Hi, new here and also in writing stuff. I mostly read. this would be first time I'd be attempting to write a story. already started with the world building, mainly the power system, I haven't made the map or the places and government yet. but I think I'll make that along as I go. I started already with writing first chapter. and I just want your opinions and expertise on writing a 3-way MC for my story? I've read novels with 3 characters focused but mainly there always one that gets more of a spotlight. so how would you approach this type of story where all three are equal in terms of narrative?
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3 MC discussion
- Thread starter Remedian
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pmmg
Myth Weaver
I have multiple key characters which could be called main. I just cycle through their scenes changing the POV to whichever character it is about. Not terribly different from how GRRM wrote game of thrones, only he uses chapters that way, I just use scenes.
Its not hard really, just have them going after what they think is important to achieving what it is they want in the story, and what the story is about.
Its not hard really, just have them going after what they think is important to achieving what it is they want in the story, and what the story is about.
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- #3
Thank you for the feedback, so a third person narration that explores each of theirs POV per scenes or chapters would be ideal? In relation to this would be creating their dynamic with one another as well so their character feels more natural and connected. The story itself doesn't need 3 characters to move the plot along since it would not be like a chosen one concept where a character is pivotal for the plot to move along. But here lies the problem on how i can make them pivotal for the plot itself and be distinct with other characters. sorry if iam overthinking this. Iam more into world building than story telling.
I just wanted the 3 characters to experience the world. But i feel like it would be bland to the readers if theyre not pivotal to the plot itself. Am i making sense?
I just wanted the 3 characters to experience the world. But i feel like it would be bland to the readers if theyre not pivotal to the plot itself. Am i making sense?
pmmg
Myth Weaver
Well...Ideal is a tricky word. There really is not right or wrong way to do it, just they way that you did. However, if each is to be a MC and a POV character, they will need to have their own scenes or chapters, or you will have to use some type of omniscient POV.
I chose to use scenes. I also have a POV hierarchy, which means if A is in the scenes its in their POV, but if A is missing, then its in B's.. And if A and B are missing, then its in C's. In my story, the POV characters are not together often so it works out.
I am not sure what you mean by the extra characters are not needed to move the plot along. Its nice to have extra scenes just showing relationship building, but the main conflict of the story ought it involve everyone. Everyone should be engaged in it in someway.
I chose to use scenes. I also have a POV hierarchy, which means if A is in the scenes its in their POV, but if A is missing, then its in B's.. And if A and B are missing, then its in C's. In my story, the POV characters are not together often so it works out.
I am not sure what you mean by the extra characters are not needed to move the plot along. Its nice to have extra scenes just showing relationship building, but the main conflict of the story ought it involve everyone. Everyone should be engaged in it in someway.
It does make sense, and I think your instincts are right. If you have characters A, B, and C, and C is never driving the plot, then C is simply not a main character. They're a sidekick or comic relief, or a foil for the MC.
I recommend you just dive into the writing, but with a slight adjustment of attitude. Be willing to let go of one or more characters. You may find, as you spin the story, that there isn't a need for three characters. Experiencing the world is not a story, it's just description. Let's suppose there's a fourth character, D, who is being held in some magical prison far away. Now, maybe a single character could rescue D, but it could be that a successful rescue will require the strength of A and the magical skills of B. And maybe the speed and combat abilities of C.
That's a clumsy example, but I've kept it simple for illustration. Each of your characters not only need something to do, they need a personal, individual reason for wanting to do it. Heck, in some buddy stories, one of them might even not want to do it but has to, for Reasons.
There are other approaches, but maybe that will get you started.
Oh, and yes, you are overthinking it. Try overwriting it instead. <g>
I recommend you just dive into the writing, but with a slight adjustment of attitude. Be willing to let go of one or more characters. You may find, as you spin the story, that there isn't a need for three characters. Experiencing the world is not a story, it's just description. Let's suppose there's a fourth character, D, who is being held in some magical prison far away. Now, maybe a single character could rescue D, but it could be that a successful rescue will require the strength of A and the magical skills of B. And maybe the speed and combat abilities of C.
That's a clumsy example, but I've kept it simple for illustration. Each of your characters not only need something to do, they need a personal, individual reason for wanting to do it. Heck, in some buddy stories, one of them might even not want to do it but has to, for Reasons.
There are other approaches, but maybe that will get you started.
Oh, and yes, you are overthinking it. Try overwriting it instead. <g>
- Thread starter
- #6
I meant like if an extra character is taken out of the story it would not hinder the character to move from point A to point B, they would simply seek out another extra character. now on a pivotal character which if taken out of the equation, the story will collapse they would not be able to proceed to the point B of where you want them to be, they'll derail and go to point C instead which creates another scenario which isn't ideal for what the writer would want if B is the goal or the end of the story. Most stories with more than 1 mc would not end up the way they did if a pivotal character was taken out.
- Thread starter
- #7
Thank you on this. I'm confusing world building and storytelling, there might not be a need for 3 MC, but I want it to be a story of these 3 characters experiencing this world, I just have to create the context which drives the story telling. I'll just have to let the pen guide me to wherever the story goes.
My team runs on average 7 - 9 POV characters per book. It takes a lot of organization and planning. Sure, there are a couple of people who can pants something this complex, but not a lot and not for long. Pantsing at this level is like playing the cycle-racing game from Tron. Eventually you'll block yourself in and then you're screwed. Not due to lack of talent, but to lack of being able to see far enough down the series timeline.
Note: I am somehow physically incapable of writing a stand-alone, so all stories are series. I also have 500 idiots living rent-free in my head, so there's that.
Note: I am somehow physically incapable of writing a stand-alone, so all stories are series. I also have 500 idiots living rent-free in my head, so there's that.
Prince of Spires
Istar
I personally think you have this backwards in your head. At least for a main character. All characters influence the plot, and changing them for a different character should change the story. It's the butterfly effect. A small change at the beginning will lead to a big change in the outcome of the story.
If a character doesn't influence the plot, then that character has no business being in the story. And this is even more the case for main characters. They are main characters because they influence the plot. If they're only spectating, then they have no reason being a main character. Changing them will change the plot.
As for how to do this, with 3 main characters who get equal screen time, you will want to be in 3rd person. Having 3 different first person POV's is very hard to pull off in a satisfying way. As for which type of 3rd person, any of them work really. You can do 3rd limited, where you are only in the head of a single character at a time, and you have a clear separation when you switch to a different character (like in Game of Thrones). You can also do Omniscient, where you aren't tied to a specific character, but rather, see the story as a whole. This can either be with a narrator present (who "tells" the story) or more cinematic, like you're a camera just following the characters.
One thing to note is that even if all 3 characters are equal and even get the exact same amount of screen time, they will not be so for your readers. Readers will pick favorites and will prefer one over the other and consider them to be the main main-character. Often, though not always, this will end up being the first viewpoint character the reader comes across. There is just no way to avoid this, and not everyone will pick the same character.
Incanus
Auror
I suppose I would use a limited-third POV, and do every chapter (or scene) from one of the three POVs, trying to make sure they are relatively balanced (in terms of word count) between them. But this also means tackling three fully developed character arcs.
I'm doing something a little similar on my current project, except only one MC. I have three POV characters for the whole thing. I would say the characters appear at about this ratio, roughly:
A - 40%
B and C - 30% each
I would recommend doing a deep dive into POV. It is more important than it might appear, and it is a good idea to have it well established before getting too far into the narrative.
Some readers might think I have three MCs, I suppose. But I'm really only doing one full character arc. The other two are sort of mini-arcs--they start a little later into the tale, and get resolved a little sooner than the main one. I don't know how I would handle that aspect if there were three MCs--that sounds a bit difficult to pull off.
Lots of other good perspectives in this thread. Good luck with it!
I'm doing something a little similar on my current project, except only one MC. I have three POV characters for the whole thing. I would say the characters appear at about this ratio, roughly:
A - 40%
B and C - 30% each
I would recommend doing a deep dive into POV. It is more important than it might appear, and it is a good idea to have it well established before getting too far into the narrative.
Some readers might think I have three MCs, I suppose. But I'm really only doing one full character arc. The other two are sort of mini-arcs--they start a little later into the tale, and get resolved a little sooner than the main one. I don't know how I would handle that aspect if there were three MCs--that sounds a bit difficult to pull off.
Lots of other good perspectives in this thread. Good luck with it!
minta
Troubadour
Each character must have their own goals, their own kinds of conflicts, and their own emotional arcs so none feels like a sidekick.
xena
Troubadour
Rotate their point of views with purpose.
Kassandra
Scribe
Hi!
I'm also writing a story with 3-4 MCs. I began the story with one of them who was initially the protagonist, but in time, the other characters appeared and gained great significance almost to the same level as the initial protagonist.
What I do is I change the POV depending on which character's going to face the most conflict through the chapter.
At some point in my story, there's a Witch (man) and another man who doesn't have powers. In one specific chapter, both of them faced a lot of conflict - but the Witch was actually planning something and his plan appeared at the end of the chapter.
I decided to make the man without powers become the POV, so that the Witch's plots would turn into a surprise at the end of the chapter.
So, in my opinion, it really depends on who has the most things to deal on their plate.
Also, as long as your character are deeply developed (having their goals, motivation, traumas, fears, etc), they can all appear important to the same degree if you use POV effectively.
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