Writer's Prompts | Love Unscripted | Love's Corner Case

Tithonus | Love and the Curse of Immortality

The Point of No Return (or, When Love Turns into a Slow, Painful Goodbye)

So, you’ve written a couple of star-crossed lovers, huh? Great. You’ve had them chase each other through fields of wildflowers, kiss in the rain, and whisper sweet nothings in a candlelit room. But here’s the twist you didn’t see coming - what happens when they just… can’t be together anymore? We’re not talking about some dramatic breakup over a love triangle. Nah, that’s too easy. This is the real deal: the moment when your character realizes they need to give up on the person they love. You know, the kind of heartbreaking moment that makes readers want to throw the book at the wall.

Writer's Prompt

Simply put: What is the point at which your main character realizes they have to give up on the person they love? Whether it’s a man, a woman, or any gender combination in between, the choice is yours. The reason? Also, up to you. It could be addiction, illness, war, or just the slow burn of realizing that love can’t fix everything.

But here’s the catch: you’re going to let the awful, inevitable decision approach gently, slowly. Don’t rush it. Let your characters squirm in the process. Build up to that crushing moment, where they know they’ve hit the point of no return. The realization should come like a wave that’s been building forever - until, finally, they’re drenched in it. Will they fight it? Will they embrace it? Or will they just let it wash over them, leaving them feeling as empty as a bottle of cheap wine on a Friday night?

Reminder, keep it to 600 words or less! And, of course, send it in to us - if we like it, we might even read it out on the podcast! So, don’t hold back. We want your characters to suffer - the more painful, the better. Go ahead and make your characters face the emotional wrecking ball. Let them realize they’ve reached the point where love is just no longer enough. It’ll hurt them, it’ll hurt you, and - dare I say it - it’ll make one hell of a story.