When we pick up a new book, I think we all expect to meet characters who change and grow as the story progresses. What makes each story unique is how those characters handle the challenges they face. Often, the characters are wounded in one way or another, whether it is physical or emotional.
Sometimes, only one character has a major wound they have to heal from. For example, in my book Marrying Mandy, the heroine has all kinds of emotional baggage she needs to come to terms with. Her parents abandoned her when she was young, and now the beloved grandparents who raised her have passed away. The bed and breakfast that meant so much to them is important to Mandy. But because of a stipulation in the will, she has to consider a marriage of convenience to her best friend, Preston, in order to keep the business in the family.
In this case, while Preston has some challenges of his own, the biggest one is the fact that he’s in love with Mandy, and that she may never return those feelings. For the most part, he’s there to support Mandy as she works through her past, what the future holds, and the unrealistic expectations she’s placed on herself.
In other books, both the hero and heroine struggle to recover from their own issues. In Marrying Emma, Emma grew up with a heart condition that meant her childhood was less than normal. Once she received a new heart a couple of years ago, it should have meant a new lease on life–but Emma struggles to fight her way through the fear that continues to hold her back.
Then there’s Marty, who lost part of his leg in a motorcycle accident. He’s gone through years of physical therapy to get to where he is now. Being himself in a relationship, however, is difficult when the last thing he wants is to be pitied by someone he cares about.
On their own, their physical wounds along with the emotional ramifications of them are overwhelming. But together, maybe they can piece their lives back together again.
Do you have a preference? In general, would you rather read a book where one character plays more of a solid and supportive role for the other character who is truly struggling? Or do you like to see both the hero and heroine recover from emotional or physical wounds together? Or does it matter to you? Personally, I find I gravitate toward the first as a reader, and tend to write more of the first type than the second.
Giveaway: To enter for a chance to choose one of my digital ebooks, I’d love for you to comment below and let me know what you think. A winner will be randomly chosen April 3rd and contacted through e-mail.
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Melanie D. Snitker is a USA Today Bestselling Author who writes inspirational and sweet romance novels. She and her husband live in the beautiful Texas Hill Country with their two children who keep their lives full of adventure. They share their home with two dogs, a guinea pig, two lizards, and four frogs. In her spare time, Melanie enjoys photography, reading, baking, computer games, and hanging out with family and friends.
I enjoy stories that have complex, imperfect characters that are able to grow and learn as they are developed throughout the story.
I like all kinds! I really don’t have a favorite. I read both types of books, and like both. I like the characters to be real, and to go through real life things, so even if there are no major obstacles to overcome in their lives, they still face different choices every day that affect their life.
I want to read about characters that have real-life struggles that may not go away, but they learn to accept them and grow because of the love of God and the one they love.
I enjoy both scenarios as long as neither character is “cookie-cutter perfect”.
It does not matter to me
Sometimes when both main characters have too much growing to do, there’s too much “angst” floating around, and I get “worn out” reading about their struggles :-) However, since no one’s perfect, we all need to change and grow in some way, so when it’s done right, both characters needing to grow makes the book more realistic.
For me it doesn’t matter. I find that in my own stories I use a mix. Thank you for this post!
I like them when the characters help each other overcome something whether it’s only one of them going through something or both of them. Your books sound like very good reads. (not entering this ebook giveaway, but Thank you) I am not tech savvy at all. Have a Great week and stay safe.
I honestly hadn’t thought much about it, but I think I prefer the second type of book since otherwise, I tend to think it’s one-sided (or maybe it’s been a while since I’ve read one of those, lol!). I also think that’s why I loved Marrying Emma so much :) (will be leaving my review soon!).
This was interesting. I’ve really never thought about it. I don’t choose what I’m going to read based on that; it’s just a part of the story. I read certain authors, a setting, or a type of hero. I’m going to have to watch and see which occurs in the books I pick to read.
I enjoy stories where both characters have to deal with issues and grow, I think because so often those stories center on the healing being kind of pushed along by the hero and heroine meeting and helping each other. Sometimes we need people who can see in us what we can’t see in ourselves and who push us to be the best we can be.
This is a hard question! I like both if they’re well done. Meaning that both characters have a realistic growth arc in a believable amount of time. It’s likely that they wouldn’t come to the point where they have healed enough to commit to the other at the same time, so I think I tend to stories where one character plays more of a solid and supportive role for the other character who is truly struggling.
This is such a hard question, I think I read both and I don’t know if I really have a preference. Both appeal to me for different reasons.
Thanks for your response, Yvonne. It’s always nice to see how the characters grow throughout a story, isn’t it?
That makes sense, Trudy. I like for characters to be real, whether they face major life choices or if it’s the every day stuff they have to deal with. Thanks for responding!
Oh, I like what you said about how characters learn to accept and grow because of a real-life struggle that doesn’t necessarily go away. So much more realistic!
Thanks for replying!
Both points are so true. I feel the same way if both main characters have too much growing to do. I think it makes it hard because they have so much to focus on that it’s hard to grow together at the same time. But also, as you said, everyone can grow and change because none of us is perfect.
Thanks, Marilene!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Alicia. I hope you have a blessed week as well!
Thanks so much for taking the time to read Emma’s book, and for writing a review soon as well. I appreciate it. I’m glad you enjoyed the story!! <3
Thanks for responding, Linda. I never really thought about this much, either, until I started writing. I think I tend to lean towards writing stories with the first scenario. But I really enjoyed a change when writing Emma’s story and creating two characters that had so much growing to do. Maybe, in the end, variety is best!
So true! And if both are dealing with their own issues, they can also understand where the other person is coming from. Instead of just pushing that person to heal or get better, they can encourage it from a position with more compassion and empathy.
Thanks for responding, Lila! I agree with you, it seems like in a story where both characters have a major situation to overcome, it’s unlikely they’d both reach a point where they could commit at the same time. Maybe that’s why I tend to lean toward the other type of story (especially when writing).
Thanks, Angeline, for taking the time to respond!
This makes me think of the movie “Rocky” where Rocky describes his relationship with the love of his life, Adrian. He said, “I got gaps. She’s got gaps. Together we don’t got gaps.” Very much akin to the the biblical “Two are better than one…”. I enjoy both patterns so long as the first (with one stronger and one weaker) doesn’t present the stronger one as being without flaws or needs.
I think an interesting plot would be to have a stronger partner helping a weaker partner through a difficulty with a late plot twist being a daunting challenge arising for the stronger partner. All of a sudden there is a reversal of roles and the recovering weaker partner can bring their heretofore unknown (or unemphasized) gifts and abilities to aid the once stronger partner. He’s got gaps, she’s got gaps…
I always enjoy your books. I’m reading Marrying Emma now and really enjoying it. Your characters are so likeable. They are like people I would enjoy knowing. Thanks for your stories.
I love that, Lincoln. That’s awesome – the quote and the idea about the role reversal. Thanks for responding!
Thanks so much, Mary! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it!! <3
As a quadriplegic for the last 26 years, it is my reality that not all struggles go away, but amid the hardships there can be many blessings from God.
I prefer reading stories where one character is stronger and is supporting the other through their struggle.
I like all kinds even ones that one is wounded or gets wounded at the beginning or both. There very interesting books.
I don’t mind complex as long as it’s realistic.
I tend to like one character who plays a supporting role for the other one who’s struggling a little more. But have read both in books, and enjoyed each one for various reasons.
I think maybe because in my own marriage, it seems that when one of us is struggling with something, the other one is “stronger” and helps prop the other one up & vise versa. I can relate to that type of story-line better.
I am really late but I think it depends on the book and characters. Sometimes 2 wounded people can help each other. Like when one has a health condition or is new diagnosed and not sure how they will cope having someone else who in many eyes would be wounded who has the same issue or an issue which is also limiting but has learnt to cope for the most part can be encouraging. For example someone who is having migraine pain and related issues but the drs and you find out you have a condition which means the pain will be constant finding someone who has suffered from something so doesn’t dismiss the pain cos they understand it can be really helpful. (although I guess one is no longer wounded)
It can also depend the wound. Like a person dealing with the death of a loved one maybe parent and another who is dealing with the loss of something else they can then support each other and come through it.
Thanks for commenting, Judy! I tend to prefer them as well.
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, Amy.
Realistic is definitely a must!
This is such a good point! I’ve found that in my own marriage as well. There are times I really struggle, and my husband is there for me. And other times the opposite is true. Maybe that’s why I prefer that storyline in general as well.
All of that is true and a very good point. When we were going through infertility issues, it was a huge help to be able to speak to others who have or are going through the same thing. So that counts for a lot!
I don’t have a preference <3 love them all!
Interesting, I hadn’t considered the topic before. No preference.
I don’t have a prefer either way, as long as the storyline is realistic. No one is perfect or perfectly beautiful or handsome. I like characters with flaws. Have a wonderful Easter!
All characters have wounds–some are just more apparent than others! I tend to write one character stronger than the other, but the stronger one usually has SOME kind of wound that becomes apparent. Sometimes they don’t even know it’s a problem until a plot twist comes and shines light on it! :)
I don’t really have a preference.
Hi Melanie, I like both! Sometimes, with the shorter books, there isn’t enough space to unpack both main characters having deep emotional wounds. 😊
Thanks for your response, Natalya!
Thanks, Dianne!
I appreciate your answer, Kathy. Thank you, I hope you have a blessed Easter as well!
I love when a plot twist reveals a wound the character never knew he or she had. Thanks, Regina!
I appreciate you taking the time to comment, Patricia.
Thanks, Narelle! That’s true, shorter books do make it hard to unpack both main characters if they have deeper wounds.
I like both ways. I just finished reading Marrying
Emma and loved it.