How to Find Your Character's MISBELIEF (or Fatal Flaw)

For anybody who may read my comment: sometimes you have to start writing, even finish a first draft, before you can figure out what you want to say, this truth that is driving the story. Abbie's advice is great and I watch all her videos, but in the end it comes down to who you are and how your brain works. There isn't a method that works exactly the same for every writer. In my case I often write to find out what I think and how I feel.

You know, I watched Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" today, and when you started talking about dissatisfaction because what they believed they wanted isn't actually what will make them happy. Tiana believed that working super hard to get her restaurant was what she wanted, but she realized that it was the people she loved that made her truly happy. After all, what are dreams if we don't have people to share them with? And Naveen, he thought being rich and partying all the time would bring him happiness, but he discovered that being with Tiana and seeing her happy is truly what he wanted, so much so that he was willing to be a frog forever just to spend that forever with her.

My character's disbelief: you need excitement and adventure to live a happy and fulfilling life. The story is set in a fantasy world were the MC wants to become an Adventurer/Traveler. However, as many warn about the many dangers and hardships he begins to learn that his choices and actions have consequences. He will need to grow up and leave the life of thrills behind to settle and focus on himself and what truly makes him happy.

Who needs therapy when we have Abbie?? Writing advise AND answers to why I struggle with anxiety issues — yes, please!

My character’s misbelief is that showing signs of emotion is weakness and that letting people in will only slow her down. So she learns throughout that it’s okay to have emotions and it doesn’t make you any weaker for crying about nothing, or falling in love or for laughing at something stupid. And I guess my story isn’t about a character discovering themselves but about exploring the deepest parts of yourself that are even hidden from you

Step 1: Find your story's (truth) theme (1:36). Step 2: Flip this true upside down and make it a lie (2:59). Step 3: What could've happened in my character's past to make them believe such a thing (3:29). Step 4: Write that backstory scene for your character (4:19). Step 5: Describe (or write) other scenes in the character's past that cemented this misbelief as truth to them (5:04). Step 6: Ask yourself how is my character dissatisfied with their life today because they believe this lie so firmly? (6:07). Step 7: Ask yourself: What my character thinks will make them happy, based on their misbelief? (6:54). Step 8: Ask yourself: what steps could my character take now to actively pursue this goal (7:47). Step 9: Clarify the motive, the goal, and the plot (8:47). Step 10: Let this drive the story forward (9:15).

My characters misbelief is, if he tries something once and fails it means it will never work. Which of course is not true, especially for me who never gives up on anything xx

My overarching theme is that true freedom is an illusion. It can be found in any circumstance/situation. It all depends on your point of view and what makes you truly happy. The two main characters are from different backgrounds and have found themselves in a similar situation. Shawn is from a higher status family and is set to be a member of council for the up and coming heiress. His false truth is that finding the humor in everything will make him happy. He takes pride in doing what is expected of him, but his freedom is doing it in his own way. Agatha is from a lower status family and at a young age, shows that she posses powers. As customary with the few individuals each generation who possess power, they are set to be a member of council. Her parents and herself are now set for life and she has a coveted position of power, but the tasks and expectations make her feel trapped. Her false truth is that she will never be free until she can get away from all of it. Together they explore different views on what freedom means. In the end, they teach other that sometimes you need to fight for the freedom that you want and other times you have to enjoy the freedom that you already have

My charakters missbelieve is that he can't ever be or show his true self because no one will ever accept or love him this way!

I think of Prince Zuko throughout this video 🤔

unbelievable ! After I answered all the questions and then added the motive, the goal and the plot , my mind was blown away. It makes it way more easier to understand ! And my main character's misbelief is "You need certainty to be happy/ You can't be happy and live with uncertainty" . Great video as always !!!

Abbie you’re a GENIUS I’ve been brainstorming stories my whole life and I’m finally trying to write a book and you’ve helped me so much you deserve so much recognition thank you!

The character I'm currently working on (I'm writing a series and juggling four protagonists...so erm, currently is the key word there) believes that if he ever chooses himself over his family (particularly his brother...who's sort of a villain?) then he has failed them. The next layer to that misbelief is that he is able to constantly give and give and give without hurting himself; he basically is unaware of the fact that he sees himself as sub-human. Anyways, your video helped me so much in clarifying, not only this particular character, but all of them!

Oh gosh, my character has multiple misbeliefs. Layers of lies. 😂 Thank you for your amazing and insightful content!

I created the misbelief that my protagonist needs to protect everyone he cares about at all costs including his life. This would mean that he will try and save the day even without any training or preparation which led him to getting seriously hurt as a result

My character's misbelief is that he is not a monster, he is a not a bad person, all his decisions are for the common good. His AHA moment is when he realizes he is, in fact, a monster and has done horrible things for the sake of "the future".

My Characters misbelief is that you have to be special to matter. My main issue is that im unexperience in how to explore that topic. I want to explore how you dont have to be talented or gifted to be a valuable person, to have a value in the world. Its enough if you are kind and caring towards others and you can make much bigger changes in the world just by beeing a kind person, than beeing a genius. UI: The funniest part that as im writing this down, my goal is becoming much clearer to me. I value your videos Abbie and thank you for your many helpful videos

My character’s misbelief (and truth) that he’s believed for a very long time is the idea that he needs to help everyone, and if he doesn’t/can’t, he is a bad person. His parents and religion focused a lot on serving others, and he believed that if he couldn’t do every benign action, he was a failure

So I've recently been watching Vinland, which is still ongoing at the moment. I was more than a little mind-blown as you kept breaking this video down. I'm like, honestly awed at how clearly these ideas translate into the protagonist's misbelief and overarching theme of the current story I've been eating up like a hungry animal. You've opened my eyes Abbie

My character's misbelief is "I’m a failure if I mess up in front of people." It's rooted from her parents who always succeed and never thought about sharing their mistakes, so they never really mess up in front of her. This lead her to believe that she had to be perfect and please everyone from a young age. Her goal is to always keep everything perfect and impress her parents that she can handle everything. She's a huge planner, so if something goes even slightly off, it throws her off too. My other main character's misbelief is "If I focus on work, I'll become a workaholic. I’m never going to be loved if I work" (work meaning job/career) This is rooted by her parents who are workaholics and never show any love or affection to her. Her goal is to be loved/cared abt in friendships and make her parents happy. (In my story this character is also in a curse, so that's another goal.) My characters are teens btw. I hope this makes sense and is good for my story. I gave my characters character voice, internal conflict, misbeliefs, goals, fears, personality, everything and did some serious plot working. I'm writing a fantasy adventure trilogy, planning to publish it summer (July) 2024! Thank you so much Abbie and I'm excited to read your book too! (The Otherworld<33)