We’ve been looking at romance tropes and hooks so far during HEA Writing Week. Today is about building your characters.
A romance novel focuses on the attraction, hurdles and growing relationship between the main characters. The plot is important, of course – the circumstances that bring them together and what happens next – but the characters’ traits, backgrounds, experiences, wants and needs play a big part in the story.
Underlining the importance of well-developed characters, we offered this advice in a recent blog post:
“A romance driven by your leading characters is key to keeping your plot from becoming episodic. To put it simply, take this advice from Executive Editor Kathleen Scheibling, who quotes F. Scott Fitzgerald: ‘Character is plot.’”
Underdeveloped characters can derail a good story set-up, so it helps to dig deep into your characters before you start writing. Get to know what’s in their past and backgrounds, what they want, why they behave the way they do, and what the internal issues are standing in the way of falling in love.
Reading Material:
Over the years, we’ve created lots of content to help bring your characters to life. Read some of our top tips below before jumping into today’s writing activity!
Creating Characters: 5 Questions for Romance Writers – Write for Harlequin
Writing the Modern Hero – Write for Harlequin
Harlequin REFRESH: Character cliches – Write for Harlequin
Today’s Challenge:
Use this character-building worksheet to create the details for your main characters. Download the worksheet here and get started!
You may also find it helpful to make two copies and look at your characters side by side as you’re developing them. Ask yourself why they would be attracted to each other, what will cause the romantic conflict, and why readers will want to root for their love.
Looking for more of a challenge? Once you’re finished, come and introduce your character on today’s post in the Write for Harlequin Facebook Community!
Need inspiration? Try reading the marketing copy for romance novels on Harlequin.com or reading free ebooks on TryHarlequin.com.
