new character in the middle of the book? - Writers Forum

rydenthorne · 10-29-2006, 11:28 PM

I am wondering about the pros and cons to introducing a new character in the middle of the book after one of my main characters dies. The way I have it in my mind is that the king is fighting a war and perishes, so then his son has to take up the mantle and keep fighting. Up to the point of the king's death though, I haven't mentioned the son. Do you think I should expose the reader to the prince earlier on in the book, keeping in mind that the prince has no pivotal part to play until his father dies? Or should I introduce the prince upon his father's death as a kind of 'passing the baton' from father to son?

aspiring · 10-30-2006, 02:25 AM

I think the reader should be aware that there is a prince to take over (unless you want this to be a surprise). Introducing him as a minor character and then promoting him gives a nice continuity. There's no problem with introducing a new main character half-way through though - look at Wuthering Heights.

silverwriter · 10-30-2006, 03:42 AM

Definitely introduce him earlier in this case, but no worries about introducing him later on if you do it gently. Don't just plop him in, point, and say, "There. Watch him now."

Merforga · 10-30-2006, 08:56 AM

introduce him early into the book,

Shade · 10-30-2006, 09:01 AM

I've got the same message as everyone else. You have to mention him, even if its only some references.

Foxee · 10-30-2006, 12:48 PM

I think you could do it either way but I'm more in favor of introducing him much earlier...showing his stregnths and weaknesses so that when it's made clear that he'll take over the reader will think something like, "Oh crap! The king died and THIS yahoo is taking over?" (depending what he's like, of course).

Plus, the reader will feel sort of proud of themself for 'knowing what will happen next' based on what the son is like. Of course, this gives you a nice opportunity to mess with their head.

Otherwise I think you lose a good opportunity for character development and tension.

Just my two cents!

Fantasy of You · 10-30-2006, 12:53 PM

Read Wilbur Smith's Monsoon. When the father dies, his son takes the lead roll, but he's in a lot of the book before his dad dies. Give the prince a supporting roll in the book, jump to his POV sometimes, give him his own motives and conflicts from the beginning. Let the read grow with him, then when he has to take charge, we'll feel for him.

CroZ · 10-30-2006, 01:36 PM

Same as what everyone's sayin'.
Introduce him early, but if you want to keep it a surprise avoid putting him in any major or emotional scenes.
He could always be standing in the background, then when his father dies start him off with a 'me so helpless' scene.

imrhati · 10-30-2006, 02:26 PM

Definetly make him there, just not in the spot light. It should be easy to go back and throw him in from tiem to time.

Talia_Brie · 10-30-2006, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Do you think I should expose the reader to the prince earlier on in the book, keeping in mind that the prince has no pivotal part to play until his father dies?

Yes. Otherwise it smacks of literary convenience and laziness.

Anarkos · 10-31-2006, 05:11 AM

The situation you need to avoid is this:

KING: "Oh, no, I am undone."
FAITHFUL RETAINER: "Fear not, m'lord, for your son shall evenge you."
KING: "Holy shit! I have a son! When'd that happen?"

Even if the son is not material to the plot until then, his mere existence will naturally reflect upon other characters, and this must be reflected.

The Wolf · 10-31-2006, 06:16 AM

I think, quite early in the book, you should mention him for a few sentances, just minutely and hardly awarable, but noticeable to the readers. Just my opinon, but as a reader, i would like to see that added.