A collection of tips for romance subplots
I'm working on a sci-fi / fantasy novel and want to include some romance subplots so I've been researching blogs, vlogs and articles on the topic in between my writing. I compiled a list of the various tips I've heard about what makes a romance subplot good and bad. Many of these were repeated by multiple sources. I was actually quite surprised by how consistent they were in classifying these things in general.
Note that all of these were given as general advice, and most who gave the advice mentioned that there are of course exceptions to these, both good and bad, but in general the good things work and the bad things don't.
Without further ado, here is my compiled list of tips for romance subplots:
Good
- complements the main plot
- good interactions / banter
- lovers support each other
- complementary personalities
- forbidden romance
- rivals to lovers
- fake dating - pretending to be in a relationship for plot reasons
- asking / enthusiastic consent
- occasional awkwardness and embarrassment
- subverting romantic clichés
- dramatic proclamation of love
- external factors forcing close encounters
- someone in the relationship isn't who they appeared to be
- power couples
- equality - partners bring equal value to a relationship
- respectful communication
- characters have a reason to click
- vulnerability in front of each other
- other characters see and acknowledge their chemistry
Bad
- distracts from the main plot
- one sided relationships
- character is strung along
- insta-love
- characters getting together without any build-up
- excessively dramatized kissing / sex
- love triangles
- excessive descriptions of abs, boobs, etc.
- completely incorrect female anatomy
- perfectly sculpted physical characters in love with ugly
- good people falling for insufferable conceited douches
- unnecessary miscommunication
- insanely long cat and mouse chases
- ownership and obsession
- character declare "screw the world" to their love interest
- characters in love but 'feelings are bad' so they avoid them
- romance plot hangs on miscommunication
- hate to love where a character isn't redeemable
- poor representation of intimacy
- treating someone as redeemable because they're hot
- removing desirable characteristics to fit the romance
Do you agree/disagree with these?
Any important exceptions to be aware of?
Are there any others you would add to the list?
Edit: specified fake dating