I love this book. It will not only help you come up with flaws for your characters, but it has methods for character building as well. Not to say it is a book on character building, but it does give some techniques that are very helpful for understanding how character traits effect needs, and wants, which in turn will give your character drive. I found that especially helpful.
She discusses the five needs and lies that are basic; Physiological, Safety and Security, Love and belonging, Esteem and Recognition and Self-Actualization.She then goes on to list many needs that fall under each category and lists a group of corresponding lies that a character might use as excuses for not fulfilling his needs. i.e. Love and Belonging category: Need- {Finding a Spouse} corresponding lie could be (I don't want any attachments, or no one will be interested in someone as screwed up as me.) there are many given needs and wants and many corresponding lies so you can choose from any of them to suit your story. The key is understanding WHY your character would have those needs and wants, and why would he/she choose to react negatively or positively with that reaction.
There is a reverse back story tool that is very helpful for determining your character's needs and lies. It starts with the characters goals and takes you through several emotional steps until you work out the reason the character came to make his decisions.
It provides a character pyramid that helps you see the structure of your character's traits as they form layers of his personality.
I think every writer should have this book. I think every writer should have all three. The emotional Thesaurus is different from the positive and negative trait thesaurus. The Trait thesauri help you to create complex yet sound characters. The Emotion's Thesaurus focus on how a character feels at a particular moment, and when she is experiencing that emotion what is likely happening physiologically, emotionally, externally, certain speech patterns. It gives associated emotions, so if grief is not exactly what you are looking for you can click on anguish and see if that is a better fit, and read what an anguished person looks and sounds like.
If you want to build negative characters, you can get by on just the Negative Trait Thesaurus If you are building a Pollyanna go with the Positive Traits Thesaurus but If you want emotionally rich complete characters I highly recommend you buy all three. I am not a book reviewer or a friend, or reading a copy and I don't review books that often. When I do it is because they are in my opinion outstanding contributions and I want to help other people know what they will be purchasing.
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