I love a good love story. Whether I’m diving into a book, watching a TV show, or enjoying a movie, it’s always the romance that hooks me. If there’s no romance, I often lose interest. Naturally, I spend a lot of time thinking about romance and trying to figure out what makes a love story truly great. While I don’t have all the answers, I’ve found some tried-and-true dos and don’ts that can help make a love story compelling. Here are five key tips.
1. Avoid clichés, but don’t shy away from classic romantic tropes.
When writing fiction, it’s crucial to steer clear of clichés. You don’t want readers rolling their eyes at a hero who’s suddenly likable because of the heroine, an evil other woman, or an instant love connection. However, classic romantic tropes are fair game if you can put your own twist on them. Tropes like best friends falling in love, second-chance romances, or enemies becoming lovers are always popular. The secret is to use familiar elements to draw readers in but surprise them with a unique spin.
2. Aim for a happy ending, but avoid predictable paths.
People often criticize romance stories as predictable, but that doesn’t mean the journey has to be obvious. Readers, including myself, want a happily ever after. No one wants to invest in a love story only to have it end tragically. To make the story engaging, take readers on an unexpected journey and pepper the plot with surprises. Brainstorm different plot points and discard your first, second, and even third ideas to find something truly unique.
3. Get the hero and heroine together quickly, but avoid using coincidences.
When I’m reading romance, I can’t wait to see the hero and heroine interact. I want their conflict to appear almost immediately. It’s essential to give readers the satisfaction of seeing the couple together as much as possible, but their interactions must be believable. Characters need genuine reasons to spend time together that make sense within the plot. If not, readers will quickly lose interest.
4. Give your characters flaws, but avoid making the hero weak.
Perfect characters are boring. Readers want to see flaws because they create conflict and make characters more interesting. That said, avoid making the hero weak. A weak character who can’t make decisions and is easily influenced by others won’t win readers’ hearts. Strong, flawed characters who overcome their issues are much more compelling.
5. Provide believable reasons for your characters to fall in love, and make sure readers understand them.
Your hero and heroine might be oblivious to how perfect they are for each other, creating great conflict. However, there must be believable reasons for their connection, and readers need to understand these reasons. The goal is for readers to root for the couple, eagerly anticipating the moment they realize their feelings for each other. When you layer these elements into your story, you’re well on your way to creating a memorable love story.
Emily Ackerman has traveled the world, guided by a book of letters her mother left her after her death. With no father in the picture, her mom’s advice has been her guiding star. However, after a professional setback, Emily returns to Nantucket to renovate and sell the family cottage she inherited. She wonders if her mom’s advice can help her navigate this challenge—especially when her grandmother arrives to “supervise” and her heart gets tangled up with Hollis McGuire. Hollis, the boy next door turned baseball star, is back on the island after an injury ends his career.
As sparks fly between Emily and Hollis, she feels drawn to island life while uncovering shocking secrets about the accident that claimed her mother’s life. With her world upended, Emily must decide whether to rely on her mother’s past guidance or forge her own path forward.
