When Opposites Attract - Don't Make It Extreme

The opposites attract storyline is always a fun one to play with. How do we bring people together, who we think should not fit, into a relationship. It has a built in conflict at some level so why not try it. For those of you who struggle with trying to find a conflict in your story, this might be a great approach. 

HOWEVER

Yes that is the class Scott Big HOWEVER...

Be cautious that you have not created people that are so polar opposite that they would never, in any time or place, ever come together. This is when reality is blown completely out of the water. 

A lot of times, authors try so hard to create these opposites, that the story becomes farcical. It just becomes plain stupid, and then they wonder why they are getting so many rejections. Sure, their critique partners might think some of the scenes you created are fun and entertaining, but remember, you are not selling a scene, you are selling a FULL story. 

I remember reading one many years ago where the author was proposing a story where pretty much a social elite (think Paris Hilton, or Kardashian level) falls in love with a homeless guy who was a drunk and a drug addict. The guy didn't even come from any prior background such as a fall from grace. He was literally a nobody (and don't take that the wrong way, everyone is human and I think we need to help out all of the people in these situations one way or another). The point here is that there is no way and no situation that these two would ever be in a situation where they would be together long enough to build a relationship to fall in love. 

Sure, they might be in a brief meeting such as a homeless shelter where she is serving at Thanksgiving, but the odds of anything extending beyond that are slim to none. Their social spheres are so different that they would never get together. 

Look, as much as I would love to have dinner with Stanley Tucci, the odds of that are slim (yes, I do have a link through the literary world, but... working those connections is a bit slimy...although I am always open to an invitation, hint, hint!).

I am going to return back to what I am always saying. Would your character really do that? Would your character really talk to that person? Come on, think about the talk they have in The Breakfast Club toward the end of detention. They all openly admit that on Monday, they won't talk to each other that they think that sucks and is stupid, but is 100% true.