Header Promotion
In A DILEMMA. A choice has to be made between two equally bad - or two equally good- alternatives.
Example. Many marriage of convenience stories or moral dilemmas have exactly this kind of dilemma. Charles Dickens loved them -such as where the pretty innocent heroine has to marry the repellent man to save her sister/aged parent/child from destitution or prison or some other terrible fate.
Today it would be the unmarried mother who needs what this man can offer her. Or the person who agrees to pretend to a fiancée or girlfriend to save someone or something they care about.
For example, in the recent movie ‘The Proposal’ Ryan Reynolds is persuaded to pretend to be Sandra Bullock’s fiancé so that he can keep his job and she can avoid being deported back to Canada.
One good central dilemma can drive both the conflict and the energy in a romance.
The power of this dilemma can build in intensity until her hero and heroine is forced into a situation when they have to make that crucial decision and decide which of the equally bad or wonderful options to accept. One way or the other, this dilemma is finally resolved at the point of resolution.
In my first novel for the Romance Line ‘Always the Bridesmaid’, my heroine Amy must decide whether to give her long standing goal of adopting a child, and a future with a wonderful man, Jared, who has just come into her life.
In that heart wrenching scene when they declare their love, that precious moment is marred by the revelation that Jared does not want children, adopted or otherwise.Both alternatives are equally desirable, but each is at odds with the other –forcing poor Amy to make the ultimate choice.
Powerful emotions, deep choices. That is the power of the dilemma. And don’t we love them! 
Nina Harrington.For Warm, Witty and Wildly Romantic Fiction.
Harlequin Mills and Boon Romance Line Author.
http://ninaharrington.com./
I love a good dilemma in a
I love a good dilemma in a story and yes, they do had tension in a story. Your blog is great food for thought.
Nancy
January 2009 Member of the Month
Participant in Date with Destiny 2009
Participant in Pass the Plot Spring 2009
I also think a dilemma like
I also think a dilemma like yours...with two equal alternatives...gives a story a sense of realism.
After all, if it's a choice between something good or something bad, the choice isn't difficult. But in real life we're always choosing between two things we want...or two things we don't want!
susan
susan meier
THE MAGIC OF A FAMILY CHRISTMAS, Harlequin Romance, 11/09
Realistic dilemmas
The example you cited is particularly realistic in that, in real life, you can meet someone who seems absolutely perfect for you, but you have critical differences (like religious beliefs, for some, or the desire to have children or even where to live) that may be equally important to you. If you choose the loved one, sometimes the differences will resolve themselves (which is what most people hope will happen), but sometimes they eventually drive the couple apart.
Because many people have experienced something similar or know someone who has, a story with a similar dilemma is especially poignant.
Adopt a shelter pet. Save a life; gain a best friend for life.
View my DD's very public video acting debut at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E-v05kMucw.
July 2009 Member of the Month
The Conflict
Finding a great conflict is at the heart of writing gripping romantic fiction. We want to see the H/h's hearts lying bleeding on the page!
Liz
CHRISTMAS ANGEL FOR THE BILLIONAIRE/HER DESERT DREAM
Annie and Lydia; two women, trading places, changing lives...
Read WILD LADY free at http://thebeaumontbrides.blogspot.com
Follow me on Twitter - @lizfielding
Page-turners...
Nina, you put it so well! Strong conflicts, moral dilemmas and characters we care about -- nobody is taking that book out of my hands till I'm finished, thank you very much!
The Cattleman, The Baby and Me - Harlequin Romance May 2010
http://www.michelle-douglas.com