Tips Corner

The Four Rules of Hate-To-Love

There is a saying: "opposites attract", but is not always seen as something positive. Whether it's a rivalry at work, in sports, an arranged marriage, in the family or even a love that ended badly, hate is an insurmountable obstacle.

This narrative trope represents one of the many foundations of the romance genre, of how hate can turn into love. It is important to remember that hate and love are NOT the same thing, and very often it is confused with the concept of "true love". Movies and novels show us the wrong side of this trope, assuming that a rivalry or a wrong love can be a positive sign.

Two ambivalent feelings can coexist, but following precise criteria. For this reason we have drawn up four fundamental rules for writing a good hate-to-love romance.

We show you the C.C.C.E. aka, "The Haters-Lovers Amendment".

1. Common Interests - The main characters have a hobby or an opinion that they both share. What better way to break the ice than to talk face to face? Even if the characters have opposite personalities, there will always be something in common - even a memory! This rule is necessary to establish an emotional connection.

2. Challenges - Life presents you with a challenge that you can't handle alone. Your friends will turn you down and you will be forced to ask your worst enemy for help. Whether it's competition or rival teams, a challenge is a great way to join forces and change your chemistry.

3. Consistency - An enemies-to-lovers must go through various stages to completely reverse the situation they find themselves in, "magic of love" doesn't exist. The main rule is to stick to the main character's personality, the situations you create and the upcoming chemistry between one stage and another.

4. Empathy - Body language is an alternative way to show your rival your emotions, whatever they may be. The key word is "show, don't tell"; show the reader each character's emotions, both positive and negative, and how they can alter the chemistry between them. Two ambivalent feelings like hate and love should not prevail over the relationship, but transform it into a healthy and deep bond.

NB: Dark romances don't follow this rule, but it is important to keep in mind the Wattpad Content Guidelines and not send controversial messages.

Whatever subgenre you're into, these four rules must be integrated into the plot of your romance. Balance each criterion very well and develop the chemistry of your couple in the most realistic way possible, so that you can think outside the box.

And now, we hand you our scroll and name you "hate-to-love knights".

You are officially ready to face your first battle with your pen.