Afternoon, squiders. WriYe’s going well so far. I’m still remembering to check in, and through the challenges I’ve finished my serial story (which I’ve worked on almost every month since January 2009! It’s insane to think that it’s done), wrote a 4K short story, and started revisiting some of my universes which will help with longer projects moving forward (I wrote a Shards verse drabble this morning, which was very enjoyable and came really easily).
But now it’s February, which means there’s a new prompt up for the blog circle, so let’s get to it.
Is romance necessary in all fiction? Why or why not?
I wouldn’t say romance is a necessity. It can be nice, or it can be terrible (in the case where it’s forced in, or comes out of nowhere, or is just really badly written). I don’t mind romance, but I do think it needs to be done well and serve a purpose.
But a necessity? Nah. I’m perfectly happy to read about a group of friends, or siblings, or cousins, or any other relationship. It doesn’t need to be romantic in nature. And to have all stories rely on romance is, frankly, a little unrealistic and uninteresting. Some people don’t like romance, and plenty of people get through life without it showing up every time something exciting happens.
Bonus:
If you do have romance in your fiction, tell us about your favorite pairings. Why are they your favorite?
I am not great at romance (I suspect because I’m not a romantic person myself), but if I had to pick, I think Syvil/Chism from my story For Justice in the To Rule the Stars anthology (which you guys might remember me mentioning under its working premise, which was space princesses) is probably my favorite romantic couple that I’ve written.
Don’t tell any of the other couples, I guess.
Despite including romance in a lot of my stories, it doesn’t come naturally to me in most cases. I often have to go back through in the editing stage and add in things like significant looks, and feelings, and things along those lines. It’s a known issue.
What do you think about romance, squiders? Essential to a well-rounded story?
Where Landsquid Fear to Tread 
Posted by JM Williams on 2019/02/08 at 8:03 PM
There is a budding romance in my book “Call of the Guardian”, which just seemed to happen despite my intention not to have any romance. I feel like romance is almost a cliche of its own these days. People living through a time of war, especially those fighting it, have more important things to worry about. This subplot in my story came about when the character Marten, who I had planned to be a very limited comic-relief character, decided to hijack a big part of the story. So much so that I dedicated the book to him. 😀
Posted by Kit Campbell on 2019/02/26 at 8:33 PM
I think it’s best when it happens naturally, even if it’s not planned. 😛 (And sometimes our subconscious knows better than the rest of us.)