She loves you, She loves you not: Writing Romances

When an editor started editing Anything but Normal she didn't like Boyd my hero because he allowed Krystal to get into trouble and didn't save her like a strapping hero would. After Janette's romance writing class I'm making my hero much more Knight-In-Shining-Armor. Hope it helps the reader fall in love with Boyd. 

I'm sharing my notes in hopes it helps you too. 

She loves you, She loves you not: Writing Romances Editors want to buy – by Janette Rallison -

http://janette-rallison.blogspot.com/

Romantic Heroes qualities need to be- Powerful in some way, Rich, Titled, and have a successful job.

We want to read heroes who are clever, street smart, resourceful, tough, and protective of the heroine.

We love the witty banter.

Heroes need to be faithful and loyal.

Love triangles really only work one way.

He’s also good even when he’s a bad boy.

Don’t make them too bad. You don’t want a hero who is a total rake and a player. They can change for the heroine.

Romance has grit, wit, and hot.

#1 rule – It is not enough for heroine to fall in love. The reader has to fall in love too.

A heroine is:

-          Fairly young

-          She doesn't know she’s beautiful

-          Likable and strong

-          MC is a woman (POV can change)

-          She isn't weak

-          She isn't perfect

-          She is well developed

6 elements every story needs:

1.      . A likable character
2.         Who has a problem
3.         Which leads to a goal
4.         The character encounters obstacles
5.         There is an antagonist
6.         There is a consequence of failure if the MC doesn't get the goal. 

The character needs to grow. Romance is character driven more than plot. If hero and heroine don’t have to change, what’s keeping them apart?

Writing exercise:  

 Write 10 good qualities about your MC.

 What are her fears?

Main Plot-line can’t be that the heroine’s goal is to fall in love.

Rules of thumb-

-          Must be worthy goal that the heroine wants to accomplish

-          Best goals are important and urgent

-          If goal can be postponed until next year than it isn't good enough

-          All MC should have goals

-          Goals can change

-          They don’t have to be achieved always

-          Be specific

Strong obstacles/ conflict

Conflict is not arguing. Conflict that can be cleared up with a 2 min conversation is not good enough.

Don’t throw unrelated conflict at MC.

Make sure the consequences of failure are big.

10 mistakes to avoid:

1. Physical attraction is not the only reason why they are in love.
2. Weak conflict (a snippy rude heroine overcomes and falls in love.)
3. Unlikable characters – example: a Jerk or a vixen
4. Not enough character development
5. Starting slow
6. Bringing characters together to soon.  For romance we need tension, something has to keep the    hero and heroine apart.
7. Bad boy is too bad
8. Weak, stupid, or poorly motivated heroine. Your readers shouldn't ever say, “I’d never do that.”
9. Not knowing sub-genre and all the rules and cliches
10. Writing like it’s 80’s or 90’s

    Here are some of my favorite romances.  Please share with me some of your favorite romance novels. 

        

     

Me with Janette Rallison my favorite author

This Blog rocked my writing world like an MJ video!

Like this video you rocked my world

This was an eye opener blog by agent Natalie M. Lakosil of Bradford Literary Agency www.adventuresinagentland.com. 

I'm rethinking my book as a YA. ANYTHING BUT NORMAL is first person POV of an eighteen year old girl but I'm not sure if my words and actions are in a true YA voice.  I have to reread my novel to see, "Am I a YA author or Adult author?"

Here is the blog that has rocked my world:  http://www.adventuresinagentland.com/2011/03/ya-vs-adult-whats-so-different-anyway.html

"YA vs. Adult: what's so different, anyway?

One of my biggest pet peeves about submissions is reading queries from authors who are clearly trend-chasers. Currently, the biggest offender: adult writers who call their novels YA.

 AGE is not the determining factor of a YA."

     I believe my novel fits in the YA category because Krystal is thinking and acting as a YA but I’m afraid my voice is a little more mature than an 18 year old Goth girl.

Tell me what you think. Here’s the first page of ANYTHING BUT NORMAL; 

     Never run your horse towards home. Mother’s warning came to mind but the last thing I wanted was Mom to ruin my one enjoyment, riding my horse. Besides, Black wouldn't overpower me. We were like one when I was in the saddle. I snapped the reins, pressed my heels in, and yelled “YAW!” The sudden burst of speed was exactly what I needed. I took in a deep breath of the crisp Wisconsin air and caught the scent of wildflowers as flashes of gold and lilac blurred past me. I've always loved springtime when the flowers come to life after a harsh winter. Like my life, it represented a new beginning. I was Eighteen years old and had just moved to a new town, ready to make changes for the better. I leaned down to experience the thrill of riding fast on a 1,300 pound horse as his mighty legs hammered the dirt.    

     I shivered when the hairs on the back of my neck stood up and my blissful mood disappeared under the all-too familiar awareness of someone watching me. A biting wind whipped around and plastered my hair across my face, temporarily blinding me. With the reins in one hand, I pulled the hairs off my face with the other hand. We were approaching the woods at a dangerous speed.

    I caught a glimpse of someone behind a tree as birds scattered in a mass exit. Black spooked and I didn't have a good grip as he drove his front legs into the ground. His sliding halt and abrupt stop sent me flying over the top of his head. I grasped frantically to stay upright but instead found myself plummeting to the earth. I closed my eyes, waiting for the pain…

What do you think? Does that sound YA or Adult?

And while we’re at it, I'm questioning my whole genre. I have coined my novel as YA Paranormal Romance. My heroine is dealing with Demons and Angels in her life. 

"Paranormal romance focuses on romance and includes elements beyond the range of scientific explanation." 

Does my story have to have more prevalent paranormal themes involving vampires, shapeshifters, ghosts, or time travel to be considered paranormal? 

My story is not overly religious but the idea of Demons and Guardian Angels interfering and helping in our lives are a religious theory. Would my story fall into a religious category like inspirational fiction?

"There are some books that easily and obviously fit, such as the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, clearly written for the purpose of providing anecdotes that provide inspiration to the readers. Finding a good definition for the sub-genre of inspirational fiction is a little more difficult."

Like I said, this blog rocked my writing world but maybe I needed to rethink this. I need to know where my book fits so I can find the right agent or publishing company to love my book as much as I do.