Crafting a compelling romance novel requires a blend of creativity, skill, and an understanding of the genre’s nuances. Over the years, I’ve found several books to be invaluable resources in honing my romance writing craft. Here are my top picks that every aspiring romance author should consider adding to their library.
1. The Everything Guide to Writing a Romance Novel by Christie Craig and Faye Hughes
I’ve had this book since my very first RWNZ conference, and it’s one that is easy to read, not to mention fun. As a comprehensive guide covers everything from the basics of storytelling to the specifics of the romance genre, it’s certainly not a standard craft book, but the cartoon caricatures, break up the subject so that it’s really easy to digest. Christie Craig and Faye Hughes offer practical advice on developing believable characters, creating emotional tension, and navigating the publishing process. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced writer, this book provides useful tips and insights to enhance your romance writing.
2. Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels by Gwen Hayes
My absolute favourite go-to craft book, and one I go back to over and over and over again!
Gwen Hayes’ “Romancing the Beat” is a must-read for any romance writer. This book breaks down the story structure specific to romance novels, making it easier to craft a compelling and satisfying love story. Hayes’ approach is straightforward and practical, offering a clear framework to guide your writing process. It’s especially helpful for those who struggle with plotting or maintaining the emotional arc of their story (you can find my review of this book here).
3. Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies by Victorine Lieske & Leslie Wainger
This book is part of the popular “For Dummies” series and is an excellent resource for both new and seasoned romance writers. Leslie Wainger, a seasoned editor, covers all aspects of writing a romance novel, from creating engaging characters to understanding the market. The book includes tips on avoiding common pitfalls, writing authentic dialogue, and crafting a narrative that keeps readers hooked.
4. The Art of Romance Writing by Valerie Parv
In this essential guide, the late Valerie Parv shared her extensive experience and expertise in writing romance novels. The book delves into the specifics of the romance genre, including character development, plot construction, and maintaining reader interest. Parv’s approach is both practical and inspiring, making it a valuable resource for writers at any stage of their career.
5. On Writing Romance: How to Craft a Novel That Sells by Leigh Michaels
Leigh Michaels’ guide is a comprehensive resource for aspiring romance writers. It covers everything from the basics of storytelling to specific advice on writing romance, including creating believable characters, building emotional tension, and developing satisfying plotlines. Michaels’ experience as a romance novelist and teachers shines through in her practical and insightful tips.
6. Writing the Romantic Comedy by Billy Mernit
While focused on romantic comedies, Billy Mernit’s book provides valuable insights into crafting a compelling romantic plot with humor and heart. The principles outlined in this book can be applied to various subgenres of romance. Mernit breaks down the structure of romantic comedies and offers practical advice on creating engaging characters and memorable dialogue.
7. How to Write a Swoonworthy Sweet Romance Novel by Victorina Lienske
Victorine Lieske, a bestselling author known for her sweet romance novels, offers a comprehensive guide to crafting swoon-worthy romance stories that capture readers’ hearts without relying on explicit content. Her approach emphasizes creating deep emotional connections between characters, building tension through romantic development, and delivering satisfying, heartwarming endings. This is another easy to read and digest book that offers some really useful tips, and is definitely worth investing in.
8. Writing Romance: The Top 100 Best Strategies for Writing Romance Novels by Alessandra Bancroft
Alessandra Bankroft’s book offers a concise and practical collection of strategies for writing successful romance novels. This guide covers a wide range of topics, including character creation, plot development, pacing and dialogue. It’s great resource for quick tips and techniques to enhance your writing process.
9. Writing with Emotion, Tension, and Conflict: Techniques for Crafting an Expressive and Compelling Novel by Cheryl St.John
Cheryl St. John’s book is not limited to romance writing, but its focus on emotion, tension and conflict is highly relevant to the genre. This guide provides practical advice on infusing your story with the emotional depth and tension that essential for a captivating romance novel. St. John’s techniques will create more compelling and emotionally resonant stories.
10. Romance Writers’ Phrase Book by Jean Kent and Candace Shelton
This handy reference book is a treasure trove of phrases, descriptions, and snippets perfect for romance writers. While not a traditional craft book, it offers a wealth of inspiration for writing romantic scenes and expressing emotions. It’s a useful took for overcoming writer’s block and finding the perfect words for your romance novel.
11. The Emotional Wound Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
So, the Writer’s Helping Writers’ thesaurus series is probably the most significant series of books I have. I have them in paperback and Kindle version so that I’m able to travel with them. I’ve left them until last because there’s a lot to be said for them. The emotional wound thesaurus is probably the most valuable for the romance writer, because it helps understand the psychology of emotional wounds and trauma, which, let’s face it, characters in romance novels have aplenty. This book has a breakdown of numerous psychological traumas and lists not only the trauma, but behaviour patterns that accompany it, character quirks, and a number of other facets that you may not think of until you look more closely into the characters wounds. The other books in this series include:
- The Emotion Thesaurus
- The Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus
- The Conflict Thesaurus Vol 1 & Vol 2
- The Rural Setting Thesaurus
- The Urban Setting Thesaurus
- The Occupation Thesaurus
- The Positive Trait Thesaurus
- The Negative Trait Thesaurus
These are the kinds of book that sit on your desk and become so well-thumbed you know them inside, outside and round the wrong way. +
12. I Give You My Body: How I Write Sex Scenes by Diana Gabaldon
In “I Give You My Body: How I Write Sex Scenes,” bestselling author Diana Gabaldon shares her expert insights into crafting powerful and authentic sex scenes that serve character development, plot advancement, and emotional resonance. Gabaldon emphasizes the importance of understanding the motivations behind intimate moments, using sensory details to create vivid experiences, and building sexual tension gradually. She advises balancing explicit details with subtlety, avoiding clichés, and revising scenes for maximum impact. With examples from her own “Outlander” series and analyses of other works, Gabaldon provides a comprehensive guide for writers to create meaningful and engaging intimate scenes that deepen connections between characters and captivate readers.
Why Expand Your Library?
Expanding your collection of romance writing craft books can provide you with a broader range of perspectives and techniques. Each author brings their unique experience and insights to the table, offering valuable tips and strategies to help you improve your writing. By exploring different approaches, you can find the methods that work best for you and continue to grow as a writer.
So, now it’s your turn.
I’d love to hear of any other romance writing craft books you’ve discovered out there. Feel free to share your recommendations in the comments below!