Bestselling author Courtney Walsh shares her insights on how to write a captivating love story and introduces her new novel, “If For Any Reason.”
I’m a big fan of love stories. Whether it’s in books, TV shows, or movies, the romance element always grabs my attention. Without a romantic angle, I find it hard to stay interested. That’s why I spend a lot of time pondering what makes a love story exceptional.
Here are five tried-and-true tips for writing a great love story:
1. Avoid clichés but embrace romantic tropes.
One essential rule in writing fiction is steering clear of clichés. You don’t want your readers rolling their eyes at predictable elements like a heroine magically transforming a grumpy hero, an evil other woman, or love at first sight. However, romantic tropes like best friends falling in love, second-chance romance, and enemies to lovers are fair game if you can give them a unique twist. The key is mixing familiar elements with surprising turns.
2. Aim for a happy ending, but avoid obvious paths.
Romances often get pegged as “predictable” because people expect a happy ending. And, honestly, they want it! No one wants to invest in a love story only to face a tragic ending. The challenge is to make the journey to that happy ending unexpected. Brainstorm different plot twists, dismissing your initial ideas to uncover something less obvious and more unique.
3. Bring the hero and heroine together quickly but avoid using coincidences.
In romance, readers eagerly anticipate seeing the main couple together and experiencing their conflicts early on. It’s crucial to offer them enough interaction without relying on coincidences to bring the characters together. Their reasons for spending time together should be woven naturally into the plot to maintain believability.
4. Give your characters flaws but don’t portray the hero as weak.
Perfect characters are boring. Readers want to see flaws that create conflicts and make characters relatable. However, portraying a hero as weak, indecisive, or easily manipulated is generally a turn-off. Readers prefer a hero who, despite his flaws, remains strong and compelling.
5. Provide believable reasons for the romance and make them clear to the reader.
While the characters might not see their compatibility, there should be clear, believable reasons for their romance that the reader can understand. Readers should root for them, eagerly waiting for the moment when the characters finally realize they are meant to be together.
If you incorporate these elements, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a compelling love story that readers will love.
Courtney Walsh is the author of eleven inspirational novels, including the e-book bestseller “A Sweethaven Summer.” She lives in Illinois with her husband and three children and balances her writing career with her roles as an artist, theatre director, and playwright.
In her latest novel, “If For Any Reason,” Emily Ackerman returns to Nantucket after a professional setback to renovate and sell her family cottage. Guided by letters from her late mother, Emily navigates complex emotions and budding romance with Hollis McGuire. The story unravels secrets from the past as Emily decides between following her mother’s advice and forging her own future.
