| Many people think Romance writing is a bit like | | | | They read for escapism - and for the emotional |
| knitting. There's a pattern to follow and, even if | | | | intensity. Don't talk down to them. |
| you're a bit clumsy at first, you can knock off a | | | | Tip Three: Create strong characters. Romantic |
| finished product in a few afternoons while the kids | | | | stories are character-based. We need to identify |
| are out playing. If you have approached Romance | | | | with them if we are to care what happens to |
| writing with a swagger and a shrug, with the idea | | | | them. |
| that "everyone knows" it's easy as pie, you'll have | | | | Let them have depth, and some quirks and |
| discovered the error of your ways. And if so, | | | | contradictions. People aren't one-dimensional, nor |
| you may have been left with the dejected feeling | | | | are they stereotypes. Neither should your |
| of having failed at something you thought would | | | | characters be. |
| be a cinch. Being published seems the most | | | | Tip Four: Create conflict. Something must keep |
| remote dream. | | | | your characters apart, while they are irresistibly |
| Neither attitude is realistic. Writing Romance is | | | | drawn to each other. You can't just throw in a |
| hard work. Genre fiction isn't easier than other | | | | few arguments and misunderstandings. We must |
| forms of story-telling. But it's not a mysterious | | | | wonder how they'll ever be together. |
| process. | | | | Conflict can't be intractable. They can't be so |
| Here are my five most important tips to make | | | | unpleasant that we worry about them being |
| you a successful Romance writer. If you can | | | | together in the end. |
| make each of these work for you, you'll have a | | | | But neither can you construct a Romance based |
| humdinger of a Romance. | | | | on two people meeting, having a few happy times |
| Tip One: Believe in love - If you write romance, | | | | together - walking on the beach, going out with |
| you need to believe in your story - and that true | | | | his friends (who all like her), meeting his mother |
| love is possible. | | | | (who approves) and finally tying the knot. What's |
| You can't write romance with your tongue in your | | | | there to keep us reading? |
| cheek. It's too obvious that you don't mean it. | | | | Tip Five: Write in strong scenes. We want the |
| Lovers of romance read with their hearts. They | | | | story told in a series of tangible scenes that show |
| become emotionally involved, immersed in the | | | | us what's happening to them. Each should have a |
| story you're telling them. If you don't believe it | | | | dramatic proposition that carries the story |
| yourself, neither will they. | | | | forward and develops your characters. |
| Tip Two: Believe in your readers. They're not | | | | Don't tell us what happened between them. Place |
| stupid. Most romance readers have some college | | | | us right inside the scene, so that we can see and |
| education and many are educated professionals. | | | | hear it for ourselves. |
| Most work outside the home part or full-time. | | | | |