Writing short Queer stories

Disclaimer;

My research is done in my own way. I look at other opinions from blogs/website/reviews/essays and videos that attain to my research. Looking at both side to any information and then summing it up in my own words. But I encourage others to also do their own research and not to take mine as a primary source.

Things to avoid- story wise

Issue of consent - no kiss/touching/groping without consent to tr temp the other. Rape culture in queer and mostly BL stories. There should be communication between the partners.

Turning people - the idea of turning someone gay, its weird but I would prefer to avoid it. If a character is straight and is clear straight they shouldn't be ‘turned’ but if there is a blur of the lines it should be done well.

Forbidden love - the fetishization of MLM relationships in the media, it's not as bad but still a problem. Having openly gay and an open and accepting environment is key- if there is Homophobia it is done realistically and not over dramatised.

Jealousy - it's not a characteristic if a character is jealous it should be taken seriously if it is affecting the relationship. Talk things through and work on the problem. It can be more playful but shouldn't just be a trait of the character.

Sex is not the end game - many shows have sex as the end game, the last ep being sex and the entire thing is building up to that. There’s nothing wrong with a slow sexual build but there should not be a need to show sex. For example, the main couple could kiss and say they as happy, sex doesn’t show may be implied but that’s it. Maybe in second season sex is shown more. It should depend on the relationship- it's not a necessity.

Top and Bottom - falling into the top/bottom-sub/dom stereotypes can be boring, the tall hot guy is a top and shy boy is bottom blah, blah blah. While this can be true in sex, this shouldn’t define the relationship. Don't make one partner the guy and one the girl if they are a queer couple who may not fall into those stereotypes.

Tropes people don't like:

• The first thing to do after a relationship starts is sex.

• Bottoms only have sex to give pleasure to the top.

• Men who accept themselves as gay never want relationships and are fulfilled by sleeping around with sex friends.

• Hiding same-sex relationships from family/friends.

• Teacher/student relationships

Tropes people like:

• Enemies to lovers- slow burn with character redemption acrs.

• Best friends to lovers -

• When it is raining, they share an umbrella.

• Group trip with the couples

• "I won't stop until you love me" trope

What is missing from queer stories-

• Older couples- over 25/30.

• Breakaway from power topes (Tall/buff guy with small/shy guy etc)

• Established couples having simple troubles- working though it.

Tips for writing short romance stories:

Stories of 3000 words or less are increasingly popular among romance readers with limited time to indulge their passion. But Short stories can be anything from 5,000 to 20,000 words long.

keep to 2 main characters, maximum 4. - The fewer, the better; there simply isn’t time to develop minor characters. And make sure those 2 main characters are sympathetic and believable.

draw the reader in quickly. Begin in a moment of conflict or emotional upheaval that will steer your protagonist down a particular path.

use a high proportion of dialogue in your story but only if it moves the story along. Pacing is particularly important in short stories.

When you start, think about the couple — how they meet, how they react to each other, and how they proceed from that first point. Then you simply follow them on their journey until they acknowledge their attraction.

Keep it short, keep it centred on the growing attraction between the couple. Nothing else matters and all other things and characters are included only incidentally as is necessary to keep the story moving.