How important are pairings in the story?

Michael

From where I'm sitting, as a separate entity they are completely, totally utterly unimportant. They're just a possible part of the plot an author might choose to write. You might as well ask "how important are favourite foods to a story?" And a story which is totally dependent on them is just as bizarrely unbalanced as one which is totally dependent on characters' favourite foods.

I would suppose that they are only important if writing certain pairings is your goal.

If they aren't, then only write what comes naturally in the course of the plot.

I suppose pairings are important in some fandoms to attract readers. Maybe a lot of people like a certain couple, and will R&R any fic that they know has it - even if the fic is otherwise terrible.

Otherwise, it's only important to the story if it's important to the plot. And/or maybe you (the writer) as well.

Pairings are only important as long as it relates to your plot. It's not necessary for every story. And there are many successful stories that survive without pairings.

But if it's important to you, then that overrides its necessity to the plot.

Well, mainly I would say that they're only really important in romance stories. 'Cause couplings is what it's all about. But they can definately add spice to other genres.

Yah they do add a little something to other genres fandoms I enjoy writing for are Superman or other DC comic related catagories. I do have a list pairings I use and some I'm come up with while writing.

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