She loves you, She loves you not: Writing Romances

Me with my favorite author Janette Rallison

Romance to me is very important in a book. I love love. In Zenobia- Birth of a Legend, we get a budding romance. In Zenobia – Challenging a Legend a great romance develops. Not only do you get a great action book but the tension of Zenobia’s first love keeps you turning the pages. Will they end up together or will they not? Here are some great tips on writing romance novels from one of my favorite authors, Janette Rallison. http://janette-rallison.blogspot.com/

She loves you, She loves you not: Writing Romances Editors want to buy – by Janette Rallison -

Romantic Heroes qualities need to be- Powerful in some way, rich, titled, and have a successful job.

We want to read heroes who are clever, street smart, resourceful, tough, and protective of the heroine.

We love the witty banter.

Heroes need to be faithful and loyal.

Love triangles really only work one way.

He’s also good even when he’s a bad boy.

Don’t make them too bad. You don’t want a hero who is a total rake and a player. They can change for the heroine.

Romance has grit, wit, and hot.

#1 rule – It is not enough for heroine to fall in love. The reader has to fall in love too.

A heroine is:

-          Fairly young

-          She doesn’t know she’s beautiful

-          Likable and strong

-          MC is a woman (POV can change)

-          She isn’t weak

-          She isn’t perfect

-          She is well developed

6 elements every story needs:

1. A likable character
2. Who has a problem
3. Which leads to a goal
4. The character encounters obstacles
5. There is an antagonist
6. There is a consequence of failure if the MC doesn't get the goal.

The character needs to grow. Romance is character driven more than plot. If hero and heroine don’t have to change, what’s keeping them apart?

Writing exercise:  write 10 good qualities about your MC. What are her fears?

Main Plot-line can’t be that the heroine’s goal is to fall in love.

Rules of thumb-

-          Must be worthy goal that the heroine wants to accomplish

-          Best goals are important and urgent

-          If goal can be postponed until next year than it isn't good enough

-          All MC should have goals

-          Goals can change

-          They don’t have to be achieved always

-          Be specific

Strong obstacles/ conflict

Conflict is not arguing. Conflict that can be cleared up with a 2 min conversation is not good enough.

Don’t throw unrelated conflict at MC.

Make sure the consequences of failure are big.

10 mistakes to avoid:

1. Physical attraction is not the only reason why they are in love.
2. Weak conflict (a snippy rude heroine overcomes and falls in love.)
3. Unlikable characters – example: a Jerk or a vixen
4. Not enough character development
5. Starting slow
6. Bringing characters together to soon.  For romance we need tension, something has to keep the hero and heroine apart.
7. Bad boy is too bad
8. Weak, stupid, or poorly motivated heroine. Your read shouldn't say, “I’d never do that.”
9. Not knowing sub-genre and all the rules and cliches
10. Writing like it’s 80’s or 90’s

Here are some of my favorite love stories from books, TV, and movies. What are some of your favorites?