For me, it didn't start with Edward versus Jacob. It wasn't Peeta and Gale or even Jack and Sawyer. No, my first nose dive into the workings of the love triangle was with Scott Westerfeld's Uglies trilogy. It was a battle between David and Zane to win Tally Youngblood's heart, and I was team David through every inch of my soul. It was unbearable and glorious to witness the constant tension born of young love, jealously, and impossible decisions. I was hooked, flailing helplessly under the spell of the triangle.
Sadly, oh so sadly, this popular young adult plot device has become a little more than frowned upon. Love triangles seem to have morphed into the ultimate eye roll. They call it overused, and I don't suppose I can say they're wrong.
There are still those of us out in the world who all but salivate when we've got a good love triangle in our hands. Love triangles can still happen. They can still be as irresistible as they were when Tally told David she would always love Zane and our little hearts shattered and sent books flying across the room.
And that's the kicker. The reader has to be so invested in these characters that they can't help but need to know what's coming next. It goes so far beyond Who will she chose? and Whose team are you on? We have to care about each of the three characters as individuals in order to care about their roles in the triangle. Throwing people into a romantic boxing ring and calling it tension doesn't classify as a good love triangle. Waltzing in the childhood best friend or the loyal comrade whose sole purpose is to declare his love for the protagonist at a convenient time is not enticing. There's a science to it, but it can never feel scientific. Characters, whether they're in a different universe, time period, or if they're just down the street, are stemmed from real people. With that comes endless emotions and fears and thoughts constantly streaming. Characters that are only presented to feed the love triangle aren't real people. They're cutouts leaning in the doorway saying "hello, I am here to stand in between you and your true love, and that is all you need to know."
Another thing that turns readers off from love triangles is that they can be so wildly unrealistic. I mean, we will forever and always ask the impossible question:
WHAT IS SO DAMN SPECIAL ABOUT BELLA SWAN THAT THESE TWO DUDES WANT TO LITERALLY KILL EACH OTHER OVER HER?(and a million more question marks)
So often, the protagonist is put on some sort of pedestal by both of her love interests, and they look at her as if she is without flaw. And here's the thing, love is not believing that someone is perfect. It is knowing how madly imperfect they are and loving them no matter what. The love interests are so desperate for her attention that they never question her. They never dive into that dynamic of a relationship because all that matters is the competition and getting ahead of the other dude.
Here's the most important part. It's not a competition. There are no teams, because love isn't a sport. Treating a love triangle as a plot device to fit a formula or to make things exciting will leave readers feeling detached and exhausted. My heart broke for Tally and David because I adored those characters and longed for their happiness. Even if Zane wasn't my favorite, I still understood who he was as a person and not just the other guy. Their dramatic story has stayed with me for ten years, and I will never forget how enthralled I was with the way Westerfeld mastered the way of the love triangle.
And I will never give up on them. They are utterly fascinating, and can be done so, so well if cared for properly. It's incredibly important to remember there's so much more to a person than who they are and are not in love with.
Sadly, oh so sadly, this popular young adult plot device has become a little more than frowned upon. Love triangles seem to have morphed into the ultimate eye roll. They call it overused, and I don't suppose I can say they're wrong.
But.
There are still those of us out in the world who all but salivate when we've got a good love triangle in our hands. Love triangles can still happen. They can still be as irresistible as they were when Tally told David she would always love Zane and our little hearts shattered and sent books flying across the room.
And that's the kicker. The reader has to be so invested in these characters that they can't help but need to know what's coming next. It goes so far beyond Who will she chose? and Whose team are you on? We have to care about each of the three characters as individuals in order to care about their roles in the triangle. Throwing people into a romantic boxing ring and calling it tension doesn't classify as a good love triangle. Waltzing in the childhood best friend or the loyal comrade whose sole purpose is to declare his love for the protagonist at a convenient time is not enticing. There's a science to it, but it can never feel scientific. Characters, whether they're in a different universe, time period, or if they're just down the street, are stemmed from real people. With that comes endless emotions and fears and thoughts constantly streaming. Characters that are only presented to feed the love triangle aren't real people. They're cutouts leaning in the doorway saying "hello, I am here to stand in between you and your true love, and that is all you need to know."
Another thing that turns readers off from love triangles is that they can be so wildly unrealistic. I mean, we will forever and always ask the impossible question:
WHAT IS SO DAMN SPECIAL ABOUT BELLA SWAN THAT THESE TWO DUDES WANT TO LITERALLY KILL EACH OTHER OVER HER?(and a million more question marks)
So often, the protagonist is put on some sort of pedestal by both of her love interests, and they look at her as if she is without flaw. And here's the thing, love is not believing that someone is perfect. It is knowing how madly imperfect they are and loving them no matter what. The love interests are so desperate for her attention that they never question her. They never dive into that dynamic of a relationship because all that matters is the competition and getting ahead of the other dude.
Here's the most important part. It's not a competition. There are no teams, because love isn't a sport. Treating a love triangle as a plot device to fit a formula or to make things exciting will leave readers feeling detached and exhausted. My heart broke for Tally and David because I adored those characters and longed for their happiness. Even if Zane wasn't my favorite, I still understood who he was as a person and not just the other guy. Their dramatic story has stayed with me for ten years, and I will never forget how enthralled I was with the way Westerfeld mastered the way of the love triangle.
And I will never give up on them. They are utterly fascinating, and can be done so, so well if cared for properly. It's incredibly important to remember there's so much more to a person than who they are and are not in love with.
