No! I refuse. No romantic subplots. No love triangles. No teenagers wallowing, mooning, swooning, and otherwise moping about over a love interest for entire chapters. There’s too many YA books out there like that, and I want to write something different. No smooching or kissy stuff. Strictly platonic relationships or fraternal friendship, here.

This is HIGH FANTASY.

Or is it EPIC FANTASY?

Sorry, I haven’t figured that out yet.

That being said … why does it feel like certain scenes I’m writing at the moment in Wyldling Trials is setting up for a romantic entanglement further along in the Wyldling Dream series? And that readers may expect tension and attraction to follow its natural course and develop into romantic feelings? I’ve noticed people tend to get excited about these things. They “ship” characters in TV and book series. It appears to be a normal thing. Goodness gracious; I find myself doing it, too!

Don’t get me wrong. Romance is not my “go to” genre, but I certainly have nothing against it. I love a good romantic comedy. I have read and enjoyed many romance novels. I’m a huge fan of Jane Austen’s books, and I’m a sucker for those historical romance stories set during the Biblical Old Testament era.

As a rule, romance in a high/epic fantasy series doesn’t bother me. A bit of romance can add some fun tension, rivals clashing, and those warm fuzzy feelings during sweet moments. Most fantasy series I’ve read include at least some of those elements or a main character with a romantic interest at some point. It doesn’t happen in Wyldling Snare, but that’s just the first book in the series. The set-up, so to speak, for future action.

What I don’t like is when a romantic “subplot” effectively hi-jacks the narrative and takes over the story. And when spicy or steamy scenes start popping up in a high fantasy series for no plot-worthy reason, that’s a guarantee that I’ll put the book down and probably not read the next one.

Enough of that. I’m nipping my rant in the bud. But I’m happy to hear your thoughts and opinions on the matter.

I set out to write a YA fantasy series that focuses on friendship and lacks a romantic subplot. I succeeded in that with Wyldling Snare, but the rest of the series … there might be hints and sparks. I’ve planned future series set in Tehara with these characters as adults. Some develop “those feelings” for one another, get married, have families, etc. But all in good time. Not yet!

Alas, the characters have minds – and hearts – of their own.

Sigh. It’s such a struggle denying what’s happening between certain characters in Wyldling Trials. Perhaps the reason there are so many fantasy books out there with a romantic subplot is because it’s remarkably easy to fall into crafting that type of story. I should give up on my dream of writing a completely “romance-free” story and just let things … unfold. Allow relationships to develop at their own pace instead of forcing out all possibility of romantic tension between characters.

I decided not to include a romantic subplot in Wyldling Dream series, and I’m sticking to my guns on that. But I will allow for that spark of interest that may develop into a relationship once they reach adulthood. After all, it’s the writer’s prerogative to throw obstacles in the paths of potential lovers to keep them apart. Amp up the tension. Mwahahaha!

Will they – or won’t they – get together?

Only time will tell.

Moving on…

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Have you read Wyldling Snare?

A knight’s first duty is to his realm. When another world calls, will he answer? The wrong choice might destroy all he loves.

Apprentice knight Enoch Northward isn’t ready to lead. But when he returns home to find his mentor dead and the heir-apparent missing, he knows he must rise to the challenge.

But the horrifying truth of his guardian’s death and disappearance of his friends leaves the grieving knight with no time to mourn. In search of answers, he ventures into the forbidden forest. There he discovers a portal leading to another world – and a girl who shares his faith and dreams.

The realm hangs in the balance as a mysterious enemy schemes to destroy it, but not all peril comes from the outside. Enoch himself harbors a secret that could destroy all he loves…

Obligatory Cat Photo

Have a wonderful week!