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In Psych 101, the first year university psychology course I took many, many years ago, the professor told us that every character trait could be both a strength and a weakness. I was fascinated by that concept. At first I thought, ‘No way. There are some traits that are one and not the other.’ But the more I thought about it, the more I realized it was true.
Mira, the heroine in Breathing Vapor, for example, is a liar. Lying is bad, right? We’re taught that as children. Yet we lie all the time. We tell loved ones that everything will be okay when we don’t think it will be. When our buddies need our help, we’re magically ‘not busy.’ When we’re asked how we are, we say we’re fine, even if we aren’t.
Lying is one of Mira’s greatest strengths, a tool she uses to help others. It is also her greatest weakness. Love is based on trust. Trust is based on truth. She doesn’t tell anyone the truth. How can she be trusted? How can she truly be loved?
Vapor, the cyborg hero, is a killer. You can’t get much worse than that. He ends lives. Except Vapor is a warrior, a soldier. Soldiers kill to protect. They follow orders. They end lives to keep others safe. That’s noble, not a bad trait.
In the story you’re reading or writing, does one of the main characters have a trait that is both a strength and a weakness for her/him? Do YOU have a trait that is both a strength and a weakness?
For example: I tend to daydream a lot. That’s great for my job as a writer. It isn’t so great when I drive. (which is why I choose not to drive)
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Vapor is the most advanced cyborg the Humanoid Alliance has ever developed. He’s a finely honed weapon, a warrior without parallel, half man and half machine. No lock can contain him. No being can stop him. Whatever he wants, he takes.
He wants Mira Breazeal, the Designer’s daughter.
She’s his one temptation, his sexy target. Vapor shouldn’t crave her caresses, steal her kisses, make her scream with ecstasy. The cyborgs want her dead and they would question his loyalty if he didn’t kill her. The humans would shoot him on sight if he dared to touch her.
Their love is forbidden. Their desire could be lethal. One human and one cyborg will risk everything for a moment of passion.
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Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Breathing-Vapor-Cyborg-Sizzle-Book-ebook/dp/B015UN87JC/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Breathing-Vapor-Cyborg-Sizzle-Book-ebook/dp/B015UN87JC/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-breathingvapor-1897324-340.html
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Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/breathing-vapor
Fascinating, and right on target. Has me thinking about my characters traits. Thanks, Cynthia. 🙂
I agree on character traits being good & bad. Rissa in my book The Protector is independent. Good, right? Except she won’t ask for help when she really needs it. Too stubborn.
Interesting theory, and I agree. One of my key traits is I’m always honest. I cannot lie. But sometimes that comes across as me being harsh or judgemental because I won’t say I like something if I don’t, and if I have a criticism, then I will voice it. I try to be diplomatic about it, but sometimes no matter how nicely you put it, someone will get upset.
I am so looking forward to reading this book! I love stories of cyborgs finding love!
We used to have a management consultant at the old day job who said a weakness was a strength that the person overused. Interesting post, enjoyed the discussion!
I’ve written several heroes and heroines whose strength is also a weakness. Most notable is Tompa Lee from my Trilogy of Tompa Lee. Her feisty independence keeps here from connecting with people who want to help her.