  Romance/Love
This week: Edited by: Lexi  
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Of lovers whose bodies smell of each other
Who think the same thoughts without need of speech
~ by T.S. Eliot
All good writing is swimming under water and holding your breath.
~ by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The demonic paradox of writing: when you put something down that happened, people often don't believe it; whereas, you can make up anything, and people assume it must have happened to you.
~ by Andrew Holleran |
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When writing romance stories, sometimes things can become mundane or too familiar. We pull inspiration from what we experience in life and the people we know, but what happens when our characters and our ideas seem to resemble something else we've already written? There needs to be differences in our characters and plots. It can't always be "boy meets girl and then they fall in love." Readers would find that rather boring. Below are a few ideas that may help, if you find your story and characters too common.
 Writing Suggestions
 Point of View: Try telling the story (poem) from a different perspective. If you usually write from the female aspect, then try writing from the male's point of view. Doing this may give your writing a fresh voice and some interesting ideas.
Switching Roles: Have your characters switch places. Make your male characters do things that you'd normally have the female characters do. It may seem like a strange idea, but think of how unexpected it could be for the readers.
Create Obstacles: Your characters need circumstances to overcome. If you write about a happy couple, and there aren't any downfalls or challenges then your story is lacking something. Add conflict to the story and later resolve the issues. You want your readers to either root for the characters, or you even want them to loathe the characters. The main purpose is for your readers to react to the characters and the things happening. You want to spark their emotions.
Mixing in Genres: If your main theme is romance, it doesn't mean that you can't throw in a bit of action, comedy, or tragedy. Blending in moments of another genre can make your readers experience a wide range of emotions. Readers can get attached to the characters falling in love, laugh when they have awkward moments, cry when they are in turmoil, and so on.
Create Sexual Tension: If the characters have an undeniable attraction, but they aren't yet together, then you're keeping the readers in suspense. Readers will find themselves begging in anticipation for the characters to finally get together, so they'll continue reading. They'll want to know what finally forces the two characters together and what happens after their first encounter.
Observe Your Characters: Take a look at your characters and how you introduce them in the story. It's important to bring in the characters into the story early on because you want your readers to relate them. It can be very bothersome to get through several chapters and not know the characters.
Pretty Imperfections: Are there any quirks you could give the characters that would help improve the connection your readers have with them? In order for your readers to relate to the characters they have to have imperfections. Also, these little imperfections are what could attract the two characters to one another.
Gaining Knowledge: I know that I have said this before, but this crucial to your story's success or failure. I'm not saying to always play it safe; if you want to explore the unknown then you must research it. It's great to write outside the box, but it's important to gain knowledge first.
Pushing the Limits: Have your characters do something unlikely. It's a nice surprise for the readers when something unexpected occurs in the story. Just keep in mind that you don't want the turn of events to seem unrealistic, so don't make it too extreme.
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| | Autumn Storm [13+] #653395
Alexander had hated tea. Funny how that memory suddenly came back to her.
by Tiggy  |
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 Vivian : Every time I read or write about a couple trying to make connections through conversation, especially on a first date, I am so very thankful I'm not one of the couple.*adds another plus to being married for 45 years* ~~ Viv
 Lexi : First conversations can be quite intimidating, Viv. You're lucky to not have to go through with that
Patricia Oshier Stepp  : I agree. Research is very important. When I wrote "Always A Warrior", I did a lot of research on Navy Seals and post-traumatic stress disorder. Until then, I had no idea what a Heckler and Koch was (it's an automatic pistol)--sounded like an exotic food dish.
Lexi : You prove my point, Patric! Thanks for commenting.
Comments, questions, and feedback are always welcome!
Until Next Time,
** Image ID #885253 Unavailable **
~Lexi
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Romance/Love: March 21, 2007 Issue [#1607]
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