I once hated the concept of character flaws. AA is big on character flaws. What disturbed me was the sense of finality, the inability to fix or heal the flaw. In writing, the term flawed characters continues to arise. In fact, I now believe it is the core of story-telling. Currently, I have discovered several British mystery series. I feel the impact of my disappointment when the character acts in a way that clearly leads to a downfall. Whether it occurs in a novel or a series, or a film, it is devastating.
Yet. In reading or watching, it is the flaws that provoke our interest. In reflecting on writing Blood Draw, it was Peter, Sister Michael, and Oscar who drew me deeper into my creative flow while they were making themselves known to me. What’s that about? I think it’s about the reality of human nature. We know we are not perfect. Pia Mellody writes that we are perfectly imperfect. Once I had a client. I asked if he was a perfectionist. He emphatically stated, “Oh, no! I never get it perfect!”
It’s difficult to admit to myself that I am flawed. What’s that about? Brene Brown would offer it’s about shame. I agree. Also, I would add it is about feeling hopeless. How can a flaw be improved? Bettered? Healed? Isn’t it deeply etched in our wounds? Too deeply etched to be redeemed? My work will not allow me to believe anything is too deeply etched to be healed. Yet.
In a cavalier manner, we toss out “Of course I have flaws!” Do we truly believe it? Maybe. Why does it seem so much more damaging to acknowledge “I am flawed.”
Partly, if I really search and own my flaws, I feel beholden to DO something about them. More inner work. More practices. More self-awareness. More emotional exhaustion.
As I recall characters in books, in my book, and the series and films worlds, it is the flaw that draws our interest, our compassion, our outrage and our disbelief. All the big emotions we have difficulty with, when noticing our flaws. We have two choices. Use the characters flaws we see in others to look within. Or use the character flaws to be entertained. It certainly is easier to be cavalier and entertained, isn’t it?
Peace
Gabrielle
September 14 2018