

More Happier: Talking Romance Writing with Stacey Abrams and Lori Gottlieb
11 snips Sep 3, 2025
In this lively discussion, Gretchen Rubin, a happiness expert and host of the Happier with Gretchen Rubin podcast, and Lori Gottlieb, a bestselling author and psychotherapist, delve into the role of romance in fiction and real life. Stacey Abrams shares how she weaves authentic connections into her suspense novels. The trio explores the intricacies of modern relationships, the impact of technology on dating, and highlights the importance of small, meaningful gestures. They celebrate the joy of love stories, emphasizing personal growth and emotional connections.
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Needs Drive Believable Romance
- Stacey Abrams grounds romance by identifying what each character genuinely needs and how they fulfill each other's gaps.
- She builds relationships that help characters find their own solutions rather than making another person the cure.
Moving Beyond Hypermasculinity
- Stacey Abrams notes the decline of hypermasculine tropes that masked non-consent and aggression in older romance.
- Modern romance centers agency for women and realistic emotional reciprocity.
Make Idealized Moments Earned
- Make idealized romance probable, not absurd, by having characters communicate and confront issues.
- Avoid instant, effortless fixes; show real working-through of pain and consequences.