@@ardania6484 I was referring to OP's comment, saying that it was accurate (about the Wattpad writers) but I see the confusion in my word choice. To clarify: I am absolutely NOT saying that love & abuse are the same thing.
Sometimes you can find a good story if you dig deep. Really, really, really deep. Like sifting through a vat of needles for a diamond at the bottom. - A Wattpad writer
I love seeing characters improve themselves because of a healthy relationship, but I hate when a story tries to say that they were "fixed" or "saved" by it. The best way to sell me on a romance is to show me a strong dynamic between the characters *before* they get romantic.
Relationships should always be in mutual interesst and benifit. One doing nothing else but helping the other is just not what is about, wishfullfillment out of the window, it just is topic. So many couples broke horrably up because they expect the other to be perfect for them instead of another living person with own problems you got to help out all the same. A partnerwill not makeyou happy, if you cant be happy on your own, do not expect them to save you, that is fucking unfair towards them! A partner also is not a therapeut, go to a professional. Your partner can help you call one, escort you to the first apointment if possible, but they can not do their job! I am a mess, I know I would turn toxic quickly in a romantic relationship, so I avoid it. I am a good friend if my bounderys are respected, so I communicate them clearly to make that possible. But romance just realy is not a thing I am made for, that level of vunerability on both sides and my perfect aim fore sore spots when I feel caged . . . . I would totaly destroy who ever tried that with me, so I just don't.
That can work well I agree...but I don't have issues with a dynamic improving after a couple groups up...sometimes you need to be with someone before you get out a shell
I'm SO tired of reading about abusive love interests who are just able to continue being abusive like it's no big deal. Very few things make me immediately give up on reading a book but that is a huge one, I will fling that shit across the room.
Just imagine a book with someone abusiv. First the MC falls in love they get together and after that the MC realises what an ass the love interest is and dumbs them. Maybe after that the MC tries to help the former Love interest but they get to point where they know:"No, this isn't working, they need real help". And stops helping them maybe bringing them to someone who can help. And they never get together because the MC finds someone loving and trusting to spend the rest of all the days with. Wild dreams... P.S. I am german, sry for my grammer And I tried to write genderneutral lmao... I just hope it's not a big mess.
I never understand why it always appears in fiction and romanticize it because 'love can change people'...if he/she acts like after they get together it's still an ass.
If they're both abusive. that's fine with me. At Least they'll have each other and not terrorizing some unsuspecting innocent. I actually find this kind of cute. They'll be talking and doing toxic shit together and being miserable together, but when some third party enters and wrongs one of them. They'll both veer their misery into the direction of the third party together.
For those who want to take note of this. 1.Give Them a Life: Understand their backstory,their personality,likes,dislikes, inside and out. In short Make them a real living person and not just a plaything for the main character. 2.Plot Relevance: Make them matter to the plot and not shoehorned in for the sake of a romantic subplot. When they are relevant to the plot they will serve a vital role in many of the scenes. It increases their page time and creates ample room for cute moments in the story. 3. Meet Cute: First impressions last, it doesn’t have to be perfect it just has to be memorable and make readers excited for future interactions. Be mindful and strategic of writing the introduction because it could very well dictate whether readers root for that couple. 4.Flaws: Make them flawed. Perfection is not realistic or attainable which means it’s not likable. Flaws and mistakes humanize the love interest it makes them realistic and potentially endearing. The goal is to make them an imperfect person trying to do their best. 5.Calm Down: Don’t Make them too flawed. Don’t turn them into a dumpster fire, a cheater, and abuser, slow it down a bit. The love interest is supposed to be the spot of joy in the story, the character that makes the readers happy and believe in love. 6.Take a Cold Shower: Do not make your leading character the epitome of physical perfection having chiseled six pack abs, 6’7 tall, with deep blue eyes and the like. Make it accurate to the time period they are in. Eroctic fiction is the exception in this because the characters are super sexualize. But for all other genres calm down. 7.Complements: Opposites may attract but compliments complete one another. To compliment means to bring to perfection, it’s being opposite in a way that suits or supports one another. Create qualities in the love interest enhance or improve your main character and vice versa. 8.Tropes: Understand romantic tropes, it helps to understand them when you’re writing your character. There are many tropes like enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, arranged marriages,love triangles and so on. This isn’t about copying a trope,it’s about your likes and dislikes, what you want to convey through your writing and what you want to avoid. This type of analysis will help you craft a love interest you adore and will also help you determine who to market your story to. 9.The Hero Moment: Give them a moment to shine. Your love interest should step up. There needs to be a point where the love interest showcases how special or important they are. Give them a wow factor which makes them appealing. 10.Equality: Relationships are a two way street. A healthy relationship is based on equality that means both parties put in equal amount of effort and commitment into the relationship. Both characters should be equally there for one another. The idea is to make the relationship seem mutually beneficial. ENJOY!!!
Nah, I have quite a different taste than her when it comes to romance . . . Like make them matter . . . It sounds like you create a character to be a love interest, just to have one . . . I'm a fan of just writing characters and look where they go. if two of them just resonate naturaly and the course of the story allowes it, it makes sense from where they are emotionaly and develope, than I am starting thinking about writing them as a couple. Even if they are totaly soulbonded so I would ship them in media I consume, I might chose to let them stay platonic if that feels more natural and makes more sense for where the story is suposed to go. I am no sucker romance, I am a sucker for cute dynamic, romantic or not and often a not well executed romance can destroy a cute dynamic for me . . . Is started to play for my top not to get togeather in favor of beeing anoyed by how it was handled Romance like she describes them create wrong expectations of love in real life, I am a sucker for psychological realism. A naturaly growing dynamic between characters who just happened is just more realistic but taste is taste and we read to read fiction, so I love magic and another a perfectly created romance.
@@chrisannlittle dark fantasy just means it deals with darker themes than normal books in the fantasy genre.... no ones saying that there’s “light” fantasy
My favorite romance subplot of ALL TIME literally introduced the love interest as the main character was trying to climb out a window in attempt to avoid meeting him. Not only does it solidify the personality of the main character, but it was also super memorable and funny. Like, that’s how y’all should be doing these introductions.
In other words, the love interest should be just as three-dimensional and fun to read about as the main character. I can get behind that! Granted, I’ve violated some of the rules in the video in my past writing, but I’m here to improve. Thanks, Jenna!
Give the love interest their own goal and struggles...and show they support the other in tough times ...that's always needed for me to buy characters getting married...otherwise I just laugh
I live for romances where the characters complement each other in ways that help them grow! My MC is a "lie down and take it" type who won't start things, but his love interest is pretty much always ready to throw down when he thinks something is unfair. So the MC reigns him in and teaches him to choose his battles while the love interest teaches the MC to stand up for himself and his beliefs more.
Meet cute? What if the MC and the love interest are already a thing at the start of the book (if it's not primarily about romance)? Would the romance fans try to stab me or is it fine? I mean real people usually don't wait for something drastic to happen in their life before they start dating, if anything the opposite is the case. .
The meet cute is more about the reader's first impressions of how the characters act around each other. It sounds like you want to write a story about the development of an already existing relationship? In that case, you could show how the current stage of their relationship is the status quo. Or you could have the story start with an inciting incident that changes the relationship.
As someone currently ghostwriting outlines for Regency Romance: thank you. Also for convincing me to subvert the love triangle trope for a couple of my own upcoming stories.
@Serena Odonata I want it to resolve without either of the love interests getting with the main character, but I need to finish setting up the conflicts to determine what exactly that will look like because I also want each relationship to be developed and valid and not the standard three-body-problem where you have the obvious couple and then a side person who only adds drama. I’m also not going to go the cheating/try to date both when the others aren’t down for that route. So I need both the love interests to know that they are both pursuing the same person from the get-go, with the understanding that they have to put in effort because someone should come out on top as the main character’s preferred partner (two people competing to win a marriage of political alliance, for example). Channeling “Hello Future Me” to say: Love triangles are complicated!
@@CrystallineSpyder unless a wizard did it! ^^ Sounds good. I'm as a mostly aro ace a total fan of no, there is not going to be a forced romancet o seal the deal ending. Compeating for love like it is something you earn like a price creeps me out like hell. I often like some cute side couple instead of the main lovestory, for those often are way less forced and force feed. The author telling me how cute and perfect they are togeather will not make me like a couple, so for my preference the book should not realy on that. Also there realy is a need for media showing you do not need a romance to be happy and that some relationships are not ment to be! I am a total sucker for "soulbonded" people in the sense of beeing adorable close, but romance is secondary there if present at all. I have something somewhat similar to that in my newest book idea. Kiddo has a crush on the young woman, and is jalous of his mentor for his closeness with her. From the kiddos perspectiv they are rivals. The young woman and his mentor do not take him seriously at all in that for she is an undercover persona and his percived flirting between the mentor and the young woman is them just beeing very close for they know eachother for ages, what the kiddo did not know. I am so in love with the dynamics of her and the mentor as well as the mentor and the kiddo. It is complicated, but the first are part blickering siblings that will defend eachother tooth and nail, part best friends for ages, part motherly care on both sides and a bit of posessiv protectivness on her side. They had one fling togeather way back when things where very different and in other bodys ( did I mention that it is complicated?) But that does not effect than at another than it is brought up in their blickering much to the kiddos shock. The kiddo and his mentor are a bit father/son, master/aprentice, Brothers, best friends . . .kiddo is very defiant in parts, but very posessiv and protective to. He has just the worst case of teen hormonal rollercoaster between wanting independance and beeing clingy. Regarding bis percived relationship othe other two he does not even know who he actualy is jalous of ^^. His mentor in the other hand is totaly convinced he is the antichrist , loveing his pupil to piece, but beeing very annoyed by him at the same time. They blicke a lot and often the young woman and he gang up in the kiddo for he realy is very hard to stand at times andthey call it collective selfdefense. It starts somewherewhere it could have become a love triangle from, but it so totaly is not.
Girl meets boy, girl meets another boy, complications ensue, girl ends up with the nice one. meh. How about she picks the one who's not nice? Not saying he's abusive, but his less than charming demeanor covers a bunch of traits that might make him more desirable than simply nice. She throws the nice guy to her girlfriend, and you can watch how that relationship matures as well as the (now) main guy in her life. I write scifi, so if that sounds too alien, I like totally understand.
Regarding no.7 look up the big 5 personality types. If characters match on all 5 they'll be boring to read about, if they oppose each other on all 5 they'd be at each other's throats. Finding a good mix of complimentary and clashing personalities makes a couple, romantic or platonic, work.
@Audrey4Authors Not exactly. The "beater" is a soldier, and my MC ends up joining the military later (though not of her own choice). The book is basically about living under martial law in post-pandemic (not COVID) Jersey City on the verge of civil war. I'm having a lot of fun developing a complex romantic relationship between my characters. Jenna's advice has helped a lot with making both characters fleshed out and realistic, with all of the problems and flaws that come with that.
I love the fact that Jenna posts a video every time I need it. Like literally I was just starting to write and was thinking about how I want to better develop my love interest character and I got the notification for this video.
Something I do is I usually never plan to give my OCs love interests only half way through the process and developing their personality I go "Hey, they'd be so cute together and would have a strong, healthy relationship." And then BAMN RELATIONSHIP
I really like romances that have the love interest always welcome the mc with open arms , those quiet little moments where the mc is in the comfort of the love interest's arms as he / she comforts them to sleep . they make me go really soft .
I have a love interest that saves the protagonist's life and then she repays in part by patching her up. Favourite scene to write until now because the protagonist is already in love.
I'm writing a subverted love triangle in my book and I'd like to think the two MC's meet cute is pretty memorable, if not actually cute at all. My book is more fantasy with a romantic subplot though, so I guess its kinda different 😅 My approach to writing the love interest was to make him someone I could actually see myself swooning over, but still treat him like an actual person with his own motivations and flaws. It helps that I'm writing from his perspective too, otherwise I think it could be easy to fall into that unrealistic wish fulfillment type that seems to be common in modern romance.
A little tiny thing about #3 - I was absolutely eating it up when Forthright's second novel, "Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal," had the two characters... barely even acknowledge each other. Their first "meeting" amounted to realizing a particular person existed in their sphere, ignoring it, and moving on. It was so interesting to see how two people who WOULD have passed each other up turned out to be such a wonderful love story. It's not something we can do often, but I feel like that had a sense of reality to it I don't normally get to see. ovo (also, 10/10 do recommend all books from Forthright.)
For 4 I found probably one flaw I loved so much I turned a character that was not the original love interest into the love interest, just because that girl was so much more memorable. You might say: honesty is a virtue not a flaw. Until you met Shirin. A girl that has zero qualms telling a teacher bullying a student in maths to "eat a dick. Oh sorry auto cannibalization is not humanly possible" that's the level of honesty and lack of verbal impulse control, we're talking with that lady and I love her for that. it makes her positive attributes, loyalty, sense of fairness etc really shine but lands her in so much trouble you wouldn't believe it.
The two characters I have I think are super complimentary!! They're a classic extrovert/introvert couple, but they also share the traits of being playful, reckless, and down to party. They also improve each other, with the extrovert helping the introvert with his self-esteem and shit, and the introvert helping the extrovert learn to mature a bit and when to take things seriously.
I love this gal! She's giving some very good pointers to help me flesh out the relationship for my two main characters in a story I'm writing. They start off butting heads but soon learn to work with one another, discovering they both shared similar hardships over the course of the book. Not to mention LI keeps MC in check due to his tendency to make rash decisions in some moments, overall just looking out for one another
Hey, Jenna, your hair looks like you put in extra attention this video and I admire your skill in making your hair look good. I've struggled a lot with my relationship with my appearance in the past, so seeing you deliver intellectual content while also looking great is really inspiring
Glad to hear you're not the only one who sees the love interest as their favourite character. And yes, they should be integral to the plot. However, if they're indeed crucially relevant to every scene or chapter, be careful not to turn them into a Mary Sue / Gary Stu (especially considering their physical attractiveness a given). As Overly Sarcastic Productions pointed out, a Mary Sue is not identified by their power, but by the universe of the story warping around them to cater to them. They might be the centre of the story, but not of the universe. 😉
My girls start as coworkers (one hires the other to help them) and then they begin to help each other through their trauma as they start to uncover the MC's past while avoiding the danger the love interest somehow got herself into. Then friendship turns to cute nicknames and late nights, which turns into total affection as they realize they're falling in love. I almost hate to murder them both.
Adolpha Selrah lol. im doing something along those lines, although it's the mc and her friend pining after one character and then they end up together instead.
Im writing 3 books atm... I... Get distracted and my mood changes I have a medieval fantasy complete with 7 WHOLE kingdoms religions cults dragons elves hellspawn. 3 different magic systems used by different spell casters. It follows 3 main groups Each lead by a mc of sorts. Then i have a space age civil war Its kinda Romeo and Juliet style. Two people on separate sides of a futile war. Where they eventually meet work together and unite the 3 warring factions and reestablish the torn apart galactic empire to bring peace to the galaxy. ( no its not starwarsy at all) so dont even.. Then i have a "zombie apocalypse" story. They're not really zombies they are a genetically engineered... Dna. Really A medical research company was testing a new product when some shit happens and it gets mixed with a genetic altering compond that got combinded with another drug and yeah... So they are genetically modified crazies. That over time begin to adapt some rather agressive evolutionary paths. "Sirens" that scream loudly in a deafing tone not only calling more infected but stunning living prey as well. Berserkers that have armor like skin huge muscle mass and rage that will make gordon ramsey say chill. So 3 very different scenarios so when my mood flips i just pick up on another... Should try it.. Im also not shying out of.. Writing taboos and controversial things. You dont like it kiss my ass. They are not a family friendly set nore are they for the faint of heart pr easily offended lol.
If my story has a love interest, it is another character in the story that happens to be a love interest as well. They do not exist to be "a spot of joy", they exist for whatever story purposes I needed them in the first place. Came here because I'm not really good at writing romance, but neither of my two characters in the current story are "support" - the story is about both of them equally and I can't just make it a happy ride because they're always together/think of each other. It's not like I can just choose one of them to fill in the mostly supportive role of "love interest" Jenna describes. I guess it'll be more logical to make them "just friends" at this point - no big difference for me and for the story, yet may prove to be less distracting for the readers. I hope.
I always am very happy that you mention how the tips apply to men, women and nonbinary people, because often nonbinary people are forgotten. :) Small thing to keep in mind maybe is that the phrase ''and everyone inbetween'' that you used later in the video does not apply to all nonbinary people because some of them are not inbetween but out of the binary etc. For the rest: I apreciate your tips so much, they are always so helpful! Thanks a lot, Jenna!
Their first meeting doesn't have to be memorable. Their first conversation, yes. The first time they get to know each other, definitely. I've been with with my boyfriend for seven years now. I barely remember how we met. We knew each other for weeks before we started talking directly. Even then, it took us a couple days to really connect.
I have an idea for a subversive love-triangle in my story, and I wanna know what you guys think about it: the love interests best friend (BFF for short) is a loner to a fault (the two have been a power duo since before joining the others, and he just isn't comfortable working with anyone else, even if it seems like the obvious choice) and this is supposed to be character growth for him. after the main character (MC) and his Love Interest (LI) get together, the two men start fighting over her, which eventually leads to them butchering a critical fight. at this point MC confronts BFF about it, assuming it's another one of those "get friend-zoned, get bitter" kind of stories and calling him immature over it, at which point BFF clarifies "I'm not in love with her, I just don't have anyone else" as he's not used to LI not always having time for him. MC becomes more sympathetic, but still points out that he's part of a team now (a team that includes BFFs brother, whom he fought tooth and nail to reunite with, but has barely interacted with since). BFF comes out of that, not being a better team player, but trying to be one. any good?
I've added this video to my Best of #AuthorTube playlist. I find this video to be extremely helpful as someone who is currently working on a romance novel.
What if the flawed love interest has a flaw that is too extreme? see "The Corpse Bride". her flaw is that she's already dead. (kind of makes that pimple go away!)
Isn't the point of "Corpse Bride" that she has to let go, because she was murdered and dead already? I don't think her being dead was her biggest flaw though. Her biggest flaw was not being able to let go (until the end of the movie), even going as far as taking a man into the land of the dead to get married to him. In the end she realized she couldn't take away someone else's happiness to make herself happy.
Honestly, I can't tell if you liked that movie or not... I watched it like, yesterday and I enjoyed it. A bit too dark, I mean literally dark, for me, as I enjoy colors and beautiful visuals, but overall a nice little movie. Although it gave me a weird dream, I had around four worms in my leg that I pulled out. Gross as hell...
Oh heck, I write fanfiction for funsies and listening to this made me think of all the ways the canon straight couple in one of my fandoms were not established well, what with how the girl keeps getting sidelined or kidnapped or otherwise disempowered. I definitely know how I'm gonna be doing some fix it fic now!
My love interest in my dystopia novel was so fun to write into the plot that he became one of the main characters, meaning I write in his perspective almost as often as the main character now!
I literally got this notification as I was listening to The Davy jones Duet sung by Man on the Internet and Fialeja! THE LEGEND IS TRUE! Jenna really IS psychic!
As a writer (not an "author" yet) I enjoy your videos because they give me other ways of looking at things, or help to explain why I see things as I do. Thanks for putting all of your videos out there for us. Cheers :D
I read a book series when this "nice guy" is in love with the MC, but the thing is that she doesn't like him back. And, for some reason, SHE is wrong for not liking the guy with a personality of a cardboard cutout. She's pressured by him and the others in her life to date him just because he likes her and is sweet - his Sister, MC' mom once mentions him, ext. Even fans of the series think that it's MC's fault for not feeling the same way, always turning backs on her. Important note: This "nice guy" one time went into the extreme where he told her to have his babies... At their friend's funeral. Yep, People are protecting THIS guy. Why are always toxic LI "the hereos" and toxic romances in general seen as "cute"? I don't get it, can someone explain?
Thank you! It's nice someone was able to put into words what i'd been feeling. The most romantic story I've ever read had one of the two MC's not understanding and avoiding the love interest because she couldn't understand why he was so boring. It's like the last few chapters that we see the MC come around and open her eyes to why the love interest is the way he is. (Aka he's a heartbroken man, weary of life and while intensely passionate he has been burned and has since learned the value of protecting your heart.) We learn that she restores him to a state of animation and happiness and ends up absolutely loving that she can make him enjoy life again. That is a couple that works! They both have depth and lives they've lived previous to the story and while at first it seems they're opposites the more we learn about the love interest (he's central to the plot) we see that he's precisely the right man for the MC because he has traits that are not in her nature so he compliments her by toning down some of her wild antics and she reminds him why life is good and fun.) It leaves you rooting for the couple and when they finally get together it's amazing. I happy cried for a good fifteen minutes after reading the ending. There's more to their characters and the plot but everything you said matched up with my favorite couple from that book. ❤
Great points, all, especially number 1. I have had characters turn into love interests that I never meant to be love interests. Sometimes when you throw two people together, sparks fly. I used to resist this, but now I go with it. One of my villains recently survived and became an antihero of sorts because the main character fell for him. I was going to kill him off at the end of one book, but instead he got a POV in the next book.
In the story I'm writing I'm hoping to full off a subverted love triangle where a female character has a crush on two male characters who turn out to be in love with each other.
I love all the advice you give Jenna but its a headache to go back and rewrite so much. glad I'm listening to your advice now. Saves me a lot more rewrites in the future. All hail Jenna Goddess of writing. Please impart more of your wisdom on us lowly creatures. lol
Here's my idea for a fan fiction romance: Hatchan(not my character): An octopus fish person. He has an extorvert personality and is down to help those in need. Hes pretty clumsy and easy to fool, but he belives that humans and fish men are equal. Arashi(my OC): A saw tooth shark fish person. She is also half human. She has an introverted personality and is very protective of Hatchan. She is really tough and stubborn but can be really sweet if the time is right. Both care for one another. Hatchan helps Arashi out of her little introverted circle and Arashi protects Hatchan from being screwd over or manipulated.
If I may get on my soapbox for a hot minute: Daniel Sousa in season 7 of Agents of Shield is an amazing love interest that came outta left field and a type I wish to see more of in books
Hey Jenna, could you do a video on how to write romantic couples that are already together? I have a story in mind that features 2 characters that have been together for 5 years before the start of the story. The plot doesn't revolve around their relationship but it's still a significant part of the story.
I actually have some tropes in my book, but they are turned upside down. Arranged Marriage that seems fine in the beginning, and husband gets more and more abusive. The guy who the MC thinks is the evil villain actually turns out to be the one to save the MC from said relationship (thus literally stopping her being raped by her husband), and taking her to savety. The love interest is not the dream catch, and although pretty tough and strong, is physically not attractive due to an accident. But he ends up being the one who starts to care for the MC. They work through their trauma together, become good friends. Although later there is another guy interested in the MC, who seems perfect, kind and attractive, she still falls for the loveinterest because he is her best friend, the only one who really acts in her interest, even if he thinks she is in love with the other guy. Love is about genuinely caring about one another, and not Lust and possession. That's what I try with my characters
How about a love interest who ends up getting with the antagonist because of the characters actions? (Twist) Causing the protagonkst to rethink his/her actions and drop his/her vengeful will
So, I'm watching your 4th video in a row and get a wehear commercial, that defies all your suggestions for writing healthy relationships. Great... now I have to shower! Just great!
I have a love interest situation where two characters are hiding their feelings for each other while a third character develops a crush on one of them but they don't notice them at all and the other character views another character as a rival but that one has no interest in the guy she likes.
I Like being able to put a tick on all items on the list. (When they are the good tropes anyway)Yay! awesome video Jenna Super excited for TSS. sending stressless vibes
Question: What if character A likes Character B. But Character B doesn't like Character A in a romantic way. Then how do I make it clear that Character A likes them, without making it clear that they might end up together.
Heeeeellloooooo Jenna. Thanks again for the advice and tips. You are doing a great job, been following you from Belgium since 2018. Been writing myself, taking notes and I will publish my first book in less than a year. Continue to entertain and inform us. ✌🏾
Just for characters in general: don't make them bigoted unless their character arc involves them learning and growing to be more tolerant, or if they're a villain. I actually love that whole idea of an asshole becoming a better person, it's just sends a positive message about self-improvement and redemption.
I don't know, Ron Weasley from the Harry Potter series had his prejudiced side, and he was basically a good person. It seems to me like only having villains be bigoted in fiction enables people to believe that that is true in real life and then they don't look inside to see the bigotry inside themselves. But the first part of what you said makes sense--if you're going to have a character who is basically good have some degree of bigotry in their subconscious, you can probably show them coming to realize that and becoming even better.
@@messinalyle4030 What I mean by the villain part is that if you don't plan to have the character change their bigoted views, then it's not a good idea to have them be portrayed as something that doesn't resemble that type of villain/antagonist character. I could even be fine with the ideas being challenged to the smallest degree, but I think what bothers me is if it's just not acknowledged at all in story.
@@corenlavolpe6143 Yeah, and particularly if you feel that your character wouldn't realistically be ready to see their bigotry for what it is by the end of the story, the author should make it clear that they see that aspect of their character and hopefully should have some sort of comeuppance for them.
My love interest doesn't actually play an important role until after the mc finds his way back from being lost in a land slide. I tend to the two characters grow apart. The MC is so busy with life that they can't handle romance, and the L. I. - not wanting to force the mc into a relationship - decides to just remains friends. I want to give them reasons to be together and reasons that they shouldn't be together. ❤ honestly still trying to figure out if I want them to be together by the end of the book or not.
Step one: give them a life.
Most authors: failed step one.
*bon Jovi starts to play*
I like to think of it as a second protagonist. LI needs so much more characterization than side characters.
We'll get em next time
a lot of authors fail step one, but it can help in some, exceptionally, rare scenarios.
I mean I have both of them narrating deferent parts of the story and I’m still not sure who’s the mc and who’s the li, does that work?
Can someone please make a gif of Jenna going
BITCH DID I STUTTER?
The delivery is fantastic
All those dislikes are from Wattpad writers who think love and abuse are the same thing.
but where's the lie
@@thedailybullshit4033 do u need help??
@@ardania6484 I was referring to OP's comment, saying that it was accurate (about the Wattpad writers) but I see the confusion in my word choice. To clarify: I am absolutely NOT saying that love & abuse are the same thing.
@@thedailybullshit4033 oh ok lol
Sometimes you can find a good story if you dig deep. Really, really, really deep. Like sifting through a vat of needles for a diamond at the bottom.
- A Wattpad writer
“People will say this step is antiquated, but they’re stupid, and wrong.”
NO CHILL THERE, JENNA
Don’t you mean say😅
Gracekim21 ah, thanks! All fixed :)
Jenna is the queen of no chill
I love seeing characters improve themselves because of a healthy relationship, but I hate when a story tries to say that they were "fixed" or "saved" by it. The best way to sell me on a romance is to show me a strong dynamic between the characters *before* they get romantic.
Relationships should always be in mutual interesst and benifit. One doing nothing else but helping the other is just not what is about, wishfullfillment out of the window, it just is topic. So many couples broke horrably up because they expect the other to be perfect for them instead of another living person with own problems you got to help out all the same.
A partnerwill not makeyou happy, if you cant be happy on your own, do not expect them to save you, that is fucking unfair towards them! A partner also is not a therapeut, go to a professional. Your partner can help you call one, escort you to the first apointment if possible, but they can not do their job!
I am a mess, I know I would turn toxic quickly in a romantic relationship, so I avoid it. I am a good friend if my bounderys are respected, so I communicate them clearly to make that possible. But romance just realy is not a thing I am made for, that level of vunerability on both sides and my perfect aim fore sore spots when I feel caged . . . . I would totaly destroy who ever tried that with me, so I just don't.
I love healthy relationships but I always love rejection jealousy regret and then they overcome all those emotions
That can work well I agree...but I don't have issues with a dynamic improving after a couple groups up...sometimes you need to be with someone before you get out a shell
I'm SO tired of reading about abusive love interests who are just able to continue being abusive like it's no big deal. Very few things make me immediately give up on reading a book but that is a huge one, I will fling that shit across the room.
Just imagine a book with someone abusiv. First the MC falls in love they get together and after that the MC realises what an ass the love interest is and dumbs them.
Maybe after that the MC tries to help the former Love interest but they get to point where they know:"No, this isn't working, they need real help". And stops helping them maybe bringing them to someone who can help. And they never get together because the MC finds someone loving and trusting to spend the rest of all the days with.
Wild dreams...
P.S. I am german, sry for my grammer
And I tried to write genderneutral lmao... I just hope it's not a big mess.
What are you reading?
I never understand why it always appears in fiction and romanticize it because 'love can change people'...if he/she acts like after they get together it's still an ass.
If they're both abusive. that's fine with me. At Least they'll have each other and not terrorizing some unsuspecting innocent.
I actually find this kind of cute. They'll be talking and doing toxic shit together and being miserable together, but when some third party enters and wrongs one of them. They'll both veer their misery into the direction of the third party together.
KaylaNoelle1 yess and especially when they do non-con😔🤢
"People will say this step is antiquated, but they're stupid and wrong"
Has me in a fit🤣
I read that as she said it
For those who want to take note of this.
1.Give Them a Life: Understand their backstory,their personality,likes,dislikes, inside and out. In short Make them a real living person and not just a plaything for the main character.
2.Plot Relevance: Make them matter to the plot and not shoehorned in for the sake of a romantic subplot. When they are relevant to the plot they will serve a vital role in many of the scenes. It increases their page time and creates ample room for cute moments in the story.
3. Meet Cute: First impressions last, it doesn’t have to be perfect it just has to be memorable and make readers excited for future interactions. Be mindful and strategic of writing the introduction because it could very well dictate whether readers root for that couple.
4.Flaws: Make them flawed. Perfection is not realistic or attainable which means it’s not likable. Flaws and mistakes humanize the love interest it makes them realistic and potentially endearing. The goal is to make them an imperfect person trying to do their best.
5.Calm Down: Don’t Make them too flawed. Don’t turn them into a dumpster fire, a cheater, and abuser, slow it down a bit. The love interest is supposed to be the spot of joy in the story, the character that makes the readers happy and believe in love.
6.Take a Cold Shower: Do not make your leading character the epitome of physical perfection having chiseled six pack abs, 6’7 tall, with deep blue eyes and the like. Make it accurate to the time period they are in. Eroctic fiction is the exception in this because the characters are super sexualize. But for all other genres calm down.
7.Complements: Opposites may attract but compliments complete one another. To compliment means to bring to perfection, it’s being opposite in a way that suits or supports one another. Create qualities in the love interest enhance or improve your main character and vice versa.
8.Tropes: Understand romantic tropes, it helps to understand them when you’re writing your character. There are many tropes like enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, arranged marriages,love triangles and so on. This isn’t about copying a trope,it’s about your likes and dislikes, what you want to convey through your writing and what you want to avoid. This type of analysis will help you craft a love interest you adore and will also help you determine who to market your story to.
9.The Hero Moment: Give them a moment to shine. Your love interest should step up. There needs to be a point where the love interest showcases how special or important they are. Give them a wow factor which makes them appealing.
10.Equality: Relationships are a two way street. A healthy relationship is based on equality that means both parties put in equal amount of effort and commitment into the relationship. Both characters should be equally there for one another. The idea is to make the relationship seem mutually beneficial.
ENJOY!!!
Ur a God u know?
what kind of writers they are if they can't take notes themselves
@@lapersianaperta They are either lazy or busy
the point is to lend them a helping hand : )
@@KM40280 good point
thankssss
Y’all I’m always down listening to this woman talk about romance
Amia Marie a day well spent
It's so nice
I'm always down listening to this woman talking period. I don't even concentrate sometimes.
Nah, I have quite a different taste than her when it comes to romance . . . Like make them matter . . . It sounds like you create a character to be a love interest, just to have one . . . I'm a fan of just writing characters and look where they go. if two of them just resonate naturaly and the course of the story allowes it, it makes sense from where they are emotionaly and develope, than I am starting thinking about writing them as a couple. Even if they are totaly soulbonded so I would ship them in media I consume, I might chose to let them stay platonic if that feels more natural and makes more sense for where the story is suposed to go.
I am no sucker romance, I am a sucker for cute dynamic, romantic or not and often a not well executed romance can destroy a cute dynamic for me . . . Is started to play for my top not to get togeather in favor of beeing anoyed by how it was handled
Romance like she describes them create wrong expectations of love in real life, I am a sucker for psychological realism. A naturaly growing dynamic between characters who just happened is just more realistic but taste is taste and we read to read fiction, so I love magic and another a perfectly created romance.
@@SingingSealRiana oh yes~ Platonic soulmates, I am SO HERE for that!
I´m literally struggling with this at this exact moment. This woman is a psychic, I swear...
I see comments like this way too much for it to be a coincidence
@@ihavelemonade5640 It's a running gag at this point. It's been established that telepathy is one of Jenna's cyborg powers
Seeing the Buttercise artwork plastered on that shirt never gets old 😂❤️
right?? 😂 what a masterpiece
Why is your novel a "dark" fantasy...is there such thing as a "light" fantasy 🤔??
@@chrisannlittle dark fantasy just means it deals with darker themes than normal books in the fantasy genre.... no ones saying that there’s “light” fantasy
Ok, thanks, I'm a romance genre enthusiast
My favorite romance subplot of ALL TIME literally introduced the love interest as the main character was trying to climb out a window in attempt to avoid meeting him. Not only does it solidify the personality of the main character, but it was also super memorable and funny. Like, that’s how y’all should be doing these introductions.
LI: hey j-
MC, halfway out a window: 👁👄👁
What book.?
I just love watching Jenna, she gives me the energy to sit down and actually write something.
As long the love interest that have a personality, background and life outside their lover.
They are okay on my book. Ba dam tusss.
a sheep, an idiot, and a snake fall over a cliff.
Personally I prefer "I went to a cherry stand and a microphone store."
Bought a bing, bought a boom.
In other words, the love interest should be just as three-dimensional and fun to read about as the main character. I can get behind that! Granted, I’ve violated some of the rules in the video in my past writing, but I’m here to improve. Thanks, Jenna!
Give the love interest their own goal and struggles...and show they support the other in tough times ...that's always needed for me to buy characters getting married...otherwise I just laugh
@@razkable If that's what I'll have to do, then I'll do it. No problem!
I live for romances where the characters complement each other in ways that help them grow! My MC is a "lie down and take it" type who won't start things, but his love interest is pretty much always ready to throw down when he thinks something is unfair. So the MC reigns him in and teaches him to choose his battles while the love interest teaches the MC to stand up for himself and his beliefs more.
Oh. . . thats sounds like an awesome dynamic 😄
@@orianacampbell3174 Thanks. Now here's to hoping I can actually write it awesome haha!
Are u on ig? Asking to get reach of more small writers
@@Destinnies I'm not, sorry. I don't really put my writing out there.
@@emmas.9010 oh dang, alrighty
Meet cute? What if the MC and the love interest are already a thing at the start of the book (if it's not primarily about romance)? Would the romance fans try to stab me or is it fine? I mean real people usually don't wait for something drastic to happen in their life before they start dating, if anything the opposite is the case. .
I think the term "love interest" implies the two characters meet, or at least begin getting to know each other and falling in love, on the page
@@taylor_green_9
Is there an official definition which states that has to be during the timeline of the text?
The meet cute is more about the reader's first impressions of how the characters act around each other. It sounds like you want to write a story about the development of an already existing relationship? In that case, you could show how the current stage of their relationship is the status quo. Or you could have the story start with an inciting incident that changes the relationship.
You could at some point in the story add a flash back of when they meet.
@@Alias_Anybody Probably not. Tropes are flexible
Why is Jenna a mindreader- I'm literally struggling with my LI right now lol
I just wrote a very similar comment without reading yours wtf
Same!
Statistically, the topic she's covering is going to be relevant to _someone._
Statistically, Jenna is a cyborg mind reader
same
As someone currently ghostwriting outlines for Regency Romance: thank you.
Also for convincing me to subvert the love triangle trope for a couple of my own upcoming stories.
But how?
@Serena Odonata I want it to resolve without either of the love interests getting with the main character, but I need to finish setting up the conflicts to determine what exactly that will look like because I also want each relationship to be developed and valid and not the standard three-body-problem where you have the obvious couple and then a side person who only adds drama.
I’m also not going to go the cheating/try to date both when the others aren’t down for that route. So I need both the love interests to know that they are both pursuing the same person from the get-go, with the understanding that they have to put in effort because someone should come out on top as the main character’s preferred partner (two people competing to win a marriage of political alliance, for example).
Channeling “Hello Future Me” to say: Love triangles are complicated!
@@CrystallineSpyder unless a wizard did it! ^^
Sounds good. I'm as a mostly aro ace a total fan of no, there is not going to be a forced romancet o seal the deal ending. Compeating for love like it is something you earn like a price creeps me out like hell. I often like some cute side couple instead of the main lovestory, for those often are way less forced and force feed. The author telling me how cute and perfect they are togeather will not make me like a couple, so for my preference the book should not realy on that. Also there realy is a need for media showing you do not need a romance to be happy and that some relationships are not ment to be!
I am a total sucker for "soulbonded" people in the sense of beeing adorable close, but romance is secondary there if present at all.
I have something somewhat similar to that in my newest book idea. Kiddo has a crush on the young woman, and is jalous of his mentor for his closeness with her. From the kiddos perspectiv they are rivals. The young woman and his mentor do not take him seriously at all in that for she is an undercover persona and his percived flirting between the mentor and the young woman is them just beeing very close for they know eachother for ages, what the kiddo did not know.
I am so in love with the dynamics of her and the mentor as well as the mentor and the kiddo.
It is complicated, but the first are part blickering siblings that will defend eachother tooth and nail, part best friends for ages, part motherly care on both sides and a bit of posessiv protectivness on her side. They had one fling togeather way back when things where very different and in other bodys ( did I mention that it is complicated?) But that does not effect than at another than it is brought up in their blickering much to the kiddos shock.
The kiddo and his mentor are a bit father/son, master/aprentice, Brothers, best friends . . .kiddo is very defiant in parts, but very posessiv and protective to. He has just the worst case of teen hormonal rollercoaster between wanting independance and beeing clingy. Regarding bis percived relationship othe other two he does not even know who he actualy is jalous of ^^.
His mentor in the other hand is totaly convinced he is the antichrist , loveing his pupil to piece, but beeing very annoyed by him at the same time. They blicke a lot and often the young woman and he gang up in the kiddo for he realy is very hard to stand at times andthey call it collective selfdefense.
It starts somewherewhere it could have become a love triangle from, but it so totaly is not.
Girl meets boy, girl meets another boy, complications ensue, girl ends up with the nice one. meh.
How about she picks the one who's not nice? Not saying he's abusive, but his less than charming demeanor covers a bunch of traits that might make him more desirable than simply nice. She throws the nice guy to her girlfriend, and you can watch how that relationship matures as well as the (now) main guy in her life.
I write scifi, so if that sounds too alien, I like totally understand.
Regarding no.7 look up the big 5 personality types. If characters match on all 5 they'll be boring to read about, if they oppose each other on all 5 they'd be at each other's throats. Finding a good mix of complimentary and clashing personalities makes a couple, romantic or platonic, work.
Jenna's sass is always on point and perfectly timed. Love it, preach girl, we listening
It's certainly interesting! I'd read about a couple that met that way.
“Florence nightingale effect” I presume?
@@UGNAvalon I'm not familiar with that term, can you explain it?
@Audrey4Authors Not exactly. The "beater" is a soldier, and my MC ends up joining the military later (though not of her own choice). The book is basically about living under martial law in post-pandemic (not COVID) Jersey City on the verge of civil war. I'm having a lot of fun developing a complex romantic relationship between my characters. Jenna's advice has helped a lot with making both characters fleshed out and realistic, with all of the problems and flaws that come with that.
@@victoriaolender6289 Sorry for the late response: Basically, caregiver falls in love with patient.
I love the fact that Jenna posts a video every time I need it. Like literally I was just starting to write and was thinking about how I want to better develop my love interest character and I got the notification for this video.
Something I do is I usually never plan to give my OCs love interests only half way through the process and developing their personality I go "Hey, they'd be so cute together and would have a strong, healthy relationship." And then BAMN RELATIONSHIP
I don’t even write anything to do with romance, I write science fiction. But I still watch because we Stan Jenna
I really like romances that have the love interest always welcome the mc with open arms , those quiet little moments where the mc is in the comfort of the love interest's arms as he / she comforts them to sleep . they make me go really soft .
I have a love interest that saves the protagonist's life and then she repays in part by patching her up. Favourite scene to write until now because the protagonist is already in love.
Awsome video ❤️ this will be handy for my upcoming novel. Thanks Jenna 😍
HOW DID YOU POST THIS 5 DAYS AGO IF THE VIDEO JUST CAME OUT
@@user-tw1kr5ki2r Paterons get to see the video before ut gets realised 😊
Casey ohhhhh
Casey nice coverup TIME TRAVELER
@@Ruination_station How did you know? 😉😂
I'm writing a subverted love triangle in my book and I'd like to think the two MC's meet cute is pretty memorable, if not actually cute at all. My book is more fantasy with a romantic subplot though, so I guess its kinda different 😅
My approach to writing the love interest was to make him someone I could actually see myself swooning over, but still treat him like an actual person with his own motivations and flaws. It helps that I'm writing from his perspective too, otherwise I think it could be easy to fall into that unrealistic wish fulfillment type that seems to be common in modern romance.
A little tiny thing about #3 - I was absolutely eating it up when Forthright's second novel, "Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal," had the two characters... barely even acknowledge each other. Their first "meeting" amounted to realizing a particular person existed in their sphere, ignoring it, and moving on. It was so interesting to see how two people who WOULD have passed each other up turned out to be such a wonderful love story. It's not something we can do often, but I feel like that had a sense of reality to it I don't normally get to see. ovo
(also, 10/10 do recommend all books from Forthright.)
This wasn’t the video I wanted, but it was definitely the one I needed.
For 4 I found probably one flaw I loved so much I turned a character that was not the original love interest into the love interest, just because that girl was so much more memorable. You might say: honesty is a virtue not a flaw. Until you met Shirin. A girl that has zero qualms telling a teacher bullying a student in maths to "eat a dick. Oh sorry auto cannibalization is not humanly possible" that's the level of honesty and lack of verbal impulse control, we're talking with that lady and I love her for that. it makes her positive attributes, loyalty, sense of fairness etc really shine but lands her in so much trouble you wouldn't believe it.
The two characters I have I think are super complimentary!! They're a classic extrovert/introvert couple, but they also share the traits of being playful, reckless, and down to party. They also improve each other, with the extrovert helping the introvert with his self-esteem and shit, and the introvert helping the extrovert learn to mature a bit and when to take things seriously.
I love this gal! She's giving some very good pointers to help me flesh out the relationship for my two main characters in a story I'm writing. They start off butting heads but soon learn to work with one another, discovering they both shared similar hardships over the course of the book. Not to mention LI keeps MC in check due to his tendency to make rash decisions in some moments, overall just looking out for one another
Hey, Jenna, your hair looks like you put in extra attention this video and I admire your skill in making your hair look good. I've struggled a lot with my relationship with my appearance in the past, so seeing you deliver intellectual content while also looking great is really inspiring
This resonates a lot
Glad to hear you're not the only one who sees the love interest as their favourite character. And yes, they should be integral to the plot. However, if they're indeed crucially relevant to every scene or chapter, be careful not to turn them into a Mary Sue / Gary Stu (especially considering their physical attractiveness a given). As Overly Sarcastic Productions pointed out, a Mary Sue is not identified by their power, but by the universe of the story warping around them to cater to them. They might be the centre of the story, but not of the universe. 😉
Just discovered this channel..
Practical writing advice. Sarcasm. Humor.
Wow..Just wow!
My girls start as coworkers (one hires the other to help them) and then they begin to help each other through their trauma as they start to uncover the MC's past while avoiding the danger the love interest somehow got herself into. Then friendship turns to cute nicknames and late nights, which turns into total affection as they realize they're falling in love.
I almost hate to murder them both.
Can I just say I absolutely love your sense of humor? Found this very helpful as well as hilarious. Thank you!
OH GOSH THIS IS JUST IN TIME I NEEDED THIS
How to subvert a love-triangle: make it a triad and give us poly folks some representation!
Kitty Grimm Or have the people pinning after the mc get together and instead of pinning after the mc
Adolpha Selrah lol. im doing something along those lines, although it's the mc and her friend pining after one character and then they end up together instead.
Or make it gay lmao.
Or let the two love interests from the MC get together lmao
This is literally how I want to write ALL of my love triangles 😂
Im writing 3 books atm...
I... Get distracted and my mood changes
I have a medieval fantasy complete with 7 WHOLE kingdoms religions cults dragons elves hellspawn. 3 different magic systems used by different spell casters.
It follows 3 main groups
Each lead by a mc of sorts.
Then i have a space age civil war
Its kinda Romeo and Juliet style.
Two people on separate sides of a futile war. Where they eventually meet work together and unite the 3 warring factions and reestablish the torn apart galactic empire to bring peace to the galaxy.
( no its not starwarsy at all) so dont even..
Then i have a "zombie apocalypse" story.
They're not really zombies they are a genetically engineered... Dna. Really
A medical research company was testing a new product when some shit happens and it gets mixed with a genetic altering compond that got combinded with another drug and yeah... So they are genetically modified crazies. That over time begin to adapt some rather agressive evolutionary paths.
"Sirens" that scream loudly in a deafing tone not only calling more infected but stunning living prey as well.
Berserkers that have armor like skin huge muscle mass and rage that will make gordon ramsey say chill.
So 3 very different scenarios so when my mood flips i just pick up on another... Should try it..
Im also not shying out of.. Writing taboos and controversial things. You dont like it kiss my ass. They are not a family friendly set nore are they for the faint of heart pr easily offended lol.
If my story has a love interest, it is another character in the story that happens to be a love interest as well. They do not exist to be "a spot of joy", they exist for whatever story purposes I needed them in the first place. Came here because I'm not really good at writing romance, but neither of my two characters in the current story are "support" - the story is about both of them equally and I can't just make it a happy ride because they're always together/think of each other. It's not like I can just choose one of them to fill in the mostly supportive role of "love interest" Jenna describes. I guess it'll be more logical to make them "just friends" at this point - no big difference for me and for the story, yet may prove to be less distracting for the readers. I hope.
I always am very happy that you mention how the tips apply to men, women and nonbinary people, because often nonbinary people are forgotten. :) Small thing to keep in mind maybe is that the phrase ''and everyone inbetween'' that you used later in the video does not apply to all nonbinary people because some of them are not inbetween but out of the binary etc.
For the rest: I apreciate your tips so much, they are always so helpful! Thanks a lot, Jenna!
Their first meeting doesn't have to be memorable. Their first conversation, yes. The first time they get to know each other, definitely. I've been with with my boyfriend for seven years now. I barely remember how we met. We knew each other for weeks before we started talking directly. Even then, it took us a couple days to really connect.
I have an idea for a subversive love-triangle in my story, and I wanna know what you guys think about it:
the love interests best friend (BFF for short) is a loner to a fault (the two have been a power duo since before joining the others, and he just isn't comfortable working with anyone else, even if it seems like the obvious choice) and this is supposed to be character growth for him. after the main character (MC) and his Love Interest (LI) get together, the two men start fighting over her, which eventually leads to them butchering a critical fight. at this point MC confronts BFF about it, assuming it's another one of those "get friend-zoned, get bitter" kind of stories and calling him immature over it, at which point BFF clarifies "I'm not in love with her, I just don't have anyone else" as he's not used to LI not always having time for him. MC becomes more sympathetic, but still points out that he's part of a team now (a team that includes BFFs brother, whom he fought tooth and nail to reunite with, but has barely interacted with since). BFF comes out of that, not being a better team player, but trying to be one. any good?
It is awesome 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
@@benijulietj3583 thanks :)
I've added this video to my Best of #AuthorTube playlist. I find this video to be extremely helpful as someone who is currently working on a romance novel.
What if the flawed love interest has a flaw that is too extreme?
see "The Corpse Bride". her flaw is that she's already dead. (kind of makes that pimple go away!)
Isn't the point of "Corpse Bride" that she has to let go, because she was murdered and dead already? I don't think her being dead was her biggest flaw though. Her biggest flaw was not being able to let go (until the end of the movie), even going as far as taking a man into the land of the dead to get married to him. In the end she realized she couldn't take away someone else's happiness to make herself happy.
Honestly, I can't tell if you liked that movie or not... I watched it like, yesterday and I enjoyed it. A bit too dark, I mean literally dark, for me, as I enjoy colors and beautiful visuals, but overall a nice little movie. Although it gave me a weird dream, I had around four worms in my leg that I pulled out. Gross as hell...
Oh heck, I write fanfiction for funsies and listening to this made me think of all the ways the canon straight couple in one of my fandoms were not established well, what with how the girl keeps getting sidelined or kidnapped or otherwise disempowered. I definitely know how I'm gonna be doing some fix it fic now!
"Macho Man" Randy Savage & Miss Elizabeth. BEST LOVE STORY EVER!!!
#1 Get a Life
Forget how this applies to characters, I'm taking this as dating advice for myself XD
Can I just say: I love your "But Jennaaaa!"
My love interest in my dystopia novel was so fun to write into the plot that he became one of the main characters, meaning I write in his perspective almost as often as the main character now!
Me struggle in writing love interest
Jenna : How to write love interest
H... how did you know.?
I literally got this notification as I was listening to The Davy jones Duet sung by Man on the Internet and Fialeja! THE LEGEND IS TRUE! Jenna really IS psychic!
As a writer (not an "author" yet) I enjoy your videos because they give me other ways of looking at things, or help to explain why I see things as I do. Thanks for putting all of your videos out there for us. Cheers :D
I read a book series when this "nice guy" is in love with the MC, but the thing is that she doesn't like him back. And, for some reason, SHE is wrong for not liking the guy with a personality of a cardboard cutout. She's pressured by him and the others in her life to date him just because he likes her and is sweet - his Sister, MC' mom once mentions him, ext. Even fans of the series think that it's MC's fault for not feeling the same way, always turning backs on her.
Important note: This "nice guy" one time went into the extreme where he told her to have his babies... At their friend's funeral. Yep, People are protecting THIS guy. Why are always toxic LI "the hereos" and toxic romances in general seen as "cute"? I don't get it, can someone explain?
Jenna, you are a psychic witch. I swear. These videos come up at the right time.
Thank you! It's nice someone was able to put into words what i'd been feeling.
The most romantic story I've ever read had one of the two MC's not understanding and avoiding the love interest because she couldn't understand why he was so boring.
It's like the last few chapters that we see the MC come around and open her eyes to why the love interest is the way he is. (Aka he's a heartbroken man, weary of life and while intensely passionate he has been burned and has since learned the value of protecting your heart.) We learn that she restores him to a state of animation and happiness and ends up absolutely loving that she can make him enjoy life again.
That is a couple that works! They both have depth and lives they've lived previous to the story and while at first it seems they're opposites the more we learn about the love interest (he's central to the plot) we see that he's precisely the right man for the MC because he has traits that are not in her nature so he compliments her by toning down some of her wild antics and she reminds him why life is good and fun.)
It leaves you rooting for the couple and when they finally get together it's amazing. I happy cried for a good fifteen minutes after reading the ending.
There's more to their characters and the plot but everything you said matched up with my favorite couple from that book. ❤
Great points, all, especially number 1. I have had characters turn into love interests that I never meant to be love interests. Sometimes when you throw two people together, sparks fly. I used to resist this, but now I go with it. One of my villains recently survived and became an antihero of sorts because the main character fell for him. I was going to kill him off at the end of one book, but instead he got a POV in the next book.
If you only took away one point from this video, it would definitely be point 10, equality. Great video Jenna.
In the story I'm writing I'm hoping to full off a subverted love triangle where a female character has a crush on two male characters who turn out to be in love with each other.
I love all the advice you give Jenna but its a headache to go back and rewrite so much. glad I'm listening to your advice now. Saves me a lot more rewrites in the future. All hail Jenna Goddess of writing. Please impart more of your wisdom on us lowly creatures. lol
I was just writing about love Interest about my 2 female protagonists and here is jenna reading my mind. Are you a witch jenna? 😅💙
Whenever I'm stuck with writing my story Jenna always happens to upload a video that'll help me get unstuck😭😭💖💖
I was just thinking how I'll introduce two characters that have potential to be love interests. I like you now. Thank you😂
Here's my idea for a fan fiction romance:
Hatchan(not my character): An octopus fish person. He has an extorvert personality and is down to help those in need. Hes pretty clumsy and easy to fool, but he belives that humans and fish men are equal.
Arashi(my OC): A saw tooth shark fish person. She is also half human. She has an introverted personality and is very protective of Hatchan. She is really tough and stubborn but can be really sweet if the time is right.
Both care for one another. Hatchan helps Arashi out of her little introverted circle and Arashi protects Hatchan from being screwd over or manipulated.
I swear to god i love this woman she helps me so much
Phew! I'm safe! My love interest is qualified! Yesh!
Lol that’s a mood
I love how this video vindicates all my OTPs 💖Jenna is a woman of good taste.
I get so excited every time you upload a video 😍
(Also, loved The Savior’s Champion, literally SO much. Tobias has my whole heart)
As a reader with self esteem, I feel very seen 👌🏾
Every author should watch this video ❤️
Perfect. I'm detailing the plot for my story right now, and this really helps 😄
Next, can u make a video of young fantasy tropes, like the chosen one, or the quest, etc. I really need it right now
The fact I went on this so fast 😳😳
If I may get on my soapbox for a hot minute: Daniel Sousa in season 7 of Agents of Shield is an amazing love interest that came outta left field and a type I wish to see more of in books
Hey Jenna, could you do a video on how to write romantic couples that are already together? I have a story in mind that features 2 characters that have been together for 5 years before the start of the story. The plot doesn't revolve around their relationship but it's still a significant part of the story.
I am but a simple writer. I see good content. I click and enjoy.
I actually have some tropes in my book, but they are turned upside down. Arranged Marriage that seems fine in the beginning, and husband gets more and more abusive. The guy who the MC thinks is the evil villain actually turns out to be the one to save the MC from said relationship (thus literally stopping her being raped by her husband), and taking her to savety. The love interest is not the dream catch, and although pretty tough and strong, is physically not attractive due to an accident. But he ends up being the one who starts to care for the MC. They work through their trauma together, become good friends. Although later there is another guy interested in the MC, who seems perfect, kind and attractive, she still falls for the loveinterest because he is her best friend, the only one who really acts in her interest, even if he thinks she is in love with the other guy. Love is about genuinely caring about one another, and not Lust and possession. That's what I try with my characters
Phew! Looks like I'm doing a good job with my love interest, he's a cute, lovable cinnamon roll and I hope my readers love him 😔❤
How about a love interest who ends up getting with the antagonist because of the characters actions? (Twist) Causing the protagonkst to rethink his/her actions and drop his/her vengeful will
Right on time!!!! Thankss jenna💕
I NEEDED THIS RIGHT NOW THANK YOU CYBORG QUEEN
So, I'm watching your 4th video in a row and get a wehear commercial, that defies all your suggestions for writing healthy relationships. Great... now I have to shower! Just great!
Sometimes Jenna has the best timing!
Jenna once again proving for ten minutes she's a master at crafting romance stories.
Thank you Jenna! great advice just when I needed it! and you cheered me up when I was feeling under the weather, so thank you very much!
I’m so grateful to have found your channel. You are such an inspiration. I’ve gotten so much done since finding your videos. Thank you for existing!!
I have a love interest situation where two characters are hiding their feelings for each other while a third character develops a crush on one of them but they don't notice them at all and the other character views another character as a rival but that one has no interest in the guy she likes.
This will help a lot because I feel I’m terrible at tackling romance due to having no experience
Bonus points if the couple breaks/ignores harmful social norms!
I Like being able to put a tick on all items on the list. (When they are the good tropes anyway)Yay! awesome video Jenna Super excited for TSS. sending stressless vibes
Great video! Very informative!
Question: What if character A likes Character B. But Character B doesn't like Character A in a romantic way. Then how do I make it clear that Character A likes them, without making it clear that they might end up together.
Jenna knows exactly what I need
Heeeeellloooooo Jenna.
Thanks again for the advice and tips. You are doing a great job, been following you from Belgium since 2018.
Been writing myself, taking notes and I will publish my first book in less than a year.
Continue to entertain and inform us. ✌🏾
I’m so excited for TSS!!!!!!!
Thanks for this! It’s exactly the topic I need assistance with right now. Your videos are always so helpful!
Your T-shirt tho 😂😍😍
Just for characters in general: don't make them bigoted unless their character arc involves them learning and growing to be more tolerant, or if they're a villain. I actually love that whole idea of an asshole becoming a better person, it's just sends a positive message about self-improvement and redemption.
I don't know, Ron Weasley from the Harry Potter series had his prejudiced side, and he was basically a good person. It seems to me like only having villains be bigoted in fiction enables people to believe that that is true in real life and then they don't look inside to see the bigotry inside themselves.
But the first part of what you said makes sense--if you're going to have a character who is basically good have some degree of bigotry in their subconscious, you can probably show them coming to realize that and becoming even better.
@@messinalyle4030 What I mean by the villain part is that if you don't plan to have the character change their bigoted views, then it's not a good idea to have them be portrayed as something that doesn't resemble that type of villain/antagonist character. I could even be fine with the ideas being challenged to the smallest degree, but I think what bothers me is if it's just not acknowledged at all in story.
@@corenlavolpe6143 Yeah, and particularly if you feel that your character wouldn't realistically be ready to see their bigotry for what it is by the end of the story, the author should make it clear that they see that aspect of their character and hopefully should have some sort of comeuppance for them.
I've been waiting for this! Have a great day!
My love interest doesn't actually play an important role until after the mc finds his way back from being lost in a land slide. I tend to the two characters grow apart. The MC is so busy with life that they can't handle romance, and the L. I. - not wanting to force the mc into a relationship - decides to just remains friends.
I want to give them reasons to be together and reasons that they shouldn't be together. ❤ honestly still trying to figure out if I want them to be together by the end of the book or not.