I have a new story idea but am not sure which way to go in terms of development for my FL. Idea: FL is a native tribeswoman of her village which fears the elusive Dyre wolves--wolves that are much more lethal than the local timberwolves. She is a strong hunter and loves to connect with the wilderness around her. ML: he turns out to be one of the Dyre, but she finds he is actually a werewolf instead. So part I am struggling with: do I have FL be a bit shunned in her home (due to a outsider that raised her for a few months after birth to save her from bad health, and therefore was named an outsider name) so that she relates more to ML's clan and ways? Or do I have her be a bit more respected in her clan, and a top marksman that wants to be the first to find and kill a Dyre wolf? I still haven't thought of ML's development and how that helps her fall for him yet. Just want to figure out FL side first.
This is a question you'll most likely be have to answer yourself. It's a matter of personal taste and story execution, I would say. But for me, having her respected and hunt for the ML makes things more interesting.
Write based on someone who's story you know who you can imagine falling for an inaproriate wolfish outsider. That will narrow down your options. Maybe you went to school with someone who shocked everyone by hitching herself at seventeen with an older guy (with a harley? Too much?). Were they outsiders so it wasn't a total shock, in retrospect, or were they always happy with their cosy circle of friends, so it came like a thunderbolt from a blue sky?
I started out writing the other one, where her people think she's not one of them really, and I don't know how I like it. But on the other hand, my other stories I basically have them respected in their roles besides one but she quickly changes things around. I want to improve my writing and not always have the same characters but trying something new is not my forte, so I think that's why I'm struggling so hard.
Well I've been out of highschool for eleven years now so I can't remember anything like that. Only thing closest to would be my best friend, who went for guys I didn't think she would go for. She's tall, Hispanic, and a horse girl, and went for shorter, nerdy guys. But then as I think about it we are a bit the same and more socially quiet so nerds may be actually up our alley but still they are both smaller and just...different than I'd expect her to go for. Anyway I don't think that helps me narrow it any further...but tell me what sounds interesting to you? A girl that is respected in her clan and shocks the village by going for an outsider? Or one that already is an outsider to them and leaves her village for another clan, one they dislike so much already?
The goal of killing just for the sake of killing doesn't match up with traditional Native values. The hunt was seen as a contest between equal spirits, and should the hunter prevail, great thanks was given to the prey that gave up its life so they could eat. Also, you mention that she is very connected to nature. That also suggests that she wouldn't kill just for the sake of killing.
But is this not a fantasy story, since OP mentions werewolfs and such? Therefore we can not assume that they are natives of our world, right? Native as a word just means that the person is in the same place they were born. I suppose OP could enlighten us.
Whenever you are faced with two options (option A and option B), always choose option C (the one you hadn't thought of before). This little trick can do wonders for a story. Maybe you should try it out. I always choose option C.
Yes this is a fantasy story. I did have a thought of her being native Indian but liked the idea more of a nordic type village, either one you see in Skyrim (video game) or the Witcher type lands. But she connects well to nature and enjoys one of the main past times of hunting. But I also see the confliction between the two as you mentioned she wouldn't like killing as much if she also enjoyed nature. Me and my first draft plot hole brain lol I'm also getting back into writing after a long break so don't judge me too hard haha
