Beta Reader Group discussion
Writing Advice & Discussion
>
Balancing Characters
date
newest »
newest »
You could always have the characters have a discussion about it. Like, the guy thanking her for breaking him out of her shell then them remarking about how it's nice to have balance or something.
You could try using relationships you have had to help balance your characters.
If you're worried about the boy being a know-it-all, maybe you could have some of his answers come from somewhere else... maybe a third character or someone who offers a 'hint' that both the boy and the girl pick up?
Nanowrimo.org has a whole thread for flaws that you can give someone to make them seem more human. My usual go to is give them a fear. like my MFC is claustrophobic. Maybe your MFC could be afraid of spiders and need MMC to kill it for her or something like that. Flaws don't always have to be physical. Although that's fun as well. As for the guy knowing everything, maybe have them stop somewhere and him buy new books that he gets absorbed in and wants to share what he learns. Or maybe go to a coffee shop/tavern whatever and get them talking to strangers who give them insights into the things they need to know. Again Nanowrimo,org forums are an awesome resource
I have two main characters, a guy and a girl.
In the beginning, the guy is very shy and the girl is the absolute opposite. Over the course of the story, we see him get more confident and her show more vulnerability. This is what's supposed to happen.
However, I don't want her to seem too meek and him to seem too bold. More like equals.
Also, I'm struggling with them when it comes to character flaws. As humans, we all have things "wrong" with us. We're not perfect. I'm having a hard time because I feel like the girl needs to be less flawed. I'm worried people will find her annoying. I want her to be endearing, but not a pathetic mess. On the other side, the boy needs to be MORE flawed. He's supposed to help the girl through her journey, but he can't always be the all knowing, always has an answer guy that's perfect. He had some flaws, but I'm not convinced their emphasized as much as they should be. I'm concerned there isn't enough of a balance and I don't know how to fix it.
Any ideas?