3 Romantic Subplots Pitfalls and How to Fix Them by Gala Russ
Today we welcome a new guest writer to Writer’s Fun Zone, Gala Russ who is stopping by to chat with us about “3 Romantic Subplots Pitfalls and How to Fix Them.” Enjoy!
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I don’t know about you, but when I first started weaving romance into my stories, I thought it would be a breeze.
I mean, how hard could it be to sprinkle in a bit of passion, right?
Turns out, it’s way easier to fall into a few common traps that leave readers rolling their eyes–or worse, skimming past your carefully crafted they-are-in-love scenes.
Over time, I learned that a romantic subplot can either elevate a story or feel like an awkward side quest no one asked for.
To help you avoid my mistakes, here are three tests that can help determine if your romantic subplot is working:
- The Cut Test: Can the subplot be removed without affecting the main story?
- The Kiss Test: Would readers know the characters are romantically involved even without a kiss?
- The Friends Test: Would the characters still work as friends if the romance were removed?
The Cut Test: Overshadowing the Main Plot or Ignoring Character Growth
When I first wrote a women’s fiction novel with a romantic subplot, I was so excited about the romance that I sort of forgot that the main focus was my female protagonist’s life experiences.
She ended up spending more time flirting with one of the male characters than working through her traumatic past and present.
The feedback from my editor? “Is this women’s fiction or a romance?”
This test first asks you to think about whether your story is primarily a romance with some other elements (like thriller or sci-fi) or a genre (or literary) story with a romantic subplot.
Readers pick up a horror (mystery, fantasy, etc.) novel expecting the main plot to be the priority.
If your romantic subplot overshadows it–like my women’s-fic-gone-romance–it can frustrate your audience.
On the flip side, if the romance is so disconnected from the rest of the story that you could cut it entirely without anyone noticing, that’s a problem too.
A romantic subplot should add something meaningful, like pushing characters to grow or adding stakes.
What worked for me:
- Keep the focus clear. I learned to make sure the main goal of my non-romance books wasn’t about the characters’ love life.
Romance became a thread in the tapestry, complementing the main genre rather than stealing the spotlight.
- Tie romance to character growth. A good romantic subplot challenges your characters.
For example, in The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, Hazel and Gus’s relationship isn’t just cute–it’s crucial to their journeys as they grapple with mortality and loss.
The Kiss Test: Not Building the Tension
One of my favorite things about writing romance is the build-up. You know, the longing glances, the almost-touches, the banter that’s so charged you can feel it crackling on the page.
That’s what keeps readers hooked–not just the kiss itself, but the journey leading up to it.
I’ve learned this the hard way. In one draft, my main protagonists went from strangers to soulmates in four chapters.
There was little longing and no journey.
My mentor told me she didn’t feel pulled to read the rest of the story as the small amount of tension I created was resolved and she didn’t care what happened next to the couple.
Romantic tension is about making readers root for the characters to get together, to overcome the obstacles that prevent them from the happily ever after.
Take Mr. and Mrs. Smith, for example. Their relationship works because of the layered conflict: trust issues, external obstacles, and that lingering spark in the middle of all the chaos.
How to build tension:
- Drop breadcrumbs of attraction. Small, meaningful moments–a lingering glance, a shared joke, or an unexpected act of kindness–can go a long way.
- Introduce obstacles. Whether it’s fear of commitment, conflicting goals, or societal pressure, obstacles and unresolved narrative tension keep readers invested.
The Friends Test: Would They Be Friends Without Romance?
In my early days of writing, I equated romance to physical chemistry. But here’s the thing: if your romantic leads wouldn’t even make sense as friends, the romance is going to feel forced.
Even enemies-to-lovers stories, one of my favorite tropes, work because there’s a foundation–whether it’s shared goals, mutual respect, or vulnerability–that makes the romance believable.
In my short story about two people snowed in on New Year’s Eve the characters had nothing in common by the end, when they kissed and decided to date.
My critique partner gently asked, “But why do they like each other?”
In Killing Eve, for instance, Eve and Villanelle have a deadly rivalry, but their connection works because of their mutual respect and admiration they show each other.
So how do you make sure your romantic leads would work as friends?
- Build common ground. Give them shared goals, values, or interests. What brings them together outside of their attraction?
- Write organic connections. Show their relationship growing through teamwork, mutual respect, or those quiet moments where they let their guard down.
Balancing Romance and Plot
When a romantic subplot is done well, it adds emotional stakes and depth to your story. It’s that extra layer that makes readers care even more about your characters.
Here’s what I look for when evaluating a romantic subplot:
- Does it contribute to the characters’ growth?
- Does it enhance the primary narrative without overshadowing it?
- Does the relationship feel earned?
If you can answer “yes” to these questions, you’re on the right track.
Ready to Take Your Romantic Subplots to the Next Level?
If you want to improve your skills of crafting romantic subplots, I’d love for you to join me later this year for my workshop, Writing a Romantic Subplot.
We’ll talk about techniques, exercises, and examples to help you weave romance seamlessly into your story, no matter the genre.
Until then, may your romantic subplots always pass the test!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gala Russ is a book coach and an author of seven novels (under the pen name Willa Drew).
Through her workshops and one-on-one sessions, she works with writers who want to finish their novels or create a self-publishing business.
To learn more, subscribe to Gala’s newsletter here to get 10 Journaling Prompts to Sharpen Your Romantic Subplot or connect with her at galarussauthor.com or on social media.
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Books:
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression
The Trope Thesaurus by Jennifer Hilt
Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels by Gwen Hayes
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody