For the Love (of Writing) a Romance Novel

Today I'm excited to have a visit from Eva Shaw, a best-selling author and ghostwriter with more than 100 books published, from novels to self-help books to memoirs to charming gift books including her latest, Jane Won't Quit. Additionally, she’s written thousands of articles, essays and short stories. Eva is giving us a peek into the writing of romance novel with today's guest post. Keep scrolling for info about her latest book and a giveaway.

For the Love (of Writing) a Romance Novel

By Eva Shaw

Time stops. She tilts her chin. His calloused fingers slide down her silky neck as a sea breeze caresses their bodies. He starts to speak, shakes his head and lowers his lips as...

Fido snarls at FedEx. Your spouse grunts as the remote disappeared again. The baby heaves more mashed bananas at a sibling.

You groan, quiet the dog, find the remote (in the refrigerator) and wipe goo off a wailing toddler.

Thoughts of writing a romance novel fizzle. Again. Who has energy or even ideas? Isn’t it time to end the foolishness? Why bother?

Wait. If this was your bestie’s dream, would you tell her to quit? No way. It might take a year or five, but keep that desire to write alive. How? Get info and make a plan.

If you haven't studied the romance genre and its subgenres for a while, that’s your first step.

Read. Choose print over audiobooks. This magically trains the brain in vocabulary, dialogue, plotting and punctuation. Decide on a subgenre. The subgenres range from rom-com to nail-biting suspense, like Jane Won’t Quit.

Romances are the top-selling genre and run from about 60,000 to 100,000 words. For help writing, plotting and characterization, view my YouTube video, “Eva Shaw’s Write Your Book in 20 Minutes.

BTW: Forget AI. Publishers and readers will spot that bot in a heartbeat.

Pick a Trope. Here are the top romance tropes (the plot or storyline). Let your

imagination go wild and see which ones fit your ideas best:

• Enemies to Lovers: Characters dislike or in a conflict that moves to passion.

• Forced Proximity: Characters are trapped together as emotions spark.

• Fake Relationship/Dating: To solve a problem, characters fake being

• together then fall in love.

• Friends to Lovers: A deep friendship grows into romantic feelings.

• Second Chance: Former lovers find one another again, now wiser and

• mature.

• Opposites Attract:  Twosomes with different personalities or backgrounds,

• fall in love and face challenges.

• Slow Burn: The relationship takes time, tension builds.

• Forbidden Love: Society? Ethnicity? Couples must overcome the obstacle.

• Love Triangle: Torn between potential mates, the protagonist must choose,

• but how?

• Destiny: Soul mates face monumental obstacles.

  
  

Write. A friend admitted, “If I want to write a romance, I will find the time.” Take a few minutes to read about the habits of highly productive people. You don’t have to adopt them all. A few hacks might give you time to write.

Schedule writing, even if it’s ten minutes a day. This is for you and you deserve it.

Edit. An emerging writer complained, “My writing is awkward.” I asked how many times she’d edited the romance novel. “Once.” Problem identified. Expect to edit your manuscript at least ten times. Trust me, it’ll improve each time. After ten you’ll know if it’s ready for the next step. Truth: Share only polished writing and be wise who you share it with. Not everyone is helpful.

Submit. Yep, this is the intimidating part. Remember you know the answer if you don’t try. Check submission guidelines for the publishers whose romances you like. Study them and follow the submission guidelines to a T.

Keep Writing. As soon as you finish writing Book #1, start another. You’re a

professional and this your job: You’re a romance writer.

More about Jane Won't Quit

Pastor Jane Angieski has never fit the mold—too outspoken for church politics, too compassionate to look the other way, and too stubborn to quit when lives are on the line.

When a high-profile scandal erupts inside a powerful Las Vegas mega church, Jane is pulled into an investigation far darker than corruption or infidelity. Behind the polished sermons and celebrity pastors lurks a brutal international trafficking ring—one that buys, sells, and returns unwanted children through a diabolical foreign adoption scheme.

Captain Frank Morales has spent his career protecting the city from monsters. He knows exactly how dangerous this case is—and exactly how reckless Jane is being by digging into it. The attraction between them is instant. The trust is nonexistent. And the closer Jane gets to the truth, the harder Frank has to fight to keep her alive… whether she wants protecting or not.

When a lost disabled child is found abandoned on the streets of Sin City, Jane and Frank are forced into an uneasy alliance.

Because this isn’t just one victim. It’s thousands.

To stop the operation, they’ll have to expose powerful men, corrupt ministries, and an international pipeline that treats children like merchandise. And someone is very willing to kill to keep it buried.

In a city built on secrets, faith and justice may not be enough to save them—but walking away isn’t an option.

Meet the Author

Website: https://evashaw.com/

Instagram: @evashawwriter

Facebook: @evashawwriter

Ready to Read

Amazon l Kindle l B&N l Bookshop.org

Want to Win?

Enter to win one of FIVE gift cards HERE.