Fresh Fiction Blog | Adrienne Giordano | Damaged People and Why I Love Them

I have come to realize perfection is overrated. If the world became filled with beautiful people who never did anything wrong, managed their daily lives efficiently without stress and still managed to get everything done, how boring would that be?

Actually, I think I would hate every one of those people. The nerve of them being so perfect when the rest of us are scrambling.

Maybe that's why I like when people screw up. Well, not so much the screwing up, but the part that comes immediately after. That's when the good stuff happens. It's sort of like peeking behind the curtain into their character. Will that person become humbled? Will they feverishly try to correct their mistake? Will they apologize?

For me, the person's reaction to the mistake makes them interesting.

As a reader, I gravitate to flawed characters. I like to imagine what event in the character's history made them that way. What emotional wound do they have that hasn't been healed over the years? What makes them act the way they do or fear the things they fear?

As a child, I slept with a blanket. One night my father told me I had to try sleeping without it. Imagine what that felt like to a kid who'd been sleeping with her blanket every night for as long as she could remember. I begged for my blanket. When he refused, I curled into a ball and cried because the fear of sleeping without that swatch of cloth paralyzed me. I did eventually fall asleep, but I vividly remember that feeling. Not pleasant.

At the time, I was too young to understand the importance of sleeping through the night without my blanket. As an adult, I realize it was my first life lesson on conquering my fears. That lesson became one of the many gifts my father (in his odd ways!) gave me. He taught me to try new things and, as terrifying as it sometimes is, part of me likes the rush of tackling my fears.

I think that's why I like to write flawed characters. Call me evil, but I try to shove a character face first into their deepest fears. I want them to experience the pain of facing that fear. And the joy of conquering it.

In my second release, A JUST DECEPTION, the hero, Peter, wants the heroine, Izzy, who is undoubtedly my most damaged character, to face her intimacy problems. But she is not about to open her scarred, long-buried wounds. One of my favorite lines is when Izzy tells Peter how terrified she is of getting emotionally attached and he says, "I think you want to be terrified."

It makes me wonder if we all don't want to be a bit terrified on some level. To release ourselves from our fears. To let our flawed selves dig deep and reveal those wounds.

That, for me, is what makes a person truly fascinating.

Readers, what do you think? Is perfection overrated?

Let us know your thoughts about perfection, pro or con, and one commenter will win a copy of RISKING TRUST

Adrienne Giordano writes romantic suspense and women's fiction. She is a Jersey girl at heart, but now lives in the Midwest with her work-a-holic husband, sports obsessed son and Buddy the Wheaten Terrorist (Terrier). She is a co-founder of Romance University blog. For more information on Adrienne's books please visit www.AdrienneGiordano.com. Adrienne can also be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AdrienneGiordanoAuthor and Twitter at http://twitter.com/AdriennGiordano.

MAN LAW

A JUST DECEPTION

RISKING TRUST

Comments

Perfection is drastically overrated! Without our faults life would be boring and so predictable!
(Trasina McGahey 3:19pm November 3, 2011)

Perfection is highly overrated because no one can be perfect. If everyone was perfect can you imagine how boring everything would be.
(Lisa White 12:20pm November 6, 2011)

Without flaws there's no diversification, without diversification there's nothing. Imagine if every grape was exactly perfect, you would have no variety in the taste of wines ... show me a perfect person, I'll show you a person lacking character, personality and imagination.
(Amy Valentini 12:18pm November 8, 2011)

Definitely overrated! The "perfect" individuals seem like plastic to me.If everyone were perfect we could be like robots! In books, who doesn't love the character that makes mistakes and learns from them.
(Karen Gervasi 7:15am November 8, 2011)

Perfection is definately overrated!! It's funny that you have this blog today, because I happen to be in the middle of a bit of a dispute with my oldest sister over my Father. Since I live too far away to be able to help him, I sent her an e-mail, asking her to call me. She wrote me back with a curt reply, so I wrote her back, this time to get her attention. The next thing I knew, her husband was on the phone with me, telling me I was attacking her!! They both turned into drama queens, while I remained calm!! I'm not saying I was perfect, but she tries to carry on this perfect persona, and I definately got her attention!! I also created more problems than I wanted, so the drama continues. In the meantime, my heart breaks, because I love my Sister, as well as my Father. Oh well. Another day in the life.... I can't wait to read your book. Perhaps I'll get a clue on how to proceed.
(Peggy Roberson 10:44am November 8, 2011)

I would LOVE to win a copy of your book. To be honest, I've never read any of your books, but they sound like just the kind I love to read. So even if I don't win a copy, I feel I've won anyway because I've discovered a "new" author and some books to read. Yippee. Thanks. Nancy Reynolds
(Nancy Reynolds 11:01am November 8, 2011)

when it comes to books and/or movies/TV, perfection is boring and overdone. I love a flawed hero/heroine but on the flip side that same character has to grow/change in a way that stays true to their character and not just as a plot device.

Thanks for a nice post!
(Erin Fender 12:04pm November 8, 2011)

Flaws are a plus... no one is perfect so why make characters in books and movies perfect. I like to see characters with personalities even if they rub me the wrong way or if one of them has problems... then let them work them out or overcome them.
(Colleen Conklin 12:26pm November 8, 2011)

We often strive too hard for perfection and this is not good. Some of the most successful people have not been perfect. Being perfect is overrated
(Shirley Younger 12:40pm November 8, 2011)

Definitely overrated in books. Too many have the perfection characters everywhere and it gets really old.
(Pam Howell 1:43pm November 8, 2011)

I don't believe there are any perfect people. Perhaps some managed to keep the flaws hidden better than others. The flaws in a character seem to make the plot more interesting.
(Anna Speed 5:11pm November 8, 2011)

Hi everyone. Sorry I'm so late checking in! I have to agree with all of you. I think character flaws humanize characters. I love watching them struggle!

Peggy, sorry about your sister. I do try to tackle some family issues in my books because I think it's something everyone can relate to.

Nancy, I love that you're willing to try my books. Thank you!

If you all are romantic suspense fans you might want to check out JustRomanticSuspense.com. One of my Carina author pals started the website because she wanted to find a new romantic suspense author and decided it would be nice to have a central database. The site is a listing of romantic suspense authors and their websites. One stop-shopping! Everything from debut authors to bestsellers. It's a wonderful resource and the list of authors is growing daily.

Thank you all for commenting. I so love Fresh Fiction! Always a wonderful bunch here.
(Adrienne Giordano 5:29pm November 8, 2011)

I know some people think they are perfect,but their not. If everyone was perfect the world would be very boring.Thanks for giving me a chance to win your book.
(Amy Milne 5:48pm November 8, 2011)

Yes, Perfection is truly overrated and no one is Perfect
except for GOD. Please enter me in this great contest to win A
JUST DECEPTION which sounds like a fantastic book to read too.
Thank You very much and God bless everyone. Thanks, Cecilia
CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 5:53pm November 8, 2011)

Perfection is overrated indeed. No one is perfect--those that think they are, are not. They may be wealthy and successful in their lives, but make mistakes that cost them (but will never admit it). People love to read and watch about those people and their downfalls in their lives (whether it be movie stars or politicians). That's why flawed characters are more appealing in a novel to read about, because no one loves a person that is just too perfect! They say people learn by their mistakes and strive to be perfect, which never happens. Look at Lindsey Lohan, she just can't learn and doesn't want to grow up and act her age and craves publicity in the tabloids (Playboy is her next endeavor). Her cash flow must be getting low after paying for all her numerous lawyer fees! You never mentioned how long you slept with your blanket before your father took it from you. Many kids take theirs with them and not just to bed. I'm sure you'd have outgrown it, eventually (it just gave you that sense of comfort and security). Thanks for the great excerpt, I enjoyed it! I have not read any of your books yet, but am looking forward to doing so.
(Linda Luinstra 7:31pm November 8, 2011)

Perfection is definitely overrated and it also leaves people feeling inferior.
(Maureen Emmons 7:36pm November 8, 2011)

Hi Linda. You're right. No one is perfect. I slept with my blanket until I was 7. My mother actually still has a tiny piece of it stashed away somewhere.:) Glad you enjoyed the excerpt. I have excerpts from all the books on my website at www.AdrienneGiordano.com. I also have some character interviews out there and photos of the characters.

Hi Maureen. Thanks for stopping in!
(Adrienne Giordano 7:56pm November 8, 2011)

I don't believe anyone is perfect just that some hide it better than others. Some of us are quite ok with being imperfect actually. When I really screw stuff up I just tell people I am demonstrating how NOT to do such and such. LOL
(Patti Paonessa 8:43pm November 8, 2011)

Hi Patti. I like it! LOL. Thanks for commenting.
(Adrienne Giordano 9:03pm November 8, 2011)

Perfection is so over rated - it's the imperfectons that make for an interesting individual.
(Mary C 9:37pm November 8, 2011)

Hi, Mary. I so agree with you. Thanks for commenting.
(Adrienne Giordano 9:50pm November 8, 2011)

It takes some flaws to make us human and give us life.
(Lisa Kendall 10:50pm November 8, 2011)

No one is perfect. Book sounds like a great read.
(Sheila True 10:59pm November 8, 2011)

Ohhh! I love the sound of this book and I love an imperfect hero!
(Nas Dean 4:05am November 9, 2011)

There is no such thing as perfection. Merely a dream. Who wants it anyway. It's the flaws that are often the most interesting.
(Mary Preston 4:59am November 9, 2011)

Some people are so busy being "perfect" I just want to tell them how much they
are missing in "real" life.
(Sandra Spilecki 7:16am November 9, 2011)

Hi, Lisa. So true. I'd hate living with a perfect person. LOL.

Thank you, Sheila. I have fun with my guys!

Nas, thank you for popping by!

Mary and Sandra, well said. I completely agree.

Thanks for commenting everyone!
(Adrienne Giordano 8:24am November 9, 2011)

I was once accused of collecting "fixer-uppers". I fixed and divorced the first two. I guess it was kind of a catch and release program. ;) Husband #3 is a keeper. His flaws are harmless - too many clothes (yes, he has the bigger closet!!) and loves animals so much that he has a little trouble with the "sell" part of the livestock farming operation :)

Thanks for sharing, Adrienne. I hope you use that blanket story in a book one day. It tugged my heart for you!!

Hugs and happy release week. I've already purchased my copy of RISKING TRUST. Can't wait to dive in.
Nancy

PS--Vic from Man Law was my #1 hero...but I'm thinking this Michael guy from Risking Trust may kick him to the curb. Hot and super nice...a lethal combo!
(Nancy Naigle 8:44am November 9, 2011)

When you put someone on a pedestal, the only place they have to go is down.
(LuAnn Morgan 10:58am November 9, 2011)

My favorite characters are imperfect, so much more interesting.
(Cathy MacDonald 1:52pm November 9, 2011)

Flaws allow growth another deminsion to develop or find "quirky" - It helps to be human and overcome
(Carla Carlson 3:35pm November 9, 2011)

Perfection leaves something to be desired since it's just too perfect. I like a few flaws in my characters since they are more human, believable and can use their motivations, beliefs and values to choose which path to saunter on.
(Alyson Widen 3:42pm November 9, 2011)

I think those who pretend to have perfection are just a real pain in the XXX---everybody has some flaw.
(Sue Farrell 7:49pm November 9, 2011)

While I really do love to hang around positive folks without too much drama baggage like myself. I expect them to have quirks, flaws, hangups, idiosyncrasies. You know the stuff that makes them human. I knew a lady at work once that always had the same blank smile 24/7, she never complained, had a grumpy thing to say about anything. I think she was a pod person. it was a bit scary.
(Heidi Durham 4:48am November 12, 2011)

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The books of May are here—fresh, fierce, and full of feels.

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