The best stories feature characters who have a reason not to be in a relationship. Perhaps they are afraid of vulnerability, haunted by a past betrayal, or focused entirely on a non-romantic goal. The romance serves as the catalyst for them to face their own flaws.
In both fiction and real life, romantic "storylines" typically follow a specific arc: The best stories feature characters who have a
: Addressing how dating apps and social media have fundamentally altered the "meet-cute" and the maintenance of long-distance connections. Conclusion haunted by a past betrayal