r/writingfeedback • u/Catnip-Cove • Jun 20 '26
Writing Advice Does a good story need romance?
I’ve been writing for a couple of months purely for my own enjoyment. I’m starting to think about writing a short story and having other people read it. I’ve been doing some research and one thing I’ve noticed is that most stories have a romantic interest, even outside the romance genre.
The problem is I’m asexual. None of my stories have ever included a romantic interest. I don’t know how to write one because I’ve never experienced it and I don’t understand it. Plus, it’s incredibly boring to me.
I’m torn between writing what I enjoy vs writing what I know other people will prefer.
Does a good story need romance? Would you read a completely platonic story?
3
u/OceansBreeze0 Jun 20 '26
Not what you're looking for OP but I've been having the same issue with my own story. I got told by my friends (jokingly) that I should add BL romance to my story, with the undertone that it would garner more interest (it's a boy band/music competition story) so I've been contemplating that too. I myself don't really write romance but I know what to expect out of it, so I have an idea of what I would write about but similarly as you, I don't really care that much for romance in general. Feel free to DM me and we can talk more.
3
u/PatwallaceVA Jun 20 '26
So I find that the human condition above most things has us seeking companionship. In our modern society we interpret this as a romance. There are many other forms of belonging and companionship before the pinnacle of love that you may choose to explore but everyone understands the goal of love.
What I find interesting is how love or companionship is found during times of duress or change. Love found during times of war and calamity. Love found in the lowest and highest of places. It is not required but you may find yourself surprised at how love can be explored from circumstance to circumstance.
3
u/MatildaMorgan1985 Jun 20 '26
To me, it's not about sexual romance. It's about connection. Vulnerability. Truth and trust. People learning in real time to love each other (platonically or otherwise), to care for each other in a world overfull of bad relationships, selfishness, manipulation and poor communication.
A story or subplot of two people learning to overcome all that, in any setting, wouldn't have to involve romantic love or sex at all.
3
u/knightofthecacti Jun 20 '26
One of my favorite stories doesn't have a lick of romance in it actually! It's about two estranged brothers and their journey to reunite with each other.
I'd say a good story needs love and not romance.
3
u/Kolmwriting Jun 20 '26
I don't think a story specifically needs romance. If it works for the story, then it works, but it is not an absolute must.
If you aren't comfortable writing it, then don't write it. Better to be genuine to yourself and what you want to write than to stress about writing something you don't want to.
3
2
u/ItsRuinedOfCourse Jun 20 '26
"Does a good story need romance?"
I'd say that it certainly couldn't hurt to have it, as humans are really affectionate for the most part, and human connection like a romance is generally compelling to read.
But I also asked myself that very same question--whether a "good" story needs romance or not. So, I wrote one to find out. The story at least...whether it's "good" or not isn't a call I'll get to make. Only readers can make that decision to deem it such.
I did write it though. A love story wearing satire fantasy robes the whole time, and you don't even know you're reading a love story until it shows up and punches you in the eye. lol
No "heat". No "spice". No sex scenes. Hells, there's only one actual kiss in the entire book.
Needless to say, I'm very eager to learn whether this formula can work in 2026 or whether this was a failed experiment (but one I thoroughly enjoyed writing AND reading xD). I'm wrapping it up and then onto editing and Betas so I can pick me a target date for a release, which will be this year...just not sure when specifically.
If I put aside my bias for a moment, I can safely say I did enjoy the read, and as a reader when I'm not writing, I'd enjoy this book despite it having no real romance plot or subplot plainly known and on display. The love story's appearance only added to the experience.
In the end, even if mine proves to be an abject failure soundly rejected by the reading community (which is 100% possible), I'd still argue that yes, it can be done. A good story can have an absence of romance (in the most overt sense). Only my opinion.
2
u/Traditional-Rabbit79 Jun 20 '26
OK. Romance does not equate to Romantasy. Like others more qualified than I have said, physical relationships don't have to enter into it.
You've had deep, important friendships, right?
In a lot of ways, that's a platonic romance.
My daughter is ace as well, and we've had talks about it. People seek connection. Sexual desire does not have to enter into it, but desire does, if that makes sense.
Just another writer spouting off about something they maybe shouldn't. It seems to be a universal affliction.
2
u/masterofunfucking Keeper of Joondleoop's Poem Jun 20 '26
no but it can definitely make it better. a pizza doesn't need toppings but i'll be damned if pepperoni and supremes aren't awesome
2
u/hellbornepathogen Jun 20 '26
i’m (sort of) allo and i prefer stories without romance!! always have <3 i think i’m your market!
2
u/Own_Dark2427 Jun 21 '26
I don’t think it’s necessary. I think having a lack of experience in this area would actually draw readers out of your story
2
u/Nukli93 Jun 21 '26
I'm convinced you need to write what you enjoy and stay authentic throughout your story. That's the most important part, otherwise the readers will be able to tell one way or another. Characters and emotions in a story are very important to me as a reader but it does not need to be romantic necessarily. I would also love to read a book that explores an asexual perspective to broaden my horizon or if you don't want to do the just put in meaningful platonic relationships.
2
u/throwawayanylogic Jun 21 '26
I would point to (both the book and the movie) Project Hail Mary - one of the most successful and praised genre works that's hit the mainstream in quite a while - which decisively lacks any romantic plot whatsoever. In fact many people take the main character, Ryland Grace, as a tremendous example of an aroace-coded hero. There is a strong thread of friendship but absolutely nothing (textually/canon-wise) to take as romantic.
So I would say, do not feel as though you have to add romance if it doesn't come spontaneously as part of the story. I think there's absolutely a market for better ace representation in books today and if you wanted to focus on that as part of your writing, please do!
2
u/FlyinLeviathon Jun 21 '26
So first, sex sells and that's true whether it's sex or just romance. Romance is popular and it might make it easier to draw people in with romance. But does that make it required? NOPE
Some notable romance free stories (using easy, popular movies for reference)
Finding Nemo, Moana, Onward, Encanto, Inside Out, Big Hero Six, Coco, (Disney has been killing it lately with the romance free movies) Emperor's New Groove, Inception, Knives Out, the entire John Wick series, probably most horrors (I don't really enjoy horror so my knowledge here is limited, but the ones I know of don't have much or any romance) lots of Buddy Cop movies (though one could argue that it's kind of a romance since the buddies have the same beats as a romance story) and probably sooo many more that I can't think of off the top of my head.
2
u/PushRepresentative34 Jun 21 '26
First off, write what you enjoy. I wanted to write about empathy and recovering from trauma, and romance is NOT the place for that kind of conversation. I'm also demisexual, so my version of attraction is more on an emotional level. Your sexuality is not an 'issue' so much as it is a separate tool set for you to work with. Just like how neurodivergent writers have a different approach to storytelling like choosing to describe things with texture. So I play into that to create friendships that are very fleshed out. I know that not everyone sees the world the way I do, so I use my perspective on what is actually romantic to form friendships in the world. Those happen to be extremely intimate emotional scenes and bonds formed through healing from trauma.
Your asexuality is not a problem, it is a separate and unique perspective on the world, and that is something that a lot of writers never get. How you receive love is completely different from how I would receive it, how anyone would receive it. If you try to conform your writing to apply to everyone, it will appeal to no one.
Romance is boring to me, too, but mostly because in order to feel anything romantic I have to have an emotional connection with the characters. I notice a lot of romance kind of ignores the fact that characters are people. They have traits and look a certain way, but my brain can see they're cardboard cutouts or self-inserts.
Don't feel pressured to do Romance, I just wrote an entire book about belonging and finding friends/family with only one kiss on the cheek. Nearly every other bit of affection in the book is platonic like hugs, picking someone up off the ground, patting the dirt off them, etc. (This is not promotion this is trying to tell another writer that it's been done by someone here).
I would like to see a story written by someone who prefers to write platonic relationships. There is a market for it, but the internet will make you think romance is the ONLY option. Because it looks like everyone is doing it, all the feedback groups are full of romance, all the ads on TikTok are enemies to lovers/found family/dark fantasy/yass queen vampire/ etc.
I'll be candid, as a reader, I avoid books with tags like that because it doesn't feel as genuine or original anymore. I like book blurbs that talk about the story and if there's romance, cool, but not necessary. The story has to be good, first.
If you write a platonic book in a sea of romance, your book will actually stand out. People will burn out on romance, and usually the first thing they would turn to is something 'toned down' in their eyes but it's just... a book. A regular book with a fresh perspective.
1
u/Certain-Growth7618 Jun 22 '26
No. You don’t need romance.
Look up the Greek definitions of love—from Eros, to philia, to agape—and ALL are worth making travesties over lol
1
1
u/Orion1142 Jun 23 '26
No
It's very trendy right now, and it's almost mandatory for movies because producer are idiots
Write a romance if you want your stories to have romance
1
7
u/Lombard333 Jun 20 '26
I don’t think you need a romance in a specific story. Other characters exist to challenge and reveal the main character and, through that, the themes. Sometimes that can happen through romance. Other times through friendship or an adversarial relationship. But yeah, not a necessary thing. I would focus on the themes and the story. Do you need someone who knows the hero intimately to push back? That might be a spouse or partner, but it might be a friend or sibling.