I know they sound and feel similar, but what makes a flaw different from a negative character trait?
Flaws and Negative Traits : What's the Difference
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Officially, I don't know. But to me, a flaw is something inherent that impedes a character from reaching their goals, but is not necessarily 'negative,' just an imperfection. A 'negative character trait' I see more as a moral imperfection--something that is viewed as negative but may be inherent or learned, such as a serious drug addiction or stealing candy from children.
I agree with Lonely. If there's a consequence, it's a flaw, if not, it's just a negative trait. For instance, I smoke, which is a negative trait. If I get cancer or empha, empaashee, emfasy...(however you spell it) then it becomes a flaw.
You might find it worthwhile reading Aristotle's Poetics or about Tragedy.
A character flaw is a behaviour that impacts on the plot; where negative traits not necessarily so.
A character flaw is a behaviour that impacts on the plot; where negative traits not necessarily so.
None, as far as I can see. A semantic quibble. Aristotle was good at that, probably via influence from Socrates. A character flaw is utterly meaningless unless it has some influence on the plot.
caw
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There are plenty of heroes in fiction that couldn't live with themselves if they knowingly let someone be in trouble, so they tend to go in all guns blazing and rescue said unfortunate soul. It's a flaw that can cause them serious problems in the story, but it's not exactly a negative personality trait, is it?
To be short: Flaws aren't necessarily negative.
To be short: Flaws aren't necessarily negative.
To me, a flaw is something that could hurt the character in the story. A negative trait in one that could hurt the character with the reader. One is internal the other external. Like if they have a trait that makes the reader not like them when they do it (which isn't necessarily bad). Often it's something the reader hopes they overcome by the end of the story.
flaw: I like eating chocolate even when it's not good for me.
negative character trait: I like eating human flesh even when it's not good for me.
negative character trait: I like eating human flesh even when it's not good for me.
I'm not sure tehre is a technical difference, but I do differentiate when writing. For my characters, a flaw is, say, the inability to love someone, the inability to tell the truth, etc. A negative trait comes in the form of actions. Stealing, killing needlessly, cheating, etc.
But this is just for my own writing, a way to better categorize what it is I'm trying to do with a character.
But this is just for my own writing, a way to better categorize what it is I'm trying to do with a character.
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A flaw is a fault within the character that creates problems relevant to the story. So, a man who can't control his anger may hit his wife and the rest of the novel is a debate on the nature of abuse.
A negative character trait is something annoying the character does, but it has no dramatic impact on them. For example, they are rude to people.
Flaws are more powerful than negative character traits.
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Well, it depends on the definitions. Flaws in technically negative. But if we're talking about degrees of negativity, here's where I draw the line:
Selfishness = flaw
Self-doubt = flaw
Indecisiveness = flaw
Vanity = flaw
Eating human = negative trait
Selfish to a point of hurting others for gains = negative trait
kidnap babies and sell them to black market = negative trait
Everyone has flaws. You. Me. Mother Teresa. But not everyone is a "bad person."
They are related, but I think one has to do with internal and the other external. If you're an impatient person, it's your flaws but it doesn't affect me. But if you're impatient and you start to yell at people (being RUDE), then it's a negative trait. so...
Vanity = flaw
Arrogance + condescension toward others = negative trait
Selfishness = flaw
Self-doubt = flaw
Indecisiveness = flaw
Vanity = flaw
Eating human = negative trait
Selfish to a point of hurting others for gains = negative trait
kidnap babies and sell them to black market = negative trait
Everyone has flaws. You. Me. Mother Teresa. But not everyone is a "bad person."
They are related, but I think one has to do with internal and the other external. If you're an impatient person, it's your flaws but it doesn't affect me. But if you're impatient and you start to yell at people (being RUDE), then it's a negative trait. so...
Vanity = flaw
Arrogance + condescension toward others = negative trait
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Yes, but that would be a very 2D character because it provides no conflict. If he picks his nose, snores in his sleep, and makes puerile jokes but is otherwise an upstanding citizen...there's no conflict. Flaws also mean that we get sympathy for characters that we wouldn't necessarily like.
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Dwayne, this is like the 20th time you asked about flaws, etc. I am not sure if you understand this basic human concept. Can't you at least draw from your own experiences around you. Think of what you feel are the flaws of yourself or people you know? It really isn't that difficult a concept, and there's no reason to ask the question so often.
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Nah, some people just hide their flaws better than others. And some just don't give a damn, which in itself may be seen as a flaw.
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