RELATIONSHIP THESAURUS

PEOPLE WHO ARE DATING



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HELPFUL TIP:

Relationships are part of the very fabric of your character’s life. How well or poorly they get along with others oftentimes comes down to personality, so carefully consider the positive traits and negative traits of your story’s cast. Another factor that can pull characters together or create friction is motivation, so keep each individual’s goal—both at the scene and story level—in mind as you write.
DESCRIPTION:
People date for many reasons. For clarity, this entry explores the relationship between two people meeting socially as they search for a deep and meaningful romantic partnership—possibly with marriage as a potential outcome. Dating describes the early part of this romantic relationship, where those involved are getting to know one another by spending time together. These dates are an opportunity to evaluate their compatibility and each other's suitability for a long-term partnership.

RELATIONSHIP DYNAMICS:
Below are a wide range of dynamics that may accompany this relationship. Use the ideas that suit your story and work best for your characters to bring about and/or resolve the necessary conflict.

Two people who are eager to get to know each other
Two people who are highly compatible and interested in the same things
Two people who are very different, reinforcing the idea that opposites attract
One party portraying an image that isn't an accurate reflection of who they are
A relationship that remains superficial because those involved are avoiding topics that might ruin things
Either party wanting it to work out so badly that they're blind to the other person's faults
Either party entering the relationship with recent, unresolved baggage (a breakup, the death of a loved one, being fired from a coveted job, etc.)
An uneven relationship, where one party wants more from the other person or wants to move more quickly
Two parties with different motivations or desires for the relationship

CHALLENGES THAT COULD THREATEN THE STATUS QUO:
One person needing to relocate for work, school, or family
One party discovering that the other is seeing other people
An ex re-entering one party's life
Either person failing to bond with their love interest's children or pets
Secrets from either person's past coming to light
One party becoming controlling, manipulative, or abusive
One person's family or best friends not approving of the love interest
Someone being offered a job or school opportunity that requires increased focus, time, or energy
One party grappling with their sexual or gender identity
One party feeling pressured to change to stay in the love interest's good graces
Medical or mental health needs arising that the other person isn't prepared to handle
Discovering incompatible views on life choices (sex, marriage, children, morals, etc.)
One person facing financial difficulties 
Learning something unsettling about the other party (they're related to someone infamous, they're engaged in criminal activity, etc.)

WOUNDS THAT COULD FACTOR INTO THE RELATIONSHIP:
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POSSIBLE CONFLICT SCENARIOS:
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CONFLICTING DESIRES THAT CAN IMPAIR THE RELATIONSHIP:
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CLASHING PERSONALITY TRAIT COMBINATIONS:
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NEGATIVE OUTCOMES OF FRICTION:
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FICTIONAL SCENARIOS THAT COULD TURN THESE CHARACTERS INTO ALLIES:
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WAYS THIS RELATIONSHIP MAY LEAD TO POSITIVE GROWTH:
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THEMES AND SYMBOLS THAT CAN BE EXPLORED THROUGH THIS RELATIONSHIP:
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