How to Write a Love Triangle That Keeps Readers Hooked
Few tropes capture the hearts (and frustrations!) of readers like a well-written love triangle. When done right, they pull readers into an emotional tug-of-war, balancing longing, loyalty, and betrayal. But crafting a compelling love triangle isn’t as simple as creating two love interests and letting your protagonist waver. It’s an art. Here’s how to do it effectively while avoiding common pitfalls.
Define the Purpose of the Triangle
Before introducing a love triangle, ask yourself: What purpose does it serve in the story? Is it there to highlight your protagonist’s internal struggle, create external conflict, or explore themes of identity, loyalty, or morality?
A love triangle should never feel like an afterthought or a way to add unnecessary drama. Each point of the triangle should serve the story’s larger goals and push the protagonist’s arc forward.
Pro Tip: Consider what your protagonist’s choice between the two love interests symbolizes. Is it a choice between safety and adventure? Past and future? Self-sacrifice and self-discovery?
Build Complex, Three-Dimensional Characters
For a love triangle to resonate, all three characters—protagonist and love interests alike—must feel fully fleshed out.
The Protagonist: Readers need to understand why the protagonist is torn between two people. What unique needs or desires does each love interest fulfill?
The Love Interests: Both love interests should be equally compelling, with their own strengths, flaws, and goals. Avoid making one a clear “bad choice” or too perfect to feel real. Readers should struggle alongside the protagonist when deciding who to root for.
Pro Tip: Give the love interests their own subplots. If they exist solely in relation to the protagonist, they’ll feel flat and uninteresting.
Balance Chemistry with Conflict
A love triangle thrives on tension. This isn’t just about romantic chemistry—it’s about the emotional stakes. What happens if the protagonist chooses one love interest over the other? How does this choice affect friendships, family dynamics, or even larger plot events?
Emotional Conflict: Create moments where the protagonist’s choice feels impossible. Perhaps one love interest challenges their worldview, while the other offers a sense of home.
External Obstacles: Consider external forces that complicate the relationships, like societal expectations, rivalries, or life circumstances.
Pro Tip: Don’t let the love triangle dominate the entire story unless romance is the primary genre. Balance it with the other elements of your plot.
Avoid Stereotypes and Clichés
Love triangles often get a bad rap because they can feel formulaic. To keep yours fresh:
Avoid the “nice guy vs. bad boy” trope unless you add layers to their personalities.
Steer clear of making your protagonist indecisive to the point of frustration.
Don’t rely on the idea that jealousy equals love—it’s lazy and can feel manipulative.
Instead, dig deeper into the characters’ emotional realities. Explore why they connect, what makes them unique, and how they challenge or complement one another.
Raise the Stakes and Make the Choice Matter
The climax of a love triangle is, of course, the protagonist’s decision. Make it meaningful. The choice shouldn’t just determine who they end up with—it should reflect how they’ve grown and what they’ve learned about themselves.
A satisfying resolution to a love triangle often requires:
Consequences: Show the impact of the decision on all three characters.
Closure: Even if the rejected love interest doesn’t get their happily-ever-after, give them a sense of agency or resolution.
Pro Tip: Sometimes, the most powerful choice is for the protagonist to choose themselves—or neither love interest.
Love triangles endure because they tap into something universal: the struggle of wanting two things that seem equally desirable but mutually exclusive. When written with care, they can add emotional depth, tension, and unforgettable drama to your story.
So, as you weave your love triangle, remember to write with intention and heart. Give your readers a reason to root, swoon, and maybe even cry. After all, isn’t that the magic of a good love story?
