Do you have anything about parents? I have the feeling they need to be bad, dead or not existing in novels, like, always. I eventually need to include them in my novel but I don't want a tragic back story and I don't want a happy family life.
If I understand you correctly, you are asking about how to write parents as neither tragic nor wonderful? I imagine the majority of people can relate to this, as they would consider themselves having ‘normal’ parents. They’re not bad parents, but neither is their family life very good. So I think it’s something we need to see a lot more of in novels. So, I’m really glad you asked!
WAYS FOR FAMILY LIFE TO SUCKWithout it being the chilched tragedy.
Parents are always arguing and fighting. They could even be abusive to each other, though not their children.
A sibling died, and your parents compare you to them/can’t get past it.
Single-parent families, causing stress on the parent.
An ill parent; where the child must be a carer.
Parents going through a divorce.
Parent(s) who is childish and selfish; and doesn’t realize their responsibilities.
One or both parents are always out working and the elder sibling(s) must take care of the younger.
Rich parents who pass their kids off onto staff.
Parents who put too much pressure on their child(ren).
Parents who don’t understand/support their child’s chosen identity/lifestyle.
Children who don’t understand/support their parents’ identity/lifestyle.
A new step parent you don’t get on with.
Three or more generations living in the same home, who do not get on. Perhaps your parents have trouble with their parents.
Addicted/alcoholic parent. Constant social services visits.
Your parents are lovely; but you live in squalor.
Parents always taking other siblings side.
Your sibling is adopted; so they give them more love than you, ‘to make up for it’.
Parents trying to have another child to save their loveless marriage.
One parent dies, and the other does not take it well.
Left alone frequently due to parent’s work/travel.
Parent as your best friend instead of your parent.
Your parent’s lifestyle or work has their family in constant danger.
You have no parents, and that gap is always there; though your grandparents/relatives/other guardian did a good job of raising you.
HOW TO WRITE MORE DYNAMIC PARENTAL FIGURES
Find out what it’s like to a Parent: You can always ask your own parents, or, if this isn’t an option, research online the common problems and joys that parents go through. That way you can relate these back to whatever kind of character your MC’s parent is and see which ones would trip them up. Of course, being a parent is made harder by things like how much money you have, parents’ mental state, where you live, child’s temperament etc.
Parents are Human Beings: They did not come into this world solely to be your parents. They had a life before and they want a life after. They have fallen in love, probably; they have political and social views, they had their own experiences in childhood. They have their own hopes and dreams not always relating to your MC.
Explore their lives up to this Point: Did they love the other parent? Were they married? Was their family religious? Did they have to cut short a really great career for this? What were their own parents like? Who do they truly love? What’s their biggest fear? What happened at their school dance to make them not let your MC go?
Explore how they view their Child(ren): Do they mean well? Even parents who mean well, but have to deal with hormonal teenagers, make the biggest mistakes. They might not even mean well; they might simply treat their child like a roommate and get on with their lives. They might resent their child and it’s impact on their life. They might have loved their child until they came out as gay or trans and can not agree with it, etc.
Have their actions affect the Plot: Many parents’ are just there for the sake of it. We all have parents, right?! Well, not right. What your parents do, or have done before in their lives, needs to have resonance. If you have overly fussy, strict parents who control every step of your life, YOU ARE NOT GONNA’ BE ABLE TO RUN AWAY WITH THAT BAD BOY. If you mum is a cop, for instance, have her catch you. If your MC is older, say 30, and not married, have your parents try to set them up. If your parents are never around at home; have it matter. They won’t be there to help your MC is someone breaks in.
