Romeo Loves
O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou – eh?!
A roach who speaks in iambic pentameter for the sake of love?!?
Romeo is a young naive cockroach living under the fridge in an apartment who becomes obsessed with love after hearing the first half of Romeo and Juliet. He falls in a one-sided love affair with the apartment’s human tenant and plans to propose to him despite not knowing the play’s tragic ending.
Having grown up alone under a fridge, Romeo grasps at anything to feel like he’s loved. In fact, he looks up to Romeo and Juliet’s romance to the point he speaks in iambic pentameter himself! His hope is that, by emulating Shakespeare, he will find the love of his life and will no longer be alone.
Unfortunately for him… he has unknowingly fallen in love with a foot.
Comedy and ridiculousness aside, this story is ultimately a warning about the dangers of leaning on one connection too much. Whether it’s a romantic partner, a friend, or even parents — we face instability if we don’t actively nourish our relationships with others.
If I had to boil down Romeo Loves to three main points, it would be:
The Romance of Life and the Pursuit of Happiness
I have a firm belief that the way we view life affects our perception of happiness and this has translated to Romeo’s desire for love. As a cockroach who wants to escape the loneliness of growing up without siblings and parents, anything that can make his life seem brighter is an escape that he will take.
For me, the romance of life is important because it’s a way to seek and observe the positive ways the world has affected me. Whether it’s a crunchy leaf on the ground or a breezy sunny day, I feel these ordinary experiences are ways I can enjoy my time without taking advantage of their existence!
The Value of Platonic Relationships
We’ve all had friends or family members who get really invested in their romantic relationships. For Romeo, he chases his romance by dreaming of a Shakespearean proposal that (ideally) ends with a ‘Happily Ever After’! However, life doesn’t end after meeting a lover. He has to learn to value the friends who supported him along the way or face the consequences of valuing one relationship too much over the other…
Culturally, people have a habit of slowly detaching themselves from their friends and families for the sake of cultivating their connection with their partner. And as attractive as the idea of a ‘one and only’ is, I don’t believe it’s the best way to live.
We should nurture our relationships equally to cultivate a healthy connection with people in our lives.
Whimsy
A cockroach that falls in love with a foot? That’s silly!
A cockroach that struggles with abandonment issues and tries to find connection through Shakespearean romance? That’s whimsical!
The power of whimsy is its ability to take itself seriously, but not too seriously. Both of the statements above are true and different kinds of people can enjoy it because of the variation in gravitas. This story is one that can offer the comfort of its company no matter how a person is feeling – cuteness can conquer the world!
Behind The Scenes
The Result of the Research
I have the start of something, but… now what?
My past 3 years at SVA have molded the way I work and the way I approach obstacles I’ve never come across before. Having never printed a book before, this experience at the MFAVN has solidified my desire to get Romeo Loves published!
After graduation, my plan is to seek representation through an agent who will assist me on this new journey. I’m excited and nervous to take this next step, but I feel a sense of adventure in the face of this new mountain. My professors and peers have supported me greatly until now and knowing they will continue to be beside me even after I leave the program is the greatest vote of confidence I could ever ask for!
If you’re interested in staying updated…
