A lot of work goes into writing a romance novel. You must create compelling characters, develop a plot, and craft a story that readers will turn to repeatedly. You must also ensure your book is free of grammar and punctuation errors. That’s where a good romance editor comes in.
Find a Good Author
Romance writing is one of the hottest genres in publishing, generating over a billion dollars in sales yearly. It’s also one of the most popular and gratifying careers, with writers able to work from home on their schedule.
Many romance authors exist, including historical, contemporary, paranormal, and more. The best ones will write strong main characters who are interesting enough to engage the reader’s interest.
These authors, like LB Wells, also take great delight in their capacity to develop rich, multifaceted characters, which raises a love narrative to a higher plane. For instance, a character with a troubled past may provide more tension for the love story, which will keep the reader engaged.
Another great way to connect with readers is to offer free short stories or chapter previews on your website. This can help readers decide whether they want to read your novel. It also can be a great tool to build trust with potential readers.
Read Reviews
One of the more popular subgenres is the romance novel about a love interest with an unusual career path. A well-written workplace romance can be fun to read, especially if the characters are funny and witty. But beware of the cliches: many of these novels aren’t very realistic, and the characters may not represent their professions best. A good way to find a book about romance and careers is to look for reviews.
Read the First Chapter
The novel’s first chapter is crucial for grabbing and keeping the reader on track. It sets the tone, reveals the genre, and establishes a foundation for the story.
A successful first chapter also introduces a compelling character who your readers will follow through to the end of the book. This character is the one who will take their hand and lead them into the world of your story.
Your first chapter must also set the scene, giving readers a sense of place and period. This is especially important if your novel is a historical, fantasy, mystery, or adventure.
You don’t need to tell your reader the exact details of your world, but you do need to make them aware that this is a different world from their own. You can do this by introducing air raids, showing the types of clothing your heroes wear, and taking them on a train to a different place.
Read the Last Chapter
The last chapter is the best time to show off your wares and give your reader something extra. It can be as simple as a brief glimpse at what happened or a full-blown flash mob, but it should be fun and interesting to read about. It’s a good idea to pick a theme that reflects your main character’s personality and interests. You can use this opportunity to show off your writer’s chops, a little creativity, and, most importantly, a healthy dose of humor. If you do this, your book will be a joy to read.
If you’re looking for a more thoughtful approach, try writing your last chapter to include a few lines of dialogue that speak to the character’s main motivations or goals. Instead of clunky expositional prose, these should be woven into your story naturally and believably. This will keep your reader from feeling detached and help to establish the context for what happens next.