in characters and plot
what is a vulnerability?
nearly every person has a vulnerability, and the same is true for characters! whether it's a person, thing, or secret, vulnerabilities can be found anywhere. i like to think of being vulnerable the same as being open. you're defenceless - exposed to potential harm. often, characters don't choose to be vulnerable, rather it stems from an influx of emotions that can't be stemmed or controlled.
these emotions can often refer back to a goal - something a character cares deeply about. if your character wants something strongly enough, they're going to automatically allow themselves to become vulnerable, whether intentionally or not. an example of this vulnerability around goals often includes a scene in romance novels, where one of the leading characters spills their feelings and beliefs - and then waits in nervous silence for the response. this is them being vulnerable!
why are vulnerabilities important?
having vulnerable characters is vital to your novel! one of a writers main goal is to emotionally engage their readers - afterall, the best books are the ones that make us feel something. a person who is completely strong and 'unbreakable' is not realistic, and often neither is a character with these qualities!
this is one of the main reasons why it is important to give your characters moments to be vulnerable. it allows for your readers to form a connection with your characters, hence increasing their engagement and enjoyment of your novel! however, vulnerable characters aren't the only important aspect of your book - having vulnerable moments in the plot is also extremely important! for example, your protagonists are not always going to be winning throughout the book - there will be moments in which they're down, or losing - moments of vulnerability.
how to write vulnerabilities?
show don't tell
instead of simply writing how your character feels - e.g. "i am sad," use literary language to improve descriptions. such as, "tears dripped down her cheeks," (a very basic example, but better).
goals
give your characters a goal - something they desperately want. when your character cares deeply about something, they'll have a lot of emotions attached to it - hence giving you more opportunities to make them vulnerable.
bottled up secrets
if your character is hoarding a secret, chances are they're holding in the emotions with them! if this secret comes out, there's a high chance of these emotions appearing as well in the form of vulnerabilities.
failures
let your characters fail on a plot point or quest! failure brings out emotions - and enhances vulnerabilities.
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