I've realized the last while that I struggle with writing flawed male characters. I guess the reason may have something to do with my DH, who is a very easy-going guy. And while that is a fabulous combination for my high-strung personality, it doesn't translate well into fiction, where we want to see both the hero and heroine struggle. So I've been analyzing the male characters I've run across in books and movies and trying to determine what male character flaws I like best.
One of my favorites, portrayed so well by the character Mr. Thornton in the BBC adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South, is the hardened hero. The man who's past circumstances or rejections or both have made him a bit hard towards love, but over the course of the story, he softens toward love, toward the heroine (and in this movie that leads to one of the best kissing scenes ever!).
What are your favorite male character flaws (in books or movies)? What things are overdone? What would you like to see more of in fictional heroes?
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Stacy Henrie
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- Stacy Henrie
- I'm a stay-at-home mom to three kids and an author of inspirational historical romance. I love laughing with my family, reading, interior decorating and chocolate.
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29 comments:
This may sound odd, but I love a hero with a short fuse--the gruff exterior but inside a soft heart. (no abuse of course, just hotheaded)
I don't know why! :)
I like guys who overthink things...analyzing them to death (hmm. maybe I can relate?).
~ Wendy
That kissing scene is...wow. I love male characters that play the protector. Not babying, though. The girl still needs to stand on her own two feet.
I gotta be honest, I like the hero type. I dont like it when the the male lead's flaws are lame. I need them to be profound. Like in Divergent for example, Four's flaws stem from an abusive father, but he is hard as nails because of it.
I have to see this kissing scene...
I like the guy who has a past of his own...and learns to deal with it by his contact with the herione.
Jess - I think this is a great one too. I love it when the hero and heroine both have a short fuse, at first, when it comes to each other.
Wendy - Yeah, I might overthink things a bit too. :)
Ruth - I'm hoping to nail this in the manuscript I'm revising - the protector but allowing the heroine her independence too.
Jessie - Profound flaws - I like that. Goes a little deeper.
Jen - Yes! I think there's something endearing about a guy who acts confident but inside isn't so much.
Loree - Another great one - dealing with his past as he falls for the heroine - that I'm hoping to employ in the manuscript I'm working on.
I have NOT seen this movie. I will have to check it out.
I don't like bad boys, but I do like a realistic guy. Although, if the guys a weenie, I have a hard time liking him. Hm...so I want the guy to have a backbone, but not treat the girl like a sex object. Complicated. That's the best word I can come up with.
Hmm. I guess I do always like Clint Eastwood-type characters. Hardened, terse guy, not too into social stuff, but who has a heart of gold when given a reason to reveal it.
Jenny - Well said - a complicated hero is important. You'll definitely have to check out North and South. It's a long one, but so worth it. :)
Ali - Perfect! A heart of gold when he's given a reason to reveal it - I love that.
The 7 deadly sins is usually a good place to start. Granted your character will eventually be more fleshed out that these basic precepts, but a lot of good flaws are rooted in these 7 essential types of misbehavior.
I LOVE John Thornton :) I like male characters that are a little to funny for the situation and you can't seem to make them settle down.
I love it when the flaws are also the strengths. Like Jessie pointed out above.
OH man, I don't even know how to answer this. I will agree with Jessie and Jolene. Very good point. Complexity is always a bonus in my eyes, especially if the writer can do it well. I don't know if I have a FAVORITE thing, just the complexity of them is what I love.
I think it's funny that while men (and women) are so obviously flawed in real life, we tend to make our leading men nearly perfect ;)
I think Mr. Darcy is a good example of a perfectly flawed character - in the end, his flaws turn out to be strengths
Kim Karras
Mark - How intriguing. I never thought to look to the 7 deadly sins for potential character flaws.
Angie - Isn't Mr. Thornton a great hero?
Jolene - This is my other favorite - the hero's strength also being his weakness.
Abby - Definitely need complexity, to make the hero real and relatable.
Kim - So I'm not the only one who tends to write well-adjusted heroes? :) And yes, I agree, Mr. Darcy is a great example of a flawed hero.
Funny, I'm just diving into edits in my manuscript, in which I'm trying to hone in on my male character's main flaw at the beginning of the story. :) He's definitely hard towards love, especially when it comes to the heroine. That always makes for fun romantic tension later on. :)
That's a tough one. I like heros that while rough on the edges are still good hearted. I also like slick guys who turn out to be insecure and are eventually humbled. Of course, I like that for all characters. =D
Sarah - Good luck with your edits! I absolutely love when the hero and heroine sort of don't like each other in the beginning. :)
Donna - Great one - slick guys who are insecure, who need a little humbling. Might have to employ this one too.
I loved Mr Thornton! I loved how he was such a perfect counterpoint to the girl's (gosh, I can't remember her name!) naieve but wonderful do-good personality. And they were both so determined, what a great clash!
Margo - I love how they clash so much, and then how they soften toward each other - that's one of my favorite hero/heroine combinations.
Excellent post. New follower here. I'm a HUGE historical romance junkie. I loved extremely flawed characters that end up being heros. One of my favs is Jennifer Ashley's Mad Mackenzies!
Since I'm such a junkie, I'd love to read a historical romance where a rich/powerful Lord or Duke (so flawed on the surface but deep down a softy) realizes he must find a wife and produce an heir but can't get any of the ladies of the ton to accept his proposal because they are too terrified of him! HAH! Now that would be a fun read. And what kind of a woman would it take to tame that beast? Sounds like fun. :)
Mina - Welcome! I absolutely LOVE your historical romance idea. Are you going to write it? If not, I might have to take a crack at that one. :)
I love tough guys that give us a glimpse into their softer side and the woman that can bring it out in him. :) I think deep down it's what turns all us girls on the most
I have the same problem - my husband, Magic Man, is easy-going, supportive and just an all around wonderful person.
Luckily, or unluckily, my ex husband was a real creep! ;)
Texas Playwright Chick - That last part made me laugh!
I think everyone has taken all my comments already! lol :) I will say though, that I've heard that kiss in North and South is amazing. I still need to see it for myself though! ;)
Chantele - I've watched the kissing scene several times. The build up, the emotion, the tenderness between them - ah, sigh! :)
PK Hrezo - I completely agree! :)
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