Mistakes, Flaws and Redemption
This idea of deeply flawed characters is nothing new, of course. I think almost all characters are flawed to a certain extent, because all people are flawed.
I’ve done characters with dark pasts before, but their actions were spurred by a sense of honor and duty, and therefore were much more easily forgiven sins than those of a character who had been selfish in their past.
When I turned in my first version of The Russian, my editor wasn’t convinced by my heroine’s past. She’d had a big, embarrassing scandal, yet had essentially been blameless of any wrongdoing. So my editor asked me if I could explore how some of what had happened might have been her fault.
And so I thought about it. And I realized that yes, some of it was her fault. She may have acted innocently, but it did not diminish or change the effects of her actions. She made a mistake. She regretted it. It affected her life, and the lives of others. But I think it made her a much, much stronger character in the end.
It’s my opinion, that as long as a character is well-motivated, they can be forgiven for a lot of sins. And ultimately, when they were in such bad need of forgiveness, their ‘redemption’ is that much sweeter.
I’m facing a flawed character again in this WIP. I sent my editor the proposal for Mr. Tall Dark and Hot Frenchman and she said, but why does he feel guilty? If nothing was truly his fault, it seems like he’s just playing the martyr in the midst of a tragedy that, really, has nothing to do with him.
It was interesting she said that, because Blaise had just whispered in my ear the other day that he’d done a bad, bad thing. “No!” I told him, “You didn’t!” and I went back on writing.
Well, today I said, “Okay, maybe you did.” And it turns out, he was right, my editor was right, he had made a bad choice in his past. One worthy of a little self-flagellation.
The road to redeeming him will be steep, but I think, the end will be that much better for it.
And this isn’t even addressing the heroine of the book, who has some very deep scars of her own.
I like this feeling of being free to fully explore, not just my character’s pasts, but their own actions in it. To make a character not only an active force in their present, but their past. Not only responsible for good choices, but bad ones too. Not that every character will have that kind of past. But just like in real life, we all make mistakes. Some of us are lucky, and escape unscathed, others don’t.
So what do you think? Do you like flawed characters? Is someone’s past so dark that they’re ever beyond redemption? (I am excluding harming women, children or puppies from that. Heh)
Also, sorry, must share…I had my own, personal, surprising, first shelf sighting for His Virgin Acquisition last night when I went in to town late to buy formula! 
(aren’t I SO glamorous?)
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This is a great post, Maisey! Love the picture, and can’t wait to read about more flawed characters! I love to write them, and I love to read about them.
Yay Rebecca! A vote for flaws. 🙂 I just read a book where the hero was SO flawed, Paying the Virgin’s Price. He was free to be the most romantic hero because, he loved the heroine and he loved her early, but he felt unworthy and had to work out where the sins of his past fit with the man he wanted to become. *sigh*
I LOVE a flawed character! You know what, I especially love it if the heroine is flawed, cos so often we hear we want to relate to them but so often I read about boring, peachy-perfect heroines and I don’t like that!
My new heroine has made a silly mistake that confirms her family’s opinion she is flighty and irresponsible. The only way to change and become responsible for her mistake is to say NO to the gorgeous, irresistible, Italian hero 🙂
The pic of you and your books is beautiful 🙂
That’s very true, Rach. Although, sometimes readers tend to be less forgiving of heroines too. I’m very anxious to see what people think of my flawed heroine. Although, I think in some ways all good characters are flawed, it’s just that some of them had a bigger hand in creating those flaws than others!
I love a flawed character and, like Rachael, get bored with reading about peachy-perfect heroines. I relate much more to someone who has made mistakes and is owning up to them. I mean, haven’t we all made mistakes?
The current MS I am working on with the ed for MH is just such a heroine. She has made some serious mistakes. The ed really had me push the backstory much further than I originally intended, and writing her was both thrilling and terrifying at the same time.
I think the critical key is, as always, the execution. And the execution can be very difficult. A bit like walking a tightrope, I think. With sharks below. And I hate sharks.
Maisey, I’m sure your characters will be fabulous!
Amy
LOL! Amy, there are sharks in the water!! I’m okay with peachy perfect, TBH. When the heroine’s innocence balances out the hero’s extreme darkness I find it really fascinating. But, at the same time, I love a flawed heroine. It really is all in the execution. 🙂 A well motivated character can get away with a lot!
Good luck with your revs Amy!
I think the more interesting the flaws the more interesting the character. And not just the flaws, as you so rightly pointed out Maisey, it’s the reason for the flaw that makes a character seem like a real person. Lots of heroes in books have sworn not to fall in love – it’s a common failing and it causes them to appear shallow or cold but it’s the reason behind their refusal to fall in love that makes them human to us and makes us cheer when they do fall in love. I’m with Rachael and Amy – not so fussed on the flawless heroine (makes it too hard to pretend it’s me)!
Fab picture!! Go HVA!! I’m a huge fan of the flaws too!
Great picture Maisey, but if it’s so late at night why do you look so sparky? It must have been a great feeling to see you books on the shelf. Did you hide and watch and see if anyone bought one?
Loved flawed characters, the more flaws the better!
Elissa, YES THIS! The reasons why. They matter so very much and take your character from caricature to real person.
Lacey, thank you, dahling. 😉
Susan, LOL! Could be finding the book on the shelf. 🙂 Anyway, it was only nine!
Fab picture. I think it’s so sweet that you were picking up formula and just happened upon “His Virgin Acquisition”. Fantastic!
Great post about the flawed and the guilt-ridden.
Congrats on the North American release!
Hehe…thanks Kathy! I was pleasantly surprised to find it there! It was put out a little early..and when I went back the next day three of them had sold! 😀