In this time of panic and stress, I'm going to unwind by ranting about love triangles.

Like, seriously, do you know how hard it is to live in one? I'm in quarantine, and these two guys keep trying to hit on me. One of them is a vampire, and one of them is a werewolf. It's very annoying.

Okay, that aside, I've had to read a lot of books with love triangles. I suspect that everyone reading this has, at the very least, read one – whether it be on Wattpad, or from an actual published book. I can name... a lot. In fact, just off the top of my head, how many can I list? (Let me know if you know any of these, and what you rate these love triangles on a scale of 'I couldn't even finish the book' to 'It made my panties wet'.

Actually, let's make it a full-on rating system because I'm bored:

One Star = I couldn't even finish the book.

Two Stars = I wish the protagonist just chose to be single.

Three Stars = I liked one side of the love triangle. The other? I didn't see the point.

Four Stars = It was really well-crafted! Not my favourite, but honestly, pretty good.

Five Stars = Panties. Are. Wet.

Have fun rating the ones you know:

- The Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa

- The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

- The Firebird Series by Claudia Gray

- The Legend Series by Marie Lu

- The Dark Artifices by Cassandra Clare

- Literally every book by Cassandra Clare—I mean, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

- Downside Ghosts by Stacia Kane

- Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

- The Crucible (??? Sort of??? Pretty sure young teenager was 'titillated' by John Proctor??) by Arthur Miller

- The Great Gatsby (Again, sort of?) by F. Scott Fitzgerald

- Fever by Dee Schulman

- Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

- Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead

- Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Colins

- The Selection by Kiera Cass

- Why do I know all of these from the top of my head—I mean, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

- The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary

- Dark Parallel by M. G. Harris

Okay, I need to stop because these are getting awfully specific. I didn't realise I could list so many just off the top of my head. Soon enough, I'll be commenting my thoughts on those love triangles (if I forget, this is awkward).

Now, the thing is, I despised some of these love triangles. But, just as I was beginning to suspect that maybe I just don't like love, I realised that I also adored some of those love triangles. You know the typical, it's not you, it's me?

Yeah, no.

It wasn't me that was the issue. It was the love triangle.

So, let's go back to the star system. Remember: this is entirely my opinion. My opinion is not necessarily a good one. It just what I think. I also think my dog thinks what I think. So this is just what me and my dog think.

I don't want to linger on this one too much, mostly because I don't think I've ever not finished a book—

Oh wait. The Selection.

Never mind.

That being said, I'm not going to talk about The Selection. I'm going to talk about another love triangle that nearly made me stop reading.

New Moon, the second book in the Twilight Series.

Because, here is the thing: the relationships were so ridiculously toxic that it was painful to read. Bella literally used Jacob so that she could get into near-death experiences so she could hear Edward's voice, and yet claimed she loved both of them. Jacob forced Bella to kiss him, to the point where she had to hit him to make him stop. Edward abandoned Bella in the middle of a forest after breaking her heart and left her, more or less, because of a papercut.

And don't get me started on how, later on, Edward becomes a doormat and does everything for Bella. And how Bella pressures Edward into making love to her. Like, what if the genders were reversed and Edward pressured Bella? People would revolt. But it's 'fine' when Bella pressures him.

In other words, I have no problems with love triangles.

But, please, please, do not romanticise toxic relationships. Please.

Basically, the characters aren't even developed is the main issue with this love triangle.

In this sort of love triangle, the pace is too quick, and none of the characters are truly thought-out and developed. Or, worse yet, they are developed into perfect little Mary Sues/Gary Sues. Some characters are neglected, and everything about them is clichéd and predictable. The characters lack depth.

How do you add that depth, both my dog and I hear you ask?

Your character motivations. They should be kept in the centre of it all. The 'why'. Why are they where they are? Why do they have a story written about them?

Along with those, you need to ask yourself: what do the characters want? What is their history and what makes them who they are? Why are they in this love triangle? Are there other things happening around them that are stopping or encouraging their affection? Blackmail? Abuse? Lust? Neglect? Passion?

In other words, the reason this love triangle is so tedious is that the characters aren't developed.

When writing, your priority should be your characters. Not their love triangle. And their love triangle should bring out something within them -- it should add to the story.

They also need to be believable. Why does Bella have, like, five love interests when I only have--

Okay, Sunshine. Stop taking it personally.

In which the love triangle is about as predictable as the colour of my blood (hint: it's red).

Sometimes, the love triangle is too damned predictable. I don't mean to hate on Twilight yet again, but we all knew Jacob didn't stand a chance. We all knew that America Singer would end up with rich, attractive prince. We all know that the protagonist in Wattpad books will probably end up with the character who has the high cheekbones-- I mean, what?

Basically, the reason these love triangles are so damned annoying is because we know what happens! We just have to roll our eyes as the protagonist drags it on and cries out 'woe is me'.

The key? Make your triangle slightly unpredictable. Not wildly unpredictable in that French Fry spends her entire life with Tomato Sauce but then suddenly marries Barbeque Sauce when he sells her a handbag. But there should be twists and turns throughout the story -- interactions that the reader wouldn't expect -- that could make the love triangle swing in either way.

Peeta being brainwashed by The Capitol? Followed by Gale, who may or may not have blown up... erm... a sort of flower? Good. It's different. It's something!

It does everything that the other stars before it failed to do. Strong characters, not-toxic, unpredictable.

So... what's wrong? Why isn't it my favourite?

It kind of neglects the story. Like, it's a good love triangle. But... it's kind of... there.

You have to remind yourself: what about the rest of the story outside the love triangle? How is that impacted by the love triangle?

Basically, The Capitol isn't going to postpone The Hunger Games because Katniss complains that she's dealing with a love triangle, and she would appreciate a few chapters to wallow in self-pity. The revolution isn't going to stop so she can have some sexy-time. The story shouldn't be forgotten at the expense of the story.

Remember your usual story: conflict, climax, resolution.

That's your priority.

And no, it's not because of the smut.

The reason I love these love triangles?

Strong characters. Unpredictability. Does not forget the plot.

And, better yet, it brings out so much character development.

One book does this so exceptionally well for me. I understand most people haven't read it, and I won't say it's title so I don't really spoil it, but basically, imagine this:

McDonalds falls in love with KFC. Nandos kills KFC. McDonalds is forced to spend time with Nandos due to a joint mission, and is slowly... slowly... realising they are growing feelings. And now McDonalds has to face it: they are in love with the person who murdered their old lover.

And when things are going well, finally, KFC comes back from the dead.

The amount of conflict, of development, of learning that comes out of that for all three characters is insane. And hot. Very, very hot.

Basically, these love triangles really teach the characters something. They make them grow. They make them different.

And nothing is hotter than good, ol' character development.

That's it, folks! Tell me about your favourite/least favourite love triangles! Tell me about your characters and their love triangles! I'd love to hear it.

And if you gotta rant, I'm all ready to read it. I love juicy rants.

See you all next time for my rant on "The Best Friend". I'm thinking of making it another "Types of Best Friends", so I need your help — what are the typical types of best friends you see in Wattpad stories? Or published stories?