For an author, the nice characters aren't much fun. What…
“For an author, the nice characters aren't much fun. What you want are the screwed up characters. You know, the characters that are constantly wondering if what they are doing is the right thing, characters that are not only screwed up but are self-tapping screws. They're doing it for themselves.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Writers should favor flawed, conflicted characters over overly pleasant ones to create tension and depth.
In simple terms: Flawed characters make stories interesting.
Key Takeaway
Write characters with inner conflict.
Themes
character development
conflict
storytelling
Mood
thoughtful
creative
Type
literary
inspirational
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- role‑playing games
Key Concepts
psychology
human nature
narrative tension
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance flaw and relatability?
- What makes a character's struggle compelling?
A Different Perspective
Overly flawed characters can alienate readers if not balanced.