Plotting a Romance Novel: Tips to Help You Out! by Ryker J. Phoenix

 

 

Plotting a Romance Novel: Tips to Help You Out!

 

by Ryker J. Phoenix

If you’re like most people, you’d love to write a romance novel someday. But before you can start writing, you’ll need to know the basics. In this post, we’re going to give you some tips on how to plot a romance novel. From developing your characters to choosing the right setting, we’ll cover everything you need to get started. Once you have a good foundation in place, writing a romance novel will be a breeze. So whether you’re a newbie writer or an experienced one, keep reading for tips on how to plot a romance novel.

1. What is a Romance Novel?

A Romance Novel is a story with a romantic component that usually contains elements of suspense, mystery, and adventure. They can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and can be read in one sitting or over time.

There are a lot of details that go into plotting a Romance Novel, and if you're just starting out, it can be a bit overwhelming. That's why I'm here to help! In this post, I'll outline the basic steps you need to take in order to plot your own Romance Novel.

2. What are the Different Types of Romance Novels?

There are many different types of romance novels, some are historical romance, new adult romance, contemporary romance, and erotic romance.
Before you start plotting your story, it's important to know what type of romance novel you want to write. Here are some tips to help you out:

Historical Romance: Set in a time period other than now, these novels follow the love stories of people from different backgrounds.
 

New Adult Romance: This type of romance is typically set in college and focuses on the first love experience.
 

Contemporary Romance: Set in today's world, these novels follow the love stories of people in their twenties and thirties.
Erotic Romance: These novels focus on explicit sexual content and may include BDSM.

Once you've decided which type of romance novel you want to write, it's time to get started plotting! Plotting a romance novel is a lot like any other story. You need to come up with a strong idea for the story, set up your characters, and flesh out the plot.

Once you have a good idea for the story, you need to figure out who your characters are. Who are the main characters? What are their motivations? What are their backgrounds?

Once you have a good idea for your characters, it's time to figure out the plot. What is the inciting incident? What are the obstacles the characters face? How do they overcome them?

Once you have a good idea for the plot, it's time to start writing! Start with the beginning and work your way towards the end. Make sure to keep your characters true to themselves and to the plot. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

3. Who Writes Romance Novels?

When it comes to plotting a Romance Novel, you might be thinking that you need to be a brain surgeon, a literary genius, and have a never-ending supply of tissues. While those qualities certainly help, there's plenty of help out there if you're looking to write one.
 

In this post, we'll be covering some of the basics you need to know in order to write a Romance Novel. From the type of book to write to how to market it, we'll have it all covered. So whether you're a first time author or you're looking to take your writing to the next level, read on!

4. How to Plot a Romance Novel

There are many tips and techniques you can use to help you plot a romance novel. In this post, we'll be discussing how to plot a novel, characters, setting, and plot.

When you're plotting your novel, you'll want to start with the setting. This will give you a general idea of the time period, place, and climate of your novel. You'll also want to consider the characters and their backgrounds. How do your characters meet? What are their goals? What do they want? What are their secrets?
 

Once you have a good understanding of the setting, characters, and plot, you can start to write. But don't stop there! Once you have the first draft of your novel, you'll want to do a second pass to make sure everything is accurate and to fix any mistakes.
 

And finally, proofread your novel for errors and typos. If you follow these tips, you'll be able to plot a romance novel like a pro!

5. How to Format a Romance Novel

When you're plotting your next romance novel, it's important to keep in mind the following tips:

1. Plan your story arc.
2. Write to engage your reader.
3. Use conflict to keep your readers turning the pages.
4. Use your setting to enhance the story.
5. Use your characters to make the story come to life.
6. Use strong dialogue to capture the reader's attention.
7. Use action scenes to keep your readers on the edge of their seats.
8. Use suspense to keep your readers guessing.
9. Use romance to make your story even more enjoyable.
10. Write with passion and let your story come to life.

6. What to Do If You Get Stuck

If you're like most writers, you've probably fantasized about writing a romance novel at one time or another. And if you're like most writers, you've probably also been stuck on one or two particular scenes. But don't worry, we're here to help!
When you're stuck, it can be tough to know what to do. You may feel like you're going in circles or as if you're not making any progress. But don't worry, that's normal. The first step is to take a step back and assess the situation.
 

Here are a few questions to help you out:
 

1. What is the inciting incident?
2. What are the main characters feeling?
3. What are the stakes for the characters?
4. Why is this moment significant?
5. What does this scene reveal about the characters?
6. What are the emotions the scene evoke in you?
7. What are the potential consequences of what happens in the scene?
8. How does this scene compare or contrast with other scenes in the novel?
9. What is the symbolism in this scene?
10. What are the potential sequels to this scene?
 

Once you've answered these questions, you'll be able to start to see the bigger picture and start to develop a plan of action. And remember, there is no wrong answer – it's just a matter of figuring out what works best for your novel.

7. What to Do If You Run Out of Ideas

If you find yourself stuck for ideas for your next romance novel, don't worry! Here are a few tips to help you out.
 

1. Take a look at your favorite romance novels and analyze what makes them so great. Read the descriptions, look at the photos, and pay attention to the way the author brings the characters to life.
2. Ask yourself what the main conflict or issue is in the novel. Once you know this, start brainstorming scenes that could potentially resolve this issue.
3. Be creative. If you're stuck, try thinking outside the box. Don't be afraid to experiment with different plotlines, characters, and settings.
4. Be patient. It can take a while to develop a good romance novel, so don't be discouraged if it doesn't happen overnight. With a little patience, you'll be well on your way to writing a great story!

8. How do You Pepare to Write

If you're thinking about writing a romance novel, you'll want to be prepared for any and all eventualities. From getting the inspiration for your novel, to the actual writing, to editing and publishing, you'll need to be flexible and ready for anything.

One of the most important things to do when you're starting out is to get a good idea of what you want your novel to be about. Once you have this, you can start to flesh out the story, characters, and setting.

If you're getting inspiration for your novel, you'll want to be sure to include things like love, heartache, and betrayal. You'll also want to make sure that the characters are believable and that the story flows naturally.

If you're writing a novel, you'll also want to make sure that the pacing is good. Romance novels are usually fast-paced and action-packed, so you'll want to make sure that your chapters flow well and that the pacing is consistent.

Along with being flexible and ready for anything, you'll also want to be organized. You'll want to have a writing schedule and make sure that you stick to it. This will help you to stay focused and avoid distractions.

Last but not least, you'll want to be sure to have a good editing team on hand. They'll help you to make sure that your novel is typo-free, that the grammar is correct, and that the story flows well. They'll also be able to help you to improve your novel by pointing out inconsistencies and correcting plot holes.

9. What to Do If You Have Trouble Finishing a Chapter

So you've started a romance novel and you're having trouble finishing a chapter. Maybe you're just not into it and you don't know how to finish it. Maybe the plot is confusing or you're not sure what to do next. Maybe the characters aren't likable enough. Maybe you don't have the right equipment.

 

No matter the reason, there are some things you can do to help yourself out.
First, read your previous chapters. This will help you get a better understanding of the plot and the characters. This will also give you a better idea of what's going on and where the story is headed.

 

Next, take some time to plan. This means taking out a piece of paper and writing out what you want to happen in the chapter. This will help you stay on track and make sure you're not going off on a tangent.
Finally, get some help. If you're having trouble finishing a chapter, ask a friend or family member to read it with you. This will help you catch any mistakes and make sure you're following the correct storyline.
If you follow these tips, you should be able to finish your romance novel and have a great time doing it!

10. How to Market a Romance Novel

Romance novels are a great way to escape reality and enjoy a good story. Whether you're writing your first novel or you've been writing them for years, there are a few things you can do to help market your novel.

First and foremost, you need to create a good title. A great title will attract readers, and once they're hooked, it's easier to sell them on the story.

Next, you need to find a publisher. There are many online publishers who will take on your novel, and depending on the price, you may also receive an advance.

Once you have a publisher, it's time to start marketing your novel. There are many different ways to do this, and it largely depends on your budget. You can spend money on ads, send out review copies, or even hire a publicist.

As long as you're consistent with your marketing efforts, you should be able to sell your novel and have a great experience in the process.

 

 

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our blog post on Plotting a Romance Novel. If you're thinking about writing a romance novel, we have some tips for you! We covered everything from the basics of creating a story to how to find the right publisher. We hope that our tips were helpful, and we hope this information helps  you finish your novel.

 

Writing Romance Novels Books at Amazon

 

A Book About the Theater by Brander Matthews

A BOOK
ABOUT THE THEATER

BY
BRANDER MATTHEWS

PROFESSOR OF DRAMATIC LITERATURE IN COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY; MEMBER
OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND LETTERS

NEW YORK

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS

1916

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Copyright, 1916, by

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS

---

Published October, 1916

 

---

TO AUGUSTUS THOMAS

My Dear Augustus:

Let me begin by confessing my regret that I cannot overhear your first remark when you receive this sheaf of essays, many of which are devoted to the subordinate subdivisions of the art of the stage. As it is, I can only imagine your surprise at discovering that this book, which contains papers dealing with certain aspects of the theater rarely considered to be worthy of criticism, is signed by the occupant of the earliest chair to be established in any American university specifically for the study of dramatic literature. I fancy I can hear the expression of your wonder that a sexagenarian professor should turn aside from his austere analysis of the genius of Sophocles and of Shakspere, of Molière and of Ibsen, to discuss the minor arts of the dancer and the acrobat, to chatter about the conjurer and the negro minstrel, to consider the principles of pantomime and the development of scene-painting. But I am emboldened to hope that your surprise will be only momentary, and that you will be moved to acknowledge that perhaps there may be some advantage to be derived from these deviations into the by-paths of stage history.

You are rather multifarious yourself; "like Cerberus, you are three gentlemen at once"; you have been a reporter, you have published a novel, you have painted pictures, you have delivered addresses—and you write plays, too. I think that you, at least, will readily understand how a student of the stage may like to stray now and again from the main road and to ramble away from the lofty temple of dramatic art to loiter for a little while in one or another of its lesser chapels. And you, again, will appreciate my conviction that these loiterings and these strollings may be as profitable as that casual browsing about in a library which is likely to enrich our memories with not a little interesting information that we might never have captured had we adhered to a rigorous and rigid course of study. You will see what I mean when I declare my belief that I have come back from these wanderings with an increased understanding of the theory of the theater, and with an enlarged acquaintance with its manifold manifestations.

Perhaps I ought to explain, furthermore, that these excursions into the purlieus of the playhouse began long, long ago. I gave a Punch and Judy show before I was sixteen; I performed experiments in magic, I blacked up as Tambo, I whitened myself as Clown, I played the low-comedy part in a farce, and I attempted the flying trapeze before I was twenty; and I was not encouraged by the result of these early experiences to repeat any of the experiments after I came of age. I think it was as a spinner of hats and as the underman of a "brothers' act" that I came nearest to success; at least I infer this from the fact—may I mention it without seeming to boast?—that with my partners in this brothers' act, I was asked if I would care to accept an engagement with a circus for the summer. As to the merits of the other efforts I need say nothing now; the rest is silence. When the cynic declared that the critics were those who had failed in literature and art, he overstated his case, as is the custom of cynics. But it is an indisputable advantage for any critic to have adventured himself in the practise of the art to the discussion of which he is to devote himself; he may have failed, or at least he may not have succeeded as he could wish; but he ought to have gained a firmer grasp on the principles of the art than he would have had if he had never risked himself in the vain effort.

With this brief word of personal explanation I step down from the platform of the preface to let these various essays speak for themselves. If they have any message of any value, I feel assured in advance that your friendly ear will be the first to interpret it. And I remain,

Ever yours,

Brander Matthews

Columbia University,

in the City of New York.

---

CONTENTS

PAGE

• The Show Business1
• The Limitations of the Stage17
• A Moral from a Toy Theater37
• Why Five Acts?55
• Dramatic Collaboration77
• The Dramatization of Novels and the
  Novelization of Plays93
• Women Dramatists111
• The Evolution of Scene-Painting127
• The Book of the Opera153
• The Poetry of the Dance169
• The Principles of Pantomime185
• The Ideal of the Acrobat201
• The Decline and Fall of Negro-Minstrelsy217
• The Utility of the Variety-Show235
• The Method of Modern Magic251
• The Lamentable Tragedy of Punch and Judy271
• The Puppet-Play, Past and Present287
• Shadow-Pantomime, with All the Modern
  Improvements303
• The Problem of Dramatic Criticism319

---

ILLUSTRATIONS

Le ballet de la reineFrontispiece

FACING PAGE

Upper half of Plate No. 1, the 'Miller and His Men'40

A group of the principal characters from
Pollock's juvenile drama, the 'Miller and His Men'42

Explosion of the mill. A back drop in the 'Miller and His Men'46

Plate No. 7, the 'Miller and His Men'48

Lower half of Plate No. 5, the 'Miller and His Men'52

The Roman Theater at Orange134

The multiple set of the French medieval stage134

The set of the Italian comedy of masks134

An outdoor entertainment in the gardens of
the Pitti Palace in Florence in the early sixteenth century136

The set for the opera of 'Persée' (as
performed at the Opéra in Paris in the seventeenth century)140

A prison (designed by Bibiena in Italy in the eighteenth century)140

The screen scene of the 'School for Scandal'
at Drury Lane in 1778144

A landscape set146

A set for the opera of 'Robert le Diable'146

The set of the last act of the 'Garden of Allah'148

A set for 'Medea'148

The set of 'Œdipe-Roi' (at the Théâtre Français)150

The set of the 'Return of Peter Grimm'150

Scenes from Punch and Judy274

Scenes from Punch and Judy (continued)276

Roman puppets. Greek and Roman puppets. Puppet of Java.290

A Sicilian marionette show292

A Belgian puppet. A Chinese puppet theater.
Puppet figure representing the younger Coquelin294

Puppets in Burma296

The puppet play of Master Peter (Italian)296

A Neapolitan Punchinella300

The broken bridge. Plan showing the construction of a
shadow-picture theater. A Hungarian dancer (a shadow picture)308

Shadow Pictures. The return from the Bois de
Boulogne. The ballet. A regiment of French soldiers310

Shadow Picture. The Sphinx I: Pharaoh passing in triumph312

Shadow Picture. The Sphinx II: Moses leading his people out of Egypt314

Shadow Picture. The Sphinx III: Roman warriors in Egypt316

Shadow Picture. The Sphinx IV: The British troops to-day

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14 Movie Characters Writers Should Know - Eric Edson [Full Version - Screenwriting Masterclass] [Video]

 In the first two weeks of the Fall semester, California State University, Northridge screenwriting professor Eric Edson presents PowerPoint lessons to the entering first year grad MFA class. In the second class he covers 6 of the 14 character types. Here is the full inside look at the lecture.

 

Also see:

• BUY BOOK - THE STORY SOLUTION: 23 Actions All Great Heroes Must Take 
• AUDIO BOOK - THE STORY SOLUTION: 23 Actions All Great Heroes Must Take

 

Learning Screenplay Story Structure by Eric Edson [Full Version - Screenwriting Masterclass] [Video]

Learning Screenplay Story Structure

 

by Eric Edson 

 

[Full Version - Screenwriting Masterclass]

 
In the first two weeks of the Fall semester, California State University, Northridge screenwriting professor Eric Edson presents PowerPoint lessons to the entering first year grad MFA class.  He begins with the Hero Goal Sequences story structure paradigm.  Here is an inside look at the full first class of the lecture.

Also see:

• BUY BOOK - THE STORY SOLUTION: 23 Actions All Great Heroes Must Take 
• AUDIO BOOK - THE STORY SOLUTION: 23 Actions All Great Heroes Must Take