The Writing Craft: Why Flawed, Human Characters Make the Strongest Stories

Ever tried writing a story and found your main character just...flat? Maybe they’re too perfect. Or too evil. Or maybe they react to big events without any real reason, and you can’t quite figure out why they do what they do.

Don’t worry—you’re not alone.

Creating a believable character is one of the most important (and tricky) parts of storytelling. No matter your genre, no matter your writing experience, the truth holds: Readers connect to characters who feel human—even if they’re dragons, time travelers, or talking cats.

Let’s talk about why perfect characters fall flat, why villains need motives, and how you can create people (not just props) that your readers will care about.

Superman had insecurities

Perfect People Are Boring

It might feel natural at first to give your protagonist all the right traits. They’re kind, brave, generous, smart—and everyone loves them. Sounds great, right?

Wrong.

When a character never makes mistakes, never doubts themselves, and never struggles with anything internal, readers check out. We don’t trust perfection. We don’t relate to it. Think about it—when’s the last time you met a perfect person?

Exactly.

Example: Superman didn’t truly become interesting until writers explored his identity crisis and sense of isolation. It wasn’t the cape or strength that made him human—it was his inner conflict.

Give your protagonist a flaw. Not just something quirky like “can’t dance,” but something real: jealousy, indecision, pride, insecurity. That’s what hooks us. That’s what keeps us turning the page.

Killmonger ...was hurting

No One Is Evil “Just Because”

Now, let’s talk villains. Or antagonists. Or the complicated ex-best friend standing in the way of your main character’s dream.

Here’s the thing: “Evil for evil’s sake” rarely works. Readers want to understand the why, even if they don’t agree with it. Motivation doesn’t excuse bad behavior—but it does make the character believable.

Example: Killmonger in Black Panther wasn’t a mustache-twirling villain. He had trauma, pain, and a clear goal. His methods were violent, but his backstory created empathy—even if you didn’t support him.

When you create an antagonist, ask:

• What wound, person, event, circumstance shaped them?

• What do they believe they’re doing right?

• How do they justify their choices?

  
  

Often, the villain sees themselves as the hero of their own story. Let them.

Wanted to protect someone she loved.

Motivation Matters (For Everyone)

It’s not just heroes and villains who need motives. Every key character—friend, mentor, rival, or sidekick—needs a reason for how they act and react.

Motivation is what makes a story click. When we understand why a character freezes during a fight or forgives too quickly or pushes someone away, we don’t roll our eyes—we lean in. We want to know what happened before and what might come next.

Example: In The Hunger Games, Katniss doesn’t volunteer for glory—she does it to protect her sister. That single choice tells us everything about her values and drives the whole plot.

When you're writing a scene, try asking:

• What does each character want in this moment?

• What fear or memory might be influencing their behavior?

• How do past choices shape what they do now?

If your characters act randomly or only to serve the plot, they’ll feel hollow. But if their actions make sense for them, even surprising twists will feel believable.

Writing Tip: Let the Characters Clash with Themselves

People are complicated. We often want two things at once: love and independence, safety and risk, revenge and peace. Let your characters wrestle with that.

Give them contradictions. Let your hero be brave in battle but afraid to say “I love you.” Let your villain hesitate before pulling the trigger. That’s where humanity lives—in the tension.

Final Thought

Real people aren’t perfect or purely evil. They make messy choices for personal reasons. They carry pain, dreams, regrets, and hope—and so should your characters.

When you write people who feel real, your story gains depth. Your stakes rise. Your readers care.

And caring is what storytelling is all about.

Join the Mississippi Writers Guild!

Want more writing tips like this? Ready to grow your craft with other writers who get it? Join the Mississippi Writers Guild—for free access to writing information, workshops, writing groups, and a community that supports your creative journey.