I've been working on a sad scene today. My MC, 13 year-old AJ, and his mother are living with her uncle, a really great guy. But one morning, AJ gets up and finds his mother left him. She's gone. As we say in the south, she done left up out. As you might imagine, AJ's pretty broken up.
Does he cry?
I've always heard that your characters hold back their tears so the readers don't have to. But some things seem to need tears. Especially, when you're trying to show the vulnerability of a trying-hard-to-be-grown-up, thirteen year-old boy.
The question is really hitting home for me because a friend of mine lost her mother this weekend. My mom passed away almost twelve years ago, but I only have to think of how much we didn't get to do together, how much she would have loved my son...and here come the tears. Every. Single. Time.
Can you imagine writing a character that cries every time she thinks about her mother?
Hmm.. interesting. Honestly, not sure which way would make me love him more.
ReplyDeleteI just read a book about a 16-year-old boy who had good reasons to cry all the way through but always he insisted that he never cried. Until he at last broke down and cried. While I wouldn't want to read about AJ crying on every page, I think he'd certainly be justified in this situation.
ReplyDeleteI guess in reality, Corey, it depends on how well it's written either way. Susan's right about a lot of crying being over the top, but...to cry at all...or not. Maybe I'll flip a coin. :)
ReplyDeleteinteresting question here, Amy. I had bits of crying here and there in my LOVE novel and my editor took out about half of them. Not all, but about half. I do think it made the book stronger.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean. I still struggle with how much my Houses character should be crying.
ReplyDeleteSigh. :)