Writing 3rd person '2 main characters eventually meeting' stories?

[OddLove]

Hey, I wanted to write a story in 3rd person where the two main characters don't meet right away. Like maybe they know of each other, but they've never hooked up. So the story would tell each of their stories individually until they come together.

The problem is, I have no idea how to do that. I was wondering if anyone has stories where two main characters have their own stories that eventually intertwine at some point through the overall story.

I usually just read kink and fetish erotica, but since I'm 'studying' I'm okay with any kind of story as long as it's a story with two main characters who eventually meet each other. If anyone has some a story like that could you link it to me so I can read it? And I'll make sure to show some support in the comments and stuff in return.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Hey, I wanted to write a story in 3rd person where the two main characters don't meet right away. Like maybe they know of each other, but they've never hooked up. So the story would tell each of their stories individually until they come together.

The problem is, I have no idea how to do that. I was wondering if anyone has stories where two main characters have their own stories that eventually intertwine at some point through the overall story.

I usually just read kink and fetish erotica, but since I'm 'studying' I'm okay with any kind of story as long as it's a story with two main characters who eventually meet each other. If anyone has some a story like that could you link it to me so I can read it? And I'll make sure to show some support in the comments and stuff in return.

It's an odd request, because third person narration can follow any number of characters who don't meet for ages. Anyway, this story follows one of the protagonists for a while, before he meets the main female lead.

The Floating World

 

[OddLove]

It's an odd request, because third person narration can follow any number of characters who don't meet for ages. Anyway, this story follows one of the protagonists for a while, before he meets the main female lead.

The Floating World

I understand starting with one character then introducing other characters later. But I don't understand how to write a story where it bounces between two different characters who are not yet connected. Kind of like in Pulp Fiction, it follows multiple characters, then the each of their stories come together into one. I'm trying to figure out how to do that, so I wanted examples of people doing it so I can start trying.

But thanks for the link, I'll check it out soon and see if it helps.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I understand starting with one character then introducing other characters later. But I don't understand how to write a story where it bounces between two different characters who are not yet connected. Kind of like in Pulp Fiction, it follows multiple characters, then the each of their stories come together into one. I'm trying to figure out how to do that, so I wanted examples of people doing it so I can start trying.

But thanks for the link, I'll check it out soon and see if it helps.

Write one character's activity.

*****

After a section break, write the other person's story. Repeat, until the characters eventually meet.

 

[StillStunned]

My sci-fi series The Dome skips across various storylines with three main POV characters. Two of them meet in the third chapter, Over the Edge. That same chapter also includes a short section from a minor character's POV before the main character arrives on scene.

I don't think it's particularly difficult to do, but you do need to bear a few things in mind. First, when they first meet, they don't know each other. They don't know each other's name, or what they want - although they might suspect. It can be very tempting to head-hop, too, but it's actually an excellent opportunity to show your POV characters from the outside.

 

[Bamagan]

Hey, I wanted to write a story in 3rd person where the two main characters don't meet right away. Like maybe they know of each other, but they've never hooked up. So the story would tell each of their stories individually until they come together.

The problem is, I have no idea how to do that. I was wondering if anyone has stories where two main characters have their own stories that eventually intertwine at some point through the overall story.

I usually just read kink and fetish erotica, but since I'm 'studying' I'm okay with any kind of story as long as it's a story with two main characters who eventually meet each other. If anyone has some a story like that could you link it to me so I can read it? And I'll make sure to show some support in the comments and stuff in return.

If a problem seems too complex to solve all at once, break it down into smaller problems. In this case, I'd suggest you start out by writing the two stories separately but with a shared theme.
For example, let's say both characters are lonely folks looking for True Love. Character 1 is isolated by their circumstances and finds it difficult to meet people and make meaningful connections; perhaps they resort to prostitutes, have a porn/masturbation addiction, or something along those lines. Character 2 is surrounded by people, and may even have an active social and/or sex life, but their connection to those people is superficial and unfulfilling. You can include however many scenes you feel are necessary or interesting to establish the characters and where they are in their lives/story arc before deciding on the circumstances of their meeting and however much resolution you think it needs after they get together and 'cure' each other's loneliness.
Then you can just go back and slice up the two stories and shuffle them together whenever there's a scene change or other natural break in the narratives. That's also a good time to maybe drop in a few edits as foreshadowing for how the two characters are 'meant' for each other. As one example, there's a movie called Sleepless in Seattle that more or less follows the diagram I outlined above (minus the porn stuff, of course). Character 1 (Tom Hanks) is a widower and he's telling his son how the deceased used to peel apples in one long strip, and how it was an endearing quirk he loved about her. Character 2 (Meg Ryan) is seen doing exactly that long before they meet. You'll probably want something that's less of a visual cue for a written story, but the idea is the same.
Good luck!

 

[OddLove]

If a problem seems too complex to solve all at once, break it down into smaller problems. In this case, I'd suggest you start out by writing the two stories separately but with a shared theme.
For example, let's say both characters are lonely folks looking for True Love. Character 1 is isolated by their circumstances and finds it difficult to meet people and make meaningful connections; perhaps they resort to prostitutes, have a porn/masturbation addiction, or something along those lines. Character 2 is surrounded by people, and may even have an active social and/or sex life, but their connection to those people is superficial and unfulfilling. You can include however many scenes you feel are necessary or interesting to establish the characters and where they are in their lives/story arc before deciding on the circumstances of their meeting and however much resolution you think it needs after they get together and 'cure' each other's loneliness.
Then you can just go back and slice up the two stories and shuffle them together whenever there's a scene change or other natural break in the narratives. That's also a good time to maybe drop in a few edits as foreshadowing for how the two characters are 'meant' for each other. As one example, there's a movie called Sleepless in Seattle that more or less follows the diagram I outlined above (minus the porn stuff, of course). Character 1 (Tom Hanks) is a widower and he's telling his son how the deceased used to peel apples in one long strip, and how it was an endearing quirk he loved about her. Character 2 (Meg Ryan) is seen doing exactly that long before they meet. You'll probably want something that's less of a visual cue for a written story, but the idea is the same.
Good luck!

Holy hell, that's extremely helpful. I'm gong to try that and see how it goes. I'm not sure how to write transitions between the different stories in a smooth way yet, but I'm going to check out StillStunned's sci fi series and and some other stories where characters stories start out apart and come together, then maybe I'll have a better idea on how to smoothly bounce between the different stories prior to them meeting. But you just broke down the fundamentals and made it make sense and I really appreciate it. I was worried people were going to laugh or ignore at my question cause it probably seems so obviously and intuitive for them, but I genuinely struggle with it cause despite reading erotica, I never 'studied' or tried understanding the craftsmanship of how it was written and put together until recently. Thank you very much.

 

[StillStunned]

but I'm going to check out StillStunned's sci fi series and and some other stories where characters stories start out apart and come together

You could also check out my series "The Rivals", where the characters meet much earlier on after separate introductions: The Rivals Ch. 01: Dark Encounters. In fact, most of the chapters in the series start with them separate. In a couple of the instalments I try to use the sword & sorcery trick of showing a wide view, with the characters seen from an outside perspective, before switching to the main character's POV.

 

[nice90sguy]

Separate the sections with asterisks, indicating a "soft reset" of the plotline. I'd do it like this:

First character intro...

* * * * *​

Second character intro...
They meet...

 

[Duleigh]

Hey, I wanted to write a story in 3rd person where the two main characters don't meet right away.

I did that to a small extent in Enchantress, I'm going to be re-writing that work into something that is removed from the Discworld so I can reach a larger audience. The lead characters had a very complex upbringing and each deserved their own stories so in Gods Save the Queen I'll be delving into their pasts in episodes 1 and 2 before letting them meet up.

 

[KachinaDoll]

Another option is to write in the first person and alternate the POV. I've done it once and was happy with the result. https://www.literotica.com/s/grace-and-callum

 

[FidelityBoss]

Hey, I wanted to write a story in 3rd person where the two main characters don't meet right away. Like maybe they know of each other, but they've never hooked up. So the story would tell each of their stories individually until they come together.

The problem is, I have no idea how to do that. I was wondering if anyone has stories where two main characters have their own stories that eventually intertwine at some point through the overall story.

I usually just read kink and fetish erotica, but since I'm 'studying' I'm okay with any kind of story as long as it's a story with two main characters who eventually meet each other. If anyone has some a story like that could you link it to me so I can read it? And I'll make sure to show some support in the comments and stuff in return.

Sounds like a fun challenge! Writing dual POVs where characters eventually meet can be tricky but rewarding. Think of it like weaving two threads that eventually knot together. For inspiration, check out "The Time Traveler's Wife" (not erotica, but great dual POV) or browse Literotica’s Romance or Novels and Novellas sections for stories with slow-burn connections. Look for tags like "dual POV" or "slow build." Good luck with your story, can’t wait to see how it turns out!

 

[SimonDoom]

This style works more often in a novel than in a short story, because to do it right you probably want to have well-developed separate chapter/sections, each of which tells the story from just one person's point of view. Usually this works better than constantly flipping/switching POVs.

A good example of a novel/series that does this is the Game of Thrones books. Every separate chapter is told from one character's point of view.

Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove is another great example. The story is told in third person from the POV of multiple characters.

The thing these two stories have in common is that they are long as hell! But when you pull it off and get your readers into the heads of multiple characters it can give your story a grandeur and epic feel that it wouldn't have otherwise.

I support your desire to do this because it's a very interesting way to approach an erotic/romantic story. But it's challenging. It will be harder to do than to write it from one character's point of view. But there are so many great possibilities. Think about the fun of telling the way two people have an erotic encounter, but expressing the completely different ways they encounter it.

Be clear about the POV at all times. Also, take care to separate the narrative voices, so your two main romantic/erotic encounter characters don't sound like the same person.

 

[RetroFan]

I wrote a story called 'Bridget the Bossy Bridezilla' which features inter-connecting plots until one final twist close to the end throws everything together, but the readers didn't really seem to like it all that much.

 

[Audiflex]

My sci-fi series The Dome skips across various storylines with three main POV characters. Two of them meet in the third chapter, Over the Edge. That same chapter also includes a short section from a minor character's POV before the main character arrives on scene.

I don't think it's particularly difficult to do, but you do need to bear a few things in mind. First, when they first meet, they don't know each other. They don't know each other's name, or what they want - although they might suspect. It can be very tempting to head-hop, too, but it's actually an excellent opportunity to show your POV characters from the outside.

Mixing POVs can add depth, especially when characters meet for the first time. It’s a great way to show their perspectives and build tension. Just avoid head-hopping, stick to one POV per scene to keep it clear. Your approach in The Dome sounds solid; keep exploring those dynamics.

 

[Audiflex]

This style works more often in a novel than in a short story, because to do it right you probably want to have well-developed separate chapter/sections, each of which tells the story from just one person's point of view. Usually this works better than constantly flipping/switching POVs.

A good example of a novel/series that does this is the Game of Thrones books. Every separate chapter is told from one character's point of view.

Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove is another great example. The story is told in third person from the POV of multiple characters.

The thing these two stories have in common is that they are long as hell! But when you pull it off and get your readers into the heads of multiple characters it can give your story a grandeur and epic feel that it wouldn't have otherwise.

I support your desire to do this because it's a very interesting way to approach an erotic/romantic story. But it's challenging. It will be harder to do than to write it from one character's point of view. But there are so many great possibilities. Think about the fun of telling the way two people have an erotic encounter, but expressing the completely different ways they encounter it.

Be clear about the POV at all times. Also, take care to separate the narrative voices, so your two main romantic/erotic encounter characters don't sound like the same person.

Game of Thrones and Lonesome Dove are perfect examples, each character’s perspective adds layers to the narrative. For erotic/romantic stories, it’s a fun challenge to explore how two characters experience the same encounter differently. Just keep the voices distinct and the POVs clear.