Directing Meet Cutes
Meet Cutes are typically considered a Romance beat. But if you have any found family, band of brothers, or women’s fiction with a sisterhood plot then you have characters meeting in a cute way. But a Meet Cute isn’t just about a chance encounter. To make it truly unforgettable, you need to consider four essential elements.
1. The Setting
The where and when of your Meet Cute establishes the tone and mood of your story. The setting is a character in itself, influencing how your lovers interact.
When crafting your setting, think about how it serves the story and creates opportunities for your characters to collide. Is it a corporate office, a dilapidated inn, or a battlefield? Each setting brings its own challenges and possibilities.
2. The Trope
Tropes are the heartbeat of genre fiction. They give readers a sense of familiarity and expectation while allowing you to add your own unique twist. Tropes provide a framework for the stakes and dynamics in your Meet Cute. They tell readers what’s at risk if these two characters pursue their connection—and that risk is the hook that keeps readers invested.
For example, an office romance trope immediately introduces stakes where the romance could jeopardize one or both characters' careers. Especially if the lovers have a power imbalance, such as a boss and a secretary.
3. The Connection or Attraction
Attraction is the chemistry that crackles between your characters, and it’s essential to establish it early on. Film scholars have identified four types of connections that can define the dynamic in your Meet Cute:
Pull / Pull: Instant mutual attraction, like Romeo and Juliet.
Push / Push: Instant mutual disinterest or even dislike, like When Harry Met Sally.
Push / Pull: One character is drawn in, but the other is disinterested or resistant, like The Notebook.
Neutral / Nervous: One character is awkwardly trying to hide their attraction while the other is oblivious, like My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
These dynamics offer endless opportunities to build tension and intrigue. For example, in an office romance, a Push / Pull connection might involve the boss feeling an immediate spark while the intern is too focused on their work—or vice versa.
4. The Situation
Finally, the situation determines the how of the Meet Cute. It’s the moment that forces your characters together and kickstarts their relationship arc. Here are four classic Meet Cute situations:
Heroic: One character rescues the other from danger or an awkward situation. Think of superhero romances or military love stories.
Embarrassing: One or both characters are caught in a cringe-worthy moment. Romcoms thrive on this trope—whether it’s spilling coffee or walking in on someone changing.
Instalove: Instant, overwhelming attraction. Perfect for paranormal romances or fated mates in shifter stories.
Contentious or Adversarial: The characters are at odds immediately or due to a shared past. Think The Hating Game or any enemies-to-lovers story.
By carefully crafting the setting, trope, connection, and situation, you’ll create a Meet Cute scene that’s memorable, emotionally charged, and filled with potential for what’s to come.
Want to make sure your Meet Cute leaves readers hooked? My Page Turner Pacing system will show you how to create impactful scenes like this and keep the momentum going throughout your story. In the meantime, be sure and download my FREE Romance Roadmap that will help guide you on planning these steps out in your next book.