Writing Romantic Fiction: Seven Secrets Of Success

Romantic fiction has been a popular genre for hundreds of years, but its popularity also makes it a tough nut to crack. Here are seven pointers to help you succeed in this vast and growing market for writers ..

While it's true that most romantic novels are written by women for women, men do write them too - Alan Titchmarsh and Mike Gale being two exponents in the field. However, if you are a man writing from a woman's viewpoint and using a female pen-name, make sure you get it right - female readers will spot it right away if you don't! Romantic novels can nowadays have a man as the main character, though the female lead still dominates the genre. If you are just starting out in this field it might be a good idea to fall in line with the mainstream - the time for originality is after you've had a few books in print!

The guidelines for romance writing are absolutely specific and each publishing house has its own that, generally, they will quite happily send to you. Read them! Yes, there is a formula behind writing romantic fiction, but it also leaves lots of room for creativity. However, your reader must be able to believe in your story - if the young model falls for the old tycoon, they'll want to know why. Making him rich just isn't enough! Also, romance readers are a savvy bunch - if you don't believe in what you write, you'd better believe they won't either. If you cannot be honest and show that you have a genuine 'feel' for romantic fiction - if you're just writing it as an 'easy option' - forget it. Please! It simply will not ring true - and it will show. If, on the other hand, your heart beats faster at the very sight of a Mills and Boon cover you just might be on the right track for your fiction career!

Characters in romantic fiction novels need to develop throughout the course of your story, just as in any other type of novel. Having the heroine blossom into a confident, go-ahead personality whilst leaving her male interest as a dark, brooding figure, identical to the person she first met, is simply not a realistic storyline. Both have to 'grow' and show change within their blossoming relationship. Romance is a two-way street - both main characters have to develop the relationship. It simply can't be one-sided.

Today's heroine is much more likely to be personable and much more in charge of her life than the fainting wimp of yesteryear! She isn't just someone to be rescued by the lantern-jawed hero who she swoons over at first sight - its much more likely that she will bump heads with him over a boardroom table. It makes the characters just that much more believable in the 21st century and brings romance up-to-date. Opposites attract - a theme that works as well now as it did two hundred years ago!

Setting is important and, if you're considering a period romance you had better know that period very, very well. Readers will spot a mistake instantly and will lose no time telling you about it! Whilst this might not be too disastrous if it occurs once, frequent mistakes will dent your credibility as an author. A good tactic for new writers: stick to a setting you are familiar with - there's nothing wrong with a romance revolving around a coffee shop! It also takes one aspect of stress out of the writing process - and that can't be a bad thing!

The question of sex scenes in the romantic novel often arises - how explicit should they be? Again, you should read the publisher's guidelines - they will usually have fairly strict parameters within you should work. That's not to say they will be prudish or stuffy - it's just that it's a 'different strokes' situation. What suits one publisher may well not suit another. If you find it difficult or awkward to write explicit material - then don't write it! Many romantic novels contain only implied sex - indeed, some of the best ever written have never got beyond a kiss. It's a case of what goes unsaid and unseen can be just as exciting as a full-blooded mattress session!

A romantic novel does not have to end happily, but, unless you are in the same league as someone like Thomas Hardy, you should at least finish on an optimistic note with your characters full of hope for the future. Some of the really great romantic novels have, indeed, ended in tragedy but have a care - this is a very, very tricky ending to handle. If you're not entirely confident of your ability to handle this, it's best to stick to the time-honoured standby - the happy ending!