Ten Romantic Writing Ideas

Darby Saxbe wrote an article called “10 Ways to Perk Up Your Relationship.” Reading, I realized my husband Al and I already do a lot of those things. (We have 25 years of practice.) After I got done patting myself on the back for having a groovy relationship, I realized I could adapt Saxbe’s 10 Things for the  hero and heroine of my novel.

1. Gratitude

Start a scene with one of the main characters thanking the other. I just typed the words “Thank you” and the scene wrote itself from there.

2. Fun

Insert playfulness into the story. I stuck it in the middle of my hero and heroine being really busy with work.

3. Celebrate Good News

When something wonderful happened to my heroine, I let the hero make a really big deal out of it.

4. Reflect Positive Traits

One of the things that initally attracted me to my husband was the way he was always calm, while I was often a nervous wreck. I wanted to learn how to be calm like him, and over the years, I have done that. So I did a little scene with my characters using this idea from my own marriage.

5. Think the Best

Why does your heroine love your hero? He can do no wrong in her eyes. She builds him up in her mind. She creates a perfect person. Reflect that in a scene. (Later it will be fun to shatter the illusion, but for now, for the falling in love and making it real, this is an essential step.)

6. Be Open to Surprises

Discovering the wonderfulness that is your future life partner is part of falling in love. Write a scene where one of them discovers something new about the other.

7. Love Notes

This is a no-brainer for a writer. Someone leaves a love note or sends a card.

8. Support Behind the Scenes

Allow one or both of your characters to lend each other support even though the other is unaware of it. Like a random act of kindness, the thoughtful action should be hidden, a subtle secret gesture.

9. Connect Physically

And make it NOT a prelude to a sex scene! Just something tender and comforting. The human touch is magic.

10.  Focus on Self

Even though it’s all about the romance, nobody can be a good partner to someone else without first being good to themselves. Write a scene in which the heroine takes care of herself. And then maybe let the hero take care of himself, too.