale. His obsession causes the destruction of his ship, his crew, and ultimately himself.

Why Character Flaws Matter

Flaws make characters feel more human. We all know that no one is truly perfect – even those we see as heroes or leaders. A character flaw will create the conflict and tension that keep a story interesting, as well as making sure that readers see your characters as relatable.

A flawed character, with their imperfections, becomes more realistic and compelling to the audience. These flaws contribute to character arcs, create conflict, and enhance the overall narrative by providing opportunities for growth and development.

It also gives the character an internal struggle to overcome, which is far more compelling than a simple external one. A main character who has to fight himself in addition to other characters will be a more memorable protagonist than one who is perfect from the get-go and only has to face physical problems.

When characters face their flaws and grow, the audience connects with their journey. Plus, watching a character overcome their weaknesses can give the story a powerful arc. It’s a way for the writer to explore deep ideas like redemption, morality, and resilience.

So, in short, flaws aren’t just there for drama – they’re a huge part of what makes a story work.

The Huge List of Character Flaws

So, all of this means that you need some unique character flaws for your own story characters!

Let’s get started with the character flaws list! We’ll start with some great minor flaw examples, then move on to major flaws and last, fatal flaws.

woman looking in cracked mirror at her flaws

Minor Character Flaws

Here’s a categorized list of 50+ minor character flaws with examples from literature and movies to show how they add depth without driving the whole plot. Quite often, a minor flaw will be related to the character’s physical appearance or a physical trait.

Personality and Behavior

Nail-biting: A character flaw showing stress or anxiety.
Example: Dr. John Watson (Sherlock Holmes) bites his nails in tense moments.
Messy: Reflects a carefree or disorganized personality.
Example: Ron Weasley (Harry Potter) is often messy, complementing his laid-back nature.
Gullible: Easily tricked, often leading to humor.
Example: Neville Longbottom (Harry Potter) starts off gullible, adding charm to his character arc.
Hair-twisting: A physical flaw that is done unconsciously when thinking or nervous.
Example: Hermione Granger (Harry Potter) twists her hair when stressed or deep in thought.
Foot-tapping: Shows impatience or restlessness.
Example: Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory) taps his foot when waiting.
Pen-clicking: A habit that can annoy others but is done absentmindedly.
Example: Jim Halpert (The Office) clicks his pen during meetings.
Humming: Softly singing to oneself, sometimes at awkward times.
Example: Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter) hums to herself, adding to her quirky personality.
Finger-drumming: Indicates boredom or impatience.
Example: Tony Stark (Iron Man) drums his fingers when thinking.
Lip-biting: Shows nervousness or concentration.
Example: Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games) bites her lip when anxious.
Pencil-chewing: Reveals deep concentration or nervousness.
Example: Matilda Wormwood (Matilda) chews on her pencil while studying.
Nose-wrinkling: A subtle gesture of distaste or confusion.
Example: Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice) wrinkles her nose when she disapproves of something.
Eye-rolling: Expresses annoyance or disbelief.
Example: Ron Weasley (Harry Potter) rolls his eyes at Hermione’s know-it-all behavior.
Fidgeting with jewelry: Playing with rings or necklaces when nervous.
Example: Claire Underwood (House of Cards) fidgets with her wedding ring during tense moments.
Whistling: Making tunes, sometimes at inappropriate times.
Example: Samwise Gamgee (The Lord of the Rings) whistles while working, reflecting his optimism.
Cracking knuckles: A physical flaw that shows nervousness or a need to relieve tension.
Example: Joey Tribbiani (Friends) cracks his knuckles when unsure what to say.
Adjusting glasses: Pushing up glasses, often a sign of concentration.
Example: Egon Spengler (Ghostbusters) adjusts his glasses when explaining science.
Snapping fingers: Done when trying to remember something.
Example: The Doctor (Doctor Who) snaps his fingers while recalling information.
Sighing: Indicates frustration or tiredness.
Example: Marge Simpson (The Simpsons) sighs often when dealing with her family’s antics.
Chewing gum: Casual or inattentive behavior.
Example: Violet Beauregarde (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) constantly chews gum.
Yawning: Indicates boredom or disinterest.
Example: Ferris Bueller (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) yawns in class, showing his lack of interest.
Scratching head: Shows confusion or deep thought.
Example: Arthur Dent (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) scratches his head when confused.
Tapping chin: A thoughtful gesture.
Example: Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie’s novels) taps his chin when solving mysteries.
Overly critical: Points out the smallest flaws, sometimes unintentionally.
Example: Simon Cowell (American Idol) is overly critical, adding drama and entertainment.
Overly trusting: Easily misled due to being too trusting.
Example: Buddy (Elf) is overly trusting, leading to funny misunderstandings.
Melodramatic: Exaggerates situations, often for comedic effect.
Example: Rachel Green (Friends) turns minor issues into big dramatic moments.

Social and Interpersonal Traits

Socially awkward: Creates misunderstandings or comic relief.
Example: Charlie (The Perks of Being a Wallflower) struggles socially.
Gossip/busybody: Stirs up tension.
Example: Miss Bates (Emma) gossips, affecting social dynamics.
Interrupts frequently: Annoys others unintentionally.
Example: Hermione Granger (Harry Potter) often interrupts to share facts.
Nosy: Intrusive in others’ affairs.
Example: Mrs. Bennet (Pride and Prejudice) meddles in her daughters’ lives.

Emotional and Psychological Traits

Anxious: Makes the character relatable.
Example: Piglet (Winnie the Pooh) is constantly anxious.
Pessimistic: Provides contrast or humor.
Example: Eeyore (Winnie the Pooh) is perpetually gloomy.
Jealous: Fuels minor conflicts.
Example: Draco Malfoy (Harry Potter) is often jealous.
Melodramatic: Overreacts to everything.
Example: Rachel Green (Friends) has melodramatic tendencies.
Overly sensitive: Gets hurt easily.
Example: Piglet (Winnie the Pooh) feels everything deeply.
Self-doubt: Lacks confidence, leading to hesitation.
Example: Charlie Brown (Peanuts) always questions himself.

Physical Flaws and Habits

Clumsy: Adds humor and makes characters relatable.
Example: Bella Swan (Twilight) is known for being clumsy.
Fidgety: Shows nervousness.
Example: Ron Weasley (Harry Potter) often fidgets in stressful situations.
Overly apologetic: Annoys others by constantly saying sorry.
Example: Chidi Anagonye (The Good Place) apologizes excessively.
Daydreamer: Misses what’s happening around them.
Example: Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter) is often lost in thought.
Disorganized: Adds to life’s chaos.
Example: Bridget Jones (Bridget Jones’s Diary) struggles with organization.
Laziness: Prefers the easy route.
Example: Garfield (Garfield) is the poster cat for laziness.
Overly punctual: Takes being on time to extremes.
Example: Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory) is obsessively punctual.

Major Character Flaws

Here’s a categorized list of 50+ major character flaws, along with examples from well-known stories or movies. These flaws play a significant role in character development and often drive the story.

Personality and Behavior

Arrogance: Excessive pride or self-importance, often leading to downfall.
Example: Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby) is blinded by his arrogance, leading to his tragic end.
Dishonesty: Habitual lying or deceit, creating conflict and mistrust.
Example: Fletcher Reede (Liar Liar) deceives others for personal gain, leading to being unable to lie for 24 hours.
Impulsiveness: Acts without thinking, leading to unintended consequences.
Example: Sterling Archer (Archer) often acts impulsively, which ends up getting him in even more trouble.
Stubbornness: Refuses to change or adapt, causing conflict.
Example: Captain Ahab (Moby-Dick) is unyielding in his pursuit of the whale, leading to his demise.
Greed: Insatiable desire for wealth or power, often leading to ruin.
Example: Ebenezer Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) is driven by greed until he learns to change.
Vanity: Overly concerned with appearances, often causing tension.
Example: Otto (A Fish Called Wanda) is an idiot, convinced he’s the smartest man in the room.
Temperamental: Prone to mood swings or outbursts, leading to strained relationships.
Example: King Lear (King Lear) is temperamental, driving away those who care for him.
Apathy: Lack of concern for others, often creating isolation.
Example: Meursault (The Stranger) is indifferent to everything, which impacts his fate.
Impatience: Cannot tolerate delay, leading to rash decisions.
Example: Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars) is impatient, contributing to his fall to the dark side.
Narcissism: Excessive self-love or need for admiration, often alienating others.
Example: Miranda Priestly (The Devil Wears Prada) is narcissistic, negatively affecting her personal relationships.
Overprotectiveness: Suffocates others by being overly controlling.
Example: Marlin (Finding Nemo) is overprotective, causing tension with his son.
Authoritarian: Enforces strict control, stifling freedom.
Example: Dolores Umbridge (Harry Potter) imposes harsh rules, creating resistance.
Pride: Too proud to admit mistakes or accept help.
Example: Achilles (The Iliad) refuses to fight out of pride, affecting the war.

Social and Interpersonal Traits

Manipulative: Uses others for personal gain, creating tension.
Example: Iago (Othello) manipulates everyone around him, causing destruction.
Jealousy: Envious of others, leading to destructive behavior.
Example: Salieri (Amadeus) becomes consumed by jealousy of Mozart’s natural talents.
Controlling: Desires to dominate others, often causing strife.
Example: Annie Wilkes (Misery) controls the protagonist, creating a dangerous and tense situation.
Selfishness: Prioritizes personal needs over others, leading to conflict.
Example: Scarlett O’Hara (Gone with the Wind) is selfish, which impacts her relationships and life choices.
Vindictiveness: Driven by revenge, often causing destruction.
Example: Edmond Dantès (The Count of Monte Cristo) seeks revenge, which drives much of the plot.
Cynicism: Distrusts others’ motives, often leading to isolation.
Example: Rick Blaine (Casablanca) is initially cynical, which affects his relationships.
Cowardice: Avoids confrontation or responsibility.
Example: Hamlet (Hamlet) is often indecisive and avoids direct action, leading to tragedy.
Aloofness: Emotionally distant, leading to misunderstandings.
Example: Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice) is aloof, which causes friction in his relationship with Elizabeth.
Prejudice: Holds biased views, leading to conflict or harm.
Example: Tom Buchanan (The Great Gatsby) is prejudiced and classist, which fuels tension in the story.
Greed for power: Seeks dominance over others’ lives.
Example: Cersei Lannister (Game of Thrones) manipulates and seeks power, creating chaos.

Emotional and Psychological Traits

Paranoia: Irrational distrust, leading to isolation.
Example: Curtis LaForche (Take Shelter) spirals into paranoia over visions of an impending doom, leading to his mental breakdown.
Insecurity: Lacks confidence, leading to self-destructive choices.
Example: Willy Loman (Death of a Salesman) is insecure about his success, which devastates his family and career.
Obsessiveness: Fixated on a goal, often to the detriment of everything else.
Example: Andrew Neiman (Whiplash) is obsessed with becoming a great jazz drummer at the cost of personal relationships and his own mental health.
Depression: Overwhelmed by sadness, affecting decisions and relationships.
Example: Holden Caulfield (The Catcher in the Rye) struggles with depression, which shapes his worldview.
Anxiety: Constant worry or irrational fear, leading to indecision or poor choices.
Example: Chidi Anagonye (The Good Place) is paralyzed by anxiety, causing problems in his relationships.
Hubris: Excessive pride, leading to downfall.
Example: Prince Adam (Beauty & The Beast) becomes the Beast thanks to his prideful treatment of a witch looking for charity.
Self-doubt: Overwhelming uncertainty about one’s own abilities.
Example: George McFly (Back to the Future) struggles with self-doubt, which he eventually overcomes.
Fear of failure: Leads to stagnation or inaction.
Example: Frodo Baggins (The Lord of the Rings) struggles with intense fear – but pushes through.
Delusions of grandeur: Overinflated sense of self-worth.
Example: Walter White (Breaking Bad) believes he can control everything, leading to his downfall.
Emotional detachment: Disconnects from others emotionally.
Example: Dexter Morgan (Dexter) struggles to connect with others, resulting in complex personal challenges.

Lifestyle and Habits

Addiction: Dependence on substances or behaviors.
Example: Renton (Trainspotting) battles drug abuse, affecting his decisions and relationships.
Recklessness: Takes unnecessary risks.
Example: Han Solo (Star Wars) often acts recklessly, endangering himself and others.
Irresponsibility: Fails to take accountability for actions.
Example: Jordan Belfort (The Wolf of Wall Street) is reckless with money and drugs, leading to his collapse.
Cruelty: Enjoys causing harm to others.
Example: Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) exerts cruelty over patients, creating a hostile environment.
Workaholism: Prioritizes work over personal life, leading to imbalance.
Example: Miranda Priestly (The Devil Wears Prada) sacrifices relationships for her career.
Obsessive need for control: Needs to manage every aspect of life or others.
Example: Amy Dunne (Gone Girl) manipulates and controls those around her.
Ruthlessness: Willing to do anything to achieve goals.
Example: Frank Underwood (House of Cards) is ruthless in his pursuit of power.
Lust for power: Seeks dominance at all costs.
Example: Macbeth (Macbeth) is driven by ambition, leading to murder and madness.
Violence: Tendency to resort to aggression.
Example: Travis Bickle (Taxi Driver) becomes increasingly violent, isolating himself from society.
Gluttony: Overindulgence in food, drink, or other pleasures.
Example: Augustus Gloop (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) is ruined by his gluttony.

Fatal Character Flaws

Here’s a list of 50 fatal character flaws with examples illustrating how these traits can lead to a character’s downfall. These character flaws often drive the plot and cause significant consequences for the characters and those around them.

Hubris: Excessive pride or self-confidence.
Example: Victor Frankenstein (Frankenstein) creates a monster – which leads to his own destruction.
Ambition: An intense drive for success or power.
Example: Commodus (Gladiator) is consumed by ambition, leading him to fall at hands of the man he betrayed.
Obsession: Overwhelming preoccupation with a single goal.
Example: Captain Ahab (Moby-Dick) is obsessed with the whale, which leads to his demise.
Jealousy: Envy that leads to destructive behavior.
Example: Othello (Othello) is driven by jealousy, resulting in tragedy.
Greed: Insatiable desire for wealth or possessions.
Example: King Midas (Myth of King Midas) is consumed by greed, which brings him misery.
Stubbornness: Refusal to change or adapt.
Example: Creon (Antigone) is stubborn, losing his family due to his inflexibility.
Cowardice: Avoidance of responsibility or action.
Example: Hamlet (Hamlet) hesitates and avoids decisive action, leading to a tragic end.
Paranoia: Irrational distrust of others.
Example: Jack Torrance (The Shining) becomes paranoid, leading to his mental breakdown.
Ruthlessness: Willingness to harm others to achieve goals.
Example: Walter White (Breaking Bad) becomes ruthless in pursuit of power, leading to his downfall.
Manipulativeness: Using others for personal gain.
Example: Iago (Othello) manipulates others, ultimately being undone when his schemes are exposed.
Arrogance: Overbearing pride and self-importance.
Example: Narcissus (Myth of Narcissus) falls in love with his own reflection, leading to his death.
Selfishness: Prioritizing personal needs over others.
Example: Ebenezer Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) is selfish, leading to isolation until he changes.
Impatience: Inability to wait, leading to rash actions.
Example: Achilles (The Iliad) acts impulsively, which contributes to his downfall.
Insecurity: Lack of confidence that leads to destructive behavior.
Example: Willy Loman (Death of a Salesman) is plagued by insecurity, which causes his tragic fate.
Recklessness: Taking unnecessary risks.
Example: Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby) is reckless in his pursuit of love, leading to his death.
Vindictiveness: Seeking revenge regardless of the cost.
Example: Edmond Dantès (The Count of Monte Cristo) is consumed by revenge, complicating his life.
Addiction: Dependency on substances or behaviors.
Example: Tyrion Lannister (Game of Thrones) struggles with alcoholism, affecting his judgment.
Cruelty: Enjoying causing harm to others.
Example: Annie Wilkes (Misery) is cruel in her methods of forcing Paul Sheldon to write her book, leading to her downfall.
Workaholism: Prioritizing work over personal life.
Example: Sebastian and Mia (La La Land) each sacrifice their relationship in order to pursue their career goals.
Desperation: Acting out of extreme need or urgency.
Example: Fantine (Les Misérables) becomes desperate, leading to her tragic end.
Naivety: Lack of experience or sophistication.
Example: Lennie Small (Of Mice and Men) is naive, leading to misunderstandings and tragedy.
Pride: Excessive belief in one’s abilities.
Example: Odysseus (The Odyssey) shows excessive pride, causing delays in his journey home.
Lust: Intense desire leading to destructive consequences.
Example: Anna Karenina (Anna Karenina) is driven by lust, leading to her downfall.
Guilt: Overwhelming remorse affecting behavior.
Example: Lady Macbeth (Macbeth) is consumed by guilt, leading to her madness and death.
Cynicism: Distrust of others’ motives, leading to isolation.
Example: Holden Caulfield (The Catcher in the Rye) is cynical, causing alienation.
Hypocrisy: Pretending to have virtues or beliefs one doesn’t possess.
Example: Tartuffe (Tartuffe) is a hypocrite, leading to his exposure.
Despair: Loss of hope, leading to inaction or self-destruction.
Example: Ophelia (Hamlet) falls into despair, resulting in her tragic death.
Fanaticism: Extreme zeal that leads to destructive behavior.
Example: Javert (Les Misérables) is fanatically devoted to the law, leading to his suicide.
Melancholy: Deep sadness affecting actions.
Example: Llewyn Davis (Inside Llewyn Davis) struggles with constant melancholy, affecting his outlook and relationships.
Overconfidence: Excessive belief in one’s own abilities.
Example: Icarus (Myth of Icarus) flies too close to the sun due to overconfidence, leading to his fall.
Deceitfulness: Habitual lying or trickery.
Example: Tom Ripley (The Talented Mr. Ripley) is deceitful, leading to moral and personal conflicts.
Overprotectiveness: Excessive desire to shield others.
Example: Marlin (Finding Nemo) is overprotective of Nemo, leading to tension and adventure.
Intolerance: Unwillingness to accept others’ views.
Example: Judge Frollo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) is intolerant, leading to his destruction.
Fatalism: Belief in inevitable fate, leading to passivity.
Example: Meursault (The Stranger) accepts his fate, leading to his passive demise.
Imprudence: Lack of caution or judgment.
Example: Romeo (Romeo and Juliet) acts rashly, leading to tragedy.
Isolation: Withdrawal from others, leading to loneliness.
Example: Miss Havisham (Great Expectations) isolates herself, leading to her downfall.
Martyrdom: Sacrificing oneself unnecessarily for a cause.
Example: Sydney Carton (A Tale of Two Cities) sacrifices himself heroically but tragically.
Narcissism: Excessive self-love and lack of empathy.
Example: Tom Buchanan (The Great Gatsby) is narcissistic, causing destruction around him.
Obstinacy: Stubborn refusal to change.
Example: Antigone (Antigone) remains obstinate, leading to her tragic death.
Overzealousness: Excessive enthusiasm that leads to rash actions.
Example: Don Quixote (Don Quixote) is overzealous, leading to both comic and tragic events.
Pessimism: Tendency to see the worst in situations.
Example: Marvin (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) is pessimistic, affecting his interactions.
Possessiveness: Excessive desire to control others.
Example: Heathcliff (Wuthering Heights) is possessive, leading to destructive relationships.
Prejudice: Preconceived opinions that lead to conflict.
Example: Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice) holds prejudices, affecting her relationships.
Rashness: Acting without careful consideration.
Example: Juliet (Romeo and Juliet) acts rashly, leading to tragedy.
Resentment: Bitter feelings toward others.
Example: William Foster (Falling Down) harbors resentment about his failed marriage and career, leading to a series of impulsive and deadly decisions.
Rigidity: Inability to adapt to change.
Example: Javert (Les Misérables) is rigid, leading to his eventual demise.
Self-doubt: Lack of confidence, leading to hesitation.
Example: Carrie (Carrie) struggles with self-doubt thanks to her abusive mother, leading to tragic results.
Self-righteousness: Belief in one’s moral superiority.
Example: Director Krennic (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) is so self-righteous, he’s unable to see the signs of impending failure until it’s too late.
Spitefulness: Desire to hurt or annoy others.
Example: Cathy (East of Eden) is spiteful, leading to destructive actions.
Vanity: Excessive pride in one’s appearance or achievements.
Example: Narcissus (Myth of Narcissus) is vain, leading to his demise when he falls in love with his reflection.

These fatal flaws illustrate how deep, often uncontrollable traits can lead to characters’ downfalls, creating some of the most iconic stories and tragedies in literature and film.

Physical and Personality Flaws

Physical and personality flaws are key to creating well-rounded characters. Physical flaws could include things like physical habits, scars, or chronic health problems, while personality flaws might be traits like arrogance, impulsiveness, or dishonesty. These flaws impact how a character interacts with others, makes decisions, and deals with challenges.

For example, a character like Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones has a physical condition that shapes how people treat him and how he sees himself. This characteristic plays a big part in his arc.

Personality flaws dive deeper into the character’s inner world. Take Sherlock Holmes – his arrogance and impulsiveness can cause conflicts, but they also fuel his genius as a detective.

By combining both physical and personality flaws, you create a multi-dimensional character whose imperfections act as obstacles that the character must face.

Develop Unique Character Flaws

To develop unique character flaws, make sure you’ve planned out your character’s backstory, personality, and motivations.

Start by asking questions about your character’s past. What experiences shaped them? What are they most afraid of or driven by?

For example, someone who grew up in a competitive environment might develop jealousy or a need for constant approval.

Next, think about how these flaws show up in their actions. Are they overly critical because they fear failure? Do they push people away because they’re afraid of getting hurt?

Remember, flaws don’t have to be dramatic to be interesting. Even small flaws, like procrastination or a fear of failure, can add depth. The key is to make sure these flaws feel authentic and contribute to the character’s journey.

RELATED: Check out these great lists of character ideas, character backstory ideas, and villain ideas!

How to Write Flaws in a Story

When writing a character’s flaws, it’s important to show them in action rather than just telling the reader about them. This helps make the character more real.

For example, instead of saying a character is impulsive, show them making a rash decision that causes problems or conflict.

Dialogue is another way to reveal flaws. A character’s words can show their arrogance, insecurity, or dishonesty. For instance, a character who constantly brags might be covering up deep insecurities.

You can also use other characters’ reactions to show how a protagonist’s flaws affect relationships and drive conflict.

scale of balancing character flaws with strengths

Creating a Character Arc with Flaws

A character arc is the growth or transformation a character goes through in the story, and flaws are key to this process. Start by identifying the character’s main flaw and how it impacts their life. Then think about how this flaw will be challenged throughout the story.

For example, a character who’s too proud might face situations that force them to ask for help, leading to personal growth. Along the way, they should have moments of realization and change, often triggered by outside events or relationships.

By the end of the story, the character should have evolved in a way that feels earned. Their flaws may not disappear completely, but they should learn to manage them better.

Can Character Flaws Lead to Good Outcomes?

While flaws can cause trouble, they can also lead to positive outcomes. For example, an overly cautious character might learn to take risks and discover new opportunities. A character who struggles with self-doubt might become more resilient and confident as the story progresses.

These positive outcomes make a character’s journey inspiring to readers. They show that flaws aren’t just obstacles but also opportunities for growth.

Embrace your character’s imperfections, and watch them come to life on the page!

Turn Flaws into Character Development Gold

Every great story has conflict, and a lot of that conflict comes from the character’s flaws.

Whether it’s arrogance, insecurity, or obsession, these traits drive the plot and challenge your characters. Think about how the flaw you choose will shape their character arc and inform the lessons they’ll learn.

Don’t wait—grab my character development workbook now to help you flesh out the personality, backstory, and flaws of your characters to help turn your story into gold!

Character Flaws List: 135+ Powerful Flaws For Your Next Story To Fuel The Conflict!