Our characters are (usually) humans, just like us. Which means they have the same flaws, insecurities, and doubts the rest of us do. Today, we’re digging into those vulnerabilities with these thirty character vulnerability prompts to help you learn more about your character (and maybe even discover exactly what they’re made of). 

30 Character Vulnerability Prompts

Here are thirty new writing prompts to help you poke, prod, and test your characters (in the most loving way possible…)

1. A character overprepares for every possible crisis; however, one day they stumble into a situation they never could’ve predicted. When their plans stop working, how do they respond?
2. Someone who prides themself on unwavering honesty suddenly has to lie to protect someone they love.
3. The “rock” of the friend group finally cracks under pressure, surprising everyone (including themself).
4. A perfectionist is publicly celebrated for a mistake they didn’t mean to make, and now they have to decide how to handle the unwanted spotlight.
5. Someone who hides behind humor meets a person who instantly sees through their jokes.
6. A character who values loyalty above all else gets overlooked and replaced without explanation.
7. A conflict-dodger meets someone who refuses to let them run anymore, pushing them into unfamiliar emotional territory.
8. A control-obsessed character is forced to trust—and actually work with—a reckless ally.
9. A character’s entire reputation rests on a secret, and suddenly the truth threatens to surface.
10. Someone who feels unlovable unexpectedly becomes someone’s favorite person; or, alternatively, someone who’s always been accepted finally meets a person who refuses to accept them.
11. A character known for bravery panics at exactly the wrong moment, and now they have to deal with the fallout.
12. Someone who hates asking for help suddenly has no choice but to rely on a complete stranger.
13. A person who defines themself by their career loses it overnight, forcing them to re-evaluate who they are.
14. A character who’s used to being invisible abruptly becomes the center of attention—and has no idea how to handle it.
15. A chronic overthinker is thrust into a life-or-death decision and has only seconds to act.
16. Someone convinced they ruin everything gets shoved into a situation where they have to save the day.
17. A character reunites with someone who remembers them completely differently, sparking confusion and conflict.
18. Someone who pretends not to care accidentally cares way too much, and must now decide whether to admit it.
19. A fiercely independent character becomes trapped and powerless, and for the first time, they need to be rescued.
20. A caretaker finally admits they’re exhausted and must decide what happens next.
21. Someone who never apologizes realizes they owe a massive one.
22. A character who values logic faces something they absolutely cannot rationalize.
23. Someone believed to be fearless is confronted by their secret phobia, and suddenly everyone sees them differently.
24. A character tries to impress someone, but the attempt goes spectacularly—and hilariously—wrong.
25. A cynic meets someone who believes in everything they don’t, and their worldview gets rattled.
26. A character must forgive someone who isn’t sorry.
27. Someone obsessed with being liked discovers someone who hates them, and they can’t stop spiralling.
28. A character finally admits what they truly want, but unfortunately, it contradicts everything they’ve built.
29. Someone discovers their role model is deeply flawed, and now they must decide whether to follow them anyway or break away.
30. A character is finally forced to confront a truth they’ve been denying for years.

Putting Your Character to the Test

Your character’s vulnerabilities not only shape their personalities, but can also play a huge role in your story. I hope these thirty writing prompts help you dive deeper into your character's inner life, and maybe even show you something new about them!

How have your character’s vulnerabilities helped shape them (and your story)? Let us know in the comments!

Elizabeth Nettleton

Elizabeth Nettleton is an author and editor currently based in Oxfordshire, England. An avid reader and writer since childhood, she was once so engrossed in her book that she ran into a lamppost.

There is nothing Elizabeth loves more than magic and getting lost in other worlds (except for her family, friends, and pets, of course!), so she primarily writes fantasy, sci-fi, and horror. When she's not reading or writing, you can find her playing with her kids, daydreaming, or trying not to die in a video game.

You can learn more about Elizabeth's projects on her website, or say hello to her on X here.

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