Comments on: Why You Should Steer Clear Of Dual Protagonists

By: Bad Hombres, Good Homages And Effective Character Intros

Bad Hombres, Good Homages And Effective Character Intros — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 23:05:29 +0000

[…] I show a clip from RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2, and the original sequence in Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid that was quoted in the […]

By: Karel Segers

Karel Segers — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 08:18:14 +0000

In reply to K.P Healey.

Hi K.P. – I’m not surprised it’s a novel, because you can do those things in print. On the screen it may work for a limited audience, but never for the mainstream. Of course there are always exceptions, but given that for each exception that works, there are a thousand that don’t, I’m not going to recommend it. If they have separate stories, I wonder why need to be in the same movie? These are two films, not one. All that said, without having read the story summary I can only speak in general terms of course. I hope this is of any help!

By: K.P Healey

K.P Healey — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 18:04:08 +0000

Hey, great article mate, very helpful. Quick question though, what would you say to someone who has the wacky idea of two main characters – one more main that the other – who never meet and have two very different storylines against a very interesting backdrop that’s almost a character in its own right?
One of them (the main main guy) has more of an inner journey/ discovering self/ struggling to cope in the big wide world, while the other guy has more of a “me against the world” thing going on with the right amount of physical action and drama, where he overcomes his hostile environment against all odds.
Now, the problem I’m having as I plan this out is, well, a question of synergy. Transitioning from one thread to the other seems a problem and I’m just wondering if a veteran of old skirmishes like your good self might have any tips.
Thank you in advance.
(Its a novel by the way)

By: Karel Segers

Karel Segers — Wed, 02 May 2018 03:46:20 +0000

In reply to Johnson. You're absolutely right. Love stories often have a dual POV, even if only one of the characters has the major transformation/learning/change.

By: Johnson

Johnson — Wed, 02 May 2018 03:07:26 +0000

Great article.

What about love stories? Surely there must be many that have dual protagonists? Would you say that True Romance has dual protagonists or is it Clarence’s story?
If there are any watch-outs for love stories with dual protagonists please let me know. I’m struggling with one at the moment.

By: Anoj

Anoj — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 17:38:19 +0000

I should note that the protagonists don’t know each other and they encounter only during the war.

By: Anoj

Anoj — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 16:48:45 +0000

Hello Karel.

I have a plot for a sci-fi series. The story has two protagonists with compelling stories from their perspective and they face each other in war but later, the two factions reconcile and join hands to fight a common enemy. Please guide me on how should I proceed.

By: Karel Segers

Karel Segers — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 02:38:03 +0000

Thanks, Jeff.

I added a few words. Especially for you. ;)

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 01:55:36 +0000

Incredibly insightful article, but full of missing words! Usually, when a piece has errors like this, I dismiss it and move on. I must admit though, the content was so useful I read it all… Twice!

Still, apply a little basic copy editing and you’ll be smokin’! And I don’t mean Marlboros.

By: Carl

Carl — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 22:43:53 +0000

I am intensely curious about your parenthetical aside:

(HIS! Not hers! I hate it when people go on with her her her!)

You have intense antipathy toward people who use the female pronoun. I can’t tell if this is because you’re a hidebound-by-convention grammarian type or a male supremacist who can’t tolerate any attempt to even the tilted scales. You leave me curious whether your writing reflects the same “HIM! Not her!” mentality.

Can you name the books you’ve published so I can have a look?