Lessons On Writing - Tumblr Posts

Lessons on compelling slow-burn and pinning romances:

- almost always start of hating each other and the audience finds their mutual hatred believable, justifiable

- as they spend more time together (usually through forced alliance or proximity) they start to unlearn their preconceptions of each other (like wow I had painted you an asshole but you’re actually not that bad or you had a real reason for being such a prick and maybe I should have given you the benefit of the doubt)

- during this getting to know each other beyond first impressions and misconceptions phase it is illuminated that they have similar experiences, wounds or trauma

- when the eventual physical intimacy starts to build, it is teased and often cut abruptly before they are able to really talk about how they feel (increasing plot points usually are the cockblockers lol)

- they spend time alone/are separated after copulating, evaluating what the sudden change or profession implies to their dynamic. Evaluating how their relationship has transformed and weather they are at peace with this change

Important to not just make their relationship founded on physical attraction or lust (that’s a weak dynamic). Sure it can start as that suppressed lust for each other but if stays just physical it shows no character progression and just falls flat.

It is far more interesting when you couple the physical attraction with the discomfort of working through emotional obstacles, fears, blocked and unlearning limiting beliefs. (Think push and pull, building tension between a carnal want and innate response to run away from that which makes them uncomfortable).

(Notes come from my recent obsession with Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince trilogy and Prime’s “My Lady Jane”)