Hi, procrastinators! Today is Tip Tuesday, and this tip is about writing about the icky thing called love when you're...let's just say romantically impaired.
I'm not really lucky in the romance department, but a lot of my characters are. For example, the protagonist of my novels is interested in one of the guys in the group she and her friends has created, and in a secondary work, two of my characters (sophomores) have been dating since seventh grade. (Even I can barely believe it, and I'm the one who made it up.) (Note: These books aren't romances; they have romance in them. I don't have a problem with romance as a side plot, unless it derails the original plot.) While I firmly believe that some books are just better without romance, I'm going to have to learn to write about it sooner or later. But since my abundant romantic experiences don't make good novel material (haha), I can't use my own knowledge. So where do I get ideas?
Any advice you agree with? Anything you want to add? Comment below!
Off to do APUSH and NOT dream of anyone significant. I promise.
T
- Remember how I recommended going to Yahoo Answers for unblocking writer's block? This also applies to romance ideas. The singles and dating section is loaded with new questions every day, and it's easy to find an interesting story in there. You may have to change a few things to avoid ripping off the poor person's life completely, but overall it's a good place to ask questions.
- Ask your friends who have had relationships what's normal and what's cool and whatnot. It may be awkward to ask, "Hey, can you tell me what teenage love is like so I can write about it?" so approach it from a different angle. Bring up crushes, or boys. I don't know about you, but that's always an easy conversation starter.
- Visit a love advice site. Think of questions that your character would ask, then Google them. The resources you can find on romance are abundant to the point of ridiculous. Some of my favorite sites for finding answers are Seventeen and All Women Stalk, but poke around and find your own favorites. That said, I recommend that you stay away from WikiHow.
- Be realistic. Even someone who's never been in a relationship can make the call of what works and what doesn't. For example, if a couple has nothing but passionate kisses keeping them going, then they're probably not going to last for very long, unless they're on and off. Dragging it into some unrealistic shindig will just annoy your readers.
- Observe. Notice the couples in your school (or wherever you know a couple). How do they treat each other (both online and off)? What kind of things do they say to each other? What do you like about their relationship? What don't you? Why? Use these observations to shade your writing.
Any advice you agree with? Anything you want to add? Comment below!
Off to do APUSH and NOT dream of anyone significant. I promise.
T