HELP! Need some opinions.

1. 81

   Syrusv37posted 11 years ago

   HELP! Need some opinions.
   
   In my novel, the main character has a best friend whom he hasn't seen in seven years. Naturally, as the novel progresses, he is going to fall for her, considering the bond theyve had since they were young.
   HOWEVER,
   A female best friend will be introduced and somehow,for some unknown reason, everything I write about her is more interesting, more attractive, and generally more awesome than the girl he's SUPPOSED to fall for.
   Should I switch them? I feel as if I have a preset vision of each of them and switching them around would feel like cheating my characters. What should I do?

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2. 64

   Sheepsquatchposted 11 years ago

   Life doesn't always go as planned. So neither should the story. It seems the new girl is winning out. There has to be some connection between the male character and this new more interesting character.

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3. 66

   BSloanposted 11 years ago

   The new girl who is more interesting, more attractive and more awesome obviously has to have a flaw.  I would incorporate a motive as to why she's so great or make her very self absorbed. 
   
   The best friend he has known since he was young is the one that will know him best and has seen him through thick & thin.  I think she should be the one that ends up with the main character.
   
   Good luck and let us know once you publish your novel.

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4. 71

   Twilight Lawnsposted 11 years ago

   Don't trying to force the situation. It as if this new character has developed or is developing and is becoming a real person. Let I have her own way and let her battle it out if she must with the other lady in the background. I love it when a character takes form or by herself for himself. Go with it it looks as if you have a winner... a character with a personality and a real life.

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5. 78

   dashingscorpioposted 11 years ago

   It's not uncommon for writers to state "The book wrote itself" or "The characters took on a life of their own." In reality your subconcious is probably guiding you in a direction which is different from your "preset vision".
   As in real life sometimes a (best friend) was always meant to be a "friend". If we think someone is "hot" and we have a strong attraction/connection with them then we don't normally put them in the (friendship box). We make it known that we want to pursue a relationship with them.A best friend is more like a sibling.
   It is far more natural for your mate/spouse to become your closest friend than it is for your closest friend to become your mate/spouse.
   I'd say go with your subconcious and see how things unfold. If you didn't see this twist coming imagine how surprised your readers will be as well. You always have the option to change it in the end.

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   1. 69

      connorjposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I was going to answer this question; however, after reading your answer there is absolutely no need. You nailed this!

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6. 0

   Garifaliaposted 11 years ago

   It would be more interesting along the way if something happens and the main character's interests are switched. Perhaps he discovers a trait in his old friend that he'd never seen before, perhaps his old friend vindicates him from the other woman or he ends up with the awsome lady to realise he really didn't want that type of person in his life after all.
   I like the last option best, because due to magazines and TV most of us ladies feel so inferior to those long legged, firm busted, perfectly molded women presented (using photoshop and plastic surgeons) with the promissing careers in the media that we can't bear our lives sometimes.
   Let alone the picture and expectation that is formed in men's mind so it would be an interesting twist. What special characteristics in the simpleton woman could drag him away from the bomb-shell? Or what could be so wrong with that seemingly perfect doll that pushes him away one day at a time? Good luck.

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7. 0

   JThomp42posted 11 years ago

   Go with your gut feeling. It seems you already have a vision in your head where you want the story to go, that's what I would do.

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8. 85

   SidKempposted 11 years ago

   Do some exercises that will *not* go into the book. Have a conversation with each of the characters. Ask to meet and talk to them as children, at the age they are now, and 10 or 30 years after the novel is over. Get to know them. Let them become real people, and get to know them as real people, and let the story unfold from there.
   
   A novel where you decide what happens to the character is as unsuccessful as the life of a child if you tell your child who he or she should marry.

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9. 60

   IDONOposted 11 years ago

   Are you writing the novel and somehow along the way, you are becoming part of the novel? Are you afraid of hurting a character's feelings if you switch them? Has some of your characters taken on these personalities and become independent of you, the author? You may need to take a break.
        I truly think it's just the way you presented your question that sounds like an episode of the Twilight Zone. But I remember reading 2 books by Stephen King. They both had the same characters by name and physical description, but he had scrambled the personalities. I could not make it through the second book. I can't describe why, but it just wasn't right; I couldn't connect at all. Knowing King, he probably did that purposely.
        Remember, the only person that would know you switched them is you. If you would feel guilty about doing that, there is an issue.

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