On the surface, romance writing seems like an easy way to break into the novel business. On the contrary. There is more to writing a romance novel then just adding romantic moments to two people on paper.
Where the Romance Novel Begins
First thing to do is homework. Start by making a list of the romance novels in your collection. What type are most of them? Suspense, Historical, Modern, Inspirational? Or something mixed? The list goes on and on.
Next, if it hasn't been recent, read them again. Find out what part of the story is most appealing. Is it the characters? The dialogue? The setting? The plot? The time period? Books in first person or third? Makes lists of the things that stand out in the book.
Pay particular attention to certain types of words used. For example, if the book is an historical novel, usually contractions aren't used. Decide in which genre the book will be written.
Plotting the Novel
Some people start with their characters. Others know the ending of the story before they start the beginning. The best rule of thumb for first time authors is to start at the beginning and chronologically work their way through the novel.
Start with characters. Since this is a romance novel, a man and a woman. Name them, first, middle and last. Decide how old they are. Where they live. What types of jobs they do. Their ages. Write down physical descriptions of the characters. Get to know them inside and out. Write down anything that comes to mind about their backgrounds, friends, family, childhood.
Give the characters their own voices. If they are from the south, for example, give them a southern drawl and have them use phrases. Their voices are as important as the way they look. Voice gives the character, character.
Go back to the basics. Start an outline. Decide where the novel should start. Write it down because ideas are as easy to forget as they are to initiate. Number the paper. Write down all the important things that are going to happen to these two characters from their first meeting to their first disagreement to the end where they live happily ever after (because that's the way romance novels always end.) For an outline, try to have at least ten different points that are going to be written toward to further the story along toward the ending. It's ok not to know exactly how the story will end, just that the hero and heroine will fight through tough times and end up in love and together.
Decide how and when writing will be the easiest. Pen and paper or computer. Whichever way is the most comfortable, will be the most productive. Set a writing schedule. It's best to set aside time each day where there will be no distractions so that the words will flow more freely.
Start writing and don't stop until you are finished with the book. Editing is easier to do after the story is crafted than it is to keep writing if the idea is no longer fresh. Some people stop along the way and edit and it works for them, but for the first time writer, getting down the story that's in their head is imperative.
A lot of published writers will tell you to write X amount of pages per day. If you are going to want to have your book published, you need to make writing your book a real job. Set goals for yourself and follow the rules and deadlines you have set.
Keep the action and dialogue moving. Make sure that what is being written is important in furthering the story. No one wants to lose a reader in the middle because the book has become monotonous or boring. Always make sure that the characters are doing or saying something that will keep the reader focused on them when they are the primary character of the scene.
Usually chapters end with something dramatic about to happen that makes the reader not want to put the book down. Pick up the next chapter at that same point or at the next possible point, and further the story. It's important not to lose the reader because there are lots of other romance novels out there that they could pick up just as easily.
If these basic guidelines are followed, a brand new novel is ready to be taken to the next step – editing and then publishing.
Vanessa Mullins - Vanessa lives with her husband and three children in the Midwest. She is the author of three novels; Rescued Heart and The Case of the ...
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