How to Write a Compelling Romance Between a Hero and Villain

Are you tired of the same old romance tropes? Do you want to shake things up and create a compelling love story between your hero and villain? If so, this new episode of The Kate and Abbie Show is for you! Today, we’re diving into the complexities of writing a romance between a protagonist and antagonist. We're sharing simple but powerful techniques for building tension, trust, and chemistry between two characters who are sworn enemies.

So whether you're a seasoned writer looking to shake up your storytelling or a new writer just starting out, this episode of The Kate and Abbie Show will give you the tools you need to craft a romance that defies expectations. Grab a notebook and let’s get into it!

Comment below and tell us: What's your favorite hero/villain love story?

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[AbbieEmmons]

My favorite example of a hero/villain romance is [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] from our co-written series, [REDACTED] 😍😂

[annam]

I love platonic versions of this, like how Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann become fond of Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of Caribbean movies.
Or Moana and Maui

[KeikoArukara]

OMG that's what I needed 💕
I already have my way to make it work. Kinda got it from enemies-to-lovers, bc I never found an article or video on people discussing it, so this video is perfect!

[nikkinewbie]

When you said shared secrets between the hero and villain that no one else knows, I thought: what if one of them had a severe, paralyzing phobia? They get into a situation where the phobia is revealed and the other one chooses to help the one with the phobia.

The vulnerability shown and the choice of the one not to take advantage of the other’s vulnerability in the midst of their hero / villain fight dynamic could be a great opportunity to start that slow shift in perception. It could be that hint of the redemption that’s possible for the villain.

Fear humanizes anyone. And it’s also telling how people react when they see that in another person especially their enemy. Do they take advantage or reach out a helping hand even if for only a few seconds!

Say for instance the hero has a paralyzing fear of heights but can’t avoid being in a high place while fighting with the villain. When the villain sees the hero is in trouble they don’t press the advantage, they stand down and help. And not only that, they keep the secret so no one else can use it against them either.

Then they’re both left asking themselves the question “Why did I (you) do that?” The answer to that question becomes the Story, even if the acrimony continues for awhile after that. The door has still been opened ☺️.

This isn’t an example of this idea but I thought about Loki and how I always wished Marvel had him fall for someone in the feature films he’s in. Instead, they went with showing his humanity via his love for his brother (Thor) but that wasn’t the same for me 😂😂

Then the Loki series came out and Marvel must have heard me! 😂😂. Even if they made the person he fell for a female variant of himself, I was thrilled to see Loki navigating the space outside of his comfort zone. Truly compelling to watch.

Love your videos Ladies! Hope you both are well!

[garimakaushik]

As an Indian, I love the way Kate seems to have accepted our culture. The small things like her joining hands as greeting and writing Namaste in her posts or wearing beads in her hands... It is so good to see a foreigner respecting our ways.

[larssjostrom]

My favorite is Tanis and Kitiara in Dragonlance chronicles because that she constantly abuse him like a villain would, but he loves her all the same against his own better judgement. That felt like a realistic error on Tanis part.

[Dragonmoon]

The one book series I can recall with this concept is Kim Harrisons, the Hallows, series between the heroin Rachel and the primary antagonist Trent.

Overall, it was done well, and by the end, you are rooting for them to be together. As it's 13 books, you get a decent slow burn and character progressing for both.

[saoirserubio]

I don't think this has ever been done better than Jaime and Brienne in GoT/ASOIAF.

[emmythorn]

My favorite is the carry on trilogy by rainbow Rowell. Neither of them are really heroes or villains they're just kids who were told to do shit by adults they trusted. It's a good trilogy.

[meganhuffmanwrites]

It's not in a book, but one of my favorite examples of a romance storyline (albeit one-sided) between a hero and a villain is in the musical Anastasia. The Bolshevik general Gleb falls in love with Anya, despite having orders to kill the Romanov family (and any remaining members of their line). It's this internal conflict makes his choice between honoring his duty and following his heart difficult for him to decide what he should do when he has the chance to kill her. He's a complex antagonist (and he's played by the gorgeous and very talented Ramin Karimloo, so that helps), not a caricature, which makes him so interesting and sympathetic.

[KJCancerz]

While watching this video, I had a thought of like... the hero getting corrupted by the villian through out the story/series. I am just unsure how to do that. Could you two possibly make a video covering that?

[tell-me-a-story-]

Hate it when the MC falls in love with someone who hurts and kills others, as if she just doesn't care what happened to the innocent victims.

[ulibarriL]

Dracula and other vampire stories have also been some of my favorite stories where the villain is in love with the protagonist. But these often tend to be one-sided love stories, or the protagonist develops Stockholm Syndrome. Needless to say, the trope is inspirational and makes for some interesting writing.

[grafinlady]

donno about romance but im simply inspired by the way kate looks at abbie

[katiewillson]

Here we This is what I've been waiting for!🤩

[jamescarvey]

As always you'll really make us- listeners, fans, the mesmerized, whatever you may call us-sit back and contemplate. Your discourse is always, most eloquent, absorbing, and loaded with usable content. You two sisters have had a profound and positive impact on my writer's journey. 'Namaste' to Kate and 'Sis you Rock' to Abbie😄😁😃😊( Opp!s sometimes I tend to forget I'm a boomer and should be using more age-appropriate praise words...like positively stupendous I say!)😸

[gabriellabatel]

Wowowowow, I can't wait to read your guys' co-authored series!

[gabriellabatel]

This is so great, I REALLY want to write one of these relationships now. And I haven't read one that I like yet, so your guys' is probably going to be the first one and I have a feeling I'm going to adore it!

[abigailslade]

One of the best examples of hero/villain love entanglements is in dragonlance between Tanis half elven and Kitara.

[milomazli]

You two are amazing as always!! Thank you so much!!!