Why do I hate myself? What have I done? What am I worth? Wow… there’s a character with something to prove. Better get to it…
Sometimes characters are just down on themselves. The classic cop who’s a drunk or the dishonored knight or the washed out boxer. These are prime positions for heroes to start from.
If you can find the aspect of your character’s self that they can hate, it will create such fine opportunity for growth, such motivation to prove something, and a little unpredictable edge throughout your adventure.
See if any of these menu ideas can trigger an idea for your narrative:
Reasons for self-loathing
- failing, losing, not winning, never winning,
- always the bridesmaid, second place, in the shadows, in the closet,
- abuse, mistreatment,
- imprisoned, incarcerated, separated, isolated, mistreated,
- orphaned, lost, sold, enslaved,
- cheated,
- missed opportunity, regret,
- hated, loathed, rejected,
Manifestations of self-loathing
- lost, directionless,
- listless, melancholic, depressed, withdrawn, emotional outbursts, subdued,
- loner, wanderer
- apathy, aloofness, disinterest,
- alcoholic, drug user, stoner,
- false confidence, sad clown, trying to hard,
- aggressive, angry, overbearing, quick tempered, hot headed, scrapper, abusive,
- bitter, spiteful,
- self-harm, cutting,
- running away, hiding out,
- hurting others, bullying, pestering, hurtful comments, negative words and actions,
- attention seeking,
Reasons to hate yourself (I mean… your character’s self)
- addiction
- gambling
- drugs, alcohol,
- anger, wrath, violent outbursts,
- regret, remorse,
- loneliness, abandonment,
- social awkwardness, disenfranchisement,
- loss of a friend, comrade, compatriot, brother-in-arms,
- divorce, separation, distance, estrangement, lack of connection,
- underachievement, lack of success, fleeting moments, near success (as in… I could have played in the NFL)
- job sucks, stuck in a career, too much paper work, hate your job,
- doing something against your own ethical beliefs, morally conflicted,
- midlife crisis,
- sudden shift in lifestyle,
- didn’t win the spelling bee in grade three, mommy issues,
- living “in the closet,” coming out issues, conflicted,
- didn’t spend enough time with your kids and now they hate you,
- loss of a child, spouse, loved one, (I could have, should have, done something)
- loss of belief or faith in religion, god, humanity, self, spiritually disconnected,
- lost family heirloom, company standard, precious ring (my precioooooous),
Characters that are good at self-loathing
- artists, actors, musicians,
- cops, detectives,
- rangers, scouts,
- military, vets (veterans, not veterinarians), veterinarians (why not?),
- second place athletes,
- students,
- emos,
- long term career people, low wage employees,
- drive-thru people,