Bad Characterization

"11. They require that the characters in a tale shall be so clearly defined that the reader can tell beforehand what each will do in a given emergency." -- Mark Twain, "Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses"

Bad Characterization includes Out of Characterness, but is not only limited to that, as published authors can also accused of bad characterization, when their characters act unbelieveably and do not behave in ways that we are told would be in character or make sense for them.

Bad Characterization is a major part of the difference between a Mary Sue and a believable original character.