Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Threesomes

Let’s talk threesomes…or love triangles if that makes you more comfortable.

It’s an old storyline but it still works (better as a subplot) because of the many variations that it can take. Some of the more famous threesomes in literature are:

King Arthur (Guinevere and Lancelot)
Mansfield Park (Fanny, Edmund, Henry)
A Midsummer Nights Dream (might be a love rectangle?)

And who can speak of love triangles without mentioning Twilight? Edward, Bella, and Jacob may become the most famous love triangle of all.  I would insert a pic here if I could find one that didn't make me gag.

Maybe the reason this scenario works so well is because it reflects life and the complications love can bring to it.
Real Love Triangles:

Prince Charles, Lady Di, Camilla
Brad, Jennifer, Angelina
George Harrison, Patti Boyd, Eric Clapton
Tommy, Cathy, Marsha*

There are no set rules when it comes to the love triangles. They can be as simple or as complicated as you want and all of them will ring true. You can make them between friends, family, or enemies. You can make the main character love one or none at all. You can even make one corner of the triangle not human, for example a person’s career or calling (Totally Spiderman, Superman, Iron Man?).

You may think the love triangle has been done to death but let me tell you...nothing serves up the drama like an extra side dish of hottie.

My favorite love triangles prove this theory (they were novels first):

True Blood-Eric, Bill, and Sookie

The Vampire Diaries-Damon, Stefan, and Elena.

When you are thinking of ways to torture your characters, don’t automatically discount threesomes…instead think of unique ways to apply them.

And that, my friends, is the Word.

*(Oh yeah that’s teenage me. Cathy and I finally decided neither of us wanted him and became best friends.  Now he’s married with four daughters, totally a case of fate exacting its own vengeance)



4 comments:

  1. Looks like triangles can get very greasy! LOL.

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  2. This is perfect timing, Marsha. I'm wrestling with my love triangle right now (in my MS, not real life. lol.), and part of me is always still in doubt that it's been "done." Nice to know it still works. Also a good reminder that sometimes, love rectangles work too, and are less done.

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  3. Your little Twilight comment made me choke on my tea (because I laughed).

    True Blood's Eric, Sookie and Bill is by far my favorite threesome... er, love triangle. I often imagine getting rid of Sookie and inserting myself into that sandwich of vampire man love. Sometimes it's good to be a piece of meat.

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  4. I feel slightly naughty just for having read this post.

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It helps to know I'm not just talking to myself.