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Sep 6

Just looking for good advice, good examples, and/or things to avoid...I've never written a relationship like this before, but I'm considering it for a developing novel.

Some notes:
-The relationship may not actually come to fruition within the story, as its third member ends up taking their own life before the MC even admits to his feelings for them...but after reality resets in the second half, I could always try to bring the trio back together again. ^^; Who knows...?

-As you might've guessed from the first note, this relationship is more the result of a love 'angle' than a true love triangle...i.e. the MC has a romantic relationship with both partners, but the partners are platonic with each other. Is that weird...? I've never seen anyone even imply that before...
It makes me feel like it could be seen as a simple 'open' relationship, especially with the casual way the MC's 'confirmed partner' reacts to the 'unconfirmed partner'. Like, he realizes his boyfriend has feelings for someone else that probably aren't going to go away, and it surprises him, but ultimately he doesn't mind it.

^This interpretation is kind of okay with me too, actually...I've never been particularly intrigued by jealousy subplots, and I think I could have fun subverting the trope in this way. ^^ A healthy monogamous relationship should be able to withstand the fact that romantic attraction can still happen outside of it, and I'd like to be able to portray that...
...I probably can't do both, though, can I? ^^;;; Is it going to look like I'm trying to do both...?

-I guess I could solve the ambiguity by just confirming the 'unconfirmed partner'...I'm not 100% sure that's actually even possible, though? The way their characters interact just doesn't really lend itself to a traditional romance so far...and I doubt there'll be enough time in the story for them to explore an unorthodox one. I feel like I may end up getting stuck in a place where I'm like "as the author, I can confirm that these characters are in love, and if they had the time (and 90% less trauma to work through) they'd eventually get to a place where they could indulge that idea...but it just doesn't happen in the actual text, lol sry"

...Which I suppose I wouldn't mind either (when it comes to relationships, I tend to prioritize realism over structure) but I kinda wonder how potential readers would react. ^^;

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    Sep 5
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Disclaimer: I am not polyamorous nor am I close with anyone in that kind of relationship.

I think I used to watch a guy on YouTube who was in the kind of relationship you described: His partner had a partner, but he and his girlfriend's boyfriend were just friends. I've also heard other polyamorous people say that a relationship like that (where two or more parties are just friends) can work for some polycules. So I imagine writing a polycule like that is doable.

I don't have any examples of stories with relationship quite like that, but there I highly recommend The Rising Sun Saga for an example of budding polyamorous thing going on between at least three characters, and just, like, because it's a really good adventure comedy in general.

There's an excellent polyamorous series called "The Pigpen" here on Tapas if you're looking for a good example of a well written look at this type of relationship.

12 days later

I'm dealing with this question in my novel too. I don't think I have any answers for you, since I'm still figuring it out myself.


My story has an MC with three love interests (and two more planned!!), so it's a little different from your love angle, but hopefully, my ideas will still be helpful.

  1. One thing that's important (and difficult) is making it clear why the people involved are attracted to each other. If all the love interests love the MC in the same way, that's boring. It makes you wonder why you'd bother writing multiple love interests if they don't all love in notably different ways. Also if you want the poly relationship to be endgame, it needs to be clear why the MC wants a relationship with all of them. If your readers can imagine one of the characters leaving and the status quo remaining the same, I don't think it's a compelling poly romance.

  2. I think it's important to explore the relationships between the love interests, even if they're not romantically involved. Even when jealousy isn't an issue (which it still certainly could be!), they'll still be spending a lot of time together, and their lives will become deeply entwined. I think an author needs to make it clear how this arrangement enriches their lives too.

11 days later

This is my first time writing poly and I love it. Can't wait to write more about Kayla and all her spouces. They all love each other but I have to admit Kayla is the glue that brought them together.

Help Kayla's Hades reach 100 subs

Kayla, once a spirited and adventurous soul, awakens in the heart of Hades—confused and stripped of her memories. Her judgment and body are constantly tested in this fiery landscape filled with sulfuric air. Yet, she clings to one mantra: "I must survive this place and fight my way out of Hades—and to safety."

Embark on a fantasy adventure where the unknown lurks at every corner. Each step in the underworld journey is fraught with peril, but Kayla's determination to escape Hades fuels her resolve. As she navigates this mysterious realm, the question looms—who can she trust in this treacherous world?

:cherry_blossom: Poly, BL, GL, All Love
:cherry_blossom: Afro Latine
:cherry_blossom: Action Fantasy
:cherry_blossom: Found Family
:cherry_blossom: Unfiltered and Unapologetic MFC
:cherry_blossom: Sexy and Spicy
:cherry_blossom: Knife to Throat
:cherry_blossom: Enemies to Lovers
:cherry_blossom: Lots of Action
:cherry_blossom: Survival