Every story has one. A love interest. Someone your Original Character (OC) confides in, loves with al their heart, and can't live without. Love interests are one of the main reasons people begin writing fanfiction, or fanfics. Some want to live through their OC. They want a fictional life with a fictional love. Others, they simply want to write about their favorite characters and give them someone to be by their side.

     Whatever your reason, there are certain things that need to be considered when picking a love interest. In this chapter, I will discuss two extremely popular love interests. Stefan and Damon Salvatore.

     No matter what anyone tells you, I want to you remember these words.

     I can do whatever I want in fanfiction.

     Repeat it. Memorize it. Take it to your grave. Fanfiction is about writing what you want and changing fictional worlds the way you see fit. You are not wrong.

     With that being said, you have to have a reason to change something. Not little things, but the massive plot turning moments everyone knows and loves. TVD has a strong fandom and details matter. As long as you have a reason for writing something the way you are, no one can say other wise. Why? Because it's fanfiction.

     But, don't stray to far from the show. It will make it hard for readers to follow you.

     Now, onto the fun stuff.

     Writing a story where an OC is in love with a Salvatore brother can be difficult. (This is coming from someone who has tried it before.) The reason being, Elena Gilbert.

     Elena is the sole reason why Stefan stays in Mystic Falls, why he enrolls into Mystic High, and why he does almost everything. All of this happens in the first few episodes of Season 1. Their relationship is fast, and furious, and filled with love. This makes it difficult to integrate an OC without disrupting a huge chunk of the TVD world. Stefan's love for Elena is a MASSIVE topic.

     If you want your OC to start a relationship with Stefan early on in the series, you will have to contend with his feelings for Elena. They cannot be ignored.

     A relationship later on in the series is just as challenging. Stefan remains in love with Elena well into Season 4. Also Season 5 and 6, but it's not as overwhelming.

     The next struggle is during Season 6 when Caroline develops feelings toward Stefan. Those are easier to ignore or write around. Make them remain best friends. Simple substitution.

     (Exceptions for these are OCs who lived alongside Stefan up until 1864, or ones he met during his lifetime before he met Elena.)

     When it comes to Damon, his position as love interest comes a bit easier. Damon does not start out loving Elena, contrary to popular belief. He is interested in the fact that she looks like Katherine. Damon is still very much in love with Katherine, until he finds out she is not in the tomb and neglected to look for him during the last 150 years of his life. His feelings for Elena develop over time.

     Early on in the series is a perfect place to start a relationship between Damon and your OC. Their budding romance will be more realistic and less forced.

     Anything after Season 3 is a no go. No if, ands, or buts about it. By Season 3, Damon is head over heels in love with Elena. Although their relationship does not officially start until Season 4, Damon only has eyes for Elena.

     (Exception for the last statement is great manipulation of the storyline. Give Damon strong feelings for your OC and make the reader believe them. Don't let them question it. Questions lead to doubt, and doubt leads to loss of interest in the story.)

     Remember, I am not saying that you can't write your story differently than what I have said. If your OC is likeable and the storyline is compelling, you can do whatever the hell you want. These are just suggestions.

-Jordan

Information mentioned in this chapter can be found at vampirediaries.wikia.com