Perhaps this is too simple, but...

[paganpaul]

I am working on a story where a couple is getting engaged in two months (in this story, an engagement is almost like getting married, the actual marriage is more a confirmation).

The Main Male Character/MMC is a former soldier who was sort of kicked out of the force and got into the business of his future father in law (merchant ships).

Now my plan is to have the MMC called back for 1 more operation with the forces. What I am wondering about is, if this action should take place before or almost right after the engagement ceremony. I see options for both.

Before: the uncertainty if he will be back in time, in one piece, or at all.
After: the shattered good moment while the couple is still on cloud nine, the agony of both lovers being torn apart with the unspoken prospect of him perhaps not returning.

What are your thoughts on this? I can't decide at the moment...

Comments

[scaramouche]

I for one like the second scenario.

The first one is more about delaying the characters' happiness, the thought being if they're patient enough and things beyond their power work out, they'll get their end-game. But in the second one, they've got their end-game happiness and have had it taken away (even if only temporarily).

[paganpaul]

True. Good reason for that. Thank you.

[msmcknittington]

Why not split the difference and have him be given notice that he's to deploy before the engagement ceremony, so that he needs to leave right after? That way you can have the torment of wondering if he'll come back at all against the backdrop of what should be a very happy moment.

[paganpaul]

Wow, that is a good idea. I have a way to do that. Thank you!

[msmcknittington]

Ha, anything that will increase the angst! You might want to give him a papercut that he gets lemon juice in, too. :P

[paganpaul]

Oy. That is really painful... *grin*

[birke]

Wouldn't it depend on where you wanted the plot to go afterwards?

[paganpaul]

In this case no. After either his return or the engagement there is more trouble lined up, being problems in the family business, so he has to adjust from combat mode to paperwork battle, and he's not too good with the paperwork to begin with, so this will induce confrontations of a more subtle kind. :-)

Damn, writers are mean... LOL!