Conflict. It’s what often drives the plot engine. Oh, and character development. There’s a famous quote in writing circles: “In writing, you must kill all your darlings.” It’s been attributed to Willaim Faulkner but you can’t prove that by me. There’s a lot discussion about where the idea originated, how it evolved to include torturing your darlings, and what it actually means. Do you go after your characters (presumably your darlings) or does it refer to pet phrases, words, situations, and/or tropes? Well, according to the Univers, there’s a reason.

It’s an absolute law, Silver, that every challenge, fear, or loss you encounter bears gifts far more valuable than the price of the trouble they cause.

I think it’s Law 123.ILY –
The Universe
©www.tut.com

P.S. And remember, Silver, no loss ever goes unsettled in the long run.

Personally, I like to make my characters work for their HEA. If it comes too easy, then what’s compelling about the book? What is there to keep the reader’s interest? Yes, there are low conflict books that find their niche and some have made it onto various best seller lists. I’d give you some examples but I can’t think of any off the top of my head. Why? Because I don’t read them. I want a book with action. I want crazy stuff to happen. I want my characters to have churning emotions–highs and lows. I want them to “work for it.” Whatever that *it* is. I’ve yet to kill off a popular character though I have killed some secondaries in order to advance the story, to give more urgency to the situation. In romance, you’re not supposed to kill the kid or the dog, either, but in other genres, they get away with it. I think romance afficianados have very soft hearts deep down. I’d also add don’t kill the horse or cat, either. All of this said, I’m all in favor of throwing roadblocks–as long as they are real–meaning nothing that could easily be fixed with an adult conversation. I have a strong aversion to books that take that tact. The whole problem–which keeps the couple apart for 3/4s of the book–could have been solved in the first chapter if they just sat down and talked like two normal, rational adult human beings.

Anyway, I’m all in favor of causing trouble for my characters so they can reap the benefits in the end. I mean, it IS romance, even with paranormal thriller suspense overtones. And deep down, don’t we all read romance to get to the HEA?