What Makes Romance Writing Successful?

Photo by Laura Choutte. Unsplash

“Romance is about how people grow together, not just how they meet.”- Nora Roberts

February is traditionally associated with romance. Valentine’s Day, chocolate, romantic getaways in warm-weather locations (if you have the money). And of course, books! The genre remains incredibly popular, with Publisher’s Marketplace estimating roughly 23-25% of book sales in the U.S. are currently romance. That’s billions of dollars a year in the industry. So if you’re finding yourself inspired to think romance right now, start by asking yourself: what makes a successful romance book today?

Is It A Romance?

Subgenre, niche, call it what you want, but “romance” is just the tip of the iceberg. Are you going historical, paranormal, mystery, science fiction? Is your romance light and cozy or dark with potential trigger warnings? Billionaire or mafia? Darker romances are popular at the moment, six months from now the trend may shift completely. I always echo C.S. Lewis and Toni Morrison’s advice: write the book you want to read, not just what’s selling now. After all, you’re going to be spending a lot of time with it. Write what you enjoy.

Some people get confused when a book has more than one element. Is it a mystery or a romance? Look at it this way: is the dominant story you’re focusing on the mystery? In that case, you’re writing a mystery with romantic elements (think J.D. Robb's In Death series). If the main storyline is the emotional situation between your main characters, then you’re writing a romance with mystery elements (think Jayne Ann Krentz's books).

The big one is always: is it a romance or fiction? There’s two questions you should ask yourself for that answer. Is the main storyline the emotional situation between your main characters? AND does your book have a happily ever after (HEA) or at least a happy for now (HFN)? If the answer is “no,” your book needs to be marketed as fiction, not romance. Reader expectations for romance are very different in that respect and if you don’t give them at least a HFN you’ll very much hear about it in your book reviews—not in a good way!

Character Arcs

Your characters and their development are at the heart of any romance story, and you want your readers to be invested in them for the entire journey. What might that include?

• Flawed characters: Let’s face it, flaws, quirks, annoying habits, anything that makes a character not perfect also makes them more relatable—to other characters and to readers! They also offer room for development. If someone’s perfect, how can they grow? Or, how can we learn to love them for their flaws?

• Showing the progression: Readers want to see that emotional journey! Romance is a definite show-don’t-tell scenario. How do your characters engage with each other? When do challenges become “remember when” memories? Sniping become banter? What is the point where each character realize they love the other? How does that change their actions? Does it change everything or only some things?

• Chemistry: Readers love it when they can tell in a first meeting these two (or more) people are going to end up together. There’s a click. A spark. It might not start out with liking (it might be loathing). But there’s something about the other person. They can’t stop thinking about each other. They challenge each other. Until emotions change.

Think Pride & Prejudice

Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice is my go-to example here. Not only because it's a favorite book of mine, but it checks all these boxes perfectly. Which may be why it remains one of our most beloved stories 213 years after it was first published.

• Flawed characters: As much as we love Darcy and Elizabeth, both have the flaws and foibles of real people. Darcy starts off the book proud and haughty, Lizzie's tendency towards levity and humor both attracts and appals Darcy. She may be easy for us to relate to as a "modern" woman, but she was outspoken and forward for her time and position in life. Both were sure they knew their own minds and had a good grasp on the people around them. Both have to learn to change their views of themselves and the world around them if they are going to get together in the end.

• Showing the progression: We see Lizzie's views begin to change after she reads Darcy's letter. It happens slowly. First she understands how she was deceived by Wickham. Then she sees Pemberly and understands the kind of responsibilities Darcy has and the respect he has earned from the people around him. We don't see into his mind, but we come to understand he's changed his actions because of what she has said to him—just as she has changed some of her thinking. Neither has changed their core being, but they've grown as individuals. By the end they can start their relationship together.

• Chemistry: The banter and arguements the two have throughout the first half of the book especially are that perfect enemies-to-lovers spark that ignites brilliant chemistry. They challenge each other in ways no one else has done. You can imagine that Darcy looks forward to each confrontation, wondering what outrageous thing Lizzie will say to him next.

Romance is a genre whose popularity will never end. Whatever kind you write, enjoy giving your characters the happiness they (and your readers) deserve!

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