What Makes A Good Romance Novel?
The main elements of content in a romance novel are the following:
A relationship and romantic love between two people
It’s almost always, boy meets girl. Attraction is paramount, obstacles arise. Boy loses girl.
In between are obstacles being overcome. Coming close to success, then falling back, continuing in spite of those obstacles. Love should always win in the end.
Oh Yes, don’t forget the ending.
Your novel must have an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending.
That’s the basic common elements for a romance, so what are the genres then?
Category Romance
Usually a short romance. Generally these are the type of books you read when you have a few minutes free time. They are quick and easy to read without a lot of sub-plots.
Historical Romance
Containing a sense of historical figures, kind of a tongue-in-cheek theme. Sometimes blended with suspense and intrigue but the romance is the thing and the historical background is just that, background.
Classic Regencies
Usually featuring more sex blending with elements of mystery. It is sometimes a basic love story with some mystery or adventure to ease off the sex.
Time Travel/Futuristic
The main character travels from past to present or present to past encountering obstacles. Can it be in the past and the character has the answers or in the future where he/she must learn how to overcome it?
Romantic Suspense
What is about to happen to our heroine? Who is the devious plotter, the hero? How will she know? How can she slip from the clutches of disaster and into the arms of her true love?
Pick your genre, read and re-read books in your selected genre and soon you will be falling in love with the romance genre of your choice.
Now it’s time to find your best romance novels and get reading.
About the Author
Published novelist, author of essays, short stories, poems, mini bios and health and fitness articles, Mary McCauley’s passion is helping others live a better life and her mission is writing articles that will do that.
Checking in at the Library: Romance Novels (part 1)
