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In my epic fantasy tale, there is a small romantic sideplot. When the main group reaches a kingdom for work, the deutertagonist, while starting off as bitter, begins to develop feelings for the princess. The princess also starts having feelings for the deutertagonist over time, and they start to have a sexual relationship.

There is one problem: The kingdom has homophobic views. It isn't illegal completely, but for details:

  • Despite homosexuality being decriminalization and tolerated, it's heavily stigmatized. The princess and deutertagonist may not get executed, but it still results in bad effects.

  • The enlightened monarch is hypocritical and has double standards (would be bad when he finds out about his daughter.)

In addition story-wise:

  • This small sideplot occurs between 6 months to a year.

  • The two characters are supposed to have dislike towards each other, but they eventually warm up.

How could I write the narrative so that, while in a short timespan, it does not feel rushed and/or just unnecessarily placed in for the sake of it?

JRE
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Crafter
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1 Answers1

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I think you're confusing content with style.

Q: How do I write something that does not feel rushed?
Take your time writing it. Write it with joy. If you don't enjoy writing it, and aren't super interested in what happens to the characters in that moment, neither will your reader.

Q: How do I make sure an event doesn't feel unnecessarily placed in for the sake of it?
Make it necessary; i.e. integral to the story. Part of the characters' arcs, or the story arc; the story would not be the same if that event didn't happen. If that's not the case, cut it.

Also, a bit of unasked-for advice: you might consider a sensitivity read, especially if you're not writing Own Voice.

kmunky
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