Abilities all Around! Or Not?

Ctairo · May 5, 2009

As much as I've enjoyed straddling the genre fence, I've shoved my current project into the paranormal space and run in to an unanticipated problem with the protagonist's love interest.

The protagonist has abilities. Should her love interest be "different" too? Making the love interest resolutely normal appeals to me. Making him more than normal opens up different story possibilities and also appeals to me.

There isn't a triangle, so it's not a matter of picking the normal guy over the special one (or the reverse). Any thoughts?

The Lonely One · May 5, 2009

Without more details I can't give a specific answer, except that opening up possibilities is always a good investment.

Other than that I'll have to proffer one of those annoying cliche answers: do what works for the story over the long haul.

drachin8 · May 5, 2009

I suppose you could make him an ability-sink, as in paranormal abilities actually don't work within X feet of him. Or while touching him. Or something like that. Nothing like having your special powers taken away by the one you love...

But seriously, you just have to figure out what works best for your story, what makes the better character, what drives the more interesting conflict/relationship. All that cool stuff.

-Michelle

TheIT · May 5, 2009

Consider what sort of person your character would be attracted to. Would she be attracted to someone who can't match her abilities? Why? Would she be attracted to someone who matches her? Why?

Make the love interest fit the person who's interested in him. :LilLove:

Izz · May 5, 2009

drachin8 said:
But seriously, you just have to figure out what works best for your story, what makes the better character, what drives the more interesting conflict/relationship. All that cool stuff.

What Michelle said

Ctairo · May 5, 2009

The Lonely One said:
Without more details I can't give a specific answer, except that opening up possibilities is always a good investment.

Other than that I'll have to proffer one of those annoying cliche answers: do what works for the story over the long haul.

Thing is, I think I can make either work for the story. I know it sounds abstract, but hmm... it's sort of like Riley v. Angel if you're familiar with Buffy (referencing Riley before he got crazy insecure). Or Edward v. Jacob (before we find out he's not exactly normal either) if you're familiar with Twilight.

People tend to have strong opinions, but I always like both types. Hence, the dilemma. If it helps, the relationship is a subplot. Our could-be-normal, could-be-not guy is there for support, assistance, encouragement, and a bit of bickering.

RoseColoredSkies · May 5, 2009

Going with the Buffy analogy, I like the idea of the having special powers that could be a detriment to the MC.

(and Spike is so much better).

But if it's only a subplot, you could really go either way...

Ok...I didn't really help....I just couldn't resist the Buffy and her non-sparkly hunks of undead hotness.

Ctairo · May 5, 2009

drachin8 said:
I suppose you could make him an ability-sink, as in paranormal abilities actually don't work within X feet of him. Or while touching him. Or something like that. Nothing like having your special powers taken away by the one you love...

But seriously, you just have to figure out what works best for your story, what makes the better character, what drives the more interesting conflict/relationship. All that cool stuff.

-Michelle

Oh, that would suck! But make for excellent dramatic possibilities.

Would you believe I can see conflict both ways? Little more angsty if he can't protect himself but still puts himself in harm's way, little more conflict if he thinks his abilities make him safe when they won't... Good stuff! Thanks, Michelle!

TheIT said:
Consider what sort of person your character would be attracted to. Would she be attracted to someone who can't match her abilities? Why? Would she be attracted to someone who matches her? Why?

Make the love interest fit the person who's interested in him.

Ah, good way to look at it! Her abilities are so new, I don't know she's made a distinction between people with or without, so she'd realistically be drawn to a guy who represented life before "specialness." That might not always be the case though. *ponders* Thanks, IT!

Isaac Espriu said:
What Michelle said

*makes note* Excellent! Thanks, Isaac!

TheIT · May 5, 2009

Ctairo said:
Thing is, I think I can make either work for the story. I know it sounds abstract, but hmm... it's sort of like Riley v. Angel if you're familiar with Buffy (referencing Riley before he got crazy insecure). Or Edward v. Jacob (before we find out he's not exactly normal either) if you're familiar with Twilight.

People tend to have strong opinions, but I always like both types. Hence, the dilemma. If it helps, the relationship is a subplot. Our could-be-normal, could-be-not guy is there for support, assistance, encouragement, and a bit of bickering.

Go, Riley!

In any case, is Riley a fair comparison to the character you're trying to create? Riley wasn't exactly normal when Buffy first met him since he was unwittingly part of the "super-soldier" program. He could hold his own in a fight.

If your character is there for moral support and not to be on the front lines, it might make more sense for him to not have special abilities. He'd be less likely to throw himself into danger. Of course, that would mean she has to protect him, which could be fun.

Ctairo · May 5, 2009

RoseColoredSkies said:
Going with the Buffy analogy, I like the idea of the having special powers that could be a detriment to the MC.

(and Spike is so much better).

But if it's only a subplot, you could really go either way...

Ok...I didn't really help....I just couldn't resist the Buffy and her non-sparkly hunks of undead hotness.

LOL! Non-sparkly hunks of undead hotness (or NSHoUHs!)! Awesome!

Spike/Buffy makes more sense. But that's an argument for abilities. If it fit the story, I would so make would-be bf a powersuck. *considers* Wait. There may be a way.

Thanks, Rose!

Ctairo · May 5, 2009

TheIT said:
Go, Riley!

In any case, is Riley a fair comparison to the character you're trying to create? Riley wasn't exactly normal when Buffy first met him since he was unwittingly part of the "super-soldier" program. He could hold his own in a fight.

If your character is there for moral support and not to be on the front lines, it might make more sense for him to not have special abilities. He'd be less likely to throw himself into danger. Of course, that would mean she has to protect him, which could be fun.

Yay! Someone else who didn't hate Riley. *high-fives*

Yeah, he could hold his own, but he was no Spike or Angel. In that sense, he's similar, but he's not enhanced.

He isn't meant to be on the front lines, but he keeps tossing himself on grenades because he's a gentleman. Which means she has to protect him and save him. Even if he has an ability, I figure he's still out of his league; she'd still have to protect him and save him.

Charlie Horse · May 5, 2009

I was trying to think of a way to do this and still keep it original. Unfortunately, it's all been done before, so the only advice I can give you is whichever way moves you the most, do it well and try to put your own individual stamp on it.

Ctairo · May 5, 2009

Charlie Horse said:
I was trying to think of a way to do this and still keep it original. Unfortunately, it's all been done before, so the only advice I can give you is whichever way moves you the most, do it well and try to put your own individual stamp on it.

Yeah, no matter which direction I go, it's not like I'm covering new territory. Unless there's some extremely weird complication with the guy--and honestly? I don't know I can weirdly complicate anything about him without blowing up the plot.

Thanks, Charlie!

Parametric · May 5, 2009

Two words: Badass Normal, one of my favourite tropes.

Ctairo · May 5, 2009

Parametric said:
Two words: Badass Normal, one of my favourite tropes.

Dude!

*hugs the link*

I loves me some badass normals! Um, middle ground. *ponders* Thanks, Parametric!

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