Romance novels have been my favorite genre to read since I was a teenager. Naturally, I write romance novels, too! But I went overboard on the advice when I started writing, and my books suffered for it. Here are three "rules" to be cautious about when writing romance.
1. Conflict
Have you ever started reading a romance novel and been turned off at the hostility between the hero and heroine? I know. It's confusing. You've bought the book with the hopes of reading a love story only to be flung into a war--one you don't want to continue reading. What's romantic about that?
Romance novels need a compelling romantic conflict--a reason the hero and heroine can't fall in love and live happily-ever-after. The book would be B.O.R.I.N.G without it. But writers can go overboard on the conflict, creating unlikable characters whom the reader can't root for or extreme circumstances no couple can realistically recover from.
If you have a hero and heroine at war with each other, show us the backstory. Let us in on why they are at each other's throats. Don't make them mean just to make a point. And give them downtime where they call a truce and begin to understand each other. Whatever your romantic conflict, make sure neither character is coming across as petty, immature, or spiteful. I can't fall in love with those traits, and most other romance readers can't either.
2. Character Growth
Another rule romance writers can take to the extreme is character growth. Character growth doesn't mean giving characters terrible personality traits to overcome. Readers will toss the book or Kindle across the room rather than continue reading about a spoiled, jerky, or mean main character. Character growth should be about making a character stronger in some way.
3. Action/Introspection
Romance is character-based. We want to feel what the heroine is feeling. We need to understand why the hero reacts the way he does. And more than anything, we want to experience the rush of falling in love.
Mainstream fiction rules talk about action, pacing, and dialogue, and they typically say to minimize introspection. Obviously, all writers need to strike a balance. But romance writers shouldn't skimp on introspection or deep point-of-view. Remember, romance readers crave an emotional read. If your characters are running from one crisis to another without any time to reflect, the romance gets lost.
What is your favorite genre to read? Any pet-peeves when reading it?
Happy Monday!
Oooh, ooh this is good, Jill. You know, your first point on conflict made me think...I think a lot of times we may feel like our books need constant conflict on every page. They don't. They need tension. I tend to like tension on every page...but that's different than conflict. I think we sometimes get the two confused and that's how we end up with characters that are constantly fighting, unsympathetic or just plain unlikable. :)
ReplyDeleteSo true, Melissa! Tension is necessary!! And we can get it across subtly without non-stop arguments. Great point!
DeleteGreat points, Jill (and Melissa). I don't mind arguing and carrying on as long as there are some soft moments, truces where we see the heart of the characters and yes, we have to know WHY they are at odds with each other. My pet peeve are characters who fall in love too fast. I never buy that.
ReplyDeleteGood one, Jess! Yeah, the characters who fall in love in three days make me cringe!!
DeleteI'm with Jess!! Characters who fall in love after knowing each other for a few days usually doesn't sit well with me. I mean, I'm sure it can happen SOMETIMES. But there are just some characters for whom I think...that's totally lust, not love!
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts as usual, Jill!
Yeah, I am SO with you, Lindsay! How can you be in love with someone you don't really know?
DeleteSpot on, Jill.
ReplyDeleteEspecially the third point - and it applies to more than just romance. Think about the novels you remember...do you remember then for the characters, or the action?
As an example, Nevil Shute, the Anglo-Australian who wrote "A Town Like Alice", developed such memorable characters that they virtually defined an era. In contrast, Tom Clancy's techno-thrillers were entertaining when the pace was breathtaking, but when things got quiet you could forget what book you were reading...the characters were generally so flat.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/
I agree, Andrew. Great characters are necessary in every novel. Thanks for sharing specific examples too--I'm adding Nevil Shute to my list! :)
DeleteHistorical Romance is my favorite, though I love mysteries and thrillers, too. One of my pet peeves is a milquetoast heroine, one who needs to be rescued and can't seem to think for herself.
ReplyDelete