Award-winning screenwriter Sidney Karger discusses writing dynamic gay characters in his debut romantic comedy, Best Men.
Sidney Karger is an award-winning screenwriter for film and television. He is a former writer/director with Comedy Central, MTV and AMC, among other networks, and contributing writer for Saturday Night Live, Billy On The Street and McSweeney’s.
He currently lives in New York City with his partner and their Australian Labradoodle, Zelda. Best Men is his debut novel. Find him on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo by Josh Towvim
In this post, Sidney discusses
Name: Sidney Karger
Literary agent: Daniel Lazar, Writers House
Book title: Best Men
Publisher: Penguin Random House/Berkley
Release date: May 2, 2023
Genre/category: Romantic Comedy
Elevator pitch for the book: Hopeless romantic Max Moody is asked to be his best friend's man of honor, which comes as a shock because he always assumed he'd get married first. But when Max meets Chasten, the impossibly handsome, charming best man of the groom, can these polar opposites turn their supporting roles into the leading men in each other’s lives?
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What prompted you to write this book?
The story is partly inspired by the time my real-life childhood best friend asked me to be her man of honor. Of course I said yes, but her wedding planner wasn’t having it. The planner didn’t want one guy among the all-women bridesmaids so I was demoted to … an usher. Frowny face.
Later, it struck me as funny, and I started to imagine what if a gay best friend character actually became the man of honor in his friend’s wedding. What would that story look like?
I also wanted to write about two very different gay guys who start off as rivals, see how they could find common ground as friends, and potentially end up together romantically. For me, story usually comes from character. It was fun to explore these characters who are typically featured as the gay sidekick and transform them into dynamic main characters over the course of this story.
So, I smooshed those two ideas together and Best Men was born.
How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?
After pitching the idea to my incredible agent, I started writing an outline in fits and starts while juggling various film and TV projects that I’d been working on. When I was able to really focus on writing the actual book, we magically sold it as a partial manuscript, which blew my mind.
The story grew and evolved but that very initial idea was my rock-solid compass throughout. I always think “title plus idea” makes the best thesis statement that I consistently refer back to while writing. Once I finished writing the book, it was set to publish about a year later.
Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?
Every day I’m truly delighted and amazed by the dream team at Berkley, from my thoughtful editors to the incredible publicity and marketing group to the talented designers. They’re all the best, smartest collaborators.
Since this is my debut novel, it’s been one fun learning experience after another to see how all the pieces come together to form this glorious object you can actually hold in your hands.
Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?
The biggest surprise for me is how willing and able I was to tap into my own deeply personal experiences and apply those real emotions onto fictional characters. There are so many funny, sad, embarrassing, frustrating, fun, ridiculous, and euphoric aspects of figuring out love that it was refreshing to conjure up all of those earnest emotions.
As a screenwriter, I’m used to a very economical writing structure, so it was also very liberating to have more pages to explore characters and story.
What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
It would be so great if readers could have a good laugh. Or a chuckle. I’d settle for a knowing half-grin.
Even though it’s ultimately a romantic comedy about two guys trying to land on the same page, I’m hoping the specific relationship and friendship struggles will resonate in a universal way. And ideally, Best Men will inspire everyone to live their best life.
If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
The simplest advice is just write. While you’re at it, analyze all kinds of stories and figure out how and why they work. It also helps if you’re naturally a human sponge in social situations, observing people’s behavior and mentally recording the way people talk. (But not in a creepy way!)
Give your work to anyone who is kind enough to read it. Listen to criticism and try to understand the note behind the note in a way that works for you. Then get your butt back in the chair and just keep writing.
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