The Love Triangle: Problem or Not?

maddicharmed · Jul 13, 2009

The Love Triangle: Problem or Not?

That's my question, do you think that love triangles are just becoming overused or do you actually like them? In my story, there is a small love triangle (maybe even a love square, hmmm) and I'm not sure if it will be a problem or not. Do you think they are overused or do you think that they can still be around?

I really want honest opinions.

Elysium · Jul 13, 2009

Well, I like love triangles if they're important to the plot and not just there. So what if love triangles or squares are overused. If it's in your novel, it's in there. If it works, it works. So, yes, I do think that they should still be around.

Repartee · Jul 13, 2009

What Ely said

paranormalchick · Jul 13, 2009

I actually search out books to read that have love triangles...I just love that tension

Melissa_Marr · Jul 13, 2009

I think they're fine. If one is single (i.e. not yet married), which most teens ARE, a multitude of love interests is perfectly normal. Pre-matrimony, I rarely had a period in my life when there weren't several romantic relationships either in progress, possible, ending/starting, friends who might be more, etc. Most of my friends' lives were the same.

Some critics fuss at the idea of multiple love interest, but it's a case of somewhere btw "write what you know" and "write what works for the story you're telling" . . . which, IMHO, means love triangles, quadrangles, or even octangles (hmm, is that a word?) are viable.

Just my .02, of course . . .

Tuuli · Jul 13, 2009

I think love triangle are great unless they start to border on the ridiculous like in the House of Night series. If it works for the story, perfect. Just make sure they don't sound contrived, like in the House of Night series.

wandergirl · Jul 13, 2009

octangles...interesting.

I adore love triangles, as long as they're done well. There's a one in my WIP. Just make sure we're satisfied with whomever the MC ends up with (although lingering wistfulness is fine); and make sure both contenders are actual contenders. If we're certain the whole time who the winner will be (if any), any emotional tug-of-war will seem unbelievable.

heatercat · Jul 13, 2009

I hate love triangles, but I'm not a teenager anymore. Most seem to love them.

Crayonz · Jul 13, 2009

heatercat said:
I hate love triangles, but I'm not a teenager anymore. Most seem to love them.

I hate 'em as well. And I am a teenager. xD

Technically it depends on what one means by a "love triangle". If it's just one person who's interested in multiple people (most of whom don't return the sentiment) then that's alright. Those ones are actually fun to read. (To me, at least. xD) Those ones are more believable for me. Now, if it's one person whom has two others (or three or four or whatever) vying for his or her attention and affection, then please, make it die. That type has been used far too much and is pretty unrealistic, if ya ask me.

But eh, those are just my thoughts on the matter. For what they're worth. xD

Zoombie · Jul 13, 2009

I really want to see the story with the two bi boys, the girl they both love, and the awesome threesome they have when they realize that they're going about this all wrong!

5bcarnies · Jul 13, 2009

I love love triangles. They create great tension and are common in real life.

eyeblink · Jul 13, 2009

I've done a couple of love triangles (both M/M/F) in two short stories of mine. I'm planning a novel with a bisexual F/F/M one.

Melissa_Marr · Jul 14, 2009

Zoombie said:
I really want to see the story with the two bi boys, the girl they both love, and the awesome threesome they have when they realize that they're going about this all wrong!

*g* My 2nd novel was 2 bi guys with a romantic history & 1 straight chick they both love . . . but it didn't end with a relationship. She needed to go get herself sorted out, & they both had some issues to resolve. A threesome would've been fun to write, but it wasn't right for the characters.

Blind Writer · Jul 14, 2009

I love love triangles if they are done right. Done well.

gonovelgo · Jul 14, 2009

I can't stand love triangles, but that's because I keep coming across really superfluous ones. (The Hunger Games, I'm looking squarely at you.) But if there's an actual reason to have a triangle, and if it adds something to the story, then by all means go ahead.

Amynta · Jul 14, 2009

Melissa_Marr said:
*g* My 2nd novel was 2 bi guys with a romantic history & 1 straight chick they both love . . . but it didn't end with a relationship. She needed to go get herself sorted out, & they both had some issues to resolve. A threesome would've been fun to write, but it wasn't right for the characters.

Yep, and as a reader of that novel (I can't believe it took me a second to click

) I'd say you went with the right decision on there. Definitely not the right place for a threesome, for the reasons you gave.

maddicharmed · Jul 14, 2009

Okay, thank-you so much for your opinions. I understand now that I should only use it if it is good for the story, and I think it may be. But thank-you so much, you've helped me alot.

Stunted · Jul 14, 2009

Melissa_Marr said:
Pre-matrimony, I rarely had a period in my life when there weren't several romantic relationships either in progress, possible, ending/starting, friends who might be more, etc.

Lucky bitch.

(jk, I love you.)

No, but, I like sort of subtler love triangles, (I almost wrote threesome.), something other than "OMG, these two totally desirably boys are in love with little old me!" Also, when that's the only thing going on in the female MC's life, my suspension of disbelief and femenist alarm goes off. I also hate it when the female MC can't chose for sooooo long and when the dudes are completely the same and when the girl winds up with the wrong one and when one of them is obviously the better choice and...

Basically, what I'm trying to say is that love triangles have the potential to totally suck, but when they don't, they're often very good.

tengraceapples · Jul 14, 2009

maddicharmed said:
The Love Triangle: Problem or Not?

That's my question, do you think that love triangles are just becoming overused?

I dont think its a matter of overuse or not. I think its all in the execution. If I tell you I'm writing a screenplay about a group of guys that try to pull off a caper, and that one of them is behind it, then it sounds...okay.

But if that story turns out to be "Usual Suspects" it's becomes amazing. That is just because of the way the writer executed it.
Who cares if there are a lot of triangles? The question is what is it about yours that keeps the reader turning the pages...

Hope this helps

Wark · Jul 14, 2009

I wrote a love triangle but it lacked tension. It turned into polygamy. And I kept it that way. Not YA btw.

Fuchsia Flower · Jul 15, 2009

I adore a good love triangle. As long as it's believable I'm hooked.

Zoombie · Jul 15, 2009

Someone who is not me said:
I really want to see the story with the two bi boys, the girl they both love, and the awesome threesome they have when they realize that they're going about this all wrong!

Wow, this guy sure has a genius idea. Someone should write that. <wink wink, nudge nudge>

The Love Triangle: Problem or Not?

maddicharmed

I'm not the writer I used to be.

Elysium

believe

Repartee

Queen of Hearts

paranormalchick

Book Worm & YA writer

Melissa_Marr

New kid, be gentle!

Tuuli

Research Addict

wandergirl

~kirsten hubbard

heatercat

Crayonz

Tribal Flame Warden Ducky

Zoombie

Dragon of the Multiverse

5bcarnies

eyeblink

Barbara says hi

Melissa_Marr

New kid, be gentle!

Blind Writer

YA/MG Author

gonovelgo

Amynta

maddicharmed

I'm not the writer I used to be.

Stunted

Ich heiße Superphantastisch!

tengraceapples

Wark

Mark Brockman

Fuchsia Flower

Zoombie

Dragon of the Multiverse