How flawed is too flawed?

[jourdanlane]

I woke up this morning thinking about flawed characters, but was expecting a house full of people so I never really managed to sort it all out. Now, people have left (thank GOD! Couldn't take much more toddler/baby fun... *shudders*), my house is clean again, and I'm heading off to bed shortly because tomorrow is a school day. But I just can't get

Comments

[cboy_junkie]

Re #1: I don't see it necessarily as a weakness in the character but more so an opportunity to create some great conflict within the character himself and between the character and his main partners and/or those he cares for and who care for him in return. I realize that many readers would likely want him to remain faithful to his partners, etc., and continue fighting his urges to say yes, but I see the potential for some great creativity in terms of character development and interaction which for me would make the story that much more interesting. Although there would be a need to balance the level of conflict with any potential HEA brewing in the story.

Re #2: I don't think it makes him less likable, credible, a jack-ass or less believable. In fact, I think it would make him more real as a character, more human. I don't know the stats specifically for narcotics officers, but I do know that substance abuse (whether alcohol or drugs or both) is an issue for regular cops given the high stress of their jobs. Sharing a glass of wine or a joint occasionally doesn't make him an addict, but if he does need to self-medicate on a regular basis then it offers you an opportunity to really examine the darker facets of this character and the demons that are driving him to numb his feelings and forget, not to mention the opportunity for some great angst should he get caught.

I know that this is romance/erotica and many readers would likely prefer less bumpy rides in respect of the characters and story arcs, but I'm one of those readers that enjoys reading "flawed" characters even in romance/erotica - they are more accessible to me precisely because being flawed makes them more real and therefore the story more textured and interesting.

My two cents, whatever they are worth.

[jourdanlane]

#1: *laughs* My poor guy is practically begging for the conflict to ease up a little ;-) He's had a rough go of it, being thrust into a world where sex is everything, but human values are somewhat attached to that. It's not only making his head hurt... but MINE!

#2: This character has had some bad shit happen to him throughout his life. So his demons are definitely there, lurking beneath the surface. From all of the LEO's I've known/spoken to, alcoholism runs pretty high. But no one wants to admit to any other instances of substance abuse. If it might cost me my job if the wrong people found out, i guess I wouldn't admit to it either.

Oh, I'm with you. I adore flawed, 3D characters...unless they seem to be tacked on as an after-thought and those? Yeah, I could really do without them :)

*grins* Worth more than two cents, I guarantee! Getting some other thoughts/opinions are helping me work this out in my head!

[cboy_junkie]

#1: *laughs* My poor guy is practically begging for the conflict to ease up a little ;-) He's had a rough go of it, being thrust into a world where sex is everything, but human values are somewhat attached to that. It's not only making his head hurt... but MINE!

Well when put this way my head would hurt too!.....Poor him and you! LOL

Some questions for you - how long before the vamp/incubus side takes over completely, assuming that it ever will? Are his human values a memory, something he is still consciously aware of, or do they linger because physiologically he is still part human? Assuming you ascribe to the nature over nurture belief - as time goes by, post his change, does he become more and more vamp/incubus and less and less human in his essence? If this is the case will his conflict re: sex cease/subside at some point?

[jourdanlane]

I've always felt it varied from person to person. Some are turned and are in tune with the vamp/incubus from the very beginning. Sex it great, sex it good, sex is... food.

And some? Well, they hang on to human values for as long as they can. Those? Are usually the ones who never really understood what it meant to be brought over before it happened.

I think as time goes on, they're either going to have to accept what they are and what they need -- or they're going to have a miserable existence. But yeah, I eventually, nature usually wins the battle.