: Re: Handling an Inauthentic Character One of my main writing projects centers around a character rich with vices. Probably chief among them is self-interest, followed by dishonesty. When I say dishonesty,

@Lee1909368

I don't think any character is ever too complicated. Some may be alienating to more "mainstream" readers, but that only means you shift your target audience to more ambitious readers.

Then, of course, everything happens for some reason. The character being that way is a result of a certain backstory. That backstory must exist, and be consistent.

Now, whether the backstory exists locked forever in your drawer, is merely hinted in the book, or just revealed through some confession or reminiscence, is your decision. In case of a character so complex, personally I'd choose to drip small hints along the way, building the complete backstory as the book goes - it's something that has enough flavor to keep the reader's curiosity piqued, keep them wanting more.

Not giving out the backstory would be a waste - because backstory of a character so complex is bound to be interesting. Still, even if you decide to keep it hidden, keep it fleshed out - YOU need to know what makes the character tick, what fears, motivations, disappointments, dreams, vengeance twisted a person's personality that far. If you skip it, you'll have a much harder time fleshing out the character and keeping the motivations consistent.

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: Is it possible to write entirely abstract fiction? I've always wanted to write fiction, but I've been afraid I'd sooner or later be limited by my lack of exposure to the world (or having any

@Lee1909368

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: People have flaws. If a character is portrayed as flawless then that character comes off as having somewhat less substance than otherwise. The abduction or murder of a relative is not a character,

@Lee1909368

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: The president, the nickel and the dime Not sure if this is on topic here: I remember back when I was a kid, I read a story about a US president. When he was a kid, he was stupid and

@Lee1909368

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: How can I learn the name of a colour to use in a description? I am trying to describe this character: Source Her attire is pretty easy to describe, Purple and Gold (while it looks yellow

: Re: Handling an Inauthentic Character One of my main writing projects centers around a character rich with vices. Probably chief among them is self-interest, followed by dishonesty. When I say dishonesty,

More posts by @Lee1909368

: Is it possible to write entirely abstract fiction? I've always wanted to write fiction, but I've been afraid I'd sooner or later be limited by my lack of exposure to the world (or having any

: People have flaws. If a character is portrayed as flawless then that character comes off as having somewhat less substance than otherwise. The abduction or murder of a relative is not a character,

: The president, the nickel and the dime Not sure if this is on topic here: I remember back when I was a kid, I read a story about a US president. When he was a kid, he was stupid and

: How can I learn the name of a colour to use in a description? I am trying to describe this character: Source Her attire is pretty easy to describe, Purple and Gold (while it looks yellow

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