Bah! (i.e. beginning trouble)

A common interest such as sports (or cars, or horses, or hunting, etc.) would be my first choice.

Just going to the same school.

Growing up where there were few other boys their own age.

They meet while stuck in an elevator. Heath is going to see his rich father. Neil is going to social service...

A common enemy, whether it's another kid, a teacher, a rabid 3-legged German Shepherd, or whatever....

One way to create an initial bond is through a common tribulation, or stressful event. It doesn't have to be long or involved, but something that uncovers a common view or attitude shared by the two. Off the top of my head, I'd say you could have it be a woman. She's Heath's girlfriend, but makes moves on Neil because of his bad-breeding image, and because she wants to make Heath jealous. Heath and friends show up to confront Neil, and the girl is outwardly (not just inwardly) thrilled. This brings me to one of my favorite National Lampoon cartoons from way back, paraphrased from memory. The boys square off, the girls says (with a wicked smile), "Stop. Don't fight over me. I'm not worth it." The boys look at one another and Heath says, "You know, she's right." The boys walk away laughing, leaving the girl behind. Is this adaptable to a story? Probably not, but if there is some event that allows these two men to realize that despite their differences in upbringing, they have a common philosophical, or better yet moral leaning, it could plant the seed of a friendship. This commonality allows for a critical component of fiction to come into play - the significant changing of a character due to events that unfold in the story. The change in one character, or the differential changes in the two due to the unfolding events, could create the split that pits the two former friends against one another. Or, they could still have the same basic moral or philosophical leanings, but some other events could line them up on opposite sides of an a fence. Either way, the chances for many layers of resolution await.

The poor one is a clerk where the rich one shops.

They're classmates.

They meet at the train station.

Their bikes collide.

The poor one is hired to serve at a party or do yard work at the rich one's house.

In the principal's office.

I like Neuro's suggestion. I was thinking something along the lines of a shared scare or horrible event they witnessed together. Or perhaps a frightening secret they share because of something they accidentally both witness.

Sharp twists in life can bring two complete polar opposites together, and doesn't always keep them so.

Akuma said:

I'm having trouble with a recent story of mine--it seems I know everything about it except the beginning (a problem I've never had before). Basically, I need a good reason why two boys meet and become best friends.

Neil, who is by society's standards poor, is the eldest of a fairly big family. His personality is pretty much the opposite of Heath, an enormously rich boy who is very stoic in expressing himself.

As vividly as I can picture them, I can't decide on their first meeting. I've written several scenarios but none seem believable or "right".

For the story to work, they eventually become enemies but I don't want that from the beginning--I want them to have reason to regret what they once had.

Any idea how the pauper meets the prince?

Click to expand...

How about they both like to watch the birds wheeling overhead from their bedroom windows because it gives them a sense of freedom from their normal lives? Then one of them finds an injured bird, and the other comes across him as he is panicking and tries to help. If the bird then dies despite their efforts, that would create a very strong bond.

Limited option woukd make them seek each other's company--like not many other boys that age in the area? Then you just need some riverbank or wooded rea where neither of them are 'meant' to go...

If you know everything about it except the beginning, you must know the end. Use that ending to create your opening. If they fight their final battle on a baseball field, start them off on one. If they finish in a courtroom, find a kid-equivalent setting.

Use the opening to reflect the end.

How old are the boys when they meet? Or, how old do they need to be to fit in with the rest of the story?

It could be in a sandbox, sports team, scouting, gifted (or remedial) program, company picnic (poor family works for rich family's business).

I'd start with a conflict of some kind. Either they are in conflict, or one steps in to help the other one in a fight.


Conflict's the kind of thing that helps to forge bonds.

Maybe Neil helps Heath out of a jam. Neil knowledge of something practical elevates him in Heath's estimation. Assuming rich kids don't know about snakes, river currents, machinery, fishing... Neil "rescues" him.

For now, I'd just pick one of your pre-written scenarios and just go from there. Down the road you'll find yourself better aquainted with the characters and the story, and hopefully they'll let you know.

You might start the story later, when they're already friends.

I think the first meeting has to set up a book-length conflict, unless it's just a prologue. The thing which becomes their bone of contention could start as the focus of their friendship. For example, class differences could be fascinating at first.... perhaps rich kid enjoys playing prince and pauper?