How to Write Great Romance

49% of the books sold are romance.
Why? Romance feeds a need in people, and it lets them express emotions they could not normally express. Statistics report that women who read romance novels have sex 70% more than non-romance readers.

However, it is hard to have a romance novel published. Many writers despair of ever becoming published - that is because a romance novel needs more than a great story. It needs a romance. Now, many of you just dismissed this article, but take a moment to read on.
Do you really know what romance it?

A romance novel is not about the emotions, it is about the emotions it incites in the story’s reader. But, if you ask most writers how to stir emotions, they cannot answer. Most romance authors cannot even write out a story arc of their romance. I found this while teaching my advanced romance writing course at www.writersonlinecourses.com.

There is an assignment that asks writers to outline the romance in their stories. The answer is usually something vague like, she meets him and they need to fight to save the town. They like each other, and after a business meeting, realize that they love each other.

That is not romance. In fact, it isn’t even realistic.

Romance is something you do. It is ‘actions’ one person does to show the other how much they care for them.

It involves:

Holding hands
Long walks
Quiet talks
Cuddling
Sharing secrets
Protecting

There is a pattern that people fallow when falling in love. It doesn’t matter what culture, where in the world, the pattern does not vary. Yes, it involves eye contact - but it is far more complex than a single glance. It involves a set up, an exchange of body language to ensure the male will not be rejected.

One of the biggest mistakes that romance writers make is having the male make the first move. In all cultures, the female makes the first move - even if the male encouraged the contact. Then, the female will often go through a series of situations that are meant to see if the male will stick around.

This mating dance was born thousands of years ago when women needed to ensure that men would stay around and provide for their children.

Many writers do not pay much attention to aspects like these. They are too focused on what turns them on, and what they like. Very few writers take the time to learn what the general public wants. It is so easy. Magazines are full of list of ‘what men really want,’ or ‘how to make her fall in love.’ There are also tests ‘are you really in love.’

All of these give writers clues into what touches women’s hearts and makes them ‘feel’ the romance in a story. These are powerful tools that writers can use to write a romance - a real page turner - that will make you famous.