Hello again everyone. I'm trying to improve something in my current WIP, and I think you helpful bunch will be able to assist My MC is a heterosexual male in his late forties, who is in a relationship with a woman younger than him (very late thirties), but encounters a woman slightly older than himself who he thinks is trying to seduce him. Initially he tries to ignore and avoid her, but it's not always possible because he must mix with her because he is required to as part of his work. He tries putting her off because he is content in his relationship and doesn't want to jeopardise it, and doesn't find her at all attractive, and is downright rude about her when she's not around, calling her a "witch" and a "weird hippy woman". But as the story progresses he finds himself becoming attracted to her, and keeps trying to suppress and resist those feelings for her. He finds himself to be slightly disgusted with himself for his attraction for her, even embarrassed, but those feelings keep creeping, getting stronger, despite his resistance. How would you all handle this? The book is in the first person, and I can of course say something along the lines of "I knew I fancied her, but I tried best to think about something else", but to me that's the easy, and the not best, way out. There's no way he would openly "admit" his attraction to the reader. Thanks
I'm not clear on why he's disgusted with himself for being attracted to her. Is it strictly based on her appearance, or are there other factors — for instance, her personality, lifestyle, work performance, etc? Also, what are her qualities that eventually make him fall for her?
He might not want to openly admit it to himself, but maybe he could have thoughts along the lines of "I can see how somebody might find [descriptor] charming, but it's not for me." You would have to make sure he discovers qualities that he likes about this woman (or could like, in the future, when he's more honest with himself) throughout your story.
I am in that real life situation now. I had (3) long term relationships in the past 26 years (10 years/6 years/10 Years), and for me the attraction is not just physical, although the older woman is, but because she has it together. For the past 26 years, they have been younger women then me, and yet I provided for them. The attraction now is that, there is no ulterior motives. She has a house, car, good job etc, as do I. So the attraction is, when we want our alone time, we have it, yet we can get together from time to time, as well.
That's raised a useful point. He feels she's too old for him, despite being only four years his senior - which scares him because it makes him feel older. Why on earth didn't I play on that in my WIP? He also mildly nauseated with her personality and new age philosophy to life, which I have touched upon. The positive qualities he sees in her is the close attention she pays to his welfare, going out of her way to make sure he is happy and content in life (ultimately this turns out to be due to an ulterior motive). Thanks a lot Bone2pick! Interesting. That's a theme I can explore with the rewrite. Thanks!
