Things You'll Need:
- Your Story or Idea
- Hero and Heroine
- Word Processor (or pen and paper)
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Step 1
CAST YOUR CHARACTERS - It is crucial to your story and to the romance between them to choose carefully your hero and heroine. You want them to compliment each other as a pair; to have their similarities while at the same time have their different personalities and strengths to make them unique.
!! I highly recommend the book "StrengthsFinder 2.0" by Tom Rath (www.strengthsfinder.com) It is not only helpful for personal use, it is a great tool for shaping your characters. I use this concept below.
Example: John A.- Achiever. Maximizer. Analytical. Individualization. Responsibility.
Jane B.- Learner. Input. Belief. Harmony. Self-Assurance. -
Step 2
THE SETTING - Whether historical-fiction or present day, choose your location and timeframe thinking ahead to what kind of obstacles you want your hero and heroine to face. Remember that this takes research and dedication for whatever timeframe you choose.
Example: Story takes place at the peak of the Great Depression -
Step 3
THE ATTRACTION - When I read a romance novel, one of the first questions I want answered is what attracts these two characters to each other? What do they notice about each other that draws them together?
Example: Jane's belief and understanding of beauty in a world turned dark by the times. John's dedication and drive to keep his business and his family from falling apart. -
Step 4
BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP - While physical attraction might be your answer to STEP 3, if this is all they have going for them your setting them up for an abrupt fall. Physical attraction alone is not going to get them far in a relationship. What are their likes and dislikes? How are they similar and how are they different from each other? Do they have the same goals in life? Do they have the same talents? How do their differences compliment each other?
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Step 5
THE OBSTACLES - One or both of your characters are struggling through a series of obstacles. This sets up the drama of your story. Everything is not magical and fairy-tale. No reader can relate to a story where everything is rosy and perfect. While your hero and heroine are attracted to each other and want to pursue a relationship, they have problems to work through and this can drive them apart or draw them together. That is the challenge of your story.
Example: John's family needs him to make an ideal marriage with a woman of wealth to keep the business from failing, and Jane is poor and has no money or good family connections. -
Step 6
THE CLIMAX AND COMPLETION - The obstacles become more and more as the story reaches it's climax. The resolution comes at the end when the obstacles have been removed or resolved. Keep in constant thought about how your characters, each with their individual characteristics and personalities, will respond to each obstacle that comes their way. How will their love for each other conquer these trials?
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Step 7
WHAT IS LOVE? - We've all read the quotes. We've all sung the songs. Words tell us what love is. In your story, love is the ultimate victor. But love is not without its twists and turns, its confusion and complexity. How your hero and heroine respond to it has to do with their unique circumstances and character. This is what gives your story depth. Will they try to deny their love for each other? Does one pretend scorn to the other because they are afraid of their feelings and are trying to hide it? Will one sacrifice the love they feel in order to save the one they love?
"Love is much like a wild rose, beautiful and calm, but willing to draw blood in its defense"-Mark Overby.
