By Katie Gowrie
Harlequin headquarters is moving! That’s right, we’ve packed our bags and closed the door on one legendary office building (we’ve been there since the ’80s!). We’ve left our cozy spot in the northern end of Toronto for a trendy new space in the heart of downtown—the land of expensive coffees, bankers, pumps on the pavement, glass, chrome, and corporate-wear galore!
The office is where a lot of us spend most of the day—everything from commute to lunch options is tied to this place. In fiction, offices are the backdrop of some great romances! The close proximity and the stress of the job can make for sizzling tension and really tender moments.
As Harlequin headquarters adjusts to a new office, we thought we’d share with you our top tips on writing an office romance!
1. Your leading couple is forced into this space together all day. Use that close proximity to amp up the tension between them. Once an attraction has been established, go for the slow burn—how will they deal with the chemistry and remain professional? And what kind of turmoil will that cause?
2. One of the best parts of an office romance is when those cold and calculating or primly professional facades melt away to reveal the genuine person beneath. There’s lots of potential for emotional growth here. We’re all a little different at work than we are at home—explore the ways your hero and heroine come to know and understand each other both in and out of the office.
3. And on that note, these stories present a fountain of ideas for conflict and character development. Romance characters can find themselves in some pretty high-stress jobs, which allows for meaningful and plausible conflict. Are their career aspirations at odds with the romance? Will they have to come together for a common goal? Think about what your leading couple learn not just about each other, but from each other, and how that will set them on track to their HEA.
4. There’s certain characters we expect to find at the office—the perky young receptionist, the boring accountant, the CEO’s fatherly advisor. Try to avoid a cartoon secondary cast and think of ways to shake them up. As always, you can set your story apart by surrounding your H&H with a group of unique and many-sided characters.
5. Let’s talk about that balance in power. Evening out the power dynamics is something we love to see. So, if your heroine works under your hero, how does she have the upper hand in some other aspect of their relationship? Perhaps it’s socially, sexually, intellectually? Spreading control between them, allowing for power plays and mutual respect, is a great way to heighten the emotional and physical connection. And of course, we’re always open for a twist on a classic trope — maybe in your office romance, the heroine the CEO and the hero is her PA. 😉
Office romances are tons of fun! There’s so much potential for great conflict and tension—and it lends itself to a number of well-loved tropes (friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, best friend’s sibling, secret babies, and the list goes on). If you’re working on an office romance, above all remember to get creative and enjoy yourself!
Do you love office romances? Tell us why or why not, and share your tips on writing one in the comments below!
