Who should my MC end up with?

MsK · Feb 11, 2009

My MC is a married woman, 35ish, stay at home mom with two children in their early teens.
Her husband is a philanderer, always has been, and for many reasons, she's always been able to turn a blind eye to it.
BUT... when he shows up at a very important occasion in her life with his mistress of the moment, my MC has had enough.
And that's when she spots an old flame of hers across the room.

They end up having an affair, and I believe I've painted an ugly enough picture of the husband that the reader won't be angry with my MC for doing this.

I'd like my MC to leave her husband and start a new life with this old flame- not without a fight, of course, but I want the old flame to win.

Can this work? Is it acceptable to have the happy ending be a divorce and a marriage to someone different?

scarletpeaches · Feb 11, 2009

I'd say so, yes.

In fact in my case, I'd be angy at an MC who allowed herself to return to such a husband (if he even wanted her back). Can't stand doormats, in real life OR fiction.

Then again...there's always the 'ends up being single because neither man is right for her' option.

Gillhoughly · Feb 11, 2009

Before she goes home she stops at a hardware store and buys new door locks.

After changing said locks and the alarm code, if the house has one, an energetic excavation of future ex-hubby's things to the front yard is wonderfully empowering.

If she has several girl friends in to help, it is even more fun.

If the teens pitch in, even better. Dad's been a bad boy, and there will be consequences.

Then, when the old flame comes over the next morning, threading his way through the debris to find her rather tired and perhaps a bit hung over and guilty, he can take her out for coffee and this reminds her that not all men are asstards.

That's a book I'd read.

MsK · Feb 11, 2009

Yep, I've made my kids a little older so they will be able to understand her decisions better.
Hubby's things on the front lawn reminds me of the scene from 'Waiting To Exhale'. I loved that part.

Gillhoughly · Feb 11, 2009

I'll be doing a change lock, crap-in-the-yard scene for a future book.

While the pissed off ex is having a hissy fit in front, the MC gets a creepy call from a serial killer.

She prefers talking to HIM over the ex.

Leanan-Sidhe · Feb 11, 2009

Gillhoughly said:
Before she goes home she stops at a hardware store and buys new door locks.

After changing said locks and the alarm code, if the house has one, an energetic excavation of future ex-hubby's things to the front yard is wonderfully empowering.

If she has several girl friends in to help, it is even more fun.

If the teens pitch in, even better. Dad's been a bad boy, and there will be consequences.

Then, when the old flame comes over the next morning, threading his way through the debris to find her rather tired and perhaps a bit hung over and guilty, he can take her out for coffee and this reminds her that not all men are asstards.

That's a book I'd read.

That's a book I'd read, too.

MsK · Feb 12, 2009

Gillhoughly said:
I'll be doing a change lock, crap-in-the-yard scene for a future book.

While the pissed off ex is having a hissy fit in front, the MC gets a creepy call from a serial killer.

She prefers talking to HIM over the ex.

I love it!

Deb Kinnard · Feb 12, 2009

Reminds me of that most-excellent commercial where the girlfriend (wife?) is tossing his belongings from a second story window, down onto his car. Including the TV, the bowling ball...crash! Splinter! Crunch!

Go, girlfriend!

"Life comes at you fast." I'd say there are situations when it SHOULD.

Brindle Chase · Feb 12, 2009

If it ends with a happily ever after, I dont see why not. Given how things are these days, readers will forgive the infidelity I believe, especially when the husband is such a jerk. I like the suggestions above about husband's belongings dump party!

AllieGirl · Feb 20, 2009

one vote for boyfriend

She should definitely end up with the old flame unless you want to give the husband redeeming qualities, which might be very hard to do considering he would have alienated the audience right off the bat. Romance is all about new beginnings and hope.

I'm not sure where you're submitting, but I've read a lot of guidelines that say they don't want a storyline with cheating. That said, I've also read several that include cheating, but only with boyfriend/girlfriend, never someone married.

So don't alienate your audience or your editor. Maybe have her already be separated, which is why he feels it's ok to show up with his mistress. She could even be divorced and just holding a torch for him until this event happens.

dianeP · Feb 22, 2009

Another vote for the boyfriend.

Who should my MC end up with?

MsK

scarletpeaches

Gillhoughly

Grumpy writer and editor

MsK

Gillhoughly

Grumpy writer and editor

Leanan-Sidhe

leaving trails of fairy dust

MsK

Deb Kinnard

Brindle Chase

Dancing on the edge

AllieGirl

Sin is geographical

dianeP