A few elements of romance novels
cj Sez: The following list of elements in a romance novel isa composite of information I’ve gleaned from various sources over the years,and I plan to keep it in front of me when I begin writing my next romanticsuspense.
A likable heroine This character can’tbe weak or dumb and must be actively involved in the plot. There will, andshould, be some moments of angst in the story, but they should be fleeting. Youwant your reader to root for this character rather than think she deserves whatshe gets because she’s too dumb to win.
A likable hero This charactershould be strong (even if only emotionally), irresistible, smart, and activelyinvolved. He does not have to be stereotypically attractive to be appealing. Awell-developed personality can carry this character right into your readers’hearts.
Emotional tension What’s keeping yourheroine/hero apart? What threatens her/him? Making these decisions early onhelps keep the story plot on track.
A believable plot A believable plot isa must but no worries. A twist on an oldie will work. According to somestudies, there are only six (or maybe eight) possible plots in all ofliterature. Ergo every “new” story might today be called a trope.
For instance, Cinderella can be construed as a variation of the Biblical story of Esther, whowas an orphan being raised by her uncle and who so charmed a king that he crownedher his queen. Julia Roberts was Cinderella in “Pretty Woman” as was MelanieGriffith in “Working Girl.” Star-crossed lovers, ala Romeo and Juliet, abound. It’syour unique writer’s “voice” that’s important in relating your take (spin,twist) on a familiar story.
A Happily Ever After ending
A HEA is an absolutefor a romance novel. Love stories do not have to end happily, but for the avidfans of the romance genre, and all its subgenres, a romance novel must have ahappily ever after or at least the promise of one.
Threeof the points above are romance-novel specific, but atleast two of them—emotional tension and believable plot—can be broadly appliedto all genres. Even a memoir needs a bit of tension and a plot to make it anappealing read. You can help me out here. As a reader and/or a writer, can youthink of a genre that wouldn’t use those two points.
By the way, thereis no “magic formula” for writing a novel in any genre, but with a lot ofreading, analysis, study, and/or luck you might find some suggestions that youcan adapt to your writing style.
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Author and Reader Notes: I’m a member of the Facebookgroup “POSSESSED: Timeless Gothic Reads,” and as part of our latest seasonal read-and-discussassignment, I did a deep dive into THE HOUSE OF SEVEN GABLES, a truly Gothicnovel by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
It is superbly rich in setting and description (whichI need more of in my writing) and wordy to the nth degree. Those long, complexsentences made the read interesting but a real struggle for this fast-pacedsuspense writer with tired eyes.
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CALLAHAN IN ACTION, Book 6 in the CatCallahan Mystery Series, is scheduled to launch August 8, and it's availablefor preorder. Click on the link below so you can put your name on a copy now: https://books2read.com/CatCallahan6 I preordered mine.
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Okay, that’s it fortoday. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raisingprayers for a happy and safe you and yours. (P.S.A.: There are five monthsuntil Christmas.)
cj
Now some words from my sponsors:
Nota bene: AngelaTrigg, the RITA Award-winning author and owner of The Haunted Book Shop has afew signed copies of my paperback books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜ Follow me on ➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
A likable heroine This character can’tbe weak or dumb and must be actively involved in the plot. There will, andshould, be some moments of angst in the story, but they should be fleeting. Youwant your reader to root for this character rather than think she deserves whatshe gets because she’s too dumb to win.
A likable hero This charactershould be strong (even if only emotionally), irresistible, smart, and activelyinvolved. He does not have to be stereotypically attractive to be appealing. Awell-developed personality can carry this character right into your readers’hearts.
Emotional tension What’s keeping yourheroine/hero apart? What threatens her/him? Making these decisions early onhelps keep the story plot on track.
A believable plot A believable plot isa must but no worries. A twist on an oldie will work. According to somestudies, there are only six (or maybe eight) possible plots in all ofliterature. Ergo every “new” story might today be called a trope.
For instance, Cinderella can be construed as a variation of the Biblical story of Esther, whowas an orphan being raised by her uncle and who so charmed a king that he crownedher his queen. Julia Roberts was Cinderella in “Pretty Woman” as was MelanieGriffith in “Working Girl.” Star-crossed lovers, ala Romeo and Juliet, abound. It’syour unique writer’s “voice” that’s important in relating your take (spin,twist) on a familiar story.
A Happily Ever After ending
A HEA is an absolutefor a romance novel. Love stories do not have to end happily, but for the avidfans of the romance genre, and all its subgenres, a romance novel must have ahappily ever after or at least the promise of one.
Threeof the points above are romance-novel specific, but atleast two of them—emotional tension and believable plot—can be broadly appliedto all genres. Even a memoir needs a bit of tension and a plot to make it anappealing read. You can help me out here. As a reader and/or a writer, can youthink of a genre that wouldn’t use those two points.
By the way, thereis no “magic formula” for writing a novel in any genre, but with a lot ofreading, analysis, study, and/or luck you might find some suggestions that youcan adapt to your writing style.
§§
Author and Reader Notes: I’m a member of the Facebookgroup “POSSESSED: Timeless Gothic Reads,” and as part of our latest seasonal read-and-discussassignment, I did a deep dive into THE HOUSE OF SEVEN GABLES, a truly Gothicnovel by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
It is superbly rich in setting and description (whichI need more of in my writing) and wordy to the nth degree. Those long, complexsentences made the read interesting but a real struggle for this fast-pacedsuspense writer with tired eyes.
///
Expert advice: Deciphering good from bad. The following linkis to a Jane Friedman blog post by writer, editor, and book coach LaurenReynolds.
The Pitfalls ofExpert Advice | Jane Friedman///
CALLAHAN IN ACTION, Book 6 in the CatCallahan Mystery Series, is scheduled to launch August 8, and it's availablefor preorder. Click on the link below so you can put your name on a copy now: https://books2read.com/CatCallahan6 I preordered mine.
§§
Okay, that’s it fortoday. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raisingprayers for a happy and safe you and yours. (P.S.A.: There are five monthsuntil Christmas.)
cj
Now some words from my sponsors:
Having a book toread is the perfect entertainment for those holiday and summer vacationdowntime moments. THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are available on Amazonor through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You canread the ebooks free from Hoopla.
Nota bene: AngelaTrigg, the RITA Award-winning author and owner of The Haunted Book Shop has afew signed copies of my paperback books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜ Follow me on ➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
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Book launch scheduled
DEADLY STAR is scheduled to launch on Feb. 18. You can't tell from this type font, but I'm excited!
DEADLY STAR is about a vaguely dysfunctional couple who, when sharing an imminent danger, find common ...more
DEADLY STAR is about a vaguely dysfunctional couple who, when sharing an imminent danger, find common ...more
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