#writing romance

[writerthreads]

Small romance things that make me go FERAL

A very totally incredibly non-delulu list by Writerthreads

arm/shoulder/waist/SMALL OF THE BACK touches

HANDS BRUSHING, BUT TOO NERVOUS TO DO ANYTHING MORE

calling them by their name ("What's your opinion on this, X?") (they way they say their name makes their heart do funny things)

the way their voice goes heavy/breathy

CHIN RESTS ON THEIR SHOULDER

whispering into their ear and the way their breath tickles

non-affectionate nicknames just for them

recognising their laugh and trying to make them laugh just to hear it again

little private smirks/winks, watching their reaction when someone makes a joke

sniffing their hair/recognising their on their shampoo

eye contact so deep they feel like sinking

SMALL PECKS ON THE CORNER OF THEIR MOUTH/CHIN/FOREHEAD

recognising the sound of their footsteps

co-existing in the same space, acknowledging their presence and feeling safe

CARESSING THEIR CHEEK WITH THEIR THUMB

recognising their nervous ticks and comforting them, like putting a hand on their bouncing leg

tracing scars, freckles, moles, lines of their muscle, you name it (SCREAMS)

grinning when they blush

watching with pride as the other does a presentation/leads a mission/takes charge

making up private signals for each other

HAND KISSES

NECK KISSES

playing with their hair/brushing their hair/braiding their hair

Ah, love. That lingering warm, fuzzy feeling in your chest. I love love.

[urfriendlywriter]

specific tropes in romance that always heal something in me that it never broke

like, forehead kisses, soft love confessions, peppering kisses all over the lover's face. promises that are kept, hands those are held with a gentle love, and hugs that engulf the heart too.

or when they rest their head on your chest, or lean on you for support.

"your tears kill me," kinda thing. or when a sunshine character finally cries and bawls their entire life's hurt out into their comfort grumpy character (plus point, if the grump feels guilty thinking if they had done something to trigger this emotional outburst)

communication. no matter hard the topic is, how big your differences are.

listening to the other person yap

admiring their facial features and seeing not just the outer structure but the person that they really are.

them getting angry on ur behalf

cradling each other in hugs basically

feeling emotional walls break when you're with that one person particularly

gentle communication. yearning to do more for your lover (!!!!)

affectionate smiles and eyes crinkling with a smile that's directed specially at you.

finding their laugh contagious.

the feeling of being accepted, despite flaws and all

silent domestic acts like being in the kitchen together, dressing up together, them drying ur hair while u sit between their legs

occasionally stolen kisses

or one deep kiss that just lights your world and fulfills your soul and heart.

sleepily nuzzling into each other!!

reaching for each other despite being asleep, with mumbled endearments and whispers of need!!!

laughter coming easily by their side, like happiness is just another day to day thing (this can also be about self love. when u truly love urself and prioritize your own rights and cherish the fact that you're you. happiness becomes beautiful even in solitude)

their fingers buried deep in yo- OOPS.?! :)

[plxtypusbearr73]

༘⋆ things characters can do when they’re flustered or nervous instead of blushing and stuttering ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹

drop eye contact

cough/clear their throat

walk or run away

laugh or giggle anxiously

talk very fast/very slowly

fidget with their hands

play with their hair

grin widely

randomly blurt out something unhinged

change their posture suddenly

bite their nails

touch their neck

change the topic of conversation quickly

talk way too loud or quiet

clenching their fist or jaw

breathing faster then normal

break up sentences with phrases like “yknow” “i mean” “maybe” “like”

tap their feet quickly

blink rapidly

sweat

make a cringy joke

chug a ton of their drink

hide their face

hope this helped! ⋆˚ ౨ৎ ˙˖°

[luna-azzurra]

Write Rivals With Chemistry So Hot It Hurts

╰ Rivalry isn’t hate — it’s obsession True rivals aren't just like, “ugh, I dislike you.” They’re watching each other. Studying. Matching moves. Thinking about each other when they shouldn’t. Hating how much they notice the other person. Rivalry is two sides of the same coin: hatred’s messy little sibling is fascination.

╰ Let them know exactly where to hit—and hesitate The best rivals know exactly where to stick the knife. Childhood wounds. Secret fears. Insecurities no one else sees. But the most powerful moment isn't when they stab, it's when they hesitate. When they flinch. When the reader sees the care underneath the kill shot.

╰ Make every win personal Every victory between rivals should feel like flirting with a knife’s edge. They don't just beat each other; they get under each other's skin. "I outsmarted you" translates directly to "I'm the only one who really sees you." (And no, they're not ready to talk about why that makes them insane.)

╰ Layer the attraction under everything You don't have to write "he found her hot" every five seconds. (Please don't.) Just lace it into the friction. The way they notice each other’s hands. The way a sarcastic smile feels like a slap and a kiss at the same time. Let it be unspoken, which somehow makes it ten times louder.

╰ Give them one private, honest moment and then destroy them for it That one late-night conversation. That brush of honesty. That accidental partnership in a bar fight. That glimpse of trust that leaves them both raw and feral because now it’s personal. Now it hurts. And guess what? Neither of them is stable enough to handle it like adults.

╰ Let them wound each other in ways no one else can Rivals with chemistry are like: “I know your softest place. I know where you hurt. And maybe I’m the only one who could ever touch it.” Terrifying. Intimate. Sexy. Self-destructive. Delicious.

╰ Don’t make it easy to flip to love If they hook up too soon, it’s cheap. If they confess too soon, it’s fake. They have to fight it. They have to screw it up. They have to almost kiss and almost kill each other in the same breath. The reward is sweeter because it’s hard won.

╰ Make them jealous, but make it messy Not cutesy "oh no I'm jealous" moments. Ugly jealousy. Pride-shredding, shame-inducing jealousy. Watching their rival smile at someone else and feeling like they're drowning in acid and denial. Bonus points if they pretend they’re above it and then spiral anyway.

╰ Tension isn’t just in the fighting, it’s in the silences It’s the stare across the room that says “I hate you and I want you” with zero words. It’s the hand that lingers a second too long after pulling them out of danger. It's the unsent text. It's the "accidental" meeting. Sometimes not speaking burns hotter than the screaming matches.

╰ Remember, they don’t want to ruin each other, they want to matter At the core of a rival/chemistry dynamic is one truth: “I want to matter to you more than anyone else does.” And they’ll deny it. And fight it. And wreck themselves over it. (And we, as the readers, will eat it with a goddamn spoon.)

[rae-butter]

Honestly. I love it when character’s in romantic relationships have an understated romance. By which I mean it’s encapsulated by adjusting each others coats before they leave the house, “don’t start that again” with a cocky grin, making the other a cup of coffee without being told, and looks that hold a thousand words. It’s not touches, proclamations of love, date nights and the usual—it’s a bunch of little moments that cultivated into an unspoken understanding with each other than can only be achieved by time, effort, patience, and love.

[the-ellia-west]

HOW TO WRITE ROMANTIC ATTRACTION FOR DUMMIES

For anyone who wants to learn, (especially aro/ACE, aspec, ect.)

Requested by the lovely @darkandstormydolls

Alrighty! Welcome back or welcome to my blog! I'm dipping my toes back into the category of posts that gained me my exposure!

So if you're here, you want to know how to write romantic attraction/romance!

Strap in and let's begin!

(Pls spread this to people you think would benefit from seeing it, or anyone who requested it bc I forgot, ANY ASPECS)

Step one -

Your characters must admire one another at the beginning, Romantic feelings usually do not present themselves as obvious until you really think them through, meaning your characters may not notice they have a crush until it's too late

These are general statistics and light stereotypes. So feel free to not use this tip:

Male characters usually tend to notice physical things first, like body shape, hair, skin, clothing, the way their lover moves, ect

And Female Characters Generally tend to notice more small things and personality-based traits first, like their lover's humor, speaking mannerisms, shifts in expression, ways they fidget, emotion in their voice, ect.

And someone who is in love will generally show more interest in this particular person's movements, actions, words, and anything in general.

Step 2 -

The character will show more interest in sharing their love language with their lover/crush

Physical touch - People with physical touch love languages may want to hold hands, cuddle, hug, or just lean on their crush whenever they are close to them moreso than they want to with others

Gift giving - Gift givers will want to get more gifts more often for their crush, probably thinking of them whenever they see little trinkets or wanting to get them big gifts for special occasions or signs of appreciation

Acts of Service - Acts of service people will offer to do extra favors and a bunch of extra stuff they don't have to do twice as much as normal

Words of Affirmation - Flattery, they will generally flood their crush with kind words and compliments

Quality time - Quality time people will want to spend time with their crush at almost every turn, and when they want company, will turn to their crush first

Step 3 -

After a while, these urges while become very prominent and more noticeable to the person having them

They may find themselves fantasizing about their crush or having them show up in their thoughts more and more, feeling nicer and happier when they're around, or when they're thinking about them

Smiling when they think about them, cutsey little fluff thingies like that

A crush is essentially: I want to date that, I want to be near that always, I want to marry that, I want that to snuggle me (or other love languages)

Or in simpler terms: if that asked me out, I would say yes (or at least want to say yes if your character is in denial)

Step 4 -

The character's urges to be close to this person grows strong enough that they do smth about it, whether prompted by another character. Or they just don't know I how to not anymore (like when you wanna eat candy and you don't want to, but you do anyway bc I JUST NEED THE CHOCOLATE OKAY?)

(Or for Aro/Ace, garlic bread)

People who are in love are generally very prone to be all dreamy and poetic and VERY EXTREMELY BIASED towards their crush

Then Yada Yada they kiss & shit

You're welcome, BYEEEEEEEE 👋

Happy writing!

Love you! Thanks for reading, And Ghost Tumblr Mother says go drink some water and have a snack, you've earned it, and you are beautiful <333

Have a good day! :]

@blue-kyber @thisisntrocket @cosmolumine @i-do-anything-but-write @paeliae-occasionally

@supercimi @the-letterbox-archives @sunglasses-in-the-bentley @vyuntspakhkite-l-darling @artsandstoriesandstuff

@corinneglass @wyked-ao3 @urnumber1star

[prisilasweetheart]

insane to think there was a time in my life where my characters didn’t reside in my head 24/7

[youneedsomeprompts]

~ SUBTLE LOVE ~ WRITING PROMPTS

requested by: anonymous request: hi!! idk if this has been req before but do u have prompts for subtle love? it will take some time for u to realise that their actions are somth u do out of love. thank u!

Feel free to use and reblog!

Part 1 (kinda): ~ GENTLE LOVE ~ PROMPTS

listening attentively when the other is talking

taking the other into consideration whenever making a decision

smiling at the other to encourage them

taking over the other's tasks to disburden them

the last thing they're thinking about before falling asleep is always the other

sitting back and staying quiet to leave the stage for the other

giving the other their space, knowing they need it

enjoying the sound of the other's voice

distracting the other when they see they're distressed and close to freaking out

trying to learn every way to put a smile on the other's face

experiencing this strange feeling in their chest when the other comes to them for support and a word of kindness

"You can call me. Day or night. I'm there for you."

enjoying the most basic time spent together just sitting next to each other, each doing their own

hyping the other up

being their biggest cheerleader

checking up on the other regularly when they know they're not feeling their best

thinking about the other at the most random times

'Oh, this coffee has such nice latte art! I wonder if [person B] would like it.'

'Oh, there's a new movie showing in the cinema about an ice skater. [Person B] once did ice skating. Would they like this movie? Or are they even better at ice skating than the ones in the movie? I'm sure they're the best ice skater!'

stopping themselves from messaging the other too often

sharing their food with the other

always making another coffee/tea when they're making one for themselves because sharing is caring

smiling by instinct when they see the other

^ breaking into a grin and being unable to stop it

sending the other little notes of encouragement to show that they're thinking of them

"You're doing just fine. I know you've got this."

promising to catch up, even when there is no time at the moment, they're making sure it doesn't go under

"Wanna talk about it later? I will make time."

making the other a priority

giving their honest opinion when it's asked

[hannahstanwald]

fuck unrequited love, give me unrequited devotion! give me a character who worships the mere ground their s/o walks on. give me a character who would do anything, cross any boundary or burn any bridge for the one they love. give me a character reveres and adores their partner to a religious (and unhealthy) extent

but the devotee just doesn’t get it. they don’t understand what they’ve done to receive this treatment or why the other character looks at them like they’ve just seen salvation. they fear they will never live up to the devoted one’s expectations and sometimes they wonder if their s/o is even in love with them, or if they’re really in love with the perfect version of them that they’ve created in their mind.

bonus points if the constant devotion and worship starts to drive a wedge between them!!!!!!

[questionable-idea]

Writing the middle of a romance story without a beginning yet. They're cute together but I got no fucking clue how they met

[morallysuperiorlips]

Oddly Specific Romance Writing Prompts Vol. 9: Grocery Shopping

"You're not pushing the cart." "Aw, why?" "Because last time you tried to pop a wheelie and crashed into a wine display. We got banned from that store for 6 months." "...but it was a sick wheelie." "...it was a sick wheelie."

"So hear me out. The grapes are on BOGO so if we get 30 packs now, we can--" "No." "But--" "I don't even want to hear you finish that thought. No."

"You are so bad at picking out carts. How is it that out of the hundreds in the cart hold, you picked the one where half the wheels don't work?" "I always root for the underdog, [NAME]."

"We need to get you a collar. With a bell. Because I spend more time trying to find you than actually shopping."

"Remind me again why we need six types of coffee?" "Because coffee is a love language." "Point taken."

"[NAME] we're just here for the essentials for dinner, don't go throwing random sweets and junk in the cart--" "But...chocolate chip cookies are BOGO." "...okay, we can make an exception."

"I love you, but I really need to stop letting you make the shopping lists." "Why, what's wrong with it?" "Your handwriting sucks."

"Hypothetically speaking, if I ran to the flower aisle and got you a bouquet of roses, would you like that?" "Hypothetically speaking, if you did decide to do that, then yes, I would." "Be right back."

"I want to make us a nice dinner tonight, so I'm thinking..." "Air fryer dino nuggets?" "You know me so well."

"Honey. You know I love you. But can we please get something other than pasta for dinner?"

"What do you want for a snack?" "Um, you, I think."

(If you like my guides, prompts, writing, or art, consider supporting the blog today! All donations help me keep this thing up and running and all are appreciated <3)

[urfriendlywriter]

15 sweet/romantic gestures !!

(feel free to use!! the lover girl in me when writing this > <)

occasionally pressing soft kisses to ur temple or cheek [melting]

caressing their cheek and they nuzzle into your touchhhhh T T

their eyes fluttered close even after the kiss has ended.

^ their gaze that meets you is full of pent-up longing and affection !!

a hint of shyness creeping into them when u tease them [💳‼️‼️💳‼️💳]

hugs where they nuzzle their face into your chest

^ "can we stay like this forever?" tears

intimacy of eye contacts, slow kisses, cheek touching !

a quiet, whisper of "i am so proud of you" ✯

"you take such good care of me," is mumbled as they look up at you, drying their hair, their eyes shining with unshed tears, love and adoration. (CRY WITH ME PLEASEEEE)

tucking a small flower behind their ear <33

when they bury their face in ur chest while cuddling !!!

"I am falling in love with you every. single. day." ♡

a flustered "you smell like me.. oh god, it's driving me crazy..." mumble as they pull u closer into a hug [ksksjdnsks]

"marry me, my pretty baby." but u r cuddling and giggling. "I'm your pretty baby now?" they ask, shyly smiling. "yea, u always been." AAAAH

[bitchcakegreen]

Let’s talk about the line “until he knows the real you, he can not possibly love you”

There’s a lot to unpack in that line because to a certain extent Eloise is talking about herself and not just Colin.

Colin does know the real Penelope. He’s the only one who truly does, maybe her lady’s mad Rae can be added to that list, but it’s really only Colin who does.

Eloise never truly knew Pen, despite their closeness and friendship prior to the LW reveal. Eloise didn’t really listen to Pen when she said she did want marriage. Eloise is and was a good friend and person, she just is a tunnel-vision focused person.

Colin, while not knowing Pen is Whistledown, does in fact know her, all of her to be more precise. That’s where the love comes from. For Eloise to not see that is pretty telling.

Eloise is somewhat shocked by realizing Pen has had feelings for her brother for a long time. This is also interesting. If Eloise had truly been paying attention she would have noticed from the jump. But again, Eloise has always been focused elsewhere. Also she’s angry because she might now believe that Pen used Eloise to get to Colin. But that again leads to Eloise having tunnel vision and not truly knowing Pen.

Don’t get me wrong. I love Eloise and I love her arc, I just need her to chill out for a movement.

[luna-azzurra]

Fictional kiss prompts

Forbidden Kiss Prompts (“We’re not supposed to do this” but oops, we are)

a kiss in the shadows, hands clenched in fabric, trying to stay quiet because someone might hear.

“We can’t—if someone sees us…” — and then they kiss anyway, consequences be damned.

a stolen kiss through the bars of a prison cell, whispered promises of escape in between.

a “we’re on opposite sides” kiss during a truce, lips barely touching because if they kiss fully, they’ll never walk away.

a last-second kiss right before one of them is betrothed to someone else.

Angsty Reunion Kiss Prompts (“I thought I lost you” edition)

a kiss the second they see each other again—rough, breathless, and on the verge of falling apart.

a kiss interrupted by tears, hands holding like they’re afraid to let go.

“Why didn’t you come back?” whispered into their mouth between kisses.

a kiss where they pause halfway through just to look at each other, both a little older, a little more broken.

a kiss that tastes like salt and rain and survival.

Soft Domestic Kiss Prompts (Wholesome fluff to rest your soul)

a sleepy morning kiss, lazy and warm, exchanged without even opening their eyes.

a kiss planted absentmindedly on the top of the other’s head while making tea.

a kiss stolen while brushing their teeth together—foam and giggles included.

a soft kiss over a grocery list, mid-aisle, because “you looked too cute to ignore.”

the kind of kiss shared in bed while reading—just because one of them couldn’t help it anymore.

Post-Confession Kiss Prompts ( “Oh my god this is real” edition)

a kiss that stumbles right after the words “I love you,” like neither of them know what to do with their hands.

“You mean it?” — “Yeah.” — cue the most careful, reverent kiss of their lives.

a kiss that starts with laughter and ends in a dazed, overwhelmed silence.

one of them whispering, “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this,” right before kissing them senseless.

a kiss that comes too fast after the confession, clumsy and colliding—because they’ve waited too long.

First Kiss Prompts (that change everything)

a kiss that starts mid-sentence, because one of them couldn’t wait one more second.

the trembling, breath-held pause right before their lips finally touch—eyes wide, hearts racing.

“If I kiss you right now, will you hate me?” – they kiss them anyway.

the kiss that’s followed by shocked silence, and then one of them blurts, “Okay… wow.”

the hesitant brush of lips—barely there—until one of them pulls the other closer like they’ve made up their mind.

Comfort Kiss Prompts (Love as a safety net)

a kiss placed gently on a trembling hand.

a kiss offered like a promise—“I’m here. I’m staying.”

a forehead kiss given after a nightmare, while whispering soft reassurances.

“You don’t have to be okay right now.” – kissed on the temple like a prayer.

the quiet, slow kiss after a panic attack, grounded in breathing and touch.

Jealousy Kiss Prompts (when emotions boil over)

a sudden, possessive kiss that shocks both of them—especially because they weren’t “together.”

a kiss to shut someone up mid-flirt—“They’re with me.”

“You’ve been avoiding me.” – “Because I saw you flirting with them.” – followed by a sharp, angry, perfect kiss.

the kind of kiss that starts in fury but ends in breathless “I need you.”

a kiss that screams “You’re mine. Even if you don’t know it yet.”

Accidental / Surprise Kiss Prompts

tripping and falling directly into a kiss—then freezing in shock as realization sets in.

a practice kiss to “make it look real” that very much does not stay platonic.

a drunken kiss that was supposed to be a dare, but lingers just a second too long.

mistaking the other person for someone else in the dark—“oh… wait—” – “don’t stop.”

an “oops-I-thought-you-were-joking” kiss that they immediately want to do again on purpose.

[vampiricalxdata]

I will never be embarrassed for loving a love story.

I will never be embarrassed for wanting to see it on screen or in a book or for seeking it out in fanfiction.

Love comes in so many different forms. Familial, platonic, romantic, self.

Every great story has love at its center.

Every great story seeks to understand how powerful love is. How it breaks us apart and transforms us.

I will never be embarrassed for loving love.

But I especially won’t find fault in an audience or readership for expecting a specific end to a story that made sure to have a romantic love as an integral part of its center.

There are other reasons this season failed. So, so many.

But I’ve been finding myself particularly frustrated by the takes on appreciating romance the past year or so.

It’s reductive. And it lacks the understanding that romance — good romance — at its core is not about people just holding hands at the end of the story.

It’s about development and choice and finding yourself and growing and evolving.

It’s incredible to watch as characters change — to have flaws and imperfections, be immature or naive, only to come into their own.

But also to have characters start out as incompatible or not quite right for each other. To build them in such a way that they come through the other side as a team. A partnership. To have these characters, who have seen the best and worst of each other, accept the whole story. The good and the bad. As friends, as lovers, as family.

To watch as a character is transformed by the love around them, all forms, is one of the gifts stories give us.

So, you can love a work of fiction, love every facet, every character and type of relationship. You can love all of it and still appreciate the romantic love.

It doesn’t negate your intelligence or critical thinking skills.

*elle woods voice* It just makes you, like, really good at reading.