The Gift Of Hypocrisy

As my characters consistently do and say things I wasn't counting on, I find myself wanting to give them the ultimate gift: the allowance of hypocrisy. In my experience, one of the most incredible and supportive things a friend can do is allow me the occasional hypocrisy. More often than not, we call it out when we see it, (usually with great prejudice) and we shrink when others point it out in us. The few times in my life where I've been hypocritical and wasn't immediately shot down were a massive boon. Don't get me wrong, there's good reason for calling each other out. After all, we should be accountable for the things we do and say, and unchecked words and actions can grow fairly dangerous after awhile. Still, there are moments when we need to process things a certain way. At times we need to revisit an opinion or stance, and we want to explore it without committing to changing our minds completely. Once more, this is a gray-tinged balance. The irony of letting a hypocrisy roll is that the offender will often suffer from said hypocrisy as a natural effect. No call out required. This is a terrifying and liberating freedom I want my characters to experience. To say something as fact one moment then deny it later. To backpedal and make excuses for themselves. To make judgements on others while doing the same thing themselves. If I allow them their hypocrisy, I will never have to worry about them doing things in or out "of character." Expecting anyone, fictional or otherwise, to be perfectly "themselves" at all times is wholly unreasonable. They must be allowed to make their own mistakes and live with the consequences. To do otherwise is tyranny, plain and simple. I may be their creator, but I am not their god.