Love Triangles – readers either love them or hate them. Yet
they are very popular plot devices in both paranormal romances and young adult
romances. If you’re thinking about including one in your next story, you need
to consider how you’re going to resolve it in the end (unless you write ménage
where a threesome is allowed, at which point you’re sitting pretty).
The first trick is to make the relationships worthy of being
a good, tension evoking love triangle. For example, if Mary Sue has both Leo
the Loser and Adam the Alpha Male chasing after her, it’s pretty obvious which
one’s the better catch, and there’s no suspense involved with guessing which
one she’ll choose. You have to create partners with both
positive attributes and flaws. There’s a reason why Archie can never decide
between Betty and Veronica – because they’re both awesome girls! You want
readers to be divided into Team A and Team B. You want your protagonist to be
torn between both lovers because it creates conflict, and conflict is part of
good story-telling.
Next, you have to think about how it will be resolved. Sometimes,
there’s one person left in the cold while the happy couple rides off into the
sunset (like poor Walter in Sleepless in
Seattle). Sometimes, there’s information revealed that makes one part of
the triangle no longer appropriate (like Leia finding out that Luke’s her
brother – after she kissed him). Sometimes, one person dies/moves away/leaves
the picture/starts anew someplace far, far away, thus removing himself from the
picture. 
And sometimes, there’s a satisfying HEA for everyone… so long as the
rejected party doesn’t imprint on his former love interest’s child.
Most of us who have written love triangles know which hero
and heroine will get the HEA. We write our stories by planting both clues and
red herrings along the way, ramping up the conflict until the very end when
we’re forced to resolve the love triangle (or have all three hop into bed
together for the grand climax – those lucky ménage writers). And we hope are
readers are happy with the outcome and not left going, “Why the hell did she
choose him??!!!”
What are some of your favorite love triangles? How did they
end (or are they still on-going)?
About Crista:
Crista
McHugh is a multiple award-winning author of fantasy and paranormal romance.
She currently lives in the Audi-filled suburbs of Seattle with her husband and
two children, maintaining her alter ego of mild-mannered physician by day while
she continues to pursue writing on nights and weekends.
Find Crista online at:
Find Crista online at:
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2 comments:
I will never think of Archie, Veronica, and Betty again without thinking of this article! Triangles do make for great story conflicts.
You're correct Christa. Having two great choices will make a better conflict and up the excitement of the story!
Too bad I never read Breaking Dawn, because I don't understand that reference. :)
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