We all enjoy a good romance, but what does a good romantic story aspire to do? I'd like to think the rules are very liberal, but there are two I always keep in mind when putting pen to paper.
#1 Create likable characters
Characters are the heart and soul of any romance novel. The
reader needs to fall in love with them as they're falling in love with each
other.
If the heroine is rude or crabby to the hero (or even to her
friends), she isn't very likable. The same for the hero. It's hard to
understand the attraction if they're not "likable." They've got to
embody certain traits – honesty, sincerity, protectiveness, kindness, and a
willingness to help others. They've got to be "good" people at heart.
#2 HEA
Readers expect a story that's hopeful, honest, and
uplifting. If a romance doesn't do that, it isn't a romance. A romance story
should leave a reader believing in Happily Ever After (HEA) or at least offer
hope for HEA. If it doesn't, it's a mainstream fiction.
Enjoy the Holidays!
Question: Authors: Do you have any "rules" you'd like to add? What "rules" work for you?
Readers: What do you like to find in your romance? Would you consider Nicholas Sparks a "romantic" author, women's fiction, or mainstream romance?
Reference: On Writing Romance, by Leigh Michaels, F&W
Publications, ISBN: 978-1-58297-6983. 2007.
I like these rules. I do prefer reading books where the ending is happily ever after.
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