Kimberly Llewellyn's Blog
June 21, 2016
So, you want to write a romance novel?
So, you want to write a romance novel? Before you do, be sure to understand the “obstacle” in your love story. A romance novel focuses on the romantic relationship between the hero and heroine as they reach their happily ever after (HEA). The journey toward getting there however is not an easy one as these two characters must overcome one or more obstacles to love.
The obstacles that stand in the way of a romance make a character resistant to love. Obstacles are both internal and external conflicts that keep the hero and heroine emotionally apart until the very end of your story. Internal conflicts include emotional issues or fears, such as wounds from the past or fear of getting hurt.
External conflicts involve outside circumstances. Perhaps the heroine is engaged to another or the hero is taking over the heroine’s company. Often these issues/obstacles are right out in the open; other times, they involve a painful secret.
Conflicts need to be emotionally compelling. For example, how can the heroine possibly be falling in love with the hero when he is responsible for the death of her father? It is up to you, the writer, to explore this relationship and discover how she overcomes such an emotional hurdle. Nothing can bring back the heroine’s father, making this an insurmountable obstacle. Only through the growing relationship -- and the power of love -- can the heroine overcome the pain of her past to have a future with the hero.
In my medical romance, Playboy Doctor, the heroine, Willow Brady, cannot conceive children. She hides this painful secret from the hero, Shayne Edwards. Shayne wants children and wrestles with his feelings for Willow due to his hardened heart. He’d been left emotionally devastated by another woman’s painful deception; can he risk his heart again? Heartbreak and lies keep these two apart emotionally until almost the last page as they face very real conflicts.
Elements that don’t constitute conflict include small setbacks like a flat tire, bickering, or a simple misunderstanding. These merely complicate matters. In a misunderstanding or miscommunication, if the obstacle can be cleared up in a few sentences of dialogue between the hero and heroine, then the conflict isn’t strong enough. Complications can be in your story, but take a good look at your deeper, emotional conflicts. If they aren’t strong -- if they don’t cut to the bone -- then do your best to strengthen the conflict. Doing so will raise the stakes in your story and ultimately provide a more compelling romance novel for your readers.
Thank you for letting me share a quintessential element to writing a romance novel! Happy writing!
Kimberly Llewellyn
aka The Wedding Writer
The obstacles that stand in the way of a romance make a character resistant to love. Obstacles are both internal and external conflicts that keep the hero and heroine emotionally apart until the very end of your story. Internal conflicts include emotional issues or fears, such as wounds from the past or fear of getting hurt.
External conflicts involve outside circumstances. Perhaps the heroine is engaged to another or the hero is taking over the heroine’s company. Often these issues/obstacles are right out in the open; other times, they involve a painful secret.
Conflicts need to be emotionally compelling. For example, how can the heroine possibly be falling in love with the hero when he is responsible for the death of her father? It is up to you, the writer, to explore this relationship and discover how she overcomes such an emotional hurdle. Nothing can bring back the heroine’s father, making this an insurmountable obstacle. Only through the growing relationship -- and the power of love -- can the heroine overcome the pain of her past to have a future with the hero.
In my medical romance, Playboy Doctor, the heroine, Willow Brady, cannot conceive children. She hides this painful secret from the hero, Shayne Edwards. Shayne wants children and wrestles with his feelings for Willow due to his hardened heart. He’d been left emotionally devastated by another woman’s painful deception; can he risk his heart again? Heartbreak and lies keep these two apart emotionally until almost the last page as they face very real conflicts.
Elements that don’t constitute conflict include small setbacks like a flat tire, bickering, or a simple misunderstanding. These merely complicate matters. In a misunderstanding or miscommunication, if the obstacle can be cleared up in a few sentences of dialogue between the hero and heroine, then the conflict isn’t strong enough. Complications can be in your story, but take a good look at your deeper, emotional conflicts. If they aren’t strong -- if they don’t cut to the bone -- then do your best to strengthen the conflict. Doing so will raise the stakes in your story and ultimately provide a more compelling romance novel for your readers.
Thank you for letting me share a quintessential element to writing a romance novel! Happy writing!
Kimberly Llewellyn
aka The Wedding Writer
December 1, 2015
CHRISTMAS KNIGHT
Hello and Happy Holidays!
If you are looking for a fun little Christmas book, check out CHRISTMAS KNIGHT. A wounded hero. A warmhearted heroine. And the holiday circumstances that bring them together. What could be more romantic? Holiday Cheers!
If you are looking for a fun little Christmas book, check out CHRISTMAS KNIGHT. A wounded hero. A warmhearted heroine. And the holiday circumstances that bring them together. What could be more romantic? Holiday Cheers!
July 3, 2013
Cowboy's Kiss 99 cents
Ereader News Today is featuring Cowboy's Kiss today on it's website. Loving this! "Likes" are welcomed! http://ereadernewstoday.com/more-kind...
May 20, 2013
New Readers Welcome
OMG I love new readers. I also love my long-time, true-blue reading buds as well. All reviews--good, bad, or indifferent--from readers and bloggers deserve a sincere thank you for taking the time to read our books. Where would authors be without readers who share their love of stories? Thank you!
April 16, 2013
Playboy Doctor for release this summer
Wow! I am happy to announce I turned in Playboy Doctor to my distributor.
Playboy Doctor, part of the Heartthrob Heroes Series, is a medical romance about a world-renowned surgeon and a confident nurse. Together, they must save a baby. But really, the baby saves them! I am so excited to be releasing this emotionally compelling story. Details to come!
Playboy Doctor, part of the Heartthrob Heroes Series, is a medical romance about a world-renowned surgeon and a confident nurse. Together, they must save a baby. But really, the baby saves them! I am so excited to be releasing this emotionally compelling story. Details to come!
March 14, 2013
Busy as a Bee
Wow! This month has brought about 2 audiobooks (Siren Call, Private Confessions with new cover), 2 books from my romance series, Heartthrob Heroes (Cowboy's Kiss, Christmas Knight), and the release of Tender Harvest as an ebook by Montlake Romance. Book 3 in the series (Playboy Doctor) is due for release May 2013. Oh, my head is spinning--but in a good way!
:)
:)
February 19, 2013
Audio Books - The Next Big Thing
I live in a congested region in the South, which can make driving a nightmare. Listening to an audiobook while driving really can take the edge off when it comes to stressors on the road.
I'm happy to say that a few of my books are now available as audiobooks at places like Audible.com with more to come (my Heartthrob Heroes series is slated next). The narrator for the novels is an actress who shares her time between California and New York. She's awesome. I couldn't be happier!
Got a long, stressful drive to work? Spending time on a commuter rail? Going on road trip? Or even staying at home cleaning or working on projects? Why not download some audiobooks today to keep you company?
Happy reading--er--listening! --Kimberly
I'm happy to say that a few of my books are now available as audiobooks at places like Audible.com with more to come (my Heartthrob Heroes series is slated next). The narrator for the novels is an actress who shares her time between California and New York. She's awesome. I couldn't be happier!
Got a long, stressful drive to work? Spending time on a commuter rail? Going on road trip? Or even staying at home cleaning or working on projects? Why not download some audiobooks today to keep you company?
Happy reading--er--listening! --Kimberly
January 9, 2013
The Next Big Thing Blog Hop
The Next Big Thing Blog Hop - Author Julie Ortolon shares her latest work in progress. Are you in on it?
January 2, 2013
The Next Big Thing Blog Hop
Tag...I'm it!
I’ve been tagged by the fabulous author, Vicki Hinze, to join the ever-popular, Next Big Thing blog hop. Enjoy!
http://kimberlyllewellyn.blogspot.com/
I’ve been tagged by the fabulous author, Vicki Hinze, to join the ever-popular, Next Big Thing blog hop. Enjoy!
http://kimberlyllewellyn.blogspot.com/
THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP
Tag! I’m it!
I’ve been tagged by the fabulous author, Vicki Hinze, to join the ever-popular, Next Big Thing blog hop.
What is a blog hop? Basically, it’s a way for readers to discover authors new to them. I hope you'll find new-to-you authors whose works you enjoy. On this stop on the blog hop, you'll find information on me and one of my newest books and links to five other authors you can explore!
My gratitude to fellow author Vicki Hinze for inviting me to participate in this event. You can click the following links to learn more about Vicki and her books.
Vicki Hinze Website/Blog
Buy Her Books
In this blog hop, my fellow authors, in their respective blogs, and I have answered ten questions about our book or work-in-progress (giving you a sneak peek). We've also included some behind-the-scenes information about how and why we write what we write--the characters, inspirations, plotting and other choices we make. I hope you enjoy it.
Here is my Next Big Thing:
1. What is the working title of your book?My newest story is a contemporary romance with the working title, Playboy Doctor. It’s due for release Spring 2013 and is Book Three in my Heartthrob Heroes series, so be on the lookout for it!
Here's Book Two
(Late January 2013)
Here's Book One(Early January 2013)
2. Where did the idea come from for the book?I’ve always had an interest in medical stories and wanted to write a medical romance for, like, ever. Who wouldn’t, with doctor-characters like McDreamy and McSteamy running around? Maybe it’s the handsome, dashing heroes that I love, but the time had come to write a medical romance of my own.
3: What genre does your book come under?Contemporary romance. Also, medical romance.
4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? For Dr. Shayne Edwards, I’d have the actor, James Scott. He plays the edgy character, EJ Wells, on All My Children. Dr. Shayne Edwardsis confident, cool and dangerous on the outside, but deep down, he’s a hot mess. Love that! For Willow, the RN who keeps him on his toes, Kaley Cuoco fits the bill; she plays Penny on Big Bang Theory. Willow tries to keep her cool around the handsome doctor, but when she speaks up, she often blows Shayne’s mind.
5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?When the handsome Dr. Shayne Edwards appears in a tuxedo in the ER, needing help with an abandoned baby, nurse Willow Brady’s life will never be the same.
6. Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?I’ve been published by three New York publishers and have also independently published my work. Playboy Doctor is a bit unusual in that it’s a blending of the two. It’s part of my Heartthrob Heroes series produced by eBookDiscovery, an online distributor/publisher that takes on special projects by established authors. I am thrilled to be working with them. It’s like getting the best of both worlds.
7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? Four months. I took my time with this story due to the medical research. But since my friends consist of authors and nurses, I didn’t have to go far for my research.
8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?Any medical romance by Janice Lynn, Lynne Marshall, or Marion Lennox. Their stories are emotionally compelling, with larger than life--and often tortured--heroes, intelligent heroines, and heart-pulsing romance.
9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?I'm constantly inspired, so there was no one thing. But I’d started out as a nursing major in college before switching to English. That’s how I ended up with a Bachelor’s Degree in English with a Minor in Biology. Today, I enjoy occasionally writing short stories, articles and blog posts with a slant on health, wellness, fitness and nutrition. For my next big thing, Playboy Doctor, I knew women who had difficulties conceiving babies and so I wrote this to let women know they are not alone.
10. What else about your book might pique the
reader’s interest?
Besides the very sexy hero? After all, the series is called, Heartthrob Heroes! Let’s see, a baby’s life is on the line. The baby draws out deep emotions for Shayne and Willow. Shayne and Willow both have painful secrets they keep close to their hearts. Will they be able to open up to each other if it means risking their hearts?Thank you for letting me share The Next Big Thing with you today!Below you will find authors who will be joining me on The Next Big Thing blog hop next Wednesday. Do be sure to bookmark and add them to your calendar for updates on their projects and new releases! Happy writing and reading!
Kelly McClymerJulie OrtolonTara Randel
