Writing What type of characters do you enjoy in Romance WNs?

[Azraji]

I was hoping to write a Romance webnovel, however before I started, I wanted to gauge which types of characters people most enjoy reading.

Although I understand the best characters always have depth and cannot be reduced to a singular trope, there are certain sets of personality traits that most people find engaging so I was wondering which types of character traits and even tropes you enjoy reading about.

Specifically, what type of Main Character do you enjoy? I'm aware the 'loner boy' trope is very popular, but I was hoping to write something more distinct (something like a Sporty/Social MC with an arc focused on developing deeper connections and the concept of hard work versus talent) but I thought, as Webnovels are ultimately written for their audience, it would be good to gauge what traits people like to see in their protagonists.

Any help/advice/comments would be appreciated, thank you so much for your time!

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Just don't make him weak(mentally) it's taboo. As for my preference, I like when MC is flawed. Also, a small cheat, or advice, call it how you want. If you want to write for readers and have a large audience, write a GB story. Specifically, from man to woman. People love it here. Everything else is irrelevant.

 

[ForestDweller]

Just don't make him weak(mentally) it's taboo. As for my preference, I like when MC is flawed. Also, a small cheat, or advice, call it how you want. If you want to write for readers and have a large audience, write a GB story. Specifically, from man to woman. People love it here. Everything else is irrelevant.

A Gameboy story?

 

[Azraji]

Just don't make him weak(mentally) it's taboo. As for my preference, I like when MC is flawed. Also, a small cheat, or advice, call it how you want. If you want to write for readers and have a large audience, write a GB story. Specifically, from man to woman. People love it here. Everything else is irrelevant.

Why is GB so popular here? I'm genuinely curious

 

[RepresentingWrath]

A Gameboy story?

A story about Great Britain.

Why is GB so popular here? I'm genuinely curious

Dunno, but it's a fact, it's popular. A somewhat serious answer would be something along these lines. People like looking at two girls making love to each other. But people don't like the fact that they can't associate with the said girl. Thus GB comes in and helps them self-insert. People would say that GB is popular due to the fact that it makes a character question his sexuality and so on, but it's not the full truth. Otherwise, there would be a lot more female to male GB that are popular, unfortunately, there aren't many.

 

[ForestDweller]

Ah, genderbend.

 

[Deleted member 45782]

Have flaws that they work on and they develop to become better or stronger from that. It really depends, if a story is more plot politics conflict plotting vs a fluffy story romance.

Not really into the straight away fall instantly in love and drop everything for love (go go squid - i couldn't get into it bc of that). Sometimes its nice to see slow romance like both the ml and the fl have their strengths and weaknesses and its mutual - its not always one dependent on the other to be saved, especially if they're supposed be smart or have strong talents already that the story refers to initially. Not too slow romance, but one that is slow enough that shows the development of a relationship and why the characters fall in love with the said character they're in love with.

 

[KoyukiMegumi]

I like going the fated lovers' route... But I am a hopeless romantic. Though, I place very tragic things or difficult obstacles that are in the way of the characters being together.
Sometimes they are star-crossed lovers with tragic events separating them...
Other times they are enemies...

The important thing to stick out is the flaws of each one. And make them grow from it.
Weak to strong or strong to weak can work as well. Like start off with a weak-minded FL or ML, but have their experiences grow from that.
Like if they are betrayed once... Don't roll again and let them be naive going into relationship #2.
A loner who rises to the moment or the jock that falls off the stars.
You can also go with psychopathic traits... or toxic...

Always show what makes the character shine with flaws and all.~ But that depends on the plot of the story. Always make sure you show why the characters fell in love though. *Even with the fated lovers route it is important to show how they fell in love and why*

*I feel like I explained myself poorly. Why do things always sound better in my head*

 

[Deleted member 45782]

I like going the fated lovers' route... But I am a hopeless romantic. Though, I place very tragic things or difficult obstacles that are in the way of the characters being together.
Sometimes they are star-crossed lovers with tragic events separating them...
Other times they are enemies...

The important thing to stick out is the flaws of each one. And make them grow from it.
Weak to strong or strong to weak can work as well. Like start off with a weak-minded FL or ML, but have their experiences grow from that.
Like if they are betrayed once... Don't roll again and let them be naive going into relationship #2.
A loner who rises to the moment or the jock that falls off the stars.
You can also go with psychopathic traits... or toxic...

Always show what makes the character shine with flaws and all.~ But that depends on the plot of the story. Always make sure you show why the characters fell in love though. *Even with the fated lovers route it is important to show how they fell in love and why*

 

[Cipiteca396]

Why is GB so popular here? I'm genuinely curious

This website has a large transgender audience. GB stories are basically either wish fulfillment, or fetish stuff(the one Sailus mentioned about men inserting themselves in lesbian relationships). There may be one or two that are deep explorations of sexuality and gender. But those are usually written as a subversion of the wish fulfillment style of GB.

 

[KoyukiMegumi]

This website has a large transgender audience. GB stories are basically either wish fulfillment, or fetish stuff(the one Sailus mentioned about men inserting themselves in lesbian relationships). There may be one or two that are deep explorations of sexuality and gender. But those are usually written as a subversion of the wish fulfillment style of GB.

I am planning a GB in my future, but it isn't for fetishes. It represents a more pansexual aspect of love I guess. I believe these are the best GB imo.
*Others may disagree with me here, but I am a hopeless romantic!*
Like why look at gender when you can look at the soul of the person they are since GB is basically people revamping their sexual life towards hetero or homosexual.
GB can be so full of fun stuff, as long as they don't neglect gender-related stuff. *Like girls cycle of every month, why do most GB ignore this??? Like want to be a woman or are turned into one???? GET HURT once a month! At least show the struggle of a man having their first monthly bleed.*
I rarely see this in stories of this kind though.

 

[Cipiteca396]

GB can be so full of fun stuff, as long as they don't neglect gender-related stuff. *Like girls cycle of every month, why do most GB ignore this??? Like want to be a woman or are turned into one???? GET HURT once a month! At least show the struggle of a man having their first monthly bleed.*
I rarely see this in stories of this kind though.

It's not wish fulfillment if you have to suffer for it.

Like why look at gender when you can look at the soul of the person they are since GB is basically people revamping their sexual life towards hetero or homosexual.

Your gender isn't the same as your sexual orientation. Honestly, the whole gay or straight thing is annoying because it takes your current gender into account when it shouldn't. It should be a word that describes whether you're attracted to men, women, both or neither. Or anything else I forgot? As funny as it is to see a GB MC stumble over whether they're still straight or a lesbian now, it's genuinely annoying outside of that small moment of comedy.


Since I'm posting twice on this thread, may as well answer the original question, I guess. I don't really aim for Romance stories, though I enjoy it as a subplot. When that happens, I typically prefer characters that keep their promises. That's it. As long as they don't try to deceive each other, they can have whatever personalities or relationships they want. Ah, I guess I agree that instant love at first sight things annoy me a little.

 

[KoyukiMegumi]

It's not wish fulfillment if you have to suffer for it.

True, but it would be realistic! Like you can't have it both ways bud! You want to be my biological sex learn the penalties!!!

Your gender isn't the same as your sexual orientation. Honestly, the whole gay or straight thing is annoying because it takes your current gender into account when it shouldn't. It should be a word that describes whether you're attracted to men, women, both or neither. Or anything else I forgot? As funny as it is to see a GB MC stumble over whether they're still straight or a lesbian now, it's genuinely annoying outside of that small moment of comedy.

Gender isn't the same, but there is a biological change that happens when you change from female to male. In terms that could change sexuality, since it isn't a lifestyle per se choice. *Some people say it is, but I think they were just closet bis* You are kinda born with it due to what your brain is composed. Technically, they aren't homosexual for the gender they used to be, but if they remain attracted to females, then they would be. There should be a moment of denial, but hey, eventually they have to realize that they like what they like. Agree it can annoy when it overextends.

Though it is fun to explore and it can cause moments of comedy. Or it can turn into a psychological drama if they are in denial of their new life. The human psyche is such a complex thing.~

 

[Cipiteca396]

Or it can turn into a psychological drama if they are in denial of their new life.

That plot is completely antithetical to trans people. If you're going to write GB then avoid it like the plague. If your body is physically and emotionally traumatizing to inhabit, that doesn't mean you are in denial. You can't just get over it and start living your new life like you changed your clothes. One of those two or three GB stories that wasn't wish fulfillment or smut I mentioned. If you suddenly get swapped to the other gender and aren't trans, then you'll become trans and try to go back to how you were before.

Any plot where the character gets forced to accept that they have to live with their new gender is probably the fetish type, or written by someone who doesn't realize they're trans and thinks 'Everyone secretly wants to be that gender, right?"

 

[KoyukiMegumi]

That plot is completely antithetical to trans people. If you're going to write GB then avoid it like the plague. If your body is physically and emotionally traumatizing to inhabit, that doesn't mean you are in denial. You can't just get over it and start living your new life like you changed your clothes. One of those two or three GB stories that wasn't wish fulfillment or smut I mentioned. If you suddenly get swapped to the other gender and aren't trans, then you'll become trans and try to go back to how you were before.

Any plot where the character gets forced to accept that they have to live with their new gender is probably the fetish type, or written by someone who doesn't realize they're trans and thinks 'Everyone secretly wants to be that gender, right?"

Hm, I see your point. Maybe I am being a bit too realistic~
I meant denial as a coup*(Edit to coping but will leave it here to make anyone laugh at my sleepy spelling, Viva la Revolución)* mechanism. In the psychology world, it's the first step when we deal with a traumatic effect like a death or a certain change. Some people can go into denial like this isn't happening. Like the initial shock can last years if written right.
And it is true what you said, most people will try to go back to the way they were before. If everything stays normal.

I think there might be a plot where GB can accept their current life. One, if they can't go back they will eventually have to accept that is their new normal. Or maybe that was their original body, and they were *insert reason here* and weren't aware of it.
*Rarely the case I am guessing.*
Most GB I read are those that oh they drank a potion, and it changed their gender, but somehow they can't go back? But I guess that is a plot hole. Or they fall in love with their bff and want to live a normal life! Something along those lines.

 

[Cipiteca396]

denial as a coup mechanism

*Coping. And this is also what I meant specifically.

One, if they can't go back they will eventually have to accept that is their new normal

The absolute worst GB plotline is one where someone just gives up and accepts the way the world sees them. It's death. It's also completely backwards. A closeted trans person is one who lives in denial of their gender because that's the way the world tells them they should live. That's why that plot is so bad. It encourages people to accept a shitty reality instead of trying to change it. And since, as we already discussed, GB is mostly wish fulfillment, the people reading it are exactly the kinds of people who need to be told not to just accept it. To struggle for change even if they're told it's impossible.

I think there might be a plot where GB can accept their current life.

This is basically only possible if the person was trans or gender fluid without knowing it.

 

[KoyukiMegumi]

*Coping. And this is also what I meant specifically.

The absolute worst GB plotline is one where someone just gives up and accepts the way the world sees them. It's death. It's also completely backwards. A closeted trans person is one who lives in denial of their gender because that's the way the world tells them they should live. That's why that plot is so bad. It encourages people to accept a shitty reality instead of trying to change it. And since, as we already discussed, GB is mostly wish fulfillment, the people reading it are exactly the kinds of people who need to be told not to just accept it. To struggle for change even if they're told it's impossible.

PFFFFT what if I meant coup!!!!! As we take down the stereotypes!
*Thank you for fixing my sleepy spelling~*
LOL almost wrote 'what is I meant...' I should sleep.

I mean eventually, when you hit a wall, you either have to accept that it changes, or don't and live miserably. And in truth, that is death. But at the same time, it can be a rebirth. Most people will live even in the weirdest of situations. We tend to want to survive no matter the cost. Well, unless they fall into depression, and well...

The story I was thinking of was about a boy who got changed into a girl and was trying to change back at all costs.~ So I think the same as you in that sense.

This is basically only possible if the person was trans or gender fluid without knowing it.

True.~

 

[skillet]

as long as the character isn't, like, rude/misogynistic, and isn't a wishy-washy your standard harem protag™, I'm usually good! I like characters who have a defined and consistent personality. :D

also I have a thing for black-haired geniuses cough. Um. Intelligence is also attractive to see.