He's the first guy in a love triangle, but the majority of fans like the pairing of Guy #2 and The Girl better. In the post, she described how much the first guy, Guy #1, has sacrificed for The Girl. She told of heartbreaking moments he endured when parted from her that the readers never get to see. I, personally, have a higher regard for Guy #1 after seeing these moments for myself.
But, as I was reading, I couldn't help but think, "Why didn't you tell us all this in the first place?"
The readers only know of Guy #1 what the author displays for us through The Girl's view point. Given the little knowledge we have, it's bound that most fans won't like him. The adoration Guy #1 has for The Girl can be logically deduced, but since we're all so distracted by the sweet romance between Guy #2 and The Girl, we don't have any interest in thinking about Guy #1.
What could the author have done better? She could have expanded to a broader view point than first person {I saw...I heard...I ran}, such as third person {she saw...she heard...she ran}. She also could have shown us more moments where Guy #1 and The Girl actually talk instead of kiss. Further explaining why Guy #1 broke up with The Girl in the beginning would have helped immensely as well. {He broke up with her in the desire for what's best for her. Honest.}
What can I learn from all this? If I want my readers to love a character, I will give them enough reason to root for him or her before he or she blunders in a really stupid way, like breaking apart a relationship and a heart. I will analyze my story from the reader's perspective, and if I'm not liking how the story appears, I will rewrite and revise.
I will learn from another's mistake.
This ever-learning writer,
Janelle
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