WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

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Using the Dark Side of Your Protagonist’s Best Qualities

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Every hero or heroine needs attributes and strengths to see them through the tough times ahead in the story, yet like all things, positive traits have a dark side. Anything, taken to the extreme, will find its opposite, and this is something we encourage writers to explore using our Positive and Negative Trait Thesaurus books.

To see how Julie Musil utilizes the dark side of character traits in her YA novel, read on.

Determined. Loyal.

Good character traits, right? Determined writers ultimately reach their goals. And we all appreciate a loyal friend.

But admirable character traits, when paired with the right story, can turn negative…in a good way.

crossing lines

In my YA, The Summer of Crossing Lines, the main character, Melody, is determined to find her missing brother. She relentlessly follows breadcrumbs of clues. Here’s the rub: those clues, and her determination to follow them, lead her to do unsavory things. She crosses moral lines because her view has become skewed. She goes too far.

The love interest in the story, Drew, is a thief who’s trapped on the wrong side of the law. He’s loyal to his dad and concerned about his safety, which causes Drew to stubbornly carry out crimes he’s not proud of.

With both of these characters, their positive traits lead them down dangerous roads. How can writers move positive character traits into negative territory, while also creating a believable, entertaining story?

 The Set Up

The first step is to set up the positive traits early. Melody stutters, and she’s determined to improve her speech. She’s determined to branch out and join the summer drama program. She’s a determined student.

Drew is a loyal mentor who plays basketball with younger kids. He’s loyal to his dad, who’s fallen on rough times. He’s loyal to the leader of a crime ring, who at one time came to Drew’s rescue.

Once the positive traits are established, we can then manipulate events to turn them negative.

Know Your Ending

Even if you’re not a plotter, you can re-write your beginning to make this work. I knew where Melody and Drew would end up–splayed out on a California freeway after a high speed chase. Once I knew the end game, I was able to establish a series of events that gradually moved them further and further over the line.

The trick here is to muddy the character’s viewpoint, which makes this unhealthy path seem necessary to them. When Melody infiltrates a theft ring, it’s reasonable to her. It’s simply a way to gather information and follow clues. With each crime she commits, she inches closer to her brother. She’s determined to find him, no matter the cost. When Drew commits crimes, he’s doing it out of loyalty. He’d rather break laws than break his word.

 When Positive Traits Collide

These positive-turned-negative traits can bind your characters together. Brainstorm traits using the Positive Trait Thesaurus and Negative Trait Thesaurus. Which traits can your characters have that will bind them together through a crisis? Which traits can you assign your characters that will increase conflict? How can those positive traits turn negative throughout the character arc?

For instance, a generous person might allow others to take advantage of her–she gives too much away and finds herself desperately in need. Or a kind, trusting person may believe what other people tell her–she won’t see the lies and betrayal coming. These positive traits turned negative.

In my story, Melody’s goal is to find her brother. Drew’s goal is to repay an unholy debt. Their goals run parallel to each other, binding them together. Her blind determination and his blind loyalty trap them in a high-risk lifestyle without an escape.

It’s fun to play with character traits, working them against each other. And it’s fun to turn a positive trait into a flaw–especially when it leads the character down a twisted path.

Have your characters’ positive traits ever turned negative? Please share!

Julie Musil

Julie Musil writes from her rural home in Southern California, where she lives with her husband and three sons. She’s an obsessive reader who loves stories that grab the heart and won’t let go.

Her YA novels The Summer of Crossing Lines and The Boy Who Loved Fire are available now.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Julie Musil says

      Thanks, Sherrie! True story–it wasn’t even intentional. A few drafts in I thought, dang, those positive character traits are working against them. Funny how things work out that way, huh?

    • Julie Musil says

      Thanks, Heather <3

      I've since thought of my own positive character traits. Some people say I'm nice. (*wicked grin*) Ok, so I'm nice. But sometimes that can work against me. Sometimes I say yes to things when I should say no, or sometimes I say nothing when I should speak out. And sometimes I even let loose and say something I shouldn't. It's interesting when we think the same way for our characters. What makes their positive trait turn negative? For me, it's when someone messes with my kids *angry face*

      • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

        I hear you, Julie. One of my best (and worst) qualities is my honesty. Sounds like a good thing, right? But honesty causes me trouble ALL THE TIME. Some people aren’t prepared for honesty. They ask for it, they think they want it, but they really don’t. I do my best to be diplomatic and kind, but the truth can still hurt.

  5. Rosi Hollinbeck says

    “Brainstorm traits using the Positive Trait Thesaurus and Negative Trait Thesaurus. Which traits can your characters have that will bind them together through a crisis?” Great way to build a very real character. Lots of good tips in this post, as usual. Thanks for this.

    • Julie Musil says

      Rosi, thanks so much for stopping by! Yes, it’s great to have your main characters “stuck” together in a crisis. Why can’t one of them leave?

  6. ANGELA ACKERMAN says

    I love this post, and how you layered your characters personalities by pitting the negative side of their strengths against one another, and themselves. Nice work, Julie, and huge congrats on your new book!

    Angela

  8. BECCA PUGLISI says

    What a great summary of the benefit of exploring both sides of our characters’ positive and negative traits. And I’m soooo excited about the release of your new book, Julie. Congrats!

  10. :Donna Marie says

    Julie, what a wonderfullly helpful post! Thank you for this. I cannot wait to make use of it! 😀

    And Angela and Becca, though not launched yet, looky what you see on my “About Me” page. Look closely now…I’m SURE you’ll find something VERY familiar 😉 hehehe

    http ://writersideup. com/about/me/

      • :Donna Marie says

        Angela, I have yet to put ANY of these books (other than my dictionary and thesaurus) to good use just yet. I’m ACHing to, though! Getting closer 🙂 Working on the blogs. Once they’re launched…look out! 😀

          • :Donna Marie says

            Aw, thanks so much, Angela 🙂 That actually made me smile and right now, at this very moment, I REALLY needed something to make me smile! Before I start submitting to agents again, I’m finishing the blogs. It’s not a good day to feel positive about the whole submission thing : /

    • Julie Musil says

      Donna, I checked out your “about me” page too! So fun to see those awesome craft books in there.

      I hope the post is helpful! Best of luck to you on your own writing journey.

      • :Donna Marie says

        Yeah, Julie, there ARE some good ones! You can really see the titles when you click on the image. Stephen King’s ON WRITING is in that bunch and I LOVE that book! I know once I’m ready, I’ll be dipping into that one again! 😀 Thanks for the well wishes. I need them! 😀 😀 😀

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