My greatest literary wish for 2011...

NO MORE LOVE TRIANGLES.

PLEASE.

I BEG OF YOU.

MAKE THEM STOP.

The love triangle was the most overused plot device for 2010 - particularly in YA.

I know some of you like love triangles. I used to love them once upon a time too. But seriously, is there no other way to keep a couple apart except to add a third party??

I do realize that love isn't easy. Your first love isn't always your forever love. Relationships wax and wane at all ages. You can be attracted to more than one person at a time. I swear - I get it. I know there will be drama. I don't want everyone to be perfect and boring.

My biggest problem with them is there is usually plenty going on with the plot without adding that element. Often the end of the world is near but everyone is worrying about who's getting busy with someone else. Seriously - the world may end because of you - worry about that later! Most of these couples already have enough issues to work through without having to add that element. It's just secondary and often detracts from the bigger story which could be fascinating if we could just get to it!

Another thing is this "I love both of you" crap. Girl meets hot boy A (cuz he's gotta be hot)  and loves him like she's never loved another....until hot boy B walks in the room. Now she loves both. No. Sorry. Not buying it. You lust after both...which is fine. Just call it what it is. It's entirely possible to be with a person and suddenly you meet someone new that makes you second guess your relationship and it's possible to be torn by that choice. Where you lose me is dragging both of those relationships out for YEARS. AND expecting both of those guys to remain celibate and patiently wait until you make the heart rendering decision.

And the real kicker?? They DO!! The guys are perfect. What guy does that?? Give me his name and number if you find him.

At some point I lose respect for all of them. Either have a three way or make a decision. Imagine if a guy did that to two girls in a story. Would we love him and understand his dilemma while he's making out with two girls in under an hour?

Authors are going to great lengths to write strong female characters who can save themselves, wield swords and talk back to the boys but then they make those same girls turn to a puddle of goo around the boys. Again - I expect and want a multi layered character. She does not have to be perfect, she can make mistakes but it should be consistent with her personality. She can't be Buffy the Vampire Slayer in battle and then an idiot risking everyone's safety because of a boy in the next moment.

What really kills me is after following some of these series for three or more years, the love triangle is resolved in the last 20-30 pages. "Oops sorry Boy B, I always loved Boy A.....couldn't you tell?" What took over three or more books to decide is over in about 2 seconds.

This is what I feel like after one of those lame endings:

My heart is ripped out and tossed on the floor - squished like a bug

So there are all my criticisms but there are a few that have done it right IMO.

 *Darkest Mercy the conclusion to Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely series. She gave the proper weight to the conclusion of the love triangle between Ash, Seth and Keenan. It's not a rushed conclusion and it makes sense within the world she created. People may have complaints one way or another - they always do when it comes to the end of a series but no one is left hanging out to dry. (sorry no hints or spoilers from me!)

*Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. Not only is there a love triangle but it's more like a quadrangle or septangle even...LOL It was written in a completely believable way though and very true to what goes on in a real teenagers life in high school.

That is my greatest wish for the new year - NO MORE LOVE TRIANGLES. OK, So I know it ain't happening any time soon. They're what sells. Granted most people aren't juggling over 30 series with 90% of those being love traingle related plots. I would settle for 50% less triangles or maybe resolve them sooner. See ....I'm willing to compromise.

I'm going to be greedy and ask for one more thing. LESS SERIES. Why is everything no less than a trilogy these days?? How about a few stand alone novels?? Is there a publishing law against two books in a series? I bet if you eliminated those love triangles the plot would move along quite nicely. Just saying.

So what do you think? Am I waaaay off base? Do you love the triangle? Or are sick of them like I am?

What would you like to see for 2011?