This week: Essential Romance Edited by: StephBee - House Targaryen  
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So much is going on in November! We honor our military who have served previously on Veterans Day. It’s also National Novel Writing Month which many of us on WDC are participating in, (it might be a great time to write a romance novel!) and it’s also Native American Heritage month.
Thanksgiving this year is on the 22nd. Abraham Lincoln made it a national holiday in 1863, but the holiday had been celebrated as early as 1621. Those early thanksgiving menus didn’t have turkey on it, either. In the early, early days they had fish, eel, and lobster. Nowadays, turkey is s staple! I’ll be working on Turkey Day this year, but sure the boys will leave meat on the bones for me.
Question for you: What foods do you love to eat at Thanksgiving?
I enjoy a real life love story and while last month’s featured couple, Ludwig and Therese, aren’t a traditionally happy-ever-after love story, I do believe there was a fondness between them. Romance and Love can be complicated at times, and in arranged marriages, I’d like to think it would be lucky if the couple involved found true happiness.
November is usually the time I like to highlight love letters. Since we put the spotlight on our military during Veterans Day, letters from home mean a lot to them. Back when I was serving in the late 80’s, early 90’s, handwritten letters were like gold, but now, I suppose, email is more popular. Still, it’s the thought that counts. Letters and care packages are like getting Christmas presents to those serving overseas or on deployments and are always appreciated.
Have a warm Thanksgiving wherever you are, and I’ll catch you in December for the “Holiday Rush!”
And now onto the essentials of romance…
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There are many different facets to a romance novel – there’s characterization – the hero must have some “heroic” qualities and reflect the modern ideas of a hero. If written well, an anti-hero can shine. A heroine must reflect modern day feminine values. A 1950’s heroine might not connect with readers in 2018. There’s alpha males, beta males, and gamma males. There’s damsels in distress and damsels in your face.
There’s conflict, there’s genres (historical, paranormal, contemporary, etc.. to name a few), and there’s the “heat” factor – sweet, mainstream, and erotic. But all romances should have the same connecting elements.
Successful romance writers read romances often. Some writers think they can write a romance without exploring the genre, but it will show if you’re not a romance writer at heart.
Romances tend to be very formulaic. And the formula works. The hero and heroine must be likeable. There must a believable conflict. Misunderstanding that could easily be cleared up in a simple conversation doesn’t work with savvy romance readers.
Emotional payoff means a lot. Readers read d romance to feel something, usually hope, which love inspires. This usually involves the hero and heroine sacrificing something for love. Sacrifice is never easy which lead to the emotional payoff.
In order to keep the story going, action must be involved. The best romance involves a healthy diet of action and adventure. (My favorite is Romancing the Stone)
Romances shouldn’t change perspectives in a scene. Known as “Head Hopping,” it’s confusing for reader. It’s best to change perspectives using a line break or when you change chapters.
The developing relationship between the hero and heroine should always be the main focus of the story. World building and action is necessary to the conflict, but ultimately readers want to see your main characters falling in love.
Physical attraction is an important element in romance writing. Your main characters should demonstrate some type of physical attraction/longing. This is an important way to SHOW readers that the romance is developing between the hero and heroine.
REFERENCE FOR THIS NEWSLETTER: http://writersblock.loft.org “7 Essential Tips for Writing Romance,” by Jennifer Lawler.
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StephBee - House Targaryen is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her paranormal romance, “Night of Magic” was recently released with Prairie Rose Publishing. Can Finn save Aithne from the otherworld and its demons or does she wish to remain in a realm full of darkness?
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Romance/Love: November 07, 2018 Issue [#9208]
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