What's the Big Deal About Romance Novels?

Hi everyone. I'm Amy Jarecki, and I'm the romance writer and a member of this blog. I'm so happy to be here among other authors who write in many interesting genres. Today I thought I'd chat about writing romance. Sometimes people make a sour face when I say I write romance, but after they've read one, I hear comments like: "...gee, I never would have picked up this book, but I really enjoyed the story."

And that's the bottom line. It's still a story. A romance novel can be historical, contemporary, paranormal, young adult, fantasy, suspense, inspirational, and more. It's almost like it has all the genres sub-categorized under the major genre, ROMANCE.

And yes, romance is the largest selling genre out there. Avid readers of romance can devour a book a day, and they are ever-hungry for high quality stories. Though I have dabbled in contemporary romance, I've hit the benchmark of being Amazon's #1 bestseller in Scottish historical romance. And like all authors in this genre, it makes my skin crawl when someone says...."Historical romance? Oh. You write bodice rippers," as if I couldn't possibly write a real story.

Just like any historical novel, I do a ton of research and plotting before I start typing. And my novels always have a strong element of action/adventure. But I digress. What makes a romance? The Romance Writers of America will say: a love story with a satisfying ending (a HEA...happily ever after...or, in the case of NA or YA, happy for now). In addition, a love story will have strong elements of other genres, just like a straight historical novel by Wilbur Smith will undoubtedly have romance (though it might not have a HEA).

Not all romances are sizzling hot with steam emitting from their pages. There are different heat levels and a number of reviewers will use guidelines, such as:

1. Sweet
2. Sensual
3. Sizzling
4. Erotic Romance (has a main story other than the sex).
5. Erotica (well...you know...)

The other day I heard a romance author lecture about writing historical romance, and she said the hero and heroine must meet within the first five pages. I have to agree that's a pretty good rule...but I happen to break it all the time. I guess it depends on the other elements of the story that will determine when the H and H meet.

I've also read manuscripts from new authors that weren't romances at all (though they thought they were). So, if you're not sure, ask yourself if the love story is the most important part of the plot. If the answer is yes, then it's a good bet it's a romance.

Regardless of what genre you write, the most important thing is to do it!

~Write on!