5 Tips on Writing a Romance Novel Your Readers Would Love
Romance genre has been popular right from the time Samuel Richardson wrote Pamela to now, when this genre routinely tops the bestseller lists. There is something enduring about a sweet or even stormy love story between people who are unlikely to fall for each other and stay together.
Igniting our passions, warming our hearts and rekindling our deepest desires, romance stories, novellas and novels capture a large share of the book market. If you are going ahead with writing a romance novel or looking to improve your writing, here are a few tips to remember.
Know Your Subgenre
Romance genre has lots of subgenres and it would be good to know what keeps you motivated as a writer. If you are passionate about history and the bygone times, your book could be a historical romance. If you like all things futuristic, a sci-fi romance could be the thing you can write well. By choosing yur subgenre you can also make sure that you present a unique perspective through your book.
Realistic Settings
The setting of a story imbues the narrative with a realistic feel. Even when you are writing a fantasy romance, a well-developed setting helps your readers understand the place and the story in the correct context. Creating a memorable setting while writing a romance novel adds much to the story you are telling and captures the reader’s imagination.
Strong Characters
Strong well-defined characters with clear backstories is what makes your people stand out. Don’t shy away from creating a complex character who has issues, complexes and insecurities. Often it is the internal motivations that lead the story on, in addition to external circumstances.
Keep the Characters Dynamic
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice has Darcy change from an opinionated person to a considerate one. Elizabeth Bennet revises her own prejudiced views to balanced thoughts. Your characters need to undergo a change in the course of the story, maybe not very dramatic but a change nevertheless. The change should be logical though, for the reader to relate to the development.
Know the Rules and then Subvert Them
Every genre has tropes and conventions. Study the main recurring themes in the romance genre and work with them. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Once you learn the tropes, you can introduce minor variations for a fresh take to your story.
You can listen to a Podcast with romance genre authors Andaleeb Wajid and Shilpa Suraj in conversation with Harshita Nanda here.
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