Adding Spice: Putting Characters Through the Wringer

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Romance—the fluttering hearts, the stealing of glances, and the slow burn that we all hope to see ignited into a grand and passionate flame. 

There is a reason why the romance genre is very popular. Just ask Colleen Hoover! There’s a reason why almost every romance author can pump out bestsellers.

Now, romance only has one aim: to showcase what happens when people fall in love. The setting might change, the people and everything else, but romance is all about love.

It’s a classic genre for a reason, but even the sweetest love story can get stale without a little something extra. That’s where spice comes in.

Spice isn’t just about steamy bedroom scenes (though those can have their place, wink, wink). It’s about creating intrigue, tension, and obstacles that raise the stakes and make the reader root harder for our star-crossed lovers.

Putting Characters Through the Ringer

In this article, we explore the various ways to put your characters through the wringer, effectively adding spice to your romance plot.

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Adding Spice: Obstacles and Trials

The easiest way to create tension and invite intrigue is simply to throw a wrench in the works. We all love rooting for the underdog, and when your characters face seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the desire to see them overcome them strengthens. 

• Internal Conflicts. These are tensions that exist mentally or emotionally. Insecurity, fear of commitment, or past emotional baggage can create tension. Maybe one character fears they’re not good enough, or the other harbors a secret that could shatter the budding romance.
• External Conflicts. These are outside one’s mental space and exist physically in the world. These can range from disapproving families or social pressures to external forces trying to tear them apart. A rival love interest, a kidnapping, or a dangerous job can create thrilling complications.

Adding Spice: Pressure-Cooker

Spice doesn’t have to be explicit. Oftentimes, the heaviest tension pulls subtly. Sometimes, the hottest moments simmer and bubble beneath the surface, with only glimpses being shown to us, the readers.

• Turn to sensory details, where you can focus on the way your characters perceive each other. Describe a lingering touch, the way their eyes lock across a crowded room, the scent of their cologne.
• Depict emotional vulnerability, and let your characters express their desires and fears, even subtly. A longing glance, a stolen touch, or a playful banter that hints at a deeper yearning can be incredibly evocative.
• Put your prospective lovers in forbidden encounters to create a situation where your characters shouldn’t be attracted (enemies to lovers, teacher/student). This can add a delicious layer of forbidden fruit to their interactions.

_{Photo by Danik Prihodko}

Adding Spice: Beyond the Body

Romance isn’t just about the physical.

• Sometimes, shared goals and dreams can pull characters together. Give your characters a reason to connect beyond cliched physicality. Maybe they’re working towards a common goal, supporting each other’s aspirations, or facing a shared challenge.
• Convey the emotional intimacy between your characters. Let your characters open up to one another about their vulnerabilities, fears, and desires. This creates a deeper bond that goes beyond the physical.

Adding Spice: Twists and Turns

For a truly unique story, consider incorporating an unexpected element.

• Maybe you want to blend romance with another genre like fantasy, mystery, or thriller. This adds an exciting layer and allows for unexpected plot twists.
• Write an unconventional love story where you challenge traditional tropes. Perhaps your characters are from different fantastical races, or maybe you can write a love story with a prostitute. Explore the strangeness of this kind of romance and how such a couple might navigate societal expectations.

An Invitation to Be Intriguing

By putting your characters through the wringer, creating delicious tension, and adding unexpected twists, you can ensure your romance story is far from bland. Remember, spice is all about raising the stakes and making the journey to happily ever after (or a satisfying resolution) all the more thrilling for you and your readers.

For a good examination of what good intrigue and spice brings to the table, Joseph Descans’s Hosea: The Prophet Who Married A Prostitute is a great read and a wonderful retelling of a classic tale from the Bible, remaking into a story for the modern age.

If you’re itching for a copy, just click here!