Things that put me off a story
1. Bad Boys
UGHHHHHHHHHH. This is so overused! I see it in many episode stories and it drives me away from the storyline. Don’t use a bad boy!! There are many other types of love interests - The nerd, the artist, the jock, the guy next door (etc.) Bad boy is so overused and can break a story.
There are some good uses of the bad boy in movies like Heathers, The Breakfast Club and Freaky Friday, but bad boys like the one in the kissing booth can ruin a story.
2. 'Why would he choose me?"
Let’s used an example
Here’s a fake story called the ‘Bad Boy’s Babe’
‘Why would he choose me?’ Cassidy wondered, her crystal blue eyes tearing up. “Why would the bad boy of the school choose me as his date?” Her long blonde hair flowed down to her waist as she tossed her head sadly. She knew she was pretty and rich and nice, and the most popular girl of the school. But why her? Cassidy sighed as she started to cry.
Stop right now, thank you very much. ‘Why me?’ monologues are over used and often do not make sense, as the character has many reasons why she might be chosen as a love interest. Usually the girls going ‘why me?’ should be going ‘why not me?’
The only way a ‘why me’ monologue could be good is if the character has a physical/mental disadvantage/abnormality that makes them an unusual choice. (Eg. If the character is bipolar, and is known for her unpredictable mood swings, or if a character is deaf and chosen as a date to a concert). Only if they have something exclusive that they worry about (or are discriminated because of) should a ‘why me’ be appropriate.
3. Mary Sue’s.
Lets return to our hit novel.
Cassidy saw the gang members surrounding Luke and she screamed.
“Luke!”
She suddenly kicked one of the members and punched the other. They slammed into the wall and she swung her fist at the man on her right, knocking him out with one punch. Cassidy flicked her hair and straightened her dress as she curtsied.
Cassidy looked down as Luke cradled her.
“Why me?” She asked. “I’m not pretty!”
_Luke smiled and pressed her head to his leather jacket. _
“Yes you are. You’re strong and pretty.”
Urk. Cassidy has no weakness and no fear. She’s also pretty and rich. Mary Sue.
A Mary Sue is a basic character - pretty, rich, powerful and usually the hero/heroine. They are over used and a common characters in beginner writers. They are a major turn off for any story. Characters need to be original.