Writing a love story takes a lot of effort to avoid making it cheesy and predictable. In fact, romance writers would rather do something as noteworthy as Romeo and Juliet or The Notebook. Mastering the art of writing romance is all about remembering a few good tips. Here are some of them.

Make the Characters Ordinary

The main focus in love stories is ordinary characters that engage in extraordinary acts of love. Characters in these stories should be relatable enough to be familiar, but should contain ideals that make them realize the concept of true love. Regardless of their personality, profession, social status and personal flaws, the characters should act and respond within the bounds of human behavior.

Apart from the characters, the story itself should also explore a wide range of human emotions. After all, love stories do not only tackle love. In fact, the best love stories out there tackle themes of anger, betrayal, hatred, redemption and hope. Keep these factors in mind when writing and you will have a love story that celebrates the human experience.

Don’t Make It Easy

What makes a love story fulfilling is the series of obstacles that the couple will have to endure. There wouldn’t be much of a story if the couple does not have some sort of obstacle that keeps them from being together. This means creating conflict is necessary when writing the love story.

Experienced writers know that creating a good hurdle to love will make the story all the more relatable. Since the usual villain will not work well in love stories, conflict may come from disapproving parents, friends and other well-meaning people who want only the best for the couple. In some cases, there is no need for a physical antagonist as even fate or death can stand in as obstacles to love. With the right conflict, the writer can convey the message that love truly conquers all.

Mind the Sex

Intercourse, in essence, is a good plot device and a means for the couple to show their love. However, it is necessary to limit or avoid graphic sexual detail in romance writing so the message of love is not muddled by how a majority of society defines love. In fact, many love stories out there have barely any intimate moments between couples, and in fact save the kiss for the end.

Don’t Cheapen the Message

Love is an emotion of tremendous power and consequences. In love stories, the end feeling should not be of unadulterated satisfaction but a realization of lifelong values. Try to make the plot interesting enough so that the reader yearns for the next page, but poignant enough to make the reader understand the true concept of love. 

If possible, refrain from using plot points and character arcs that make the story into a one-off affair that focuses too much on sexual pleasures. Always keep in mind that the couple’s willingness to go any lengths to overcome difficulties is the main driving force for any love story.