Wow- so much awesomeness in one article- and you showed me the reason my characters fall flat. I have one MC that I really disliked from the very beginning, but didn’t know how to ‘fix’ her, since she needed an attitude in the beginning. Thanks to you, my high-mach character won’t find her demise in the trash bin!

You seriously need to write a book- no, several- filled with these gems of wisdom. I’d be the first in line to buy one!

I agree and that is why I love you guys adding in the comments. The blogs get long as it is and y’all help me make sure to say ALL THE THINGS. Yes, the “Ice Queen” or High-Mach woman is also as common as the Unavailable Man. Thanks so much for adding that in and fabulous example.

So there are Hi-Mach women who start as Hi-Mach women and transition to a relationship which is somewhat lower-Mach (but can still rend limb from limb if pushed to defend their family, loved one etc.).

I thought of the arcs of the characters Sheldon and Leonard of The Big Bag tv show. All the cast works through some form of arc, while leaving core characteristics that made them weird to begin with — each arc happens at a different time and produces different levels of change in the group arc.
Seems in romance a kiss or a look or the recognition of attraction is all it takes to serve as a bit of an epiphany that creates ripples in the character’s world structure — like a little stick that suddenly protrudes above the surface of a little stream.

A great exploration here — and a great way to stick a pin in your characters and watch them wriggle — who is the victim? who is just pissed? who tries to pull the pin out? who wonders why they aren’t dead? :o)))

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us all
Maria D’Marco