How to write a good romance?

Klaustasya 2018-10-30 08:44:19 UTC #1

Pink novelists and creators, lend me part of your sweet knowledge about the topic.
It's not that i have absolutely idea about hpw towrite a love story, but i lack some common basis in my opinion.
For example, what troubles me the most is not coming up with new situations or tropes that can trigger character development. Now, i know that a story takes its time to be build, and Rome wasn't made in one day, but even after making some research and reading books, i still have troubles coming up with a solid chain of events that may lead to a good developped love story.
It feels like my plot is a body with no bones inside XD do you know this feeling?

Anyway, i would be very glad if you could share some tips on the topic, sonething that could be inspire not just me but anyone who wants to write in pink :3

Pandastrophic 2018-10-30 10:13:59 UTC #2

Focus on writing your characters individually first. What are their personality, aims, goals, fears and really work on fleshing them out on their own, before thinking about how they'll interact in romantic situations. As someone who reads a lot of romance and writes it too, it's really obvious when a character's only motivation is to get with the other character, it's the only thing they do and think about. Make sure your individual characters have their own arcs along with developing their romantic relationship.The more fleshed out your characters are the easier it will be to put them any sort of situation and you'll know exactly how to write it and how they're interact with each other and the easier it will be to figure out what the romantic situations are because they will be based on the characters motivations.

Maybe start with what your characters are struggling with or motivated by and the romantic scenes following that would be based on improving on the struggle and moving towards their motivation, because that way you're improving your main characters relationships but also it contributes to your characters individual development. If you struggle to write different situations your characters are going to be in understanding the settings you're writing is important too, like where is the story going to take place? Are your characters still in school/uni? Are they working? is it set in modern time?

For example my comic involves characters struggling with social anxiety set in university, a lot of the main scenes are about being in different social situations, whether it's in a party, a study group, etc it's based on the setting I choose (University) and the type of situations my character is uncomfortable with, each situation would slowly build up the romantic interactions with the main characters too.

SeraphicMayin 2018-10-30 11:33:49 UTC #3

The problem of finding new situations and twist on tropes is common to stories of all genres, not just Romance.

I would reccomend "Story" by Robert McKee if you really want a strong framework for creating a series of events that force character development.

The way to have "new situations" is to make them very specific to your characters and setting (one affects the other and vice versa). This means knowing your characters and setting deeply!

If you have a commanding knowledge of your world, then coming up with situations us easier cAuse you know how your characters will react and what the limits are on what they can do ba cause of their setting.

Furthermore, to plot and create a series of Events (that is defined as Scenes in which a significant, however small, change occurs) you must continually deny your principle characters what they want. That is the basis of ANY good story. Characters ARE Plot. One thing can't change without affecting the other. A story ought to be so well interwoven that the question of "plot-driven" or "character-driven" is unnecesary.

To add pressure, simply ask after a character makes an action expecting a helpful result from their world: What is the opposite of that? What do they NOT expect?
Then find a way to make that happen and force the character to try again, having faced this difficulty.

Do this again and again. Only when, and not until, you reach the end of the line, the last possible thing a character can do, will the character reveal who they are.

Because the character is not what you can observe and describe about them (that's Characterization). Character is their Decisions made under Pressure. Think of what it means to 'have good character'; it's like that. The actions you take show the world who you are.

So when you're crafting the story based off your premise or inspiring seed of an idea, decide your setting and the characterizations of your cast. Then give them obstacles to the stuff they want, pull the rug out from their feet. Don't make anything too easy for them until they've earned it.

The journey to overcome those problems is what makes for a good story and good suspense. You always want the readers to ask "what's gonna happen next?!"

moodyfd 2018-10-30 15:50:14 UTC #4

Wow, my advice is gonna look really silly next to the other people who've commented but here's my two cents.

Believable romance comes down to who your characters are. How are they similar? Different? How do they balance one another out?

Two characters in a relationship should have shared interests and common goals. They should build each other up and be interested in each other. They should want to spend time with their significant other and learn about the things that interest the other.

Harmony-S-S 2018-10-30 16:42:12 UTC #5

The main thing with romance is that you can't rush it, you have to build it. It's like building a house. The foundation is the characters and you have build up their relationship.

MakaylaSophia 2018-10-30 16:57:32 UTC #6

You have to be aware of what the conflict and stakes are. If this thing happens, how will the protagonist be impacted? Conflict and stakes don’t always have to be life or death. He might lose his job if he does thing thing, or she might ruin her reputation, are examples. Figure out what the risks are for their relationship and how they’re going to combat them.

There also needs to be emotional depth. There needs to be a reason for everything they do (even silly reasons are okay). What is important to the character needs to be important to the reader.

Another thing with romance is the protagonists have the be likable. Not all things are likable, so figure out how to make them likable.

catluckey 2018-10-31 02:40:07 UTC #7

I agree with all the above. I haven't heard this mentioned. Draw on your experience. How does the reader know they're attracted to each other in the first place? And, for me, there has to be close in contact & that kiss, and no unreciprocated love. Romance is when both parties are returning their love.

Eyes are on that person.
Heart palpates...the rush of blood to the face...blushing
Always wanting to be around that person, whether it's allowable or not
Thinking about that person...sometimes interfering with one's focus
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Desire to protect
That person is important
Nervous around that person
Can't breathe...too excited
Want good things for that person
Sacrifice yourself for that person
Could be love at first sight, enemy to friend or slow growth.

Tropes...yeah...but that's how our minds and body works. So most of those norms should be included. Not saying I'm a pro, it's what I look for. I'm working on a romance, but it's a sci-fi, fantasy. Also I have a one-shot that has romance in it while my main story is in hiatus. Here's some self promotion.