One thing I’ve learned from reading romance over the years is that every satisfying story must have a black moment. You know, the scene that inserts itself into a storyline right when things seem to be going well for the main characters, then leaves them wondering if they’ve lost their only shot at love. It’s that “woe is me, the world is ending” part of a book where you may or may not want to shake some sense into the hero or heroine—or both of them!—and tell them to make up already! And for some reason, the black moment always has to happen before we can get to the happy ending.
Grr! Argh! Sigh! LOL
If you can’t tell, I kinda have a love-hate relationship with black moments. Why? On the one hand, I know they’re essential to the plot and are used to add a dramatic element to a story. And as we know from experience, real life isn’t always rosy and easy, and hardships are bound to happen. On the other hand, black moments can sometimes be too dramatic or they can feel forced, as if the author had to toss in something bad in order to follow the romance arc (I may or may not be speaking from experience, LOL). That said, it’s a delicate balance for authors to know how to write black moments that are compelling, but also make sense to the story and its characters.
This is what I attempted to do for my newest release, Retying the Knot. Since this is a romantic comedy, I intentionally kept the black moment lighter and less emotional, but I did manage to insert doubts into the characters’ minds about the possibility of a future together. I won’t spoil the scene for you, but let’s just say that it involves the sudden appearance of an ex, a drama queen of a mother-in-law, and a reference to Judge Judy. Yup, it’s one unique black moment!
I’d love to hear your thoughts about black moments! Do you love them or hate them? Can you tell when one is coming up in a story? Are there any CCR black moments that you’ve found to be quite memorable? Let me know in the comments below!
A chauffeur and referee by day (AKA a stay at home mom of two), Liwen Y. Ho writes inspirational and sweet romance infused with heart, humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots).
Black moments in a story can certainly be dramatic. Such moments can take a story in a new direction. They can also reveal characteristics that would have remained unknown.
I have a love-hate with them as well. Love reading them and love writing them (Most of the time) but I’m in the middle of writing one right now that has me feeling like a yo-yo. I love when they’re dramatic. Even though the book is CCR, there are times when you really wonder if they’re going to get it together and live happily ever after. Those are my favorite.
I like them to be subtle, where you don’t see it coming before the characters do. That’s a well-written story, in my opinion. Just like real life, everything doesn’t hit you upside the head, we’re usually blindsided, and don’t anticipate somethings happening. There are circumstances where you see it happening, but it’s not the norm, and since I like books to reflect real life, I like where I don’t see it coming. There are some I would have liked to go smack one or both upside the head, though!
There have been books in which I know a black moment must come soon (things are going too well and there’s still half the book to come), and I’m just not ready for it, so I quit reading until the next day!
I admit there needs to be those dark moments, but I, like Trudy, prefer them to be subtle and sorta sneak up on you.
What I really don’t like is when it is a total mistake on one or more of the characters in interpretation of partially known information. Just talk to one another! Communication is the key!
Hi Mary! Very true! They are a big turning point in a story. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Tabitha! High five on our love-hate with them! Lol. I hope your scene works out and your characters get the HEA they (and you) long for. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Trudy! Yes, I also appreciate it when they’re realistic yet surprising. And haha, you said it well (the smacking upside the head part lol). Thanks for commenting!
Hi Margaret! That is a good clue, isn’t it? I think that’s the part I dislike, having that happy moment interrupted. It is nice to be able to put a pause on the book and pick it up when you’re ready. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Paula! Yes, I often hear readers say the same thing, that they dislike conflict that can be easily resolved by talking. Now I’m wondering if I’ve done that in any of my books (I probably have lol!). But you’re right about communication being the key (in fiction and real life). Thanks for commenting!
I enjoy reading them.
Hi Alicia! That’s great to hear. I do think they are important to a story. Thanks for commenting!
First, I’ve never heard them called “black moments.” I first thought you were talking about racial tensions.
Secondly, dark moments are definitely tricky — they can feel fake if they seem too dramatic or unrelated to some previous backstory that’s already been mentioned. I don’t mind if it’s a miscommunication, but it has to be a reasonable one. And having both characters misunderstand is even trickier to be believable, so it’s better if there is some kind of external conflict or an insecurity triggered due to one of their past wounds.
I don’t know if I’ve always done this in my books, either. ;) But as I’m learning more about writing, I realize what it is that I like or dislike about other books I’m reading.
Hi Lila! I had actually done a Google search as I was writing this post to see if the term was widely used/known and it seemed to be. But I believe they are also known by other names.
Yes, I agree that an external conflict or an insecurity is easier to write. As another reader mentioned, miscommunication is probably the trickiest to pull off. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I agree black moments in a story can sometimes be overly dramatic, but I think they can also be the moments when the characters look to God and we see how important He is in our live and romances.
Hi Megan! Such a good point! Yes, it’s often during times of crises that we cry out to God for help and He always comes through for us. Thanks for commenting!
Like you, I have a love/hate relationship with the black moments in a book, lol! I know it’s necessary for character growth, but it’s SO, SO hard to watch beloved characters go through doubts, fears, misunderstandings, and the like in their love story. There are times I rave at the author “why are you putting them through this”, to wanting to throw the book across the room (okay, not for real), to eventually knowing it really IS good for the characters. I mean after all, life isn’t all roses and relationships aren’t all perfect either. I think if you were to portray perfectly easy lives where nothing goes wrong, I would find it boring, unrealistic & I wouldn’t connect with your characters.
So as much as I HATE the black moments, just like life, they happen! Watching how the characters handle those moments encourages me as reader when they happen to me.
P.S. I just borrowed “Re-tying the Knot” from KU because you convinced me that I NEED to read it, lol! *wink*
Absolutely loved ReTying the Knot! Hate black moments in stories, and dread knowing there’s got to be one coming up…lol. It is true that most of the time the problem is caused by lack of communication, and isn’t that so true of life itself?
Hi Trixi! So well said! Sometimes I ask myself the same thing and truly wish I didn’t have to “torture” my characters before they can get their HEA. Books take us on such a rollercoaster of emotions, don’t they?
Oh yay, thank you so much for borrowing Retying the Knot! I hope you enjoy it, black moment and all! :)
Hi Margaret! Yay, so glad you enjoyed Peter and Piper’ story! And yes, fiction so often imitates real life. Thanks for commenting!
I had one book I read that I KNEW the black moment was going to happen and had a really good idea of what it would be. But it still gutted me when it happened and I literally ugly cried (nobody was home, lol) over it. It hurt my heart so much :-(
As odd as this sounds, it was SO worth it in the end because it made their relationship stronger in the end and the HEA so much the sweeter.
Love them because it means the make-up and HEA are just around the corner.
I am not remembering any at this time. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
I love black moments with the love hate minutes. It makes them very interesting
Hi Denise! That’s a good way to look at them! I like your perspective. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Debra! No worries! Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
Hi Amy! So true. They do make a story more complicated and intriguing. Thanks for commenting!
Aren’t they necessary to add the spice to the story :) …
Hi Natalya! Lol, good point! I suppose stories wouldn’t be the same without them. Thanks for commenting!
An author friend told me once about one of his writing teachers who told him about the necessity of conflict in story. His teacher told him to “chase his protagonist up a tree and throw rocks at him”! I suppose it may depend on genre but I’m not that kind of author. I don’t enjoy conflict in life so writing it is all the more challenging. In fact, I’m right there with Margaret Nelson’s comment. If the conflict point looks to be too challenging, I’ll put the story down until I can brace myself for the impact, LOL!
Can I see it coming? Usually, yes, I can. With romance it’s almost funny. Author after author, plotter or pantser, it usually hits at between 60 and 65 percent of the story. (Yes, I use an e-reader :)).
I think I prefer a little bit of foreshadowing. Often it’s our fearfulness that puts us in a conflict. If we already had a walk of trust with God, the conflict details might be unpleasant, even painful but not shattering. Whether it’s a train wreck we see coming or a sudden collision that catches the reader off guard, I think that the best dark moments are the ones where we get to see the characters grow in the midst of loss or pain.
In my experience, God doesn’t usually make the source of conflict disappear. He more often uses it to shape me. The loved one’s illness has lasting effects. The job is lost and not regained. Irreversible choices put our lives on completely different tracks. God’s love takes us where we need to go, like it or not. I think the love of our heroes is deepened by them being changed by those dark valleys.
Sometimes, the conflict gets resolved by the author showing that it wasn’t really a conflict after all. The heroine sees the hero with another woman and feels betrayed. But, no, it was his sister or the man was his twin brother or yes, it was a date but he was just fulfilling his obligation as the result of a fund-raising bachelor auction. Oopsie, nevee mind! Those kinds of scenarios are okay but it seems important to say that they are the romance equivalent of bubblegum and cotton candy. They are nice as a sweet taste but a little sickening as a constant diet. (This is not to say that I don’t have a sweet tooth where CCR is concerned, LOL!) I find myself growing along with the characters, though, when they are changed by going through the valley, not around.
Wow, Lincoln! What a thoughtful and heartfelt comment. I really appreciate your thoughts, especially about characters growing through the valleys instead of going around them. Eeks, it’s such a bittersweet thing, isn’t it? One thing God has taught me is that without the bad stuff in life (ie. loss, disappointment), we may not see the good as much (ie. the comfort and care of others). It’s a powerful thing when we as authors are able to convey the purpose of conflict in our writing. Thanks so much for commenting!
Aww, I totally get it! Sigh, sometimes the bitterness is what makes love so sweet.