Romance is one of the most popular genres in fiction, and it’s not hard to see why. Love is a universal experience, and readers are drawn to stories that explore this theme in all its complexity. A well-crafted romance subplot can add depth and interest to any story, whether it’s a sweeping epic or a small-scale character study. In this article, we’ll explore the art of writing a compelling romance subplot and offer some tips for creating a love story that readers will find both believable and emotionally satisfying.
Guide to Writing a Compelling Romance Subplot
Make it believable
The key to a successful romance subplot is to make it believable. Readers will only invest in a love story if they believe in the characters and their connection. This means taking the time to establish the characters’ personalities, motivations, and backgrounds. What draws them to each other? What are the obstacles in their way? Why do they want to be together? These are all questions that you need to answer to create a convincing love story.
Build tension
Tension is the lifeblood of any good story, and it’s especially important in a romance subplot. The more obstacles you put in the way of your characters’ happiness, the more invested your readers will be in the outcome. Whether it’s social expectations, personal insecurities, or outside forces, there should be something that keeps your characters apart, at least for a time. This tension will create a sense of urgency and make your readers want to keep turning the pages to see how things turn out.
Avoid cliches
There are certain tropes and cliches that are common in romance stories, and while they can be effective in the right hands, they can also feel stale and unoriginal. Instead of relying on familiar plot devices, try to come up with something fresh and unexpected. Think about your characters as individuals, not just as archetypes, and consider what would make their story unique.
Give your characters agency
One of the most important things to remember when writing a romance subplot is to give your characters agency. They should be active participants in their own love story, not just passive recipients of fate. This means that they should have their own goals, desires, and motivations, and they should take actions that push the story forward. Avoid creating a scenario where one character is the sole instigator of the romance, while the other simply responds. Instead, create a dynamic where both characters are actively pursuing each other.
Develop the relationship gradually
A believable romance takes time to develop. It’s not realistic for two characters to fall deeply in love after just a few chance encounters. Instead, take the time to build the relationship gradually. Show the characters getting to know each other, sharing experiences, and building trust. This will make the eventual payoff all the more satisfying.
Show, don’t tell
This is a common writing adage, and it’s especially relevant in a romance subplot. Instead of telling your readers that your characters are in love, show them through their actions, dialogue, and body language. This will make the romance feel more authentic and emotionally resonant.
Don’t forget the conflict
Conflict is a key element of any good story, and it’s especially important in a romance subplot. There should be something that stands in the way of your characters’ happiness, whether it’s a misunderstanding, a betrayal, or an external force. This conflict should be rooted in the characters’ personalities and motivations, and it should be resolved in a way that feels organic to the story.
Balance the romance with other plot elements
While the romance subplot should be a significant part of your story, it shouldn’t overshadow everything else. Make sure to balance the romance with other plot elements, whether it’s a mystery to solve, a quest to embark on, or a personal journey to undertake. The romance should enhance the other elements of the story and not detract from them.
Write from both characters’ perspectives
A romance subplot is most effective when it’s written from both characters’ perspectives. This allows the reader to see the story from different angles and understand both characters’ motivations and feelings. It also helps to create a more complex and nuanced story.
Make the payoff worth it
After all the tension and conflict, the payoff of the romance subplot should be worth it. Whether it’s a grand declaration of love, a passionate kiss, or simply a moment of understanding, the resolution of the romance should be emotionally satisfying for the reader.
A well-crafted romance subplot can add depth and interest to any story. By making it believable, building tension, avoiding cliches, giving your characters agency, developing the relationship gradually, showing rather than telling, including conflict, balancing the romance with other plot elements, writing from both characters’ perspectives, and making the payoff worth it, you can create a love story that readers will find both engaging and emotionally resonant.
Keywords: romance, subplot, believable, tension, cliches, agency, relationship, conflict, balance, perspective, payoff.
Check out our Novel Writing Workbooks
Check out Little Tree Food Forest for articles on food forests and homesteading.
Check out FoodieScapes for articles on growing, fermenting and preserving food
Check out StoryScapes.World for articles on writing.
Subscribe to our newsletter to get information delivered to your inbox on how to write a book, outlining your novel, keeping journals, marketing your novel, self-publishing, writing poetry and more.