forum Advice on drawing parallels between characters.
Started by @Paperok
tune

people_alt 64 followers

@WriteOutofTime

A lot in fiction you'll have the protagonist and antagonist in a final battle, wherein the antagonist suddenly says "We're the same, you and I!" And the hero is suddenly incapacitated by the stunning realization that gasp he's just like the villain! …except, he's not. And if the villain has to point that out, then the parallels drawn between the two characters are forced and unusual. The best way to avoid the cliche is to put in the work. If you want your antagonist and protagonist to parallel each other, then you've got to take the time and develop that parallel. Have the reader come to the realization first, or maybe even the hero. Just avoid the cliche "We're the same, you and I!" and you're probably good.

@Paperok

Well, it's not between protagonist and antagonist so I guess that's a start lol.
The parallels I'm referring to are between the main character, Paul and his twin sister Crystal. They are both freshmen in high school. While Paul has no idea where he's going in his life and takes every day as it is, Crystal is very goal oriented and has her life mentally mapped out for herself. This is the basis for a lot of their development as they slowly switch roles. Paul becoming more serious about what he wants and how he feels about the enormous world around him and Crystal grows a sharper perspective and respect for the small world around her like her friends and her father. Is this too simple? too little? Crystal isn't as big of a character as Paul so she doesn't get as much "screen time"page time? you know what I mean lol.

@WriteOutofTime

Be careful with twin characters who are opposites. It's kind of a cliche. It's true that most of the time, twins tend to be quite different, and take up different spaces, but it's not always the case. If Crystal isn't a major character, then I think what you have is fine. Otherwise, you might want to create more nuance between their personalities.