A little help please?

[gman391]

While it struggling to write the next chapter in one of my fics it has come to my attention that this chapter needs romance.

Problem is that I can't write convincing romance to save my life.

Could any of you guys give me some tips on how to do so please?

Thanks.

[Nitramy]

When it comes to writing romance, less is more.

Romance is best done in a very low key - where even the smallest of gestures can keep someone going even though by all rights he should be down.

One last thing: don't try to shoe-horn your romantic scenes into the fic...

...if you want to see how a well-done romance works, try G-Gundam or Gundam X...

...that's all the help I can give at the moment.

[Aldraia Dragonsong]

In agreement with Nitramy, I definitely feel that the most compelling romances are the ones where the little things mean the most. In all the tales of wild passions and anguished declarations of love and 'when you die, I die'... people forget about the little gestures. People forget that sometimes, if everything is soft and quiet, then normal volume seems like shouting.
An example: In Dreigiau, every time the words "And they shared a simple kiss" are used, it is a Crowning Moment of Heartwarming. Well, I think so anyway.
Also in agreement on the not trying to shoehorn it in aspect -romance put in just because it seemed like it should be there tends to be painful to read. I would have to say, if you feel like no matter what you try the romance aspects just will not work... try leaving them out. The world needs more genfic anyway.
In terms of actual advice, do not overdo it. Do not be melodramatic, do not have long-winded overblown speeches. Keep it sweet and simple. A few kind words, a gentle touch, a genuine smile, these things can mean the world.
I wish you good fortune.

[Satori]

Depends a lot on the context.

I hate Holywood romance. Real love is something that grows between two people when they nurture it. It can wither or it can blossom. There's no magical "tru luv" that makes all right. Romance, like any other relationship, takes work.

[serbii]

Little things, little things. Don't underestimate the power of them just doing something together and both of them enjoying it. Of them having a good conversation and making each other laugh.
Share a look, smile at each other, joke and giggle, for God's sake keep everyone in character. If they act out of character it kills it completely. Remember characters aren't 1D, if you write them well they should be fleshed out and you should be able to think "how would they react" in any situation, be it romance or a fight to the death.

[MEKristian]

Well, of course keeping everyone is character is key. That's writing 101, isn't it?

Okay, going against the crowed here, I think it's going to depend on how much time you're allocating to the romance itself. Is it an interval part of the plot? Is it second-string? Lower than that?

The less time you have, the more you have to make up for it with bigger moments to make sure that everybody in the audience knows that Yes, they do love each other. Because even subtlety and realism in love can turn into simply inane gushing that makes one wonder what they see in each other.

Remember, there is a reason "Shipping Bed Death", "Strangled by the Red String" and "Some Anvils Need to be Dropped" exist as tropes.

[gman391]

Thanks for the help guys.

[Magnificate]

Because even subtlety and realism in love can turn into simply inane gushing that makes one wonder what they see in each other.

I'd argue that is not a bad thing. Especially your first love might be like that, when you don't really know why you have those feelings for that one girl.

[gman391]

In this case it's a married couple who's been together for awhile. So subtle low key things make sense.

[MEKristian]

Because even subtlety and realism in love can turn into simply inane gushing that makes one wonder what they see in each other.

I'd argue that is not a bad thing. Especially your first love might be like that, when you don't really know why you have those feelings for that one girl.

Oh yes; It's realistic. But is it interesting to watch? Not so much.

[Magnificate]

Because even subtlety and realism in love can turn into simply inane gushing that makes one wonder what they see in each other.

I'd argue that is not a bad thing. Especially your first love might be like that, when you don't really know why you have those feelings for that one girl.

Oh yes; It's realistic. But is it interesting to watch? Not so much.

Perhaps it depends more on individual experience. In any case, I'd recommend watching first 4 episodes of Amagami SS or first 3 episodes of Ai Yori Aoshi for two great takes on romance. (Unfortunatelly, not married couple like romance.)

[gman391]

There does seem to be a dearth of married couples that are still romantically attached in anime. At least realistically attached

[Satori]

There does seem to be a dearth of married couples that are still romantically attached in anime. At least realistically attached

Usagi and Mamoru in the manga. The anime version got flanderized because the director was a Yuri fanboy who shipped usagi/rei.

[serbii]

There does seem to be a dearth of married couples that are still romantically attached in anime. At least realistically attached

Kare Kano is quite good. Both with the protagonists Yukino and Arima and with Yukino's parents.

[Nitramy]

Furukawa Akio and Sanae of CLANNAD?

[gman391]

Fair points.

.....okay a dearth in shows I actually watch/know more than the advertising blurb about.

[Nitramy]

I think I'll join the asking-for-help here.

Most romance involves around a huge "love confession" or declaration.

I'm going to try and make it so the girl won't need to make the confession - the guy already knows (despite being sometimes as oblivious as a post).

How do you think that would go about?

[QuoteMyFoot]

I can think of a few scenarios:

*After something epic happens, where one or both characters are put in danger, they kiss/embrace very romantically/something. Both of them are hunky dory with this and reciprocrate enthusiastically. Some exposition of another character as "Yeah, they're together now" may be necessary to indicate to the reader that they are now officially an item.

*One tries to confess to the other but is interrupted with something along the lines of, "I know, me too, thank god you feel the same!"

Both of these would be preceded (I'd imagine) by both characters being comfortable flirting, touching each other even when not necessary (grabbing hands, arm pats, hugs, etc), giving compliments, and possibly being a little possessive of the others' attention. Obviously, this kind of thing would depend on the characters.

This also all depends on how confident the characters in question are, and how sure they are that their attraction is mutual. Adjust as appropriate.

[serbii]

Someone else could mention it or point it out.
He could read something she wrote or see her talking to a friend or something like that.