Ah, Romance
1) Are there any romances in your story/canon/fanon/universe? [If the answer is none, go to question 4]
Yes, a lot of my characters have romance in their lives.
2) How central are these romances to the story in terms of plot?
It depends on the story but in most cases romance is a sub-plot, not the main plot. With Pete, the story is mostly about him adjusting to middle-aged empty nester life. Part of that is finding romance with a lady named Tatja. In Iggy's story, his romance with Christian and his sexuality over all drives several plot points. Heck doesn't get a romance in his story - but his ex girlfriend Katrina is part of a major plot point. Val's relationship with Ellis changes his overall path in life, so I would say his is probably the romance that has the most influence over the direction of the character's story. Ambria's continual romantic mishaps are part of her story. Etc. So it varies for each character and story.
3) How important are these romances to the characters themselves?
In most cases, very important. I have a few characters who don't date or who do so only casually, but a lot of them enter into a romantic bond with serious intent and do their best to maintain that relationship.
4) Do you like 'romantic plotlines' in the fiction you enjoy, even if the genre itself may not be specifically romantic?
I admit, I'm a romantic at heart. I love a good romantic sub-plot, though I don't like that to be the entire focus of a story. There have to be other things going on for it to hold my interest - I don't want to read about two people getting it on for an entire book (sorry romance novel fans!). I also don't like the 'love triangle' sub-plot that seems to be such a trend in recent fiction. I don't think it happens all that often in real life, and when it does, it isn't always the source of Big Drama that it seems to be in these books and shows.
5) Do you feel love stories between characters are used too much, not enough, or just right in the stories you enjoy most?
Too much in the case of things like mentioned above with love triangles. There's also too much of the breakup/makeup serial dating plotline I think, and about in-dating in groups of friends. I think that they're just used (over used really) to drive the drama of a show or book and don't often feel natural to the characters or story. In the stories I enjoy most, the romance is handled right- that's why I enjoy them. =) I like it most when it's a sub-plot, or if it's a driving main plot, for there to be other points of interest to the characters and story.
Yes, a lot of my characters have romance in their lives.
2) How central are these romances to the story in terms of plot?
It depends on the story but in most cases romance is a sub-plot, not the main plot. With Pete, the story is mostly about him adjusting to middle-aged empty nester life. Part of that is finding romance with a lady named Tatja. In Iggy's story, his romance with Christian and his sexuality over all drives several plot points. Heck doesn't get a romance in his story - but his ex girlfriend Katrina is part of a major plot point. Val's relationship with Ellis changes his overall path in life, so I would say his is probably the romance that has the most influence over the direction of the character's story. Ambria's continual romantic mishaps are part of her story. Etc. So it varies for each character and story.
3) How important are these romances to the characters themselves?
In most cases, very important. I have a few characters who don't date or who do so only casually, but a lot of them enter into a romantic bond with serious intent and do their best to maintain that relationship.
4) Do you like 'romantic plotlines' in the fiction you enjoy, even if the genre itself may not be specifically romantic?
I admit, I'm a romantic at heart. I love a good romantic sub-plot, though I don't like that to be the entire focus of a story. There have to be other things going on for it to hold my interest - I don't want to read about two people getting it on for an entire book (sorry romance novel fans!). I also don't like the 'love triangle' sub-plot that seems to be such a trend in recent fiction. I don't think it happens all that often in real life, and when it does, it isn't always the source of Big Drama that it seems to be in these books and shows.
5) Do you feel love stories between characters are used too much, not enough, or just right in the stories you enjoy most?
Too much in the case of things like mentioned above with love triangles. There's also too much of the breakup/makeup serial dating plotline I think, and about in-dating in groups of friends. I think that they're just used (over used really) to drive the drama of a show or book and don't often feel natural to the characters or story. In the stories I enjoy most, the romance is handled right- that's why I enjoy them. =) I like it most when it's a sub-plot, or if it's a driving main plot, for there to be other points of interest to the characters and story.