Romance Plotlines

[Story_Marc]

This is a little something I was working on for romance plotlines. Getting organized helped me pinpoint quite a few things and be conscious of my options when writing romance plotlines. Also, it just makes better marketing.

Anyway, this video is more of an overview than when I dive into each option in deep detail, but I might go into them more in the future. Who knows? Regardless, hopefully, this can help those dabbling in romance stories.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Never considered the memory loss arc before (despite it being one I've liked reading versions of - first time I encountered it was in an episode of the original Fantasy Island series, and my favorite version is probably the one in Sartre's novel "Les Jous Sont Faits"). Never liked the arranged marriage one, and find, for some reason, Opposites Attract to be the hardest one to write. Still, some interesting points.

 

[Story_Marc]

Never considered the memory loss arc before (despite it being one I've liked reading versions of - first time I encountered it was in an episode of the original Fantasy Island series, and my favorite version is probably the one in Sartre's novel "Les Jous Sont Faits"). Never liked the arranged marriage one, and find, for some reason, Opposites Attract to be the hardest one to write. Still, some interesting points.

Opposites attract isn't really all that hard to write. It's just a matter of interest in writing or not. Otherwise, it's just a matter of using the tension points and development stuff I put together. The specifics, the flesh, is whatever someone builds on the basic skeleton. Otherwise, it's as simple to execute as anything else.

Now, I wouldn't say it's realistic or sustainable if someone is the true opposite of another—that falls into psychology stuff I could discuss with the 16 Basic Desires—but romance writing isn't about selling reality. At this point, I've come to the conclusion that we should just let people have their escapism and fantasies.

 

[corruption]

Here are some aspects of the mentioned romance types I have noticed that were not mentioned

Enemies to lovers:
This often involves them starting to respect each other and trying to understand their foe.

Friends to lovers:
One problem for the couple is if they grew up together, that they might see each other as like a sibling.

Forbidden Love:
How many relationships start these days not despite family being against a relationship, but because of it?
Maybe a plot where the MC starts such a relationship as a form of rebellion against their parent, but the other person cares for them and help them overcome their problems, developing their relationship that way?

Fake relationships
Sure it may be fake to start with, but it's key to point out that the couple know it, and accept it. They know they will have problems with each other, and have to try to resolve things and get along. In a way they can be more honest with each other than normal couples as they don't have to worry about ruining their relationship.

Opposites attract:
Pretty well covered. However, there must be a reason for them to be around each other to start with. If there is not, then it can feel forced.

Second chance relationship:
They may have to deal with what caused the separation in the first place. If it was because they wanted to follow different paths? It can be easily dealt with. If it was because someone broke them up by making to seem like they cheated on each other? Then you have to expose them.
There is also the issue of people who knew them if it was not a happy split.

Arranged marriage:
Don't follow them, so I can't say much, except if they are different backgrounds there may be a nice clash there to deal with.
I do like the idea of an arrange marriage where both parties don't want it, and once married to bring the families together skip out, leaving both families wondering WTF will happen.

Memory loss:
Should mention that the person who lost their memory would want to learn more about their past and be told by their partner who might not know everything, or lie to them to create the relationship, like in the movie Overboard.

I am not big on romance as main plots, but can appreciate it as a subplot