Today on the Seventh Star Blog, we welcome award-winning author Melodie Romeo for a special visit during her blog tour for Tribute in Blood! In this new guest post, Melodie shares some important elements of writing compelling romance stories!
Writing Romance
by Melodie Romeo
There is no right or wrong way to write romance; the bottom line is always: did it work for these characters in this story? However, in my experience there are six important elements that I include and most usually find in successful authors’ romances. The key is to allow the relationship to develop naturally through these stages without appearing contrived. While I do not claim these are the only essentials or that they must all be used every time, I humbly share them with you.
- The Meet
Before any romance can ensue, the characters must come in contact with each other. This could occur before the story opens, but some reference to that event is helpful to the reader. Their meeting may be chance or arranged and positively or negatively charged: “You hit my car!” “Wow, your friend is pretty; will you introduce me?” The meet often kicks off the book, but it doesn’t have to happen in chapter one. Many romantic novels begin by introducing the primary protagonists independently before placing them together, as I do in Tribute in Blood. In cases such as Jean Auel’s Valley of Horses, it is past midway in the text before Jondalar and Ayla find each other. However, wherever, whenever—before love blooms, the characters must meet.
- The Attraction
So our heroes have met, but then what? There should be something that causes an attraction, be it physical looks, character, sense of humor, money, or any of a host of possibilities. Maybe it is annoyance or an immediate dislike, but something makes them continue to think about one another, dream about each other, fantasize about the other. There must be an aspect that stirs the characters to develop a strong feeling or take some kind of action. In my novel, Nicolae is first drawn to Maria because of her appearance, which is akin to his beloved mother who died long ago. Maria is initially fascinated with Nicolae because he is a handsome stranger and she is curious about him. However you incorporate it, there needs to be an attribute that sparks an interest between the two.
- The Obstacles
In most relationships there is at least one obstacle, frequently many, that must be overcome before the couple can get together. Some of these are age, race, religion, language, ethnicity, or other societal differences. Maybe they are the same gender in a place or time that is taboo. Other possibilities include monetary issues, physical impairments, geography, employment, or politics. There is the “Romeo and Juliet” scenario with feuding families; the list is practically endless. In Tribute in Blood, the major hurdle is a class difference, complicated by distrust as each character worries the other could be one of Vlad’s spies. But it is important to make sure the obstacles are not too unsurmountable as to be believed. For example, I could not see any future in a relationship between an intellectually gifted individual and one who was mentally retarded. Even if the sex was good, what would they talk about?
- The Conflict
One of the central elements to any novel is conflict, which is especially true with romances. This can be something that arises between the potential lovers, internal struggles for them to overcome, or enemies or circumstances they must face as a team. Sometimes a heated argument easily switches to steamy passion. Working together to escape a trap or survive a natural disaster often serves to bring the two closer. However the author chooses to stage it, conflict is an essential part of the plot.
- The Declaration of Love
There comes a point in the drama that the characters realize for themselves they have feelings for the other and they make those emotions known. In most cases this is a verbal declaration of devotion, but it doesn’t have to be. It could be a letter, a look, a touch, a gift, a sacrifice, or something else. Somehow, someway, these two protagonists need to relay how they feel. In the rare instance you may spin a tale of unrequited love, but usually before the end of the book their feelings are mutual.
- The Resolution
What becomes of all the passionate build up? In a happily ever after or happy for now story, the couple gets together, whether it be through an engagement, marriage, or another satisfactory arrangement. But not all famous romances have a joyful finish; sometimes one lover dies, as in Romeo and Juliet and Love Story. In other instances, it is simply unfeasible for the pair to remain together, a-la Casablanca. In these tragic star-crossed cases, the principal characters declare their love, but some event or circumstance prevents their happy ending. Either case can be a satisfying conclusion as long as it seems plausible and is supported by all that came before. What is not acceptable is to have no resolution at all and leave the reader hanging… unless, of course, there is a sequel coming!
There may be fifty ways to leave your lover, but how they get together, what they overcome, and how their story ends is only limited by the author’s imagination. I tend to include some degree of romance in everything I write because relationships are part of life. People may fall in or out of love, they might break up or stick like glue, but as humans it is in our nature to desire connection to another on a deeper plain than the mere physical. If you are new to romance writing or consider giving it a try, don’t be afraid. You can embrace whatever level of heat you feel comfortable with, but if you incorporate these six elements, you won’t go wrong.
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About the author: Melodie Romeo, who also writes under the pen name Edale Lane, is the author of the award winning 2019 novel, Heart of Sherwood, and the Night Flyer Trilogy. As Melodie Romeo, she has written Vlad a Novel (soon to be re-released as Tribute in Blood), Terror in Time, and others. She founded Past and Prologue Press in 2019. Both identities are qualified to write historical fiction by virtue of an MA in History and 24 years spent as a teacher, along with skill and dedication in regard to research. She is a successful author who also currently drives a tractor-trailer across the United States. A native of Vicksburg, MS, Melodie is also a musician who loves animals, gardening, and nature.
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Book Synopsis for Tribute in Blood: Tribute in Blood, a Tale of Vlad the Impaler, by Melodie Romeo (previously released under the title, Vlad, a Novel)
The most terrifying horrors are revealed in the pages of history.
After killing over 100,000 people during his first reign as Prince of Walachia, Vlad has returned, ready to inflict tortuous death on anyone he chooses. Only Nicolae and Maria, drawn together through mutual tragedies both inflicted by the ruthless Prince Dracula, dare try to stop him. Can Nicolae fulfill his plan of justice and revenge while winning the heart of the lovely Maria, or will he become the Impaler’s next victim?
With heart-stopping danger at every turn, detailed historical accuracy combined with fictional characters, and a myriad of surprises, Tribute in Blood is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Order this historical thriller-romance today!
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Author Links:
Twitter: @EdaleLane
Official Site: https://pastandprologuepress.lpages.co/
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Tour Schedule and Activities
11/25 Afshan Hashmi https://afshanhashmi.com/ Guest Post
11/25 Armed with a Book http://www.armedwithabook.com Top Ten List
11/25 The Literary Underworld http://www.literaryunderworld.com Guest Post
11/26 Writergroupie.net http://writergroupie.net Author Interview
11/27 Jazzy Book Reviews https://bookreviewsbyjasmine.blogspot.com/ Author Interview
11/27 Saphhyria’s Books https://saphsbooks.blogspot.com/ Guest Post
11/28 Horror Tree https://www.horrortree.com/ Guest Post
11/29 Sheila Deeth http://sheiladeeth.blogspot.com Guest Post
11/30 The Seventh Star Blog http://www.theseventhstarblog.com Guest Post
12/1 The Book Lover’s Boudoir https://thebookloversboudoir.wordpress.com/ Review
12/2 The Bookwyrm’s Guide to the Galaxy https://bookwyrmsgalaxy.wordpress.com Top Ten List
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Links for Tribute In Blood:
Kindle Version: https://www.amazon.com/Tribute-Blood-Tale-Vlad-Impaler-ebook/dp/B08DK9MKRH/
Amazon Print Version: https://www.amazon.com/Tribute-Blood-Tale-Vlad-Impaler/dp/B08DC5YFTL/
Barnes and Noble Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tribute-in-blood-melodie-romeo/1137395978?ean=9798668904129