When we think of romantic drama involving three people, the immediate, default image that pops into most minds is the "Love Triangle." You know the drill: two suitors vying for the attention of a single protagonist. It’s a staple of YA fiction and primetime soap operas. But what happens when we ask the more complex question: What does a storyline look like when three women are the primary drivers of the romance?
Two best friends fall for the same third girl, but crucially, the friendship is the priority . Unlike a triangle where the two rivals usually hate each other, here the tension comes from the fear of losing the trio’s balance. The romance is a catalyst to explore the limits of platonic love versus erotic love.
Here is a deep dive into the anatomy of romantic storylines featuring three female protagonists, and how to write them without falling into cliché. Before we put pen to paper, it’s crucial to understand that "three girls" does not mean one story. There are four distinct archetypes for these romantic storylines.
When we think of romantic drama involving three people, the immediate, default image that pops into most minds is the "Love Triangle." You know the drill: two suitors vying for the attention of a single protagonist. It’s a staple of YA fiction and primetime soap operas. But what happens when we ask the more complex question: What does a storyline look like when three women are the primary drivers of the romance?
Two best friends fall for the same third girl, but crucially, the friendship is the priority . Unlike a triangle where the two rivals usually hate each other, here the tension comes from the fear of losing the trio’s balance. The romance is a catalyst to explore the limits of platonic love versus erotic love.
Here is a deep dive into the anatomy of romantic storylines featuring three female protagonists, and how to write them without falling into cliché. Before we put pen to paper, it’s crucial to understand that "three girls" does not mean one story. There are four distinct archetypes for these romantic storylines.