I'm not a fan of explicit romance. I love the stuff that hints at it over the course of the novel, and those hints get bigger and bigger until that epic love scene during the climax. If you want to write a more subtle romance subplot, here are some tips of possible hints. (Note: none of these are necessary to write subtle romance nor are they the only ways to write subtle romance. And depending on your character, maybe none of these apply. They are simply a few examples you can try out if you want and if you think they fit your character's personality.)
The following is copy/pasted from an article (linked to in the EXTERNAL LINK). While it uses "he" for the love interest, you're more than welcome to switch that out for a "she" or "s/he" or "it" or whatever you fancy, and it applies to all sexual orientations/pairings, genders, and (probably) species:
1. He Shadows You
If he likes you, he's going to want to be where you are, which will probably make it seem like he is just about everywhere! (If he starts to show up when he really shouldn't or comes to your house uninvited, you should set some boundaries. No one likes a stalker.)
2. He's Sweet To You
Any guy that is nice to you specifically is probably into you. Guys don't often act sugary sweet when they are around their friends, so this can be hard to catch. If you see him starting to pay that kind of consideration to you then, you've got to know that he sees something special in you.
3. The Bodyguard Effect
Once they find the object of their affection, most guys are a bit protective. That means he's going to take special care that you are safe at all times. Is he willing to go out of his way to drive you home when you could have just taken the midnight train? If that's true, the bodyguard effect has taken over.
4. Looking Good
He might look good everyday, but has he been taking special care to wear things or try out different styles than he did before? Most guys don't make a ton of effort with when it comes to fashion unless they are trying to impress a lady. If you see a sudden change in how he keeps himself, odds are he's crushing on somebody. Essentially, a new wardrobe means new feelings.
5. Eye Contact
One of the classic signs of interest for both genders is eye contact. If a guy likes you, he's going to want to spend a lot of time looking at you. He may quickly look away when you meet his gaze, but eye contact will occur frequently if he is interested. The best way to test this is to stare back for at least four seconds to see how he reacts!
6. The Touch Factor
If a guy likes you, he will be more keen to touch you often. This can mean subtle things like putting his hand on your arm when he laughs or frequent hugging. Touch his arm or knee. If he doesn't move away, then all systems are go.
7. Nerves Nerves Nerves
When a guy likes you, at some point in the stages of attraction he is going to start trying very hard to be the best man he can be. While most males won't like to admit it, once they hit this stage that is when the nerves set in. If your crush talks to you and he seems to be fidgety or shows a lack of composure, he's probably too busy thinking about what to say or do next. Nervous actions then, can be key to finding feelings.
8. Friendly Introductions
If he introduces you to his group of guy friends, that's when you know his feelings are probably real. A move like this one shows that he is looking to bring you deeper into his life, which he would only want to do if he is attracted to you. Not to mention, guys like to show off their girls in front of their buddies, so making these kinds of introductions are key.
9. Such a Tease
This is one of the most obvious reverse-psychology tricks in the book. If a guy wants your attention, he will make some playful attempts at teasing you. This might include starting some sort of small competition with you or maybe a few quips in your direction. Obviously there's a difference between teasing and being mean, but you'll know it when you see it.
10. A Helping Hand
When he starts wanting to help you with just about anything, he is into you. Even if you don't ask for his aide, a guy is going to want to be there to help you out of a sticky situation if he wants to be your knight and shining armor. An interesting way to test this might be to ask him for help with something. The level of enthusiasm in his response should tell you all you need to know.
YOU ARE READING
Yuffie's Writing How-To's
RandomA story isn't just a bunch of words slapped onto a page. It's a living, breathing manifestation of your imagination. This guide explores aspects most guides don't touch on such as memorable protagonists, world building, character psychology, and bac...
