MC1=Main Character 1 (Protagonist) MC2= Main Character 2 (Love Interest) I am currently working on a fantasy novel series, and have gotten most of the first three books outlined. However, I have two different (maybe 2.5) paths I can take with my main couple in regards to how they get together. 1) Is to have them realize their feelings for each other after an inciting incident, and keep everything hidden from their friends and family until a climax scene I have already prepared leads them to come out . . . OR 2) Slow painful burn with a trauma related past that keeps MC2 from being able to openly admit their feelings. Until the climax scene makes MC2 say 'F-it I don't want to lose the person I love.' I have scenes and ideas for both paths, and either way I will be able to adjust to the same result. However, the feelings each of these give off are vastly different from each other. And the path I decide to take will change how I write the basic path I have already set out. Idea 1 would make the story more sweet and mellow with more romantic and cute scenes. And the tension would come from keeping everything hidden until they aren't able to anymore. I am a sucker for a sweet romance. Idea 2 would have the MC1 realize their attraction for MC2 and admit/pursue MC2. However MC2 has trauma that keeps them from admitting their feelings for MC1. But since MC2 actually has feelings for MC1, they start to become torn. I love torturing my characters just as much as sweet romances. x.x Idea 2.5 would be to take idea 2 as a basic concept, but to have MC2 have a moment of clarity/realization. However, this would be voiced to a mutual friend rather than MC1 themselves. The climax scene would follow, delaying any confessions, and continue forwards. Any thoughts?
It's up to you to tell whichever story you want to tell. Maybe do both and decide which version reads better. But I'd prefer 1) because the trauma in 2) is a plot device, and often this ends up being crap. 2) imo has the writing method back-to-front, when a lot of people do it We want it to be poignant, but we don't have a genuine character-conflict, so we artificially stop the MC from communicating, so we kill their poor grandmother when they were young. Trauma absolutely should be visited on characters - but its effects should be shown naturally, which is made harder if the trauma is having to serve absolutes and patch plot-holes "My grandmother died, so I can't seduce the hot octogenarian" might be enough of a character-motive in a sitcom, but novels want a deeper perspective Some of this may apply back to 1). How often do people realize their feelings for one another after an inciting incident? "My grandmother died: I want you." So I wonder if the whole relationship is being written for plot-device-y reasons. If the story can take such different paths, perhaps its characters aren't ready If they were ready, how they would form a relationship would be determined by who they are in themselves
Without further context I would lean towards the first option as well. I agree with @evild4ve that the effects of trauma should occur naturally, and not be something that is thrown in for additional conflict.
