A Guide to Romance in Roleplays
Yep, you read that right, this right here is going to be a Guide to Romance in Roleplays. Now you may be saying "I don't need this, I already know how to work with Romance." but I'm not sure many people know how to write Romance without it feeling awkward or forced. As a writer, I can understand that it is difficult to write a Romance scene for a character you aren't likely to have any connection to and you feel awkward writing for a bunch of people to look over it. This guide right here is going to explain how to write Romance between characters in a Roleplay.
The Dos and Don'ts of Romance
In Romance there can be as many Dos as Don'ts but this shouldn't put you off. Romance is meant to not be perfect. No couple will be perfect even if it is in anime or writing. The 'Perfect Couple' is often a boring archetype to work with and even then it comes in two forms. The Perfect Couple(True) can be a couple who is literally perfect in every way. They have no problems in life, they live together without any disagreements, and they have no problem caring for each other. But, the Perfect Couple(False) can also be an archetype of a relationship which displays the relationship as perfect. Said relationship can have a partner who is cheating on the other or perhaps is abusing the other physically or mentally. Now, these archetypes may seem familiar due to the fact that they actually are commonly used in movies and books. But, both Perfect Couples are boring since there isn't really going to be a whole lot of character development in either that contributes to the writing all of that often.
When writing Romance, you have to consider the feelings of both Parties. If the character who you want to involve in the romance is unwilling to become involved then don't force it. This doesn't mean that romance isn't possible, feelings do change over time even in roleplays. But, one cannot force romance between two characters without making it awkward or very creepy and trust me, you don't want awkward romance in an already awkward situation. You also don't want to advance the Romance too quickly. You don't want to jump from having just met each other to instantly snogging in the hallway in front of everybody. This isn't high school where snogging right away is normal, though if it is a high school rp I would still suggest moving slowly. Let your characters get to know each other before you take the next step.
Alright, you better be listening for this one cause it is important. Go with the flow. You don't want to just pick and choose who you like best out of the other characters and go with them for romance. Go with what feels natural to you after you make your character. If you feel like the person who would best fit your character is an awkward anti-socialite then go for it. Just make sure that you don't force its time comes to truly begin. Timing is essential in when romance should begin between characters. You don't want to start too early but you also don't want to start too late. This doesn't mean there is a particular point in a roleplay when every romance should begin, quite the opposite actually. The time at which one may begin a romance varies between characters. Let's say that an anti-socialite and a guitarist are paired together. One must first get the anti, as I shall call them, to open up and talk to the guitarist. Does this mean that you immediately start the relationship? No, it would be best to wait a little while more till the two are comfortable together. Then, one makes the move to ask the other out and you begin the relationship for sure.
When the relationship does begin, you may want to start it instantly hand holding but be careful there. Certain relationships would begin this way but if your characters are still somewhat uncomfortable with each being in a relationship then start with something more basic like being together more often or such. If a character is insecure even in a relationship then build trust first. Begin with basics then advance at a pace that seems natural. Don't try and throw curveballs in the relationship unless they actually progress the relationship. Hell, if it regresses the relationship it is still good character progression for then you have a obstacle to overcome, a chance to grow.
Work With the Plot, Not Around
In a roleplay, plot comes first more often than romance does. Romance takes a second position when it comes to the Plot of a roleplay unless said roleplay's plot focuses on romance. Then, there are those roleplays where romance is ill advised. While I must agree that there are certain roleplays where romance would be difficult, there is never going to be a roleplay where romance is impossible. Romance can flourish in the middle of a battle between two characters The key thing is to ask the GM if they would be willing to alllow romance if it is not stated in the rules.
If the GM is willing to work with romance then you are certainly welcome to do so. Don't try to force romance in a roleplay where the GM doesn't agree to it. When working with the Plot you need to be considerate and allow the plot to advance at its set speed while following romance as a subplot. This can be difficult when writing since developing romance should be taken slowly The goal is to make time in your post to fit romance in when it is the right time to do so. That is all there is to it really, there isn't some special way to work with the plot you just use your writings to their best in order to fit in romance.
The Barrier of Awkward
Awkward moments happen all the time in life and they also happen in roleplays. It is awkward to write a romance scene that is anything more than talking. Kissing scenes can be awkward in a roleplay but this shouldn't stop you from writting them. Instead, treat these scenes like they are awkward for the characters as well. It is better to assume that a character is awkward when they kiss in the rp as you were writing them. Imagine your characters are two teens kissing in the hallway for the first time. They might be comfortable around each other but being able to be comfortable kissing each other with and without people around is going to be at least slightly difficult.
Take it this way, say you are going out with the girl or guy of your dreams. You've been dating for say two or three weeks and you feel like you are ready to move on to kissing. It would be awkward, not cause you are uncomfortable but because this is the first kiss in the entire relationship. You would be excited to kiss her/him and thus butterflies would be fitting at this moment or what one could take as sort of awkward nervousness. So, by being awkward you are capable of conveying said awkwardness to the romance at the very beginning until you are comfortable writting any romance for that character.
Final Remarks
I am not a master of writing romance but these are things I have discovered writing romance through out my four years of writing. Everything said here will not fit into every situation of romance you have. Every romance is unique in its functions and progression and no one romance should truly be exactly the same as the other. I'm not saying that all of this will work for every person but it has certainly worked for me over the years. Anyway, thank you for reading all of this if you are still here. If you have any suggestions to help with this be free to say them.
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