Character Motivation Dilemma
Asked by Anna Bottoms on August 21, 2020
A quick synopsis for reference; A young man is abused by his father, a person of influence, and keeps it secret. Abuse leads to hospital, court, jail for his dad.
The young man meets a Christian girl, she irritates and attracts at the same time.
They eventually marry, he accidentally causes the death of their unborn child, thinks he’s like his dad, goes to jail. He comes face to face with his dad who is a different man than before. He wonders why.
His journey leads him to faith and eventual restoration of marriage/family.
This is loosely based on my husband’s and my experiences.
I completed character motivations, expanded character profiles, and found that the girl doesn’t have as much growth as the father and son.
Should I rethink the way I’ve been looking at the story, young man and girl as main characters, and focus more on father/son, or should I do more development on the girl who is a main character to the story? I’m lost here.
Jerry's Answer
A few quick impressions, Anna:
How does the abuse lead to court and jail for his dad if the the young man keeps it secret? Are you saying the abuse sends the young man to the hospital, so the truth comes out?
The premise sounds promising.
I don't think all the characters need or should have the same extent of character arc. Concentrate on the young man. His father's change will be stark and evident. His son's will come with his move to faith.
The wife can grow by seeing the change in both men (and become less annoying? :))
I don't see her as a main character, more of a catalyst.
Just my two cents' worth...