#the potential for an enemies to lovers arc that doesnt feel convoluted?

[theambivalentagender]

Something I've noticed in the SDV fandom is how, despite being ~~controversial~~ in the general fandom, lots of really fantastic artists/writers in the community gravitate right to Shane. And I'd like to propose one theory as to why:

ConcernedApe: Oh, the snarky, scrungly asshole who hates you at first but has a secret soft side and implied tragic backstory? Yeah, let's make him romancable.

Stardew Valley fan writers/artists:

#not to say the other marroage candidates arent good material for storytelling themselves #its just that #well as a person i find shane attractive yes #but as a WRITER this man feels like he was made to draw me in specifically #the potential for an enemies to lovers arc that doesnt feel convoluted? #the barebones of a story about a guy trying to learn to be a responsible dad while struggling with mental health to hang stories from? #backstory hinted at in just the right way that you can craft your own narrative that could make sesnse canonically? #the right balance of shittiness and sweetness that readers will root for the character while believing his struggles? #seriously writing for this boy has actually improved my approach to writing my original characters #i literally have a note on a first meeting scene between two love interests in the novel im working on #that reads #add more hostility #because the scene was bland and i didnt know wjat it was missing until now #sdv #stardew #stardew valley #sdv shane #writing