help, i'm so embarrassingly late, atp you probs don't even need this advice anymore jhdkfs. but i'll share it anyway in case you do 💜 i'm gonna use one of my fics (KSTL) as an example cuz taehyung is endearingly irritating in it lol

make sure your readers' introduction to the flawed character is meaningful. you meet KSTL tae while he's in the middle of fucking someone. he locked jungkook out of the hotel room, choosing sex over letting his best friend sleep. ultimately, the girl has to leave, and tae realizes she's being "so soft" with him when he'd expected her to be mad that he ruined her night ("He doesn’t deserve a look like that..."). his inner thoughts make you wonder... huh, this guy's acting real cocky, but inside he's got shit self-esteem and thinks he doesn't deserve kindness?

give your flawed character a legit reason why they're flawed. (spoiler) KSTL tae was abused as a child. his flaws (arrogant, selfish, misogynistic, homophobic, unwilling to be vulnerable or affectionate) are a direct result of his upbringing (homophobic parents using violence to raise their son to be straight, hypermasculine, independent, strong). it's not really an excuse for his behavior, but it makes readers understand him better. he's a shithead, but the empathetic parts of us can still feed sad for him

give your flawed character redeeming qualities. KSTL tae is funny, creative, resilient, and down bad for his bandmates. he might not be great at expressing himself, but it's very clear that he cherishes his close friends and wants the best for them (hence giving up sex for them jshdfks). it's his love for his friends that ultimately helps him overcome some of his most detrimental flaws

get to know your characters on a deep level. it's easier to write characters who feel realistic if you intentionally get to know them beyond what you write in your fic. i made a playlist of KSTL tae's favorite songs from the early 2000s, and another playlist for music that i'd imagine his band would play. i made a pinterest board of things that fit with his character/stuff he'd like. i think about his emotional wounds and his favorite ice cream flavor and what kind of porn he watches sdjkfhsk

make them relatable. tbh, this is the piece of advice that encapsulates all the other stuff i've just rambled about. we like reading about characters we can relate to. it's okay if they're flawed; we're all flawed! i love KSTL tae cuz he's an annoying little bastard and really just needs someone to hold him and tell him it's okay to feel things. i'm also an annoying little bastard who is afraid of crying in front of people. so i get it, KSTL tae! i'm fuckin rooting for you, dude!

i hope this was worth the wait and can be useful to you 😭 i could share more, but i fear making this go on even longer