: Re: How to handle writing a romantic subplot when the main plot is very different? So let's say the story is about a ''anti-hero'' who uses harsh methods to kill/expose corrupt politicians and banksters.

This is a double themed story (anti hero versus the bad guys, anti hero vis a vis the girl),

There are two conflicts that have the potential to get in each others' way. The more time/energy that the anti hero spends chasing the bad guys, the less time and attention for the girl, and less likelihood of winning her. And vice-versa.

The story can be analyzed in a 2 by 2 matrix, with four possible outcomes.

Result 1 Result 2

Theme 1: Anti hero defeats/does not defeat bad guys.

Theme 2: Anti hero gets/does not get girl.

Outcome 1: Happy ending all around. Anti hero defeats bad guys, gets girl. This is the "classical" ending.

Outcome 2: Bittersweet ending. Anti hero defeats bad guys, loses girl in the process. This is the ending I recommend for you. Yes, your protagonist wins, but there is a cost to victory. Still, the protagonist has a clear sense of priorities, and the victory over the bad guys is more important than the loss of the girl.

Outcome 3: Consolation prize. Anti hero loses to bad guys, but gets the girl as a consolation prize. This outcome goes against the thrust of your question and I would not recommend it.

Outcome 4: Anti hero loses both the fight against the bad guys and the girl. This is called tragedy, and is too much for most people to bear (including me).

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: Re: How to handle writing a romantic subplot when the main plot is very different? So let's say the story is about a ''anti-hero'' who uses harsh methods to kill/expose corrupt politicians and banksters.

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: Trying to avoid being clichÃ© Has opening a story with something like "I hurtled to my death", "I had destroyed the earth", or other outlandish statements like these become clichÃ©? And if so,

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