Inquiry - Romance (Not a vent post, promise)

[kriadydragon]

So I think most know how I feel about pairings. I've never been a fan of romance, can't stand the whining, angsty complications with some romance, character A worrying if character B really loves them all while they're running for their lives or the world's about to end, and cringe whenever a show or book introduces a "potential love interest." Oh, and mustn't forget my distaste in sex scenes.

The thing is, though, I'm not so opposed to romance as to not have it at all when it comes to my own stories. The other thing is, I tend to be subtle about the romance - in that it's not front and center, yet neither is it entirely not there at all. The best way I can sum it up is to say I "leave it open"; in that you can see it as friendship that might one day become more, friendship that is becoming more, or - well - very subtle romance ;)

The recent story I'm attempting to plot (original fic, not fanfic) got me thinking about how I handle romance and romance in general. When is it too much? Too little? Cringe worthy or just right? That kind of stuff. I want to hear other's opinions on romance. For example, is a story/show just as good if no romance is involved? Can friendships be just as powerful? Etc. Anything you have to say on the matter, please say it. The story I'm plotting isn't a romance, but there's a guy, a girl, the potential for feelings but hopefully not to the extent that it dominates most of the plot. But plots can be sneaky that way ;)

Comments

[karri-kln1671.livejournal.com]

I've written a romance ficlet and had fun doing it, but I still think friendships are more powerful than romance. However, a shipper would probably have a different opinion on that. ;)

My position on romance is, erm, a conundrum, I guess. Sometimes I adore it, sometimes I can't stand it, and I'm not nearly eloquent enough to explain what makes the difference in an comprehensible way. A lot of it has to do with sensibility. Does the pairing make sense? Is it workable within the setting it takes place? Does it distract from the story or enhance it?

Generally speaking, if the romantic relationship isn't going to hinder the working relationship of the characters, then I tend to enjoy it as a secondary storyline. If the romantic relationship is going to be problematic professionally or culturally then it tends to annoy me. However, again, shippers tend to love that whole against all odds/breaking the rules sorta romances.

Also, generally speaking, if the romance is written into the universe from the get-go, it doesn't bother me, but when its inserted later on to what has previously been a platonic or UST-only universe, then its annoying. I think that's because when its inserted later, it tends to result in the character acting out of character.

If there's a male/female partnership that's non-professional, such as two adventurers/explorers/mercenaries, something like that, the logical conclusion for me tends to be a slowly developing romantic involvement, and I usually enjoy it, assuming its been set up from the start of the novel/movie/story.

Still, even when I enjoy the romance in a story, its the deep friendships that I like best, whether there's a romantic edge to it or familial/platonic friendship.

There's an exception to every rule, of course, but there ya go. Those are my thought as well as I can express than this evening.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

If there's a male/female partnership that's non-professional, such as two adventurers/explorers/mercenaries, something like that, the logical conclusion for me tends to be a slowly developing romantic involvement,

I'm the same way, which is why many of my stories will hint at romance, even if they don't outright portray it. Also like you, I feel friendships to be a lot more powerful, in part because they're not as complicated as romance IMO.

I think bad handling of romance in some books and shows have kind of made me uber wary when it comes to romance - because you either have romance tossed in for the sake of it, tossed in for the sake of drama or a sex scene, involving exaggerated complications or an overabundance of angst that even I can't handle. Plus, as you said, it can turn characters OOC.

In other words, the romance wasn't handled very well, and any warm fuzzies I should have been feeling were smothered by annoyance and frustration.

That's not to say I've never run into good romance, because I have. I'm more the warm-fuzzies romance type, where the complications are more the fault of outside forces rather than internal conflict, and physical acts other than kissing aren't needed to consumate the characters' love. i.e. - PG romance ;)