Questions

Why do some romance novels fail?

I've noticed that lots of people talk about the romance in a story falling flat or not being believable. How can a romance author avoid this?

5answers

There are several reasons a romance novel fails, and that always has to do with the development of the romance between the two love interests.

Every character in a story is going to have a main goal and something they want or need.

In romance novels, this ends up being the relationship that ends in a happily ever after. Most of the time. That darn Nicholas Sparks!

Obviously, romance sub-genres will have plot layers if mystery or suspense is involved, but when we're talking straight romance, it's far more noticeable if the development of the relationship is off.

Here are just a few issues I've seen in romance novels.

1.) Love in a vacuum: nothing is happening other than the characters suddenly falling in love for no discernible reason.

2.) Purely Physical: the romantic tension relies on nothing more than the physical aspects of the relationship, preventing any development of emotional attachments taking place. (Note: erotica is a whole other subject, and its readership generally expects there to be explicit content when forming the relationship. Nothing wrong with that if that's the kind of readership you are aiming at. Just know your audience and write accordingly.)

3.) Little or no romantic tension: romantic tension involves wanting without fulfillment. Even the anticipation of a simple kiss can cause enormous amounts of tension if the two love interests are always close to succumbing but never quite get there.

4.) Weak sources of conflict: Are the obstacles that prevent the love interests from coming together superficial and unbelievable? Consider what each character wants and what they need, and put those wants and needs in opposition to one another, causing their relationship to seemed doomed before it even starts.

5. The reader doesn't care: are your characters likable, easy to relate to, or people we can admire? If they don't have any redeeming qualities, interesting backstories, and quite possibly some deep, dark secret that prevents them from moving on and falling in love, then you might end up with characters who fail to inspire readers or pique their interest.

There are three things every romance needs.

!.) An emotional connection between characters: they can't just be really attractive. Lust does not build a connection. Emotional connections require interaction and time. There also needs to be an emotional connection for the reader. They need to see the strengths and weaknesses of your character. No one can relate to a perfect person. There needs to be a compelling reason for your couple to be together. This helps with avoiding: the love vacuum, reader caring, cliche characters and plot.

2.) Need fulfillment: what does the character need? The deeper the need the deeper the connection. So figure out what your character needs in a significant other. This helps with: the love vacuum, weak source of conflict, cliche character, and no foundation for the love.

3.) Unique connection: the couple is something to each other that no one else is or can be. If the connection isn't unique, it will lack impact and will not be satisfying to your readers. This is why their connection must go beyond love at first sight, infatuation, or physical pleasure. This helps with poor reasons for miscommunication or no communication, the love has no foundation, little or no romantic tension.

I'm always happy to answer questions on the fundamentals of fiction writing if you would like to discuss romance or any other genre in greater detail.


Answered 7 years ago

By avoiding cliches, stereotypes. Your story should seem more original rather than only focusing on a happy ending.


Answered 6 years ago

The market for romance novels is extremely saturated and has become swamped with popularity for aspiring writers to write the next 50 Shades of Grey.

A lot of these books follow a similar theme, but they're all tailored to becoming the next 50 Shades of Grey. As an author, I'd shift my approach to a less saturated market and try and find something that's still a romance novel, but also dips its toes into another category. Imagine a romance novel with a thriller style vibe to it... A completely different edge and setting but still that romantic approach.

Stand out from the norm is the vital thing to avoid failure, and keep marketing! Share online, go to every Facebook group possible, keep posting on Twitter, asking family and friends to do the same. A lot of books stay quiet because nobody is shouting about them, so as an author make it your mission to have your book heard.

I hope this helps but if you'd like to discuss the above in more detail or anything like that, feel free to get in touch with me :-)


Answered 4 years ago

Romance novels are not bound by this requirement and characters can be rich, famous, or people who lived centuries ago, and the settings can be exotic. Throwing in a depressing ending does not completely excuse you from the genre. There is plenty of happiness out there for those who are willing to reach for it. No one assumes that the main couple in the story continued to live out their lives without ever having another care in the world. The HEA is just where the story ends. Women sometimes fantasize about being overpowered by a man. Typically, readers can distinguish between fantasy and reality. Critics who spew drivel about romance novels promoting abuse against women seem to think otherwise, though. And further, as I have mentioned before, Iā€™ve read a lot of romance novels.
You can read more here: https://www.romancerehab.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-the-romance-genre
Besides if you do have any questions give me a call: https://clarity.fm/joy-brotonath


Answered 3 years ago

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Answered a year ago

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