Hello there my lovely inkitt friends! I know we talked about opposites attract, now let’s go for something else especially spicy in our beloved tropes.
That’s right, forced proximity.
I know, fan favorite here and why wouldn’t it be? It’s absolutely delicious, isn’t it? There really is something about being forced to share space with someone who is drop dead gorgeous -AND- knowing you shouldn’t touch… and REALLY wanting too.
If you haven’t heard of this trope, highly doubt it babe.
Forced Proximity Trope Outline
The main components are as follows-
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Our Main Character
Typically she is unhappy about this sudden problem. They don’t know each other, or they hate each other- maybe she hates him and is just wanting as much space as possible.
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Our Leading Man, or Men
Typically he is equally unhappy by this but they just had a run of bad luck and well he has to sleep beside her, how could he not?
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Circumstances Which Leave Them… Well Forced in Each Other’s Proximity
That’s it! The circumstances and the characters, isn’t that so interesting?
Looking Closer: The Many Faces of Forced Proximity
This can look a thousand different ways and is up to the writer.
Some of my personal favorites, lost in the night and having to huddle together for warmth. Nothing quite like that inner monologue of both main characters fighting with their innermost personal thoughts, and their will to live. I love a fight scene that leaves them trapped in a room together for who knows how long, and somehow we have to kill time, am I right?
Better still, a fantasy romance themed with one room left at the inn. She has to be protected and he can’t do that from just anywhere. And look at that, it’s storming and she is afraid of storms, and oh what rotten luck she is having a nightmare and it just melts his heart. So, slowly he crawls into bed to let her know she is safe.
Oh my heart.
Yes to that a million times over.
Learning the Trope: Forced Proximity in Every Genre
The fun part about forced proximity tropes is it can be in any genre and has no real guidelines other than that, your character forced together. Everything else is up for every circumstance out there and it can be anything you can think of.
Want to see it in horror? Done, baby.
Try reading: Haunted by Samantha Pfundheller.
Need to see it in historical fantasy? Say less, my love. Try: The Barbarian by G.M. Marks.
How about some werewolf smut? Oh, you already know. Try: Kidnapped by My Mate by Annie Whipple.
Forced proximity is a trope that has the color range to fit into whatever genre you want, and that’s something unlike most tropes, forced proximity is amazing.
The Thrill of the Trope
Doesn’t it feel safer to know our most loved characters are trapped? That this is a controlled moment we can relax in while having that thrill?
To safely experience that longing?
Forced proximity can be:
- A grand, slow-burn romance where they finally give in to their feelings.
- A passionate one-night fling that they swear will never happen again.
- A moment at the beginning of the story or sprinkled in throughout.
There are no limits to this trope.
We’ve read it in books like Pride and Prejudice—a classic, right?
And we’ve seen this tasty little trope in Twilight.
Not so classic, huh?
Final Thoughts
I personally love this trope because of its versatility and how universal it hits with so many of us in all kinds of different genres.
We are all so profoundly unique and to know we can be connected by one of our favorite tropes just pulls on my heartstrings.
What can I say?
