10 Tips for Writing Better Love Triangles

Published: May 19, 2020, 7 a.m.

In today's episode, I'm sharing my top 10 tips for writing better, more compelling love triangles. Here's a preview of what's included:

[01:30] A love triangle is a relationship that takes place between three or more characters. Character A has to choose between character B and character C.
[01:50] Three examples of popular love triangles from Pride and Prejudice, Twilight, and The Hunger Games.
[02:15] Tip #1: Fully develop all three characters involved in the love triangle.
[03:10] Tip #2: Make both suitors a believable and viable choice for the protagonist.
[04:15] Tip #3: Don’t drag out your protagonist's decision or go back and forth between the suitors too much.
[05:10] Tip #4: Have your protagonist actively choose one of the suitors to be with.
[06:05] Tip #5: Give insight into who your protagonist is with the choice they make.
[07:15] Tip #6: Don't feel like both relationships don’t have to start at the same time as the only way to achieve tension in your story.
[08:35] Tip #7: Establish what’s at stake for your protagonist if they choose one suitor over the other.
[09:40] Tip #8: Don’t neglect the rest of the story for the sake of your love triangle.
[10:55] Tip #9: Have a solid reason for including a love triangle in your story.
[11:40] Tip #10: Explore both internal and external conflict with your love triangle.
[12:50] Key points and a quick recap of the episode.

Subscribe & Review in Apple Podcasts

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode! Especially because I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. So, click here to subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts!

If you're already a subscriber, and if you enjoy the show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts, too. Those reviews help other writers find my podcast and they’re also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the show is. Thanks in advance!

Links mentioned in this episode:

P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!