A-Z of Werewolf writing

Mates are for life, not just for Christmas...

Mates. The romance trope found in just about every single werewolf book out there. There's just something we love about the struggles and trials that come with love at first sight, or the pull that means the characters can't bear to be without each other. 

But where do mates come from? What are the clichés you should avoid? And how can you write about true love when you're eating a box of chocolates, watching re-runs of True Blood alone on Valentine's Day? 

It is widely recognised that mates were created for each other by the Moon Goddess. In other words, the mate of a werewolf is their soul-mate, created perfectly, just for them. But love is not always smooth-sailing. Mates can reject each other, break their bond, or they can die. To provide all of her subjects with a happy ending, the Moon Goddess bestows something called a 'second chance mate'—who gets this happy ending is often left up to the individual writer.

Much like marriage, where you exchange rings as a symbol of everlasting love and commitment, werewolf mates mark each other by biting their partner's neck with the teeth of the werewolf side of them. It is a symbol often worn with pride, to show that they are taken and claimed. 

The most notable mates are the Alpha and Luna. They run the pack together, and it is often great cause for celebration when they find each other. 

How do they find each other? There is usually a scent involved, as werewolves have much better senses than humans. The smell is intoxicating and they can follow it to the person it belongs to. There is also the 'electric' feeling that mates can experience by looking in each others' eyes for the first time. But these are all pretty cliché facts, and it's ultimately up to the writer to decide whether they want to follow these 'rules' or not!

Speaking of clichés, here's one—the bad alpha with a black heart who's mated to the innocent wallflower. And another—the werewolf who rejects their mate, only for said mate to reappear years later with their baby/ turned seriously hot/ with magical powers (or all in one—because at the end of the day, it's your story, so why not?)

But if you're thinking you would like to avoid the main clichés and do your own thing, that's great too. I don't know about you guys, but when I read something that I haven't seen done before or with a twist on a cliché, It intrigues me and I want to read on!

My main tip to creating a story that is very much your own is to start with well-rounded characters, flaws included. Start with the basics and build your way up. 

The idea of mates doesn't have to be a gift from the Goddess. Have a think about why your werewolves have that bond and build on it. 

Do your characters fall in love at first sight with the bond? Going on as a united team to defeat their foes while learning about each other? 

What about feeling a bond that weakens them/ causes them pain if they are too far away from each other so they are forced to spend time with each other?

Or is it nothing but a spark, which they have to build and work on for themselves—all the while knowing that the other person is their mate, but not feeling true love just yet?

When it comes to writing about love, there is no fixed guideline. It is different for everyone, but it is also important to note that when writing about love, there isn't a straight road to happily-ever-after, especially after knowing each other for only a week.

Sure, there can be butterflies. A tingling where they've touched. A yearning to be near them, a desire to be with them and to know everything about them. But it can also be frustrating, especially if their 'true love' has a very different personality, belief or way of thinking.  Writing conflict, no matter how small, should be a natural part of writing about a relationship.

Do note, when I say conflict, I mean a two-sided argument that can be talked through and understood; not a physical or psychological one-sided argument to make the other person feel small, weak, defenceless and scared. That is abuse, and I will say it every time until I'm blue in the face—ABUSE SHOULD NOT DEPICTED AS A HEALTHY AND NORMAL RELATIONSHIP, OR A RELATIONSHIP TO FANTASISE AND ASPIRE TO BE IN. 

Conflict can be as mundane as deciding where they are going to live as a new couple, or as huge as deciding who should go into the cave of doom to put the stone back to save the world from certain destruction. 

In conclusion?

Write strong characters with flaws first, and then the relationship. In every relationship, there is conflict, and whether you go with cliché or make up a whole new idea, it's your story. And you should be proud of what you're writing.