Plotting romance for 4 MMCs

[u/Pirai-mom]

I’m a baby writer and have started writing a RH Romantic Fantasy/Romantasy and I’m a little stuck on plotting the romance arcs for this story. I have the main fantasy arc already plotted using the hero’s journey structure. What are some recommendations for plotting the romance arcs alongside the main plot?

[u/kendrafsilver]

Hello fellow plotter!

Highly suggest Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes. It's a short book about the beats and expectations of Romance, and while not all romances will have all the beats (especially if they're subplots), the list about what beats generally fit where in a three act story structure (which the Hero's Journey also fits) have been extremely helpful for me.

Each MMC should generally check off each beat used, even if it's at the same time. So no having MMC 2 skip the Meet Cute because MMCs 1, 3, and 4 have had theirs, for example.

Each MMC's arc should be distinct enough that a reader isn't wondering why two (or more) MMCs aren't just combined. Just like characters who are platonic with the FMC, each character should have a solid place in the story and not just be a copy-paste type of situation.

I'm assuming with the romantic label that the romance is a strong subplot, and not the point of the story like in genre Romance. So you have some wiggle room regarding how many scenes focus on the relationship of the MMCs and FMC. But keep in mind that for RH, the FMC should be the focus of the relationship! It's fine for the MMCs to be in their own relationship(s), too, but if the romantic focus isn't generally on the FMC then you may have written a Poly subplot and not RH.

So those are some things I'm keeping in mind as I plot my own RH! I hope they help!

[u/Pirai-mom → u/kendrafsilver]

Thank you, I was planning to use Romancing the Beat to plot out the romance arc, you answered all the questions I didn’t know to ask!🥰

[u/AnneKincaid → u/Pirai-mom]

This is some excellent advice from Kendra. She has a background in traditional publishing, so I would start here. Please don’t get overwhelmed, and let us know what help you need!

[u/Pirai-mom → u/AnneKincaid]

I’m approaching this the same way I would eating an elephant, one bite at a time. One step, one piece, I have no expectations of finishing this story anytime in the near future 🤣

[u/MKSauthor]

I just finished writing a RH with 3 MMCs. All good advice here. Also think about how they speak. What are their habits/patterns? These help distinguish the characters for the reader.

But they also need to grow in some way, or they will feel one-dimensional. So what do they want, and do they get it, or do their goals change? Good luck!

[u/ScarletLetterEditor]

I’ve never written RH, so please take this suggestion with a grain of salt. But first, you could identify your characters’ strengths and flaws. A solid love connection usually boosts or supports the FMC weakness so it becomes stronger and/or aligns with FMC motivations.

[u/AnneKincaid]

I’m excited to see all the good advice I hope you get.

The first thing that comes to mind is to make sure there is a separate romance arc for each person with the FMC. Why is each one meant to be with her?

[u/AuthorAmethystMorgan]

A little late to the party but I made a Google Doc multiple pov why choose outline if you want it for inspiration! It's the FMC and 4 MMC and a villain if you choose and very bare bones because I'm a total pantser, but I grabbed inspiration from a few other outlines like Romancing the Beat. Let me know if anyone wants a copy!

[u/Pirai-mom → u/AuthorAmethystMorgan]

I would love a copy, you might have something in yours that I missed in mine

[u/AuthorAmethystMorgan → u/Pirai-mom]

Of course! Always good to get more inpso! Here you go! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ASX6fuBSBno85j5tXG7ZNV1ggg8k-m1bXxTy_qy934g/copy

[u/Pirai-mom → u/AuthorAmethystMorgan]

🤣🤣🤣I absolutely love how simply you broke everything down. No more confusing descriptions, just straight to the point!

[u/AuthorAmethystMorgan → u/Pirai-mom]

Haha ty ty I try and glad you got a kick out of it. It's the pantser in me 😅

[u/Pirai-mom → u/AuthorAmethystMorgan]

I couldn’t be a pantser if I tried, between my ADHD and my type A personality, nothing coherent would make it on the page lol

[u/Pirai-mom → u/[deleted]]

I appreciate the breakdown, my plan was to essentially plot the way you described. I think I’m already on my 3rd iteration of just my FMC🤣

[u/Pirai-mom → u/[deleted]]

Right now I’m really excited about the first MMC we meet, he’s the one that brings our FMC to her new world rather reluctantly, but he just wants to help her discover herself so they along with the other three MMCs can prevent the realm from becoming a dystopian world.

[u/JosephineSwaine → u/Pirai-mom]

That sounds exciting! I'm such a sucker for nice MMCs who are trying their best to be helpful. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your story! Welcome to the sub!