Digital Elements in Modern Romance Editor: Dawn Embers 
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Romance/Love Newsletter by Dawn
Modern romance can involve a number of different elements and technology is one of them. From online dating to swiping right on an app, there is the way in how someone first meets a prospective partner. Then there is the online or phone communication methods for staying in touch. |
Technology is a big factor in our lives and that includes when it comes to dating. When it comes to a modern romance story, one almost needs to use technology in some way considering how attached we are to the internet and our cell phones. Online dating has been around for a long time now, plus dating apps. Then there is just how we use our phones and other devices every day that makes it nearly necessary. I've never been sucessful with the whole online dating thing using sites, but there are plenty of others who do well. I think even one of my uncles met his wife online.
Finding a Date
Dating sites and apps can be very generic or general. These are going to be ones like Plenty of Fish, OkCupid and even EHarmony to varying degrees because you can look for either gender along with having many other possible factors involved. Then there are more specific ones like Her (female and trans focused dating app) or dating sites specific to older age members or even Farmers Only. One can also phish for or use these dating sites for less honorable things, like to kill their husband (episode of Snapped).
Making the decision to use a web site or app in order to find a romantic partner isn't always an easy one. Some characters are more likely than others to make that decision. Some could also do so on a whim or as a last resort. Though, I will admit that as someone who manages a contest that includes romance, the last resort or forced by someone else to do online dating has been done before. It's not a bad idea but not the most original anymore either. It's all in how you write it. There is also something said for the seasoned tech dater who has all of the profiles and goes on a variety of dates before finding the right person. Maybe it's not even from a dating web site but a different one where they happen to spend most of their time when online. Like a writing site. Similar to how people often end up dating co-workers, if it's somewhere a person spends a large amount of time, there is a big chance other social aspects of their life will be connected to the location.
Using Technology
Text messaging is probably one of those common things that might be found in modern romance stories. Many people use their phones for messaging. While some people might prefer to call instead of talk, others prefer text over any other method. Like, my dad doesn't do social media. My stepdad would much rather text than do a phone call. It all varies based on the person and character. How much a person is on their phone will also vary. Some of the murder episodes where one convinces a dating partner to help will exchange hundreds of message a week. That is a lot.
However, just the use of technology isn't the only factor. Some aspects of that use can also make things interesting. The book Red, White and Royal Blue is a good example because the two that fall into the romance together end up doing phone calls and lots of text messaging. One factor that was interesting to read when listening to the book in audo format was the nicknames put in for each of them on the phones because they exchanged numbers when in a more frenemy mindset. That led to some entertaining text messages because each message included the name saved with the phone number.
I'm doing something similar with a romance series that follows a group of friends. The group happens to be very into comic books and superhero movies. They each have a character name chosen, so when there is a text message from one of the friends, it will have their superhero name. Like, instead of being Christian in his friend's phones, the character will be Wiccan for the text messages. And they sometimes give names for the boyfriends who join. Like Thomas becomes Superman influenced in part by a little Clark Kent cosplay potential. There won't always be text messages in the stories and they aren't the main focus of the romance, but they are involved and a way to show aspects of character. This also could be an element with dating profiles on sites because one might have to pick a username and have it be something a little more interesting than their name. |
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| |  | Adonis Reborn (18+) Yes he is beautiful, but he is so much more than I ever imagined. |
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How do you use technology in a romance story? Has your character tried online or cell phone dating?
Last month, I discussed different ways people might express love. The questions that I put forward with that newsletter involved the method of love expression and if thre was anythng unique or nontraditional about them. Here is a comment sent in for that newsletter:
Comment by BIG BAD WOLF  :
It depends on the situation.
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Romance/Love: May 27, 2026 Issue [#13755]
