One of the most obvious red flags in fiction is when a character’s motivations seem inconsistent or completely unearned. For example, if a character makes a sudden, drastic decision that feels out of character without any proper development leading up to it, it can take you out of the story. This can be especially glaring in a character arc where the growth seems forced or contrived just to fit a plot twist. It breaks the immersion and can signal to the reader that the story might be relying on clichés or rushed writing rather than solid character development. Have you encountered a specific example like this?
One of the most obvious red flags in fiction is when a character’s motivations seem inconsistent or completely unearned. For example, if a character makes a sudden, drastic decision that feels out of character without any proper development leading up to it, it can take you out of the story. This can be especially glaring in a character arc where the growth seems forced or contrived just to fit a plot twist. It breaks the immersion and can signal to the reader that the story might be relying on clichés or rushed writing rather than solid character development. Have you encountered a specific example like this?