hi everyone.
i decided i wanted to start a little series called when writing: (insert trope, plot point, story aspect, cliche). feel free to (and please do) recommend anything of the sort stated above that you have any questions about or want to know how to write.
first one we’ll be talking about is my personal favorite: enemies to lovers.
i had this idea when i was reading a novel that was meant to be enemies to lovers, but then two chapters in everything was resolved—which not only turned me off reader-wise but made me wonder why it was marketed as a riveting enemies to lovers story— when it wasn’t that.
slightly disliking someone isn’t the same as despising them. slightly disliking someone doesn’t make them an enemy, it makes them someone you find disagreeable. those are two different things.
moreover, in my opinion, when two people have been plotting each others’ murder for weeks/years/however long they’ve hated each other, that hatred-filled way they thought of the person isn’t just going to disappear into thin air just because they did something nice for them.
; that’s how humans are.
with that, i think, i’ve stated the most important part of enemies to lovers done well.
it’s the rawness, messiness of it all. the reluctance. if you’ve done it in a good way, your characters would have most likely been bloody awful to each other to start. and i meaaannnnn… they’re enemies. they should be.
don’t be afraid to have them be awful to each other because you think the readers will find it too harsh or not be able to forgive them.
i’m not saying make them commit a crime or anything… unless…?
they’re meant to be evil to each other. they are meant to annoy the reader too, so we feel like we’re coming around to the character when our main pal starts to as well. there needs to be that switch.
and chances are, when they do fall in love, instead of thinking something like “i want to write them love letters because i love them so much i feel like i’m on clouds,” they’d be thinking “i want to rip off their smile and put it in my pocket for safekeeping so it’ll never go away.”
so how do we get that aspect across in writing?
well. think of the person you dislike strongly or hate right now. you probably have an image in your head. now let’s say that they gave you a birthday card. would you suddenly forget why you didn’t like them in the first place? would you fall in love?
let’s say i told you that three months from now, you’d be in love with them. what would your reaction be?
right. i heard the laugh you let out just now (which, same).
i don’t think there’s another way to go about it than trying and failing and trying. read and watch lots of enemies to lovers media. good and bad (so you can see what not to do). remember the points i mentioned:
a lot of what enemies to lovers is is testing out situations, cutting some out, learning what works and what simply doesn’t. have people give you feedback on certain scenes— is this argument contrived? did i cross the line here? would you be able to forgive someone who did this or not? do these characters work together at all?
these are questions you need to be asking yourself throughout the writing process. the answers to these are what makes an enemies to lovers story enjoyable.
there are really important parts you need to remember too— and this isn’t a specific formula but a flexible reminder.
or in layman’s other terms…
without the first, it’s more just disagreeable strangers to lovers. which is okay. if that’s what you’re going for.
i think the fact that they do need to actually hate each other for it to be enemies to lovers is something that is often forgotten— but i think what’s equally forgotten is the reminder that there is no way these characters would just flip a switch and change their mind within a small amount of time. there needs to be that hesitance so it’s a gradual thing— and even if it isn’t a 50k slow burn you simply can’t rush enemies to lovers for it to be realistic.
some enemies to lovers media i recommend to learn from (whether good or bad i am not bold enough to specify here)
lastly, here are some reluctantly falling in love with my enemy but can’t show it blurbs by yours truly.
as always, feel free to use :)
I was talking with someone on Twitter about how I outline books and I came up with a really good metaphor so now I'm gonna share it here too:
An outline is a compass, not a map with a direct route from A to B. It points you in the right direction, but you can take any road you want and the destination doesn't have to be set in stone. If you need to you can switch to a different road, or you can just play around in the mud in the ditch. Up to you.
Embarrassment
Anticipation
Awe
Surprise/shock
Triumph
Anger/Threatening
Nervous
if you want to support, take a look at my story - Thoraway villain
Feel free to add more tips in the comments :)
this post is for prompts you could use to send in for requests. when you have found a prompt you like, add in the category and number/quote into your request. i will update with more when i have the time.
angst
1. “Stop pushing me away.”
2. “I can’t do this anymore.”
3. “I just need some time to myself.”
4. “I don’t want to lose you.”
5. “I can’t make any promises.”
6. “Don’t make this harder than it already is.”
7. “I want to believe you. I really do.”
8. “You’ve lost all my trust.”
9. “Go ahead and leave then. Everyone else always does.”
10. “I don’t love you anymore.”
11. “You don’t love me?”
12. “Where did we go wrong?”
fluff
1. “You’re always on my mind.”
2. “I wouldn’t change a thing about you.”
3. “I’m not going anywhere.”
4. “I’ve waited for this moment for so long.”
5. “Trust me.”
6. “You stole my heart and I don’t ever want it back.”
7. “You are my world.”
8. “I think I’m in love with you.”
9. “A kiss will make it better.”
10. “Shush and go back to bed.”
11. “You owe me a kiss.”
12. “Just shut up and kiss me.”
hurt/comfort
1. “Can you please come and get me?”
2. “How long has it been since you’ve slept?”
3. “I’m at the hospital.”
4. “Shit, you’re bleeding.”
5. “Stop telling me you’re okay.”
6. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
7. “You’re burning up.”
8. “Please don’t cry. I hate it when you cry.”
9. “I’ve got you. You’re safe with me.”
10. “I can’t lose you.”
11. “Stay awake for me, okay?”
12. “Don’t you dare stop breathing on me now!”
A lot of readers like romance, don't they? From romance books to romantic subplots in a fantasy/sci-fi/thriller, we have some sort of romance in the books we read (though not all of them). A lot of times though, we feel the romance is forced and can be extremely unpleasant to watch. Let's discuss some tips about how to write romance properly.
Tension is key to any romance, whether it be enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, rivals-to-lovers etc. Some examples are longing gazes, hands brushing each other, wistful gazes, hugs that last a little too long and more! Without tension, the romance just feels will be flat and boring and the readers won't be engaged in it. Please note that for the tension part, the things I listed can be platonic as well! What I mean to say is their reactions, such as them realizing they've caught feelings and now acting differently with each other, wistful gazes at someone they know they can't romance etc. All these actions I've listed in the post can happen platonically, especially for queerplatonic friends etc.
2. Give intimacy
Intimacy is not inherently sexual. It can also be emotional, and when portrayed in books properly, it can be marvellous to watch. Intimacy means being vulnerable with another person, being able to show them baring out their souls to one another, showing that they trust one another. Because if two people can't be intimate or vulnerable with each other, then no, we can't expect them to be in a romantic relationship.
3. Make them great individually
If the characters themselves aren't compelling characters, then we can't expect them to be any better in a romance. If one (or both) of the characters is flat and boring and the very embodiment of meh, then they're also going to be very "meh" in their relationship. Make the character engaging and exciting to watch, whether they're a villain or a hero. To gain some tips on how to write characters properly, check out my post on character writing!
TIP!
I have read this somewhere and I feel it's a really good tip! Use the no-kiss rule. Imagine the couple/ship you're writing. Write them but make sure that they don't kiss. Objectively, can you tell they have feelings for each other? If no, then do better or scrap it. If characters need to kiss to tell that they're in love, then they're not in love. Period.
could you possibly do some angsty enemies to lovers confessions? thanks!!
oooh yes :oo
angst
fluff
smut
「 RP MEME : SPARRING / TRAINING . 」 * change pronouns as needed .
SCENARIOS
