One true pairing (OTP) is a term used in fiction to describe the two characters considered to be the best match for each other. Finding your OTP can be a lot of fun, but creating scenarios for them can be even more fun! If you are a romance writer, OTP is a great trope. In this blog post, we will provide 12 fun and engaging prompts that will help you fall in love with your favorite characters and lovers!
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12 OTP Prompts for Writers Who are Stuck in a Rut
Are you a writer who is stuck in a rut? If you’re having trouble coming up with new and interesting ideas for your stories, then check out this list of 12 OTP prompts. With a little bit of creativity, you can use these short ideas to write a whole new story with your specific characters!
1. What if your OTP met in a library? How would they react to each other?
2. What if one half of your OTP was in a relationship with someone else when they met the other half? How would they handle the situation?
3. What if your OTP was forced to compete against each other in a competition? How would they feel about it?
4. What if one half of your OTP was kidnapped and the other half had to save them? Would they be able to handle the trauma and do it?
5. What if your OTP met in a dark alleyway at midnight? What would happen?
6. What if half of your OTP was a vampire and the other half was a human? How would they deal with the differences between them?
7. What if your OTP was stranded on a deserted island together? How would they survive?
8. What if one half of your OTP was from the future and the other half was from the past? How would they meet each other?
9. What if your OTP met under false pretenses? Would their relationship be able to survive it?
10. What if one half of your OTP was cursed and the other half had to break the curse? Would they be able to do it?
11. What if one-half of your OTP died but was reborn as something else (e.g., an animal)? Would the other half still love them even though they were different now? Or would it be too difficult for them to handle?
12. What if your OTP met in another world (e.g., Middle Earth, Narnia)? How would their relationship change once they returned to their world or vice versa?
OTP stands for “One True Pairing”
In writing and fanfiction, OTP is shorthand for “One True Pairing.” OTP refers to a couple that you ship (support) hard. They could be from any kind of story – TV show, book, movie, cartoon, etc. If you can ship it, it counts!
Why Do People Use OTP?
People use OTP because it’s fun to talk about the couples they love. It’s also great to find new stories and couples to ship! When you’re a fan of a particular couple, it’s easy to get invested in their relationship and want to see them happy.
How Do People Find Their OTPs?
There are lots of ways to find your OTPs! You can ask friends for recommendations, look up lists of popular OTPS online, or even just browse through your favorite stories until you find a couple you cannot help but ship.
Why Do People Ship OTPS?
People ship OTPS because they’re fun! It’s fun to imagine your favorite characters in a relationship together, and it’s also fun to watch them interact on screen or the page. Shipping is a great way to show your support for your favorite couples and root for them to succeed!
10 Ideas for Angst When Writing About OTP
OTP is so perfect and meant to be that it’s impossible to imagine anything else. But what happens when you’re tasked with writing angst about such a relationship? Here are 10 ideas to get you started.
1. One of the characters keeps a secret from the other, which could ruin the relationship.
2. One of the characters is struggling with a debilitating illness or injury that causes them to doubt the worthiness of the other’s love.
3. One of the characters is temptation personified, and the other knows they’re not strong enough to resist.
4. One of the characters has been betrayed by someone they thought they could trust, causing them to question whether they can trust their OTP.
5. One of the characters is dealing with PTSD, and flashback memories are preventing them from being able to open up to the other fully.
6. One of the characters faces discrimination or oppression because of their relationship with the other, and it’s taking its toll on them mentally and physically.
7. One character is from a wealthy family, while the other is from a poorer background, and they worry that their difference in socioeconomic status will eventually drive them apart.
8. One character consistently makes careless mistakes that hurt the other, even though they don’t mean to, gradually eroding their trust in each other.
9. The relationship starts off perfectly but slowly unravels as cracks begin to form beneath the surface.
10. One character dies (or fears that they will die), leaving the other behind to pick up the pieces of their broken heart.
No matter what kind of OTP you’re writing about, there’s always the potential for angst! By using one (or more) of these ideas, you can take your story in a darker, more angsty direction while staying true to your ship’s core.
What Makes Ideal OTP Characters
There are a lot of factors that go into making a successful story. The plot has to be engaging, the setting has to be well-developed, and the characters have to be compelling. Out of all of these elements, the characters are arguably the most important. After all, without strong, relatable characters, even the most interesting plot points will fall flat. This is especially true when it comes to developing a strong OTP.
By taking a closer look at some of the most iconic on-screen couples, we can glean insight into what it takes to create a relationship that keeps audiences invested from beginning to end.
The Chemistry Has to Be Right
One of the first things you’ll notice about successful on-screen couples is that there’s always palpable chemistry between them. This isn’t something that can be forced; either the actors have it, or they don’t.
The Journey Is More Important Than the Destination
Another important thing to remember when creating an OTP is that the journey is more important than the destination. Yes, your characters need to end up together ultimately, but the events leading up to their relationship will keep audiences engaged.
For example, take Ross and Rachel from “Friends.” While their relationship was certainly the show’s main focus, it was also clear that their journey was just as important (if not more so). We watched them as they made mistakes and grew as individuals; we saw them fall in love and then fall out of love again, and we rooted for them every step. As a result, when they finally did end up together in the series finale, it was all the more satisfying because we had been on this journey with them for 10 years.
