Premature Shipping · 8:29am Jan 26th, 2015
Something I've noticed that I abhor in stories is shipping without support. Where two characters without an established history, usually an OC and one of the Main 6 in the case of MLP, are shown to be romantically involved. This usually goes along the lines of: An OC is introduced and shown to be Interesting/unique for some reason ==> We receive a scene and some background info on the OC ==> The Main 6/Pony In Question is called in for whatever reason ==> Quickly followed by a make-out and/or stripping scene between the two characters.
It's like trying to build a Ship without a Hull. It Sinks. Usually taking my opinion of the story along with it.
Now I'm not saying you can't ship an OC with an established character, It just takes work. MadMaxtheBlack did a good job shipping Twilight and his OC in Your Human And You but it took 56 chapters and 435 thousand words before, as he put it, 'The Ship Set Sail'. Having romance just so the author can say "It has Romance!' is ridiculous! Introducing a character or two who are in a relationship is fine but introducing a few characters and declaring it a make-out session leaves me asking the same thing I do of every story: Why. Should. I. Care!?
If I wanted to see two characters going at it like a couple of rabbits I have half an internet waiting for me to click on it. I come here for the story, and a good story gets me invested in the characters.
And it isn't limited to Fancition. Hollywood. Does. This. Too! This is one of the biggest issues I have with movies like Man of Steel (2013) and The Hobbit: DOS (2013). When the characters meet for all of twenty seconds, experience half as much of that in dialogue (if that), and decide they are bound by a love that transcends fate itself it pisses me off!
Romance doesn't have to be the main feature. In The Dusk Guard: Rise Viking ZX adds a romantic sub-plot that causes the characters to experience personal growth and that's great! But romance should supplement character development, it should not be a substitute for it!
Bottom Line: If the romance could be removed and it would change nothing or make it better- then remove it.
P.S. I enjoyed both stories linked. The Dusk Guard: Rise is an amazing adventure story and Your Human and You is one of the best long running HIE I've found- despite some minor/ intermittent GaryStu-ing.
