A romance novel or story is a genre of fiction that focuses on the romantic relationship between two characters, exploring themes of love, passion, and emotional intimacy. According to statistics from Nielsen BookData, an estimated 14.3m were sold between January and August in 2022.
There is no doubt that romance is a beloved genre with a wide global audience. Are you also considering writing a romance novel? If so, you must brace yourself for an exciting journey like no other. After all, it is an expedition like no other.
If you are not sure what forms a brilliant romance novel, here are some of the most important factors to consider.
1. Unique and Well-Rounded Characters
Characters of a romance novel hold great importance, and you can ask any avid romance reader about this. Every fan of romance readers follows the characters in hopes of seeing them find their happiness for the rest of their life.
Your characters should also be relatable so that your characters naturally resonate with them. Make sure that you give them a compelling backstory so that an emotional connection is formed and the readers cannot help but keep reading and learning more about their characters.
2. Focus on the Chemistry
Settings change, secondary characters come and go, and challenges differ. What matters the most is the strong chemistry between your characters. Paired with romantic tension, strong characters between your hero and heroine can set your book apart for your readers.
Once you find the right usage of magnetism for your characters, you can be sure that the readers will keep anticipating reading more. However, it is best to ensure that you know your sub-genre well enough to draw limits where they are needed.
3. Fortify Your Writing
The quality of the writing is undeniably important in any literary genre. Of course, romance novels are no different, but they take on an even greater significance. The use of evocative prose, genuine and heartfelt dialogues, and vibrant, detailed descriptions hold the power to immerse readers in your work.
These elements work together to create a compelling experience for the reader, enhancing their connection to the characters and the story. The more indulged they are, the more they will enjoy their experience and recommend your work to their friends and family members.
Before you publish your work, make sure that you revise it again and again. Of course, you must also ask the best romance editors for help in this endeavor. A professional’s help can do wonders in improving the readability and overall potential of your work.
4. Improve the Plot
The plot of your romance novel is its backbone. It is the tool that carries the story of your protagonists forward. If the plot is weak, your characters will not have a lot to work with, leading to a possibly unsatisfactory experience for your readers.
While crafting an ideal plot for your romance novel, make sure that you add intriguing twists and turns to your story. These factors can create challenges and dilemmas for your characters to take the story forward without losing the reader’s interest at any point.
5. Delve into Emotions
Whether it is love or desire, every great romantic novel has emotional depth in common. The readers of every romance novel rely on you to take them on an emotional journey. It is up to you to be authentic, unique, and creative to resonate with the interests of your readers.
Do not hold back from exploring the vulnerabilities and fears of your characters to bring the readers to the edge of their seats. This part can be a bit tricky, especially if you are writing your first romance novel. You can use the help of reliable romance editors to boost the potential of your book.
As you delve into the emotional details, do not tell them what is happening as a narration. You can appeal to them by using sensory details so that they feel exactly what you plan your characters to experience to the readers.
6. Intensify the Obstacles
One way or another, your final goal might be to help your characters reach mutual happiness forever. Of course, your readers also know that you will give them closure. But that does not mean that your novel has to become predictable for the readers.
If your story is not compelling, there is no way for you to ensure that the reader will stick with you till the end. Instead of hoping for the best, you can add conflicts and obstacles to your story that must be overcome for the characters to reach their happiness ever after.
These challenges add drama and suspense to the romance novel. Some of these challenges might be faced by a character, while others may be faced by your protagonists as a couple. The outcome of such events determines the direction your novel will go in.
7. Provide a Satisfactory Resolution
After reading through the challenges and biting their nails through the conflicts, every romance reader wants satisfactory resolutions to the problems faced by the characters. The readers may never feel like reading more of your work if they are not satisfied with the resolution.
The central relationship should develop in a way that feels authentic and believable, allowing the readers to emotionally invest in the character’s journey. It is important for the resolution to be fulfilling, with a well-rounded and satisfying conclusion for the characters’ romantic journey.
8. Make it Believable
Of course, expressions such as “butterflies in the stomach” and “head over heels” are just a way of saying things. Everyone knows that such expressions do not mean anything literal. Just like that, the readers should not have to second guess any bit of information in your novel.
For example, whether you choose to write about a couple in the Victorian era or the contemporary world, all details about the settings of your novel must be relatable so that your readers do not have to second guess anything.
