A good love story is more than just the main characters fighting off a villain who has been trying to keep them apart, then living happily ever after. For many relationships, this is not the case. Life is not perfect and, well, people are not perfect either. We come with flaws and our own set of doubts and fears. This brings us to one of the fundamental aspects of a great love story: flawed characters. Stories that contain perfect characters have already had their time. Now readers want stories they can believe and that reflect the world around them. The “blue-eyed cowboy” and the “tall blonde” are not doing the trick anymore. Your story needs to be authentic for it to make an impact.

What is the main character's childhood like? Did they have a difficult time growing up? What is the relationship between them and their families? Have they experienced great loss in the past? The background to the person and their past helps in creating a well-developed character. Their development from their youth to who they are now in the story should be included. The emotional wounds they sustained during the process should also be revealed.

There are many romance genres and defining the category in which your story falls helps in clarifying the story. There is an endless list of genres ranging from paranormal romance, historical romance, romantic suspense and inspirational romance, the list goes on and on. Pick a genre that you may be familiar with or that you personally enjoy. It is easier to write a story if you have already read books with similar genres and you already know what works and what does not. Consider what readers love reading and try to incorporate it into your book. In the end, it is your choice but even so, choose carefully.

Do not toss out the “happily ever after” part just yet. Great endings complete great love stories. There is something about a great ending that inspires and that makes reading the book worthwhile. Seeing the characters overcome numerous obstacles to be together makes the plot captivating. There are exceptions, of course, to the rule and sometimes authors create a wonderful love story that has an unfortunate ending. However, it is always better to stay safe and go for what has worked, especially for a part of the storyline that is so crucial. The end of a book has an incredible impact on readers.

Have fun writing your book. Love stories should be enjoyable to read and write. Take time to develop a story that you would love to read yourself. Think of the things that have inspired you as a writer and the people who have left a mark on your life. Consider what you liked about them and incorporate this into your book. For the naysayers, do not pay too much attention to them. After all, it is your book and your story. Not everyone is going to love your work. You can only create what works for you first.