[Erynne]

This group never gets used and I’m stuck in the car for 9 hours so I’ve decided to use it. I mean it’s either that or get some writing done so it’s an obvious decision.

I am always down for some [appropriate] romance so I naturally like writing it. The problem I have though is following the “does it help the plot” rule. Meaning I put romance in every story without it benefiting tho plot.

But I got to thinking about that’s realistic. I strive for realism in my story even if it’s a total fantasy I still don’t want it to seem fake ya know?

Romance isn’t something that just doesn’t happen so why exclude it from your story just because it doesn’t benefit the plot? That seems as fake as a character that never makes a mistake or gets upset.

What do y’all think?

Be weird. Be random. Be who you are. Because you ever know who would love the person you hide.

[Rose]

@erynne

Hi Erynne!

I am always down for some [appropriate] romance so I naturally like writing it.

So, I’m on the other far end of the spectrum. I’m skeptical of romance nine times out of ten. I just genuinely do not like reading it.

However, I’ve found that writing it is a lot more fun, so I do have a romance sub-plot in my project.

But I got to thinking about that’s realistic. I strive for realism in my story even if it’s a total fantasy I still don’t want it to seem fake ya know?

But is it though? Friendships very, very seldom turn into romance. Romance is rarer in real life than it is in books.

It wouldn’t be fake to omit romance at all. In fact, it might be more realistic.

For a future project, I had a compatible love interest for the main character, but I decided not to have them in a romance arc during the story. I wanted to show a different relationship, so I decided to skip it. It’s implied that their relationship becomes romantic after the plot, but it isn’t really shown.

There’s this very fixed idea in media that the leading guy and leading lady will always end up in a romance. I’ve seen this pushed to pretty ridiculous lengths, like really young teenagers start dating just because they’re in the same plot.

 The problem I have though is following the “does it help the plot” rule. Meaning I put romance in every story without it benefiting tho plot.

Here’s where I disagree. Romance isn’t usually a plot device. It’s a character device. That’s why it’s a romantic sub-plot. It isn’t necessarily there to push the plot, it’s there to push the characters. If it pushes the plot too, that’s great, but it often won’t.

Put it this way, would adding a romance push the characters to develop further in a way that a deep friendship would not?

Those are my thoughts on the matter, I’d like to see what others say about it. 🙂

Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?

[Erynne]

@rose-colored-fancy

For the record, it is 3 am here and I’m replying to you so I hope that means something to you

I can’t copy and paste so it’s hard to do the quote thing here so just try to follow.

I completely see what you’re saying however I do think that having romance does make it more realistic. My mom has always said that most often if there is a boy girl relationship there is usually someone with feelings. The more I thought about it the more I agreed with her. Not always but usually anyways.

My characters are going to team up and be together a lot (which they’re best friends to begin with) so I feel like they’re eventually going to get together anyway.

I do agree with it being a character thing rather than a plot thing.

I feel like it would strengthen their abilities to care for each other like that and also after all they go through it would seem logical to want to have someone for you in that way. To truly feel loved in a hopeless situation.

Do you think that still sounds cliche and unnecessary?

Thanks for responding Rose! 🙂

Be weird. Be random. Be who you are. Because you ever know who would love the person you hide.

[Rose]

@erynne

For the record, it is 3 am here and I’m replying to you so I hope that means something to you

Erynne! Go to bed! It really could have waited until the morning. *Shakes head in mom-friend*

It seems like you really want to add this romance, so I say go for it. If it is unecessary, it won’t ruin your story. Most published books have unnecessary romance and they sell great. If you’re going to enjoy writing it, by all means, put it in! Having fun writing it is more important than writing the most perfect book in existence.

Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?

[Erynne]

@rose-colored-fancy

I couldn’t sleep XD

I may or I may not add it in. It depends on my mood lol

Does your romance help the plot or characters?

Thanks for your help 🙂

Be weird. Be random. Be who you are. Because you ever know who would love the person you hide.

[Rose]

@erynne

Does your romance help the plot or characters?

I like to think both 🙂 I haven’t written it yet, only outlined, so my answers are purely theoretical XD

The romance (or more accurately, the potential for romance) is mainly used as a motivator for the characters. Both positive and negative. I use it to leverage them to do things they don’t actually want to do because it either threatens the love interest or threatens the relationship, or because it lets them get closer to it. It also adds to the stakes since they get very close to losing it.

Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?

[Author]

Posts