Leap Year - Writing the Romantic Triangle, Part 2

Writing The Romantic Triangle
Part Two

Leap Year
(Spoil Alert - I will give the movie away)

I didn’t realize last week when I wrote an analysis of The Romantic Triangle, after watching It’s Complicated, that there would be a part two. However, this weekend’s movie just happened to revolve around another triangle.

In Leap Year, our heroine, who feels compelled to schedule every moment of her life, is traveling to Ireland to propose to her fiancé. He is a cardiologist attending a convention there. They have been together for four years and he has not proposed yet. Strike one against our doctor!

What I have noticed is in writing a good romantic triangle you need to weave in the good and bad about both men so you know the decision is a tough one.

At first, we think the doctor is a fine fit because they both have well paying jobs and have a taste for the finer things in life.

On the way to Dublin, our heroine becomes stranded and meets the pub owner. A cute Irish man who likes to play jokes at her expense. Strike one for the new guy! These two couldn’t be more different and at first, I could not see how they would find their way into each other’s hearts.

Like any romance, the hero proves he is worthy. Our pub owner comes to her rescue when her luggage is stolen. We see them work as a couple to make dinner. He tells her she doesn’t have to control everything. I believe a good romance includes a special gift that only these two can give each other. His gift to her is to let things happen sometimes. Trust it will all work out.

Then of course, we have the kiss they are forced into by others. You have to keep the heroine likable so she could not kiss him unless the circumstances dictated it. In this case, they are masquerading as a married couple in order to get the last room in the bed and breakfast. The owner requires couples be married to stay.

Unsure what to do, our heroine accepts the surprise proposal by her doctor boyfriend. She goes back to New York not sure she made the wise decision. The pub owner goes back home crushed. And the doctor is oblivious to it all.

Is this the end? No.

In a good romantic triangle, the wrong man says the wrong thing, sealing his fate.

Back in New York, the doctor admits he only proposed because the managers in charge of the apartment they wanted were hinting around about their marital status. He knew they wouldn’t get the apartment if they weren’t married.

Realizing her mistake, our heroine flies back to Ireland, taking a chance on true love with the endearing pub owner.

Until next week,
Happy Writing!
Tina LaVon