LOL bucking the trend in Loving Wives

[Inkent]

I published a piece for the Valentines Day comp, Forget-me-not, not forget me looked at through the eyes of the wife who has a one-time slip during a moment of emotional weakness. Predictably, it all comes to light later down the road, but had a short, simple dialogue between husband/wife. "Did you, and was it in our bed?" In reality, this is his single big "red line". When she says yes, he doesn't want to hear another word, no explanation, he walks telling her he needs time.

Tried my utmost to do a couple things within the story.

Wife never bad-mouths her husband, hit by guilt as soon as deed done.
Husband never bad mouths wife either, he simply refuses to enter into a dialogue with her once she confirms crossing his red line so to speak. He also diss's her later in public, but again, not viciously.

The feedback is, by and large, the husbands the ass, not listening to her (will exclude the real villain here who leads her astray). Knowing how black and white it generally is in LW regarding cheatin' spouses, I was pleasantly surprised to see a fair few not immediately rock up with flaming torches and pitchforks ready to go burn another bitch. So there you have it. A wife that cheated, and has been lightly singed whilst her husband gets somewhat more of a roasting!

 

[Plathfan]

There’s no need to explain the symbolism or the sheer disrespect in desecrating the marital bed. In that sense, I can certainly relate to your protagonist.

But their issue with him isn’t his character; it’s his avoidance of confrontation. That pitiful, gut-wrenching manifestation of helplessness, self-pity, worn-out excuses, and remorse is the climax they were waiting for, a climax your protagonist stole from them.

The only trend you've bucked is denying the hapless pensioners their most craved confrontation.

 

[jaF0]

Bucking the trend there is making sure all parties involved are happy and doing their bits willingly and with full knowledge, approval and participation of the other.

 

[lovecraft68]

There’s no need to explain the symbolism or the sheer disrespect in desecrating the marital bed. In that sense, I can certainly relate to your protagonist.

But their issue with him isn’t his character; it’s his avoidance of confrontation. That pitiful, gut-wrenching manifestation of helplessness, self-pity, worn-out excuses, and remorse is the climax they were waiting for, a climax your protagonist stole from them.

The only trend you've bucked is denying the hapless pensioners their most craved confrontation.

No, they're not that intellectual. What they were waiting for was a juvenile 'real man' temper tantrum where he calls her every name in the book, tells her he'll take her life away in court and then goes out and beats up the guy she slept with.

That is what they want. Period.

The fact is, the husband's reaction may have been anti-climactic, but because of that, more realistic. The guy was devastated, and not sure how to verbalize it, or even face it, so his reaction was a subdued, "We're done here."

Its the difference between how adults often react-with lack of emotional reaction when hit hard-and little boys who think temper tantrums are cool.

 

[TiberiusPrime]

No, they're not that intellectual. What they were waiting for was a juvenile 'real man' temper tantrum where he calls her every name in the book, tells her he'll take her life away in court and then goes out and beats up the guy she slept with.

That is what they want. Period.

The fact is, the husband's reaction may have been anti-climactic, but because of that, more realistic. The guy was devastated, and not sure how to verbalize it, or even face it, so his reaction was a subdued, "We're done here."

Its the difference between how adults often react-with lack of emotional reaction when hit hard-and little boys who think temper tantrums are cool.

And if you go that route, then others will comment about how every story is like that, etc., etc., etc.

Damned if you, damned if you don't.

 

[Actingup]

And if you go that route, then others will comment about how every story is like that, etc., etc., etc.

Damned if you, damned if you don't.

You can’t make all the fans happy at the Colosseum. One of the gladiators is going to lose.

 

[FidelityBoss]

I published a piece for the Valentines Day comp, Forget-me-not, not forget me looked at through the eyes of the wife who has a one-time slip during a moment of emotional weakness. Predictably, it all comes to light later down the road, but had a short, simple dialogue between husband/wife. "Did you, and was it in our bed?" In reality, this is his single big "red line". When she says yes, he doesn't want to hear another word, no explanation, he walks telling her he needs time.

Tried my utmost to do a couple things within the story.

Wife never bad-mouths her husband, hit by guilt as soon as deed done.
Husband never bad mouths wife either, he simply refuses to enter into a dialogue with her once she confirms crossing his red line so to speak. He also diss's her later in public, but again, not viciously.

The feedback is, by and large, the husbands the ass, not listening to her (will exclude the real villain here who leads her astray). Knowing how black and white it generally is in LW regarding cheatin' spouses, I was pleasantly surprised to see a fair few not immediately rock up with flaming torches and pitchforks ready to go burn another bitch. So there you have it. A wife that cheated, and has been lightly singed whilst her husband gets somewhat more of a roasting!

Interesting take on a tough topic! It’s refreshing to see a story where both characters are portrayed with nuance, no outright villainy, just human flaws and emotions. The husband’s ‘red line’ and the wife’s guilt add layers to the conflict, making it more than just a simple blame game. It’s cool that readers are engaging with the complexity instead of just picking sides. Well-done on crafting something that sparks discussion!

 

[FidelityBoss]

There’s no need to explain the symbolism or the sheer disrespect in desecrating the marital bed. In that sense, I can certainly relate to your protagonist.

But their issue with him isn’t his character; it’s his avoidance of confrontation. That pitiful, gut-wrenching manifestation of helplessness, self-pity, worn-out excuses, and remorse is the climax they were waiting for, a climax your protagonist stole from them.

The only trend you've bucked is denying the hapless pensioners their most craved confrontation.

You’re right, readers often crave that emotional showdown, the messy, raw confrontation where everything spills out. By having the husband walk away, you subverted expectations and left them hanging. It’s bold, and it definitely stirs the pot. Not everyone will love it, but it’s the story, and it’s refreshing to see a different approach.

 

[Inkent]

I'm had another attempt at subverting the Loving Wives genre, Heaven & Hell, which I see as a personal success when I read this comment:

"That is an impressive achievement - having a laugh about an intended infidelity."

I think I upset more people around which football(soccer team) God supported.