This week: Watching for Inconsistencies Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Romance/Love Newsletter by Dawn
A look at the risk of errors or inconsistent elements in stories with the help of sitcoms. |
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I love watching sitcoms, a few in particular even though they ended many years ago. Most of them have romance as part of the multiple story lines. As a writer of novels and series, watching seasons and long time frames for a story can be helpful. While I don't write comedy, it's what I enjoy watching. Seeing the romance stories unfold with actors can be helpful for writing. However, there is something else I have noticed after watching some shows over 15 times. Long stories and series run a particular risk: inconsistencies.
Granted, changes on a television show are a little different compared to novels. Changing an actor/actress, for example, is very common for side characters. On occasion, even a main character gets a change with who represents the role. It's something we see often on television and something we don't have to worry about in the writing unless we get lucky enough to have the work become something on the television screen. There are other elements that should be considered when writing.
Character Details
One thing that we have to watch is keeping a character consistent over a story, no matter the length. There are the obvious things, like a character's name you want to keep the same in a story. It's easy to mix up and write the wrong thing, especially if you write multiple ones at the same time. However, editing should help catch those things so it doesn't end up in the final product. Other details are somewhat important too. Such as a character that has an allergy. I've watched King of Queens a few times and in the first season, there is a side character who has a peanut allergy. It is used a number of times over the years. However, in the first few episodes of the series, he eats peanut M&Ms he found in the main character's vehicle that were really old. Something in the first episodes of a show that later get many seasons are a high chance of involving things that change. First books could have that risk, so it helps to keep notes on those details.
While in a single book, it's easier to keep track of character details. It is common for romance to be done in a single book and that helps to some degree. However, it is possible to write a series. It could be about the same couple. But a series can also be focused on different couples but in the same world that interweave characters. The romance couple in one could be secondary couples in another and it's still considered a series. For those, it may be possible to slip or make a change for some detail about one character to make it fit better in the next story.
Storylines
Another instance that brings up some romance in relation to topic is when story lines don't quite match. One I have noticed in a few different shows is that of "how we met" that comes up on occasion with couples. In one episode, they will have met through a friend who needed help with a double date situation. During a different retelling, when they remember for a particular milestone, it was at a bar with jello shots and a mesh shirt. Or maybe one episode they talk about how many times proposing it took for a yes, with the last including a job. Another will show the proposal coming through the newspaper with the new column read by the future father in law. These are just a few examples. Some people will notice these changes and others won't care.
While you don't want the main conflicts and elements of your story to mismatch, it does help to also take the little things into consideration too. Or, if you want to think outside of the box a little, you could use a mixup and make a plot out of it. Maybe they tell the wrong story or mix up a point and someone else uses that. Do they have to keep up with the change of story? What happens if the lover doesn't like the change or notices? Something to consider trying.
While we try our best to keep the stories consistent, to have the characters match each section of the story or over a long timeline, there is always the chance of something slipping. Edits help as do beta readers. At some point the story goes out and that will be the end. We just have to do what we can as writers and keep telling stories.
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Have you ever caught an inconsistent fact in your writing or something you have read?
Last time I discussed the main character but didn't get any comments sent in. Instead of having other comments, here are a few romance story prompts. Maybe one will spark your interest.
1. At school they were friends, but their mob families are enemies. When love takes over, can they escape their toxic families and start a safe life for themselves and their child?
2. Three apprentice wizards get caught up in a love triangle when they are abandoned by their mentor and left to fend – and learn – for themselves.
3. They start leaving notes for each other on the pinboard of their local coffee shop. But they have no idea they’ve already met before.
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Romance/Love: July 26, 2023 Issue [#12088]
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