The Romantic Comedy "Formula"

From the book Writing the Romantic Comedy by Billy Mernit

1) "The Chemical Equation"-- Introduction of the primary point-of-view character that shows what's missing in that
person's life -- what the main interior conflict is for that character, as well as what the main exterior conflict will be. The
secondary lead, the love interest, may also be introduced separately in this step or later in the story. That character's
introduction should at least hint at why this person may be the one who can fulfill the need in the main character's life and
show why the main character really should meet this person.

2) The Cute Meet or Catalyst -- the incident that brings them together and sets up the conflict between them. Their
meeting should set the tone for their relationship. It needs to have some link to the theme of the story.

3) A Sexy Complication -- a development that raises the stakes, defines the main character's goal, puts the main
characters in conflict or puts their emotions in conflict with the external goal. In a story where there's not a lot of romantic
conflict between the characters, this will be an external problem that could keep them apart. If there's no external problem
to keep them apart, it will be an internal issue that keeps them from really connecting.

4) The Hook -- the big midpoint scene that really binds the couple and has implications for how their relationship will
work out. From this point, there's no way out, and they're in it together. This should also repeat or reflect the story's main
theme in some way.

5) Swivel -- a turning point that makes the stakes higher than ever, so that the relationship jeopardizes the main
character's goal, or vice versa, leading to a changed goal. The main character is forced to choose between love and the goal.

6) Dark Moment -- the aftermath of the consequences of the swivel scene. The characters have to reveal private
motivations, and it seems that either the love or the goal is lost forever. The main character is at his/her most vulnerable
point.

7) Joyful Defeat -- reconciliation between the characters that reaffirms how important the relationship is to them,
usually (but not always) with a happy ending that implies marriage -- but usually at the cost of something the main
character has had to sacrifice.