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Arlet replied to the topic My WIP Romance in the forum Romance Writers 4 years, 11 months ago
I think @zee and @arindown made good points here. I read this thread a long time ago, and been trying to figure out how to help. Okay, here I go~
- I don’t know what country you’re from or your age, but do you happen to be a minor when it comes to crimes of a sexual locus (i.e., rape, assault, etc.)? If so, then in my opinion, it may be inappropriate to address violent, criminal sexual acts, especially if you are inexperienced with healthier romance yourself. Writing about such things require responsibility on your part. Do you have the stomach to research how date rape (which sounds like your protagonist’s proposed case) could work and operate in Selina’s psyche, relationship with God, and everyone else around her? What about police involvement, the legal consequences for Steve dependent on circumstances and other things beyond sheer age-as-factor? Rape is something that impacts family, friends, attacker, and victim for many, many years and situations beyond its time and context, and more complex than a black/white depiction. Are you willing to prepare for that?
- I have to agree with @zee that this sounds more like a coming-of-age tale. Coming-of-age can (and often will) involve romance. My suggestion is that you think of both the theme and message of your story. Personally, I think it’d be interesting to see the romantic relationship being used as a vehicle to drive Selina’s exploration into forgiveness and healing.
- Aww, hugs! I don’t think you have a “weird sense of romance,” @melancholicwriter … it sounds naive. (Which isn’t bad! This makes for a good coming-of-age perspective, for example!) Characters dating don’t make a romance, it makes a relationship. Relationships are a major force in human drama, and yes, a romantic one can definitely push people to grow and possibly change. That itself doesn’t make a story a romance. Every kind of relationship involves intimacy of some kind, of growing close in different ways.
I think that’s enough from me now. ^^;; Eeek, I hope I was able to offer tidbits despite being a month late!










