tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post791208796933302261..comments2024-03-27T10:02:56.747-04:00Comments on Fiction University: What to Do if You Think You Have the Wrong ProtagonistJanice Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-61305972170793584142017-05-17T13:40:30.184-04:002017-05-17T13:40:30.184-04:00You could have two books. Maybe the adult story th...You could have two books. Maybe the adult story that follows the mentor, and the YA story that follows the protagonist (if these two stores are different enough). <br /><br />Or the story you actually want to tell is the mentor's and not the YA. Does this mentor have all the right conflicts, goals, and stakes needed to be a compelling story of its own? <br /><br />Or you might also be excited about the backstory of the mentor character, and while it's a great history, it might not make a great book. <br /><br />As for a subplot, if the story adds to the protagonist's story, and strengthens something in that story arc, it might make a good subplot. But if it's just "cool history" that doesn't move the core conflict plot, it's probably not needed. <br /><br />You'd have to decide if the mentor has a story or just a cool backstory :) That can be tough, so perhaps go back to your core conflict and the book you want to write and see whose story it really is.Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-25071423708026530052017-05-12T15:19:16.674-04:002017-05-12T15:19:16.674-04:00I have a WIP that I am struggling with this. It is...I have a WIP that I am struggling with this. It is a YA fantasy but I have a mentor character that has subtle spiritual tones. I want to write her story as a subplot but she is much more exciting to me than the YA protagonist. The world am writing about is the legend of the Tuatha Dé Danann and the possibility that they could manipulate matter at the molecular level. Her story would appeal to a more adult audience than just YA. I don't know where to go with this.Leslie Monarchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-38300113084843348292017-05-12T11:20:54.610-04:002017-05-12T11:20:54.610-04:00Thanks, I hope they do.
Many writers will never h...Thanks, I hope they do.<br /><br />Many writers will never have this issue. I've only had it once, but I've met enough writers who struggled with this that it *can* be a problem. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-86657539961476552642017-05-12T11:19:45.492-04:002017-05-12T11:19:45.492-04:00Great summation :)Great summation :)Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-52853331849675002042017-05-10T11:00:45.471-04:002017-05-10T11:00:45.471-04:00You know, I never had this problem. In fact, I nev...You know, I never had this problem. In fact, I never realized this was a problem. But your steps really make it clear how to fix the issue if you have it. I think the steps could also be used to help focus your novel before you begin writing (if you're a character-sketcher or outliner, anyway). Thanks for the valuable information. <br /><br />I'm including this link in the Story Empire Curated Content list this Friday. Our readers will find this quite useful.Staci Troilohttps://stacitroilo.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-42773946289183248842017-05-10T10:08:59.104-04:002017-05-10T10:08:59.104-04:00A good list. I think much of it comes down to havi...A good list. I think much of it comes down to having something to lose (and gain, but Loss Looms Larger) and how loss and gain can change them over time-- which overlaps with them having a flaw (that the changes can feed or teach them to overcome). Then, if that person has the ability to act (and hopefully a proper obstacle for it), they're ready for the spotlight.Ken Hugheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02732164204232936705noreply@blogger.com