I wonder what constitutes a fatal flaw. We’re writing. We’re told to introduce a fatal flaw. Well, don’t take that too literally unless you’re writing a tragedy or some fatalistic or nihilistic fare. No room for a romance with a happily ever after, right?
A man not loved and nurtured by his mother is nearly ruined IMO. If you have a situation like that, you’ll walk a minefield with at least two deep arcs. One arc over his mom and the other over being able to love someone in a mature way.
This problem is a great excuse to read case histories and studies on this subject. When done, try a man without a father figure or a father who didn’t love or nurture. The same goes for heroines.
It’s a rare child who can see he or she isn’t loved and decides he or she is of value and will grow up normally and be able to love. Because without examples, how will they be able to figure it out? Maybe Sponge Bob has something to say. No seriously, kids could learn from some TV character or later from some book or some great teacher how love works. Somewhere along the line, they’ll need to experience it.
Men, nurtured and loved by their moms, make better heroes or at least ones who are a little easier to write. There are plenty of other demons lurking to give your hero ‘fatal flaws.’ Try to save mom, she'd appreciate it.
No more wire hangers.
