How to make my character less stereotypical?
by Amy
(Chicago)
Question: I'm writing a story about a boy who just moved to town and falls in love at first sight with a girl in his school. The problem is that his best friend is in love with him and has been since they were little kids. Now I planned to have his friend help him win the girl he's in love with and the girlfriend be jealous of their close relationship. The friend was supposed to appear confident that one day she and the boy would end up together so no jealousy or heartbreak on her side
However, I'm only three chapters in and everyone who reads it says it's obvious that the friend is in love with him and heartbroken that he's in love with someone else.
I don't want her to be the heartbroken girl pining away for the boy but that appears to be the way she came off. How do I change it?
Answer: Your question answers itself.
The way to change it is to change it.
I suggest you take a couple of hours and write down every possible thing that could happen to complicate the lives of these characters' before they finally get together. Write down even the ridiculous ones that you know you'll never use, just to make the list of possibilities as long as possible.
The next day, take another look at the list and see which of the ideas hold the most promise.
One suggestion...
If you don't want your girl-next-door to be pining for the guy she may be losing, then perhaps introduce some other complications into her life, so she has something to do other than wait for him to come to his senses.
For instance, is there someone else she might date for a time? Does she have other problems or opportunities to distract her?
Incidentally, distance seems to be a factor in this story, if the guy has just moved away from his best friend. Time apart is time they can grow apart as they no longer evolve together.
Best of luck.
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