Telling the truth includes revealing the less savory aspects of your characters.
Good characters, interesting characters, have depths and shadows. They don’t have to be serial killers, but they don’t have to melt down with guilt when they march seventeen items through the express lane, either.
This is most often a symptom of spec scripts written by women, I’m just going to say it. There. Women are susceptible to polishing off the rough edges of their characters. My theory is that it’s all part and parcel of bitch shaming and slut shaming.
It’s just something to be aware of. When you’re conceiving your characters, don’t judge them. Set them free to make their decisions and their mistakes rather than keeping them on the straight and narrow.
It’s just more fun. Period.
