\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/3690-.html
Romance/Love: May 05, 2010 Issue [#3690]

Newsletter Header
Romance/Love


 This week:
  Edited by: StephBee Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

A banner for the Romance/Love newsletter.

Spring is in the air. The scents of romance are out – fresh cut grass, blooming flowers, lilacs, and tulips. Baby birds tweet a song of endearment for their parents. Relationships are blossoming.

Today's newsletter is about relationships – specifically, the one between the hero and heroine in your budding romance. We'll take a look at what works and what doesn't. Enjoy! *Smile*


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: 1542722411
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99


Letter from the editor

If you think about it, the heart of any romance is the love story between the hero and heroine and how it develops. As a writer keep this in mind: readers buy a book because they want to see the hero and heroine fall in love. They want to see them meet, get acquainted, nourish warm feelings for each other, and then fall madly in love.

What Works

FINDING BALANCE

The hallmark of any romance is the attraction of the hero and heroine and it usually begins with physical attraction. The hero takes one look at the heroine and finds her stunning. The heroine finds the hero alluring, his physique defined. But there needs to be more than just physical desire to build on.

There has to be both logical and believable reasons for the hero and heroine to want to start a relationship. They have to have common values, ethics, and morals. Perhaps they're both longing for a sense of belonging, or they're both ready to start a family.

Elements such as trust, respect, kindness, and the ability to laugh are the building blocks of any relationship. The reader wants to see the hero and heroine learn to trust each other, but also be kind toward each other.

Here are some tips to help you, the writer, keep focused on your couple:

1. Never let the hero and heroine be apart for long – if they are separated by a physical distance have them call or write. Remember, couples falling in love want to see each other often.
2. Find ways to bring the hero and heroine in close contact.
3. Keep the hero and heroine alone as often as you can. If they go to a party, have them sneak off to a quiet corner.
4. Show your couple in a variety of settings. For example, going out to eat, relaxing, at work, chasing a bad guy.
5. Use dialogue effectively. Show them talking to each other about their concerns.

What Doesn't Work

When the hero and heroine meet they shouldn't fall into hate. Hate is such a strong reaction, made on very little evidence, based on misunderstanding. One can overcome the misunderstanding, but this scenario demonstrates that one half of your couple, be it the hero or heroine, is very judgmental. Do you really your protagonists portrayed as such?

Also, when they hero and heroine meet they shouldn't fall into lust. Physical desire is not love. It's healthy that the hero and heroine have a physical awareness of each other, but lust alone is not the basis of a relationship.

Here are some things to stay away from:

1. Don't separate the couple for longer than 10 pages. How can they fall in love if they are parted for long periods of time?
2. Have the couple talk about each other to other people. Ultimately, you want them to talk to each other about how they feel.
3. Don't bring in a BIG supporting cast.
4. Don't get too technical. If the couple are doctors, don't overload the reader with a lot of medical terms. They might not understand and lose interest.
5. Try not to have the characters think too much. Actions count.

Remember, physical attraction alone isn't enough. Trust, Respect, and Kindness are all essential in building a romantic relationship.

Reference for this Newsletter: On Writing Romance by Leigh Michaels, F&W Publications, 2007.

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING   (Rated: 13+)
ASIN: 6304765266
ID #110460
Product Type: DVD
Reviewer: ♥noVember tHiNg♥ Author Icon
Review Rated: 13+
  Setting:
  Story Plot:
  Length of :
  Usefulness:
  Overall Quality:
Amazon's Price: $ 8.83


Editor's Picks

 
STATIC
Loving with Class  Open in new Window. (13+)
Love means sacrifice. A fairy tale. Won Short Shots
#1505455 by Joy Author IconMail Icon


The Wolf's Kiss Open in new Window. (18+)
Honorable Mention Winner in the Writer Digest's 2007 Popular Fiction Contest.
#1298128 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon


Matt Cupid, For Hire. Open in new Window. (13+)
A story written in the style of Phillip Marlowe and Sam Spade. Bard's Hall contest winner.
#1644781 by Preacher Author IconMail Icon


Cupid for Hire Open in new Window. (E)
Cupid is unemployed and needs a new job
#1646083 by Ashley Author IconMail Icon


 The Scent Of Love Open in new Window. (E)
who can sort out the dilemma?
#1660361 by jaya Author IconMail Icon


 Chapter One - That First Meeting Open in new Window. (ASR)
She's 16, I'm 17. It wouldn't take long to realize what was coming...
#104739 by Incurable Romantic Author IconMail Icon

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!



Ask & Answer

NOTE: Romance is the most popular genre viewed online.

Your Full Time Romance/Love Newsletter Editors
Crys-not really here Author IconMail Icon
StephBee Author IconMail Icon
Fyn Author IconMail Icon

Briar Rose Author IconMail Icon
Thanks so much for featuring my story in the newsletter!
Great newsletter on the types of male heroes! Way to go! *Smile* That "omega" type is new to me as well, but makes sense - he's in a category of his own!

I agree - The Omega is a man of his own making. *Smile*

DRSmith Author IconMail Icon
Two thumbs down
for your newsie I have read.
Now 'fore you crack me crown,
I'm standin' on me head.

I couldn't resist since you're rather well known for the two thumbs "up."

Thanks for the funny! *Smile* Glad you liked the newsletter.*Smile*

A pic of me taken 2 years ago.

StephBee Author IconMail Icon is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her short story, "Matchmaking Amusement" can be found in the Be Mused Anthology released by Desert Breeze Publishing. Her paranormal romance, "The Hungarian" is available through Desert Breeze Publishing and on Amazon for Kindle.

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B083RZ37SZ
Product Type:
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available.

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/3690-.html