And this won't work unless you show what those needs are before they fall in love.
So in your setup, make it clear what each character is lacking that the other can provide, even though they won't realize this until much later in the story. In my opinion, internal needs are much more effective than external ones. They pull a more emotional response from the reader.
However! What brings the two together in the first place is usually an external need, from one character or both, that they can assist each other with. Either willingly or forced. This is what leads them to spending more time with each other, which is necessary for them to see the qualities the other person possesses that fill their particular needs.
Does this sound formulaic? Well, it is and it isn't. We use this technique because it works, yet it doesn't get stale because you can do so much with it. You have unlimited possibilities you can mix and match with your characters.
Quick Tip: Most of the methods for romance-writing can be applied to friendship stories, including basic structural points in the character arcs such as "filling a need."
Of course, you can write romance in which the characters love each other because they're around each other so much they just can't help themselves. But romances like that have a way of feeling shallow (as do "we fell in love because it was prophesied that we would, so hey, let's just go with it" type of romances). If the characters have something solid between them that keeps them connected, makes them feel like they're incomplete without the other person, then readers will feel a deeper satisfaction when they reach the HEA ending.
Happy writing,
~Lydia
Thank you, this is very helpful! I hate romances that aren't believable and yet have never been able to pin-point what it is that makes them believable. Now I know!
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ReplyDeleteI am not much for romance, myself. But I think this here is spot-on advice, because it works even if your characters are already happily hitched in Act I, scene 1. If I'm not just TOLD that Mom and Dad are a solid item, but SHOWN why the dickens they are so committed to each other, it adds a lot of momentum and believability when, you know, Dad sneaks off to some mysterious island to reclaim his glory days of superheroing and Mom has to pack off and find him.
ReplyDeleteWish I could put my finger on that quote, though! I'll have to ask my dear Aunt Fanny.
Is it Robots? My guess is Robots.
ReplyDeleteAlso: great points. I struggle with romance because I'm such a plot-driven writer, but you're absolutely write. In real life as well as fiction, good love stories are those that bring people together who are made better by the presence of the other person. I will definitely be putting this technique to use going forward.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking Robots too.
ReplyDeleteI think romance is the toughest of all the parts to get right--or believable.
You are really making me reach, aren't you? Like I'm supposed to be a better writer or something? Lol! Thank you, thank you for this post. There was a big gaping whole between my love interests and you've sparked some great ideas on how to fix this and make their relationship believable.
ReplyDeleteI don't comment on your blog near enough, but I am SO grateful for insights. I feel like I should call you Professor Sharp for all the craft you've taught me!
Anyway, great post!