Any Writers In The House?

bsidebella

I haven't been on here in awhile, dayum! I got a new temp job that keeps me busy (to an extent). I have to leave my apartment at 6:50am to be at work at 8 because of traffic, which wipes me out by the time I get home.

Anyway, I've been working on a story on and off for about a year now, and while I was playing around, I accidentally created a love triangle. I suppose it was inevitable, but I was trying to stay away from it. I need to talk it out with some fellow writers!

I was writing an interaction between two characters the other day and the next thing I knew, they were kissing! I sort of panicked, but I couldn't bring myself to backpedal. There was so much unresolved sexual tension that I guess I couldn't control it. I had planned all along for the protagantist to reunite with her first love. But what becomes of my poor, poor third man? I don't want to leave this good-hearted character out in the cold.

Anyone feel like helping me work this out? It's driving me nuts.

calindi

I'd definitely need to know more than that.  What's their relationship before this kiss?  Does he know the first love?  Where's her relationship currently with her first love?

At the least, I need to know the above to help!

GreenPepperBurger

Can you give me a brief synopsis of the plot as a whole? (I tend to initially think in screenplay format, so forgive me).

bsidebella

Hahaha I didn't want to post a huge long post so I kind of skimped out on the details to see if I'd get a nibble ;-) Here ya go ...

The triangle involves:
Stella, 18 - a new mom, originally from NYC and now living in LA. She ran away when she found out she was pregnant without telling anyone, and lived in shelters and motels until she found a job and a home. She is torn between....

Shawn, 18 - the father of Stella's child, her first love. He doesn't know she was pregnant when she left. They haven't seen each other in over a year, since she ran away. He still loves her, was devestated by her departure. The story actually goes back and forth between Stella's new life and Shawn dealing with the aftermath of her leaving.

Dylan, 21 - originally hired Stella to work in his record store, eventually became her main line of support. He knows that Stella is still in love with Shawn but he inevitably falls in love with her, offers to marry her after she has her daughter, but she refuses. Stella loves him, but not the way he loves her.

The story also takes place in 1985, if that matters. I wanted it to begin with the assassination of John Lennon and the height of the punk movement. Anyone need more than that?

GreenPepperBurger

Hmm, interesting. And Dylan doesn't have ties to anybody else but Stella?

bsidebella

<div align="left">In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_writers-house?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:03088ff9-0de2-4b97-8b03-81c58eacb2aePost:b81c7745-f66f-439b-960c-be752969dd6a">Re: Any Writers In The House?</a>:
[QUOTE]Hmm, interesting. And Dylan doesn't have ties to anybody else but Stella?
Posted by GreenPepperBurger[/QUOTE]

No, not romantically. He was dating an actress (what else in Los Angeles?) for a brief while, but they ended it. It comes up in conversation in the story, but she's never seen.</div>

calindi

Obviously Stella has to have a crisis, which is good for the character.  She's going to feel a bit torn, and it's okay that she develops more than platonic feelings for Dylan, but she has to keep it more as a source of comfort than a great passionate romance.  So maybe a chapter or two while they try to sort out their new relationship after the kiss - maybe they fall into a comfortable friends-with-kissing-benefits scenario.

He has to realize that it isn't right.  Maybe he can push her back towards her first love.  After a few vignettes with them together, he can have a realization that something isn't right, and as such a good guy he can tell her that they'll always be friends, and he's there to support her, but he realizes that he's not the one she's in love with and that she needs to sort out her previous relationship before she can move forward.  This can propel her to contemplate her first love, which can ultimately bring them back together.

In the end Dylan would be a good friend who understands that they're better as friends.  It can be a little bittersweet.

GreenPepperBurger

I feel like the audience should obviously root for Shawn to reunite with his first love, the mother of his child, but this is problematic if Dylan is such a nice guy. The obvious way to go is to have Dylan harbor a potentially devastating secret, but this may be a cop-out.

bsidebella

<div align="left">In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_writers-house?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:03088ff9-0de2-4b97-8b03-81c58eacb2aePost:084f0ce4-34bc-4827-b02b-621445ff125c">Re: Any Writers In The House?</a>:
[QUOTE]Obviously Stella has to have a crisis, which is good for the character.  She's going to feel a bit torn, and it's okay that she develops more than platonic feelings for Dylan, but <strong>she has to keep it more as a source of comfort than a great passionate romance</strong>.  So maybe a chapter or two while they try to sort out their new relationship after the kiss - maybe they fall into a comfortable friends-with-kissing-benefits scenario. <strong>He has to realize that it isn't right.  Maybe he can push her back towards her first love. </strong> <strong>After a few vignettes with them together, he can have a realization that something isn't right, and as such a good guy he can tell her that they'll always be friends, and he's there to support her, but he realizes that he's not the one she's in love with and that she needs to sort out her previous relationship before she can move forward.  This can propel her to contemplate her first love, which can ultimately bring them back together. </strong>In the end Dylan would be a good friend who understands that they're better as friends.  It can be a little bittersweet.
Posted by calindi[/QUOTE]

Oh God, rip my heart out, why don't you! Sorry, that wasn't an insult, thank you for the insight. I'm very close to Dylan as a character, I'm anguished at the thought of hurting him (he's based on someone I know, so...yeah).

You're very right. Dylan is a very mature young man and has the best of intentions. I mean, he offered to marry Stella, for goodness sake. She does consider marrying him briefly, even having a big panic attack over it, but she refuses because in her heart, she really does still love Shawn. She didn't want to marry Dylan for the wrong reasons.</div>

bsidebella

<div align="left">In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_writers-house?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:03088ff9-0de2-4b97-8b03-81c58eacb2aePost:daafbc63-168c-4307-a549-0ec496d8f150">Re: Any Writers In The House?</a>:
[QUOTE]I feel like the audience should obviously root for Shawn to reunite with his first love, the mother of his child, but this is problematic if Dylan is such a nice guy. The obvious way to go is to have Dylan harbor a potentially devastating secret, but this may be a cop-out.
Posted by GreenPepperBurger[/QUOTE]

Oh, yes. That's why I have such a problem. Dylan is based off of a real person (actually, I based Dylan <em>and</em> his brother off this person. He was kind of two people in the same body). He is sweet and caring and understanding, raised by hippie parents. The last thing I want to do is hurt him. But then we've got Shawn, the father and the first love, who will never stop loving her. Damn it, why do I have to have such likeable characters? </div>

calindi

She's trying not to hurt Dylan, but she's also blocking off her relationship with Shawn and all that baggage.  So she can't be the one to pull away from Dylan - she's in need of the comfort, and he's a good friend and has become a confidant.  So she'd be afraid to lose that if she broke up with him, and since I don't see her actively planning to get back with Shawn (or else she wouldn't have run away) then she won't want to be alone, as selfish as that may be.  It had to be Dylan that comes to the realization that it's just not right - their chemistry is better as friends, and that he knows her heart is somewhere else.  This can be a real turning point for her - she can argue with him that she can count on him, that he's her best friend, that he's always been so good to him.  And he can point out that she isn't saying the one thing that could change his mind - that she loves him.  And she tries, but she really just can't say it, so she shakes her head and starts crying.  He sighs, lifts her chin, kisses her forehead, and tells her that he will always love her, but that it's the love of a sister and a friend, and she needs to follow her heart.

calindi

Real life hurts sometimes, so you can't be afraid to hurt your characters.  If it's all sunshiney and roses, it's not that interesting to read.  All the main characters have to go through transformations for a plot to really work - in Dylan's case, he has to break his own heart to help someone he loves.  That's an incredibly moving sacrifice, and we're left to believe that Dylan will ultimately find someone that deserves him and loves him as he loves them.  Because the real tragedy for Dylan would be having him settle for a marriage with someone who will never love him as much as she loves someone else.

Okay, this whole thing has reminded me I need to get back to writing.  It's been a few months, and I miss it.

GreenPepperBurger

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_writers-house?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:03088ff9-0de2-4b97-8b03-81c58eacb2aePost:9cb3b9e6-67e7-4c59-962c-eb44c38ca7b3">Re: Any Writers In The House?</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>Real life hurts sometimes, so you can't be afraid to hurt your characters.  If it's all sunshiney and roses, it's not that interesting to read.</strong>  All the main characters have to go through transformations for a plot to really work - in Dylan's case, he has to break his own heart to help someone he loves.  That's an incredibly moving sacrifice, and we're left to believe that Dylan will ultimately find someone that deserves him and loves him as he loves them.  Because the real tragedy for Dylan would be having him settle for a marriage with someone who will never love him as much as she loves someone else. Okay, this whole thing has reminded me I need to get back to writing.  It's been a few months, and I miss it.
Posted by calindi[/QUOTE]

Ditto. We can like the characters, but they also need to be complex and have their flaws. The four things a character must have in order to succeed are purpose, complexity, empathy and credibility.

bsidebella

<div align="left">In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_writers-house?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:03088ff9-0de2-4b97-8b03-81c58eacb2aePost:9cb3b9e6-67e7-4c59-962c-eb44c38ca7b3">Re: Any Writers In The House?</a>:
[QUOTE]Real life hurts sometimes, so you can't be afraid to hurt your characters.  <strong>If it's all sunshiney and roses, it's not that interesting to read.</strong>  All the main characters have to go through transformations for a plot to really work -<strong> in Dylan's case, he has to break his own heart to help someone he loves.  That's an incredibly moving sacrifice, and we're left to believe that Dylan will ultimately find someone that deserves him and loves him as he loves them.  Because the real tragedy for Dylan would be having him settle for a marriage with someone who will never love him as much as she loves someone else.</strong> Okay, this whole thing has reminded me I need to get back to writing.  It's been a few months, and I miss it.
Posted by calindi[/QUOTE]

Cate I hate it when you're right. KIDDING! You couldn't be more correct. Characters need to transform. Dylan is a mature enough guy to realize that Stella is never going to love her in that way, and it's going to hurt. Hmmm...now my gears are a-turning!

I guess my biggest issue of the triangle was what exactly to do with Dylan. I didn't want him kicked to the curb. Any writer knows that there are characters you grow attached to, and Dylan is probably my second favorite character that I've created. </div>

calindi

Then spin him into his own story.  It'd make a great sequel.  He's a big enough guy, and I assume mature enough, to realize that he can't hold onto Stella when she's still in love with someone else.  He'll grow from this, will be a little distant and a little hurt as he licks his wounds, but ultimately he will heal.  When that happens, you'll have an even more complex character waiting for your next story.  Maybe he'll take a vacation to clear his mind, and end up meeting someone?



You can't tie up all the strings for all your characters - real life doesn't end, it just has a series of semi-conclusions.  In this case, you're writing Stella's story so you can't solve Dylan's problems.  It's okay to leave the reader wondering a little about Dylan.

bsidebella

<div align="left">In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_writers-house?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:03088ff9-0de2-4b97-8b03-81c58eacb2aePost:8d0d5e42-5197-404e-8996-41080fee8e16">Re: Any Writers In The House?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Any Writers In The House? : Ditto. We can like the characters, but they also need to be complex and have their flaws. The four things a character must have in order to succeed are purpose, complexity, empathy and credibility.
Posted by GreenPepperBurger[/QUOTE]

I guess Dylan's flaw is that he tries to be the hero. Not in the strictest sense, but he's a humanitarian and he can't just sit idlly by and let Stella fare on her own. I know that sounds fluffy but he's got his problems too.</div>

calindi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_writers-house?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:03088ff9-0de2-4b97-8b03-81c58eacb2aePost:de675049-ea47-4a7c-a642-4a3c539b1fbf">Re: Any Writers In The House?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Any Writers In The House? : I guess Dylan's flaw is that he tries to be the hero. Not in the strictest sense, but he's a humanitarian and he can't just sit idlly by and let Stella fare on her own. I know that sounds fluffy but he's got his problems too.
Posted by bsidebella[/QUOTE]

Maybe that's his transformation?  He'll realize that the way to be the hero is to let her go.  That's a lot to handle.

bsidebella

<div align="left">In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_writers-house?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:03088ff9-0de2-4b97-8b03-81c58eacb2aePost:2ea9eeac-d580-4fda-b14a-2530ea4a3ebd">Re: Any Writers In The House?</a>:
[QUOTE]Then spin him into his own story.  It'd make a great sequel.  He's a big enough guy, and I assume mature enough, to realize that he can't hold onto Stella when she's still in love with someone else.  He'll grow from this, will be a little distant and a little hurt as he licks his wounds, but ultimately he will heal.  When that happens, you'll have an even more complex character waiting for your next story.  Maybe he'll take a vacation to clear his mind, and end up meeting someone? You can't tie up all the strings for all your characters - real life doesn't end, it just has a series of semi-conclusions.  In this case, you're writing Stella's story so you can't solve Dylan's problems.  It's okay to leave the reader wondering a little about Dylan.
Posted by calindi[/QUOTE]

Hmm. I don't know if I'd want Dylan to have his own story. I mean, I've toyed around with it, but I haven't found his voice yet. Stella and Shawn I've been working with much longer, and Dylan kind of popped up unexpectedly halfway through. I decided that Stella needed an ally in Los Angeles, and while I was writing this story, I happened to meet this guy at my radio station who I became good friends with, and he eventually became Dylan's model.

I did start writing Dylan's biography as an exercise, to see if I could feel him out a little more, and it was coming along great, but then I began writing this Stella/Dylan interaction and I stumbled into this snafu.

I suppose, to my credit, I was smart enough to not permit him to sleep with her. It came very close, but I had Dylan stop before they went to far. Stella was only doing this because she was lonely, because she was trying to convince herself that being with Dylan wouldn't be a terrible thing. But Dylan sensed that this was wrong.


[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Any Writers In The House? : Maybe that's his transformation?  He'll realize that the way to be the hero is to let her go.  That's a lot to handle.
Posted by calindi[/QUOTE]

Agreed.</div>

Blue & White

The love triangle sounds a lot like Amy, Ben, and Ricky on the Secret Life of the American Teenager.  haha, but I guess most love triangles involving a baby would.

I kinda like Dylan.  Maybe Shawn has an ex that Dylan could end up with?  Or....I dunno, Dylan gets to find someone in the end.  Just don't kill him off, that'd really kill the story. 

OR, taking more from real life...Dylan could be more of a godfather type figure in the child's life.  I guess that would make the sexual tension never end though.

Sounds like a good tale though  

bsidebella

<div align="left">In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_writers-house?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:03088ff9-0de2-4b97-8b03-81c58eacb2aePost:be0c9afc-6d97-4725-b72a-4939f80438eb">Re: Any Writers In The House?</a>:
[QUOTE]The love triangle sounds a lot like Amy, Ben, and Ricky on the Secret Life of the American Teenager.  haha, but I guess most love triangles involving a baby would. I kinda like Dylan.  Maybe Shawn has an ex that Dylan could end up with?  Or....I dunno, Dylan gets to find someone in the end.  Just don't kill him off, that'd really kill the story.  OR, taking more from real life...Dylan could be more of a godfather type figure in the child's life.  I guess that would make the sexual tension never end though. Sounds like a good tale though :) 
Posted by Blue & White[/QUOTE]

I've never seen Secret Life of the American Teenager but usually when I hear my story "sounds a lot like" something else, it pretty much kills me and now I can't get that thought out of my head. I don't think any writer likes hearing that their story's been done before, even though I've been working on this story since before that show came out.

There's no ex for Shawn. Stella's his first love too. I wouldn't want Dylan to wind up with someone's ex anyway. Besides, what would an ex of Shawn's - if he had one - be doing in Los Angeles?

For now, Dylan's going to remain the celibate hero.</div>

Blue & White

Aw, B-side!  Sorry for bringing it up - it's really a terrible show meant only for little kids (but it's such a trainwreck...)  Plus in Secret life they're like 16...so I'm sure 99% of the rest of the plot isn't even close.

I'm trying to figure out how to make my brainstorm plot idea NOT be a repeat of the memory keeper's daughter.  Go figure.

bsidebella

<div align="left">In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_writers-house?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:03088ff9-0de2-4b97-8b03-81c58eacb2aePost:7749896c-7e1b-4859-9367-bfd7e59437d6">Re: Any Writers In The House?</a>:
[QUOTE]Aw, B-side!  Sorry for bringing it up - it's really a terrible show meant only for little kids (but it's such a trainwreck...)  Plus in Secret life they're like 16...so I'm sure 99% of the rest of the plot isn't even close. I'm trying to figure out how to make my brainstorm plot idea NOT be a repeat of the memory keeper's daughter.  Go figure.
Posted by Blue & White[/QUOTE]

It's okay. It's just a very ear-wormy thing that bugs me. A few friends of mine watch "Secret Life...", and I've seen commercials, so I have a basic idea of plot and you're more than likely right that it's not even close. Probably the only thing that might be kind of close is the fact that there's a love triangle involving a baby.

Also, <em>The Memory Keeper's Daughter</em> was a great book but I wasn't a fan of the ending.</div>

calindi

I figure most relationships between characters have been done before - I mean, there's only so many combinations.  But in the end, it's the characters themselves and the nuances of their situation that make them different.  So no, this doesn't sound much like that show at all except in the fact that one girl has a baby with one guy, then kisses another.  That's about the extent of it.

I hate/love The Secret Life... but I'd NEVER want a teenager to watch it!  It makes teenage sex seem like something that's mandatory for everyone.  It hasn't addressed STDs at all, which is such a huge part of teenage sexual education (and something I think so few of them understand - sure, they've heard of AIDs, but their education about HPV and the dangers of oral sex is sorely lacking).  Pregnancy is addressed, but I think they romanticize it a bit.  Anyway, I watch it because it's so dramatic and ridiculous, but I'd hate to have a teenager watch it. I very much disagree with the notion that there's this absurd pressure to have sex as a teenager - sure, some people are doing it, but I was very much aware of the dangers and risks and wasn't ready to take on that responsibility, so I waited until I was 18 and in a serious relationship.

bsidebella

<div align="left">In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_writers-house?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:03088ff9-0de2-4b97-8b03-81c58eacb2aePost:b2d2c4bc-c7b3-4d5d-82ef-9e092e2c6fc0">Re: Any Writers In The House?</a>:
[QUOTE]I figure most relationships between characters have been done before - I mean, there's only so many combinations.  But in the end, it's the characters themselves and the nuances of their situation that make them different.  So no, this doesn't sound much like that show at all except in the fact that<strong> one girl has a baby with one guy, then kisses another.  That's about the extent of it.</strong> I hate/love The Secret Life... but I'd NEVER want a teenager to watch it!  It makes teenage sex seem like something that's mandatory for everyone.  It hasn't addressed STDs at all, which is such a huge part of teenage sexual education (and something I think so few of them understand - sure, they've heard of AIDs, but their education about HPV and the dangers of oral sex is sorely lacking).  Pregnancy is addressed, but I think they romanticize it a bit.  Anyway, I watch it because it's so dramatic and ridiculous, but I'd hate to have a teenager watch it. I very much disagree with the notion that there's this absurd pressure to have sex as a teenager - sure, some people are doing it, but I was very much aware of the dangers and risks and wasn't ready to take on that responsibility, so I waited until I was 18 and in a serious relationship.
Posted by calindi[/QUOTE]

*big sigh of relief*

Yeah I've heard that it's ridiculously dramatic and romanticized, which is why I stay away from it like I would from the flesh eating virus. I heard that the main girl in the series pretty much abandons her kid to go to school in another state. Who does that?! Also, if they're going to make a show about teens having sex, they really should mention STD's. I heard that STD's among high school kids is at an<em> all time high</em> right now. </div>

calindi

Actually, it's a lot different than that.  The girl has a baby with guy A, but a relationship with guy B during her pregnancy (both guy A and guy B are fully aware she's pregnant).  Guy A and guy B end up being best friends through this experience.  She really loves guy B, but he's got all sorts of issues with her having a baby with guy A and it ends up breaking them up.  Guy B eventually gets another girl pregnant (who is the ex-girlfriend of guy A) during revenge sex since neither guy B nor the ex-girlfriend of guy A could get over the fact that the girl had a baby with guy A.  So now the girl and guy A decide to try to see if they can have a relationship after all.

Sound anything like your story?  Except for a love triangle with a baby involved?

Didn't think so.

bsidebella

<div align="left">In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_writers-house?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:03088ff9-0de2-4b97-8b03-81c58eacb2aePost:c19cdb6a-89b0-4ba7-851a-dd7c47b31319">Re: Any Writers In The House?</a>:
[QUOTE]Actually, it's a lot different than that.  The girl has a baby with guy A, but a relationship with guy B during her pregnancy (both guy A and guy B are fully aware she's pregnant).  Guy A and guy B end up being best friends through this experience.  She really loves guy B, but he's got all sorts of issues with her having a baby with guy A and it ends up breaking them up.  Guy B eventually gets another girl pregnant (who is the ex-girlfriend of guy A) during revenge sex since neither guy B nor the ex-girlfriend of guy A could get over the fact that the girl had a baby with guy A.  So now the girl and guy A decide to try to see if they can have a relationship after all. Sound anything like your story?  Except for a love triangle with a baby involved? Didn't think so.
Posted by calindi[/QUOTE]

That...that made my head a splode =/

You're right. Nothing like my story. I feel better.</div>

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_writers-house?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:03088ff9-0de2-4b97-8b03-81c58eacb2aePost:812d33ec-a005-4883-8e20-4f2ee09882e5">Re: Any Writers In The House?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Any Writers In The House? : I've never seen Secret Life of the American Teenager but usually when I hear my story "sounds a lot like" something else, it pretty much kills me and now I can't get that thought out of my head. I don't think any writer likes hearing that their story's been done before, even though I've been working on this story since before that show came out.
Posted by bsidebella[/QUOTE]

I don't know if you will come back to this thread, but I wanted to add my thoughts on this. As an author, I understand what you mean when you say you don't like your work being compared to something else. But really, the fact is that 99% of the time, it (your story) has been done before. There are too many books and movies out there to think every single idea you (the collective you) come up with is completely original. The trick is to take what's been done before and make it your own, put your own spin on it. Even if it's been done before, your characters are still your own and that alone makes it unique.

That being said, you should embrace whatever your story is compared to. People generally read the same types of books--romances, fantasies, mysteries, etc. So if someone says your plot sounds like The Secret Life or a book of some kind, then you have a huge market right there of readers who will be interested in your own story. Does that make sense? It did in my head, but I don't know if I explained it well. I would actually encourage you to find similiar books or TV shows that focus on love triangles or whatever your story is specifically about and use that to your advantage.

Oh, and also. I love that your story has taken it's own direction. People don't often understand me when I say that something just happened because they think the atuhor has total control. In my first book, I planned all along for one character to die in the end, only to have another that I loved take the bullet instead.

bsidebella

Thanks for the imput. Really. I totally understand that it's probably been done before. I know it's been done before. I just don't like hearing it. *stomppout*

And you're right - people who aren't writers just don't get that the author does not have control. My BF does this all the time - "They're your characters, make them do whatever you want!" I caaaaaan't! They literally have minds of their own. I just take dictation.