Writing the Dystopian Romance of Yonah and Naris

The A Collection of Scars trilogy is a dystopian fiction in that it takes place in a world similar to our own (albeit, a fictional one) with a major social/cultural difference that makes it worse. But where A Collection of Scars differs from many dystopian fiction series is the A plot. 

In my experience reading dystopian fiction, the A plot asks how the protagonist will save the world, and there is a romantic B plot. From the very beginning, I wanted A Collection of Scars to have an A plot that featured the romance, and leave the saving-the-world aspect of the novel for the B plot. 

A Collection of Scars has always been about Yonah and Naris. Their relationship has always been the focus of Yonah’s journey. Book one asks whether Yonah will give in to her attraction to Naris. Book two asks if their relationship can withstand their differences. Book three will ask if love conquers all: deceit, trauma, differences in political views and personal values, and more.

One of my favourite parts of writing the Yonah-Naris relationship is playing tug-of-war between their moments of true caring, and the abuse and manipulation they enact. I’ve always wanted to try to make readers feel conflicted when they read about this relationship. I want them to detest Naris every time he hurts Yonah, then feel compassion for him when he reveals his vulnerability to her. I want readers to want to scream at Yonah every time she lets herself feel close to Naris while also yearning for a different world in which the two of them may have been able to love each other without conflict. 

The key to making readers feel so many things about Yonah and Naris has been to humanize Naris. He is manipulative and abusive and obtuse and ignorant. But he’s also loyal, in search of belonging, and protective. He will prove that he will do just about anything to protect Yonah against others. At the same time, he inflicts his own abuse on Yonah. 

Throughout the trilogy, Yonah dives deeper and deeper into her own form of manipulation and abuse against Naris. Is she forced to act in this way due to her circumstances? Is she allowing herself to stoop to Naris’ level as a subconscious form of revenge for the misdeeds he’s done? 

As these two use and hurt each other in an attempt to further their personal goals, they become both more entwined with each other and more drawn towards ending a hurtful situation. At what point is there no return? When does it become impossible to forgive? Or can love (or obsession) overcome all those trespasses? 

As the homepage on my website states, Heather Hataley fiction is for the emotionally curious reader. The relationship between Yonah and Naris will take you through a whirlwind of emotions as their blemished journey unfolds. Want to read book 1? Click here for more info on where to make your purchase.

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