#AuthorToolBoxBlogHop - Let's Get Romantic

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Happy May. If you’re like me, you’re barreling toward the end of the school year with kid activities. A busy time for sure, but I’m looking forward to not getting up at 6:30am. However, I’m not looking forward to refereeing fights between my younger two. Tis is mom life. Anyway new month, means new #AuthorToolBoxBlogHop post.

So, did the title scare you a little? I’m a romance author, it’s what I do and not everyone is comfortable writing romance. Now, I’m not talking the sexy bits, that’s a whole different post. I mean just the romance. The relationship between the two people itself can be awkward.

If you’ve been wanting to add a romantic element to your story, but have been worried about how to go about it, I’m hoping this post will get you started on that journey.

First question to ask, is why you want the romance.

• Not every story needs to have a romantic element therefore the reason you want to attempt it needs to make sense to your overall plot. Otherwise it leads to point number two.

Don’t force it.

• Like with other parts of a story, the romantic element needs to feel natural to the plot. If it doesn’t the reader will know. Ever watch say an action movie and for some reason there is this near over the top deep connection between the leads? The Punisher comes to mind for me. The ‘connection’ between Thomas Jane and Rebecca Romijn I never got. Like why couldn’t they simply be friends like with the other guys that were in the rundown apartment building. That romantic element felt rushed and unneeded for the overall plot of the movie. You don’t want that for the one you add to your story.

Stay within your comfort zone

• If you think you’re going to struggle writing any sort of affectionate bits, then don’t. Again, not every story needs it. Sometimes the unspoken connection and sexual tension is just as, if not more compelling. Back to the action movies (what can I say I like to watch them). Hitman, the one with Timothy Olyphant, there is a natural progression between his character and the character Nika. But nothing ever comes of it. You can feel it, you can see how they help each other in unexpected ways but it never goes beyond the tension.

That’s really the basics on getting started if romance isn’t your normal wheelhouse. As always, these are simply my opinions and nowhere near close to anything ‘expert’ level. If all else fails, make friends with a romance author and ask for help. We’re generally nice people and enjoy talking about the genre we love.

Don’t know any romance authors, next best thing is to read a romance novel. There are plenty that are low to no heat if you’re not into all the sexy time bits. There is more nuance and layers that go into crafting a romantic relationship that can’t be fully explained in a blog post, but hopefully this has given you a starting point.

Until next time

~Meka