I have two characters that will get together romantically later on in my screenplay, but for right now, they're living their separate lives.

My male character is a freelance writer. He's kind of a private person, and hasn't had many long-term relationships. Right now he's dating a sweet girl who works at a local coffee shop.

Since he's going to end up with my female main character, I need to figure out why his current relationship would go wrong. I wanted to do something more than just the predictable "he's too distant" excuse for the breakup. But I'm having a total brain freeze and can't think up a creative (but still believable) quirk he might have or action he might take that would cause this.

Any suggestions?

Possibly something family related that the current GF doesn't understand or help him with and he *needs* or accepts the help of the Leading Lady? Their paths cross in such a way that she's there for him when the coffee shop girl isn't?

SLM
"In it to win it!

She misinterpts something(The coffee shop girl) or she falls for some new guy and then dumps him to go out with the new guy?

If she's into new age stuff-lol-you could make her have a dream that convinces her to dump him, but then again...she's in a coffee shop, eh, never mind that last idea. ^_^

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Sara's website, the Wandering Thoughtstream, where do YOUR thoughts take you?

I can see some potential for family problems...that could also tie into some kind of misunderstanding with the GF. Maybe he takes off to deal with a family issue, but she thinks it's something else...hmm. Thanks for the suggestions. Any other ideas are always appreciated. :)

It depends who you want to the breaking up.

An easy way to separate them without having to build in a lot of story is to have her killed in a car accident or in a violent crime.

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