Tips for Writing Romance Novels that Sell! | Self-Publishing

Romance can’t end in tragedy? I mean, tell that to Nicholas Sparks….

I needed to see this. I wrote a Romantic comedy trilogy, but the are ebooks. I wrote them at the same time. Going back and forth between them. I like your advice. I can see I’m on the right track. Much love. Vincent

Funny you should say that cuz "50 Shades of Gray" is actually "Twilight" bought of Wish. 😅

I understand grief. My past few years haven't been great, either. It sounds cliche, but time will heal your wounds. ❤

I am in the middle of and stuck writing a romance with a plot that's never been done and what I want to read and can't find anywhere- a vampire conversion romance with a dangerous vampire. Essentially, Dracula and Mina, Barnabas and Maggie, Radu and Michelle, have their happily ever after (yet it's not any of these characters directly). It's very hard to write because I can't find anything like it. I burned out all of my source inspiration.

Why hasn't anyone else written this simple, straightforward plot? There are a few that are 'sort of' what I would want, but either a convoluted plot overshadowed the romance, or the vampire was weak. I loved Twilight but I don't want to read another Edward Cullen. I want a vampire that is a Vampire. So here I am trying to write while walking a tightrope - how do I write a vampire that is dangerous yet swoon worthy? If I make him too evil, a happy ending would be barf inducing, if he isn't evil enough it's just another boring human with fangs novel. I wish I had more source material to be inspired by. I even actually read Dracula as research, and I realized the way Stoker wrote the character leaves no room for a happy ending. He's just too evil.

Where is the fine line between sexually sinister and just plain rotten evil. And is my Sebastian just too nice?

Is this novel a mistake?

Do other writers have crises like this?

Not sure if this is a private question to ask, but where do you guys self publish? Any tips on where to self publish? :)

Have you written a book that includes things that have happened in your life?

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. 12 years ago, my best friend died and while they say time heals every wound, I must 12 years aren't much time then. Please feel hugged! It can be as long as you want. And don't forget, it's okay to cry.

You're not alone! You can have as many hugs as you want.

Also, thanks a lot for this video. I really want to write romance stories that display genuine emotions and I always feel a bit alone in the writing process because I have nobody to share it with. Watching your video has helped me. Thank you!

Okay I will say yes Romeo and Juliet isn't a romance and it's not even because they die. But some romance novels end with tragedy, for example 6 feet apart ended with heartache but it was because of the love they shared that they walked away from one another. some novels as long as it's not cheating or something gruesome can have a sad ending as long as it is full of love and the other character learns and moves on and finds happiness.

I'm writing a romance novella to challenge myself. I'm autistic, so it's basically hard mode imho. I need to show with body language and subtext. Both things I'm super great at ><.

@TheCourtneyProject A time to grieve is one of the best times to capture that emotion in your writing and which can also be cathartic. One of my most-loved previous works came from a time of personal struggle and hardship. This year has been the hardest to date for me and I had to put writing on hold but back again and looking to sharpen my tools. Hugs.

I write my own romance novels

I used to write alot when i was younger and when i showed my friend my writings she demanded me to make a book. She likes romance books so i really want to impress her with this one

I lost my childhood Sweetheart who was 15 when I was 17. I never greived when he passed and shoved it down deep.

It has been over 20 years and last year I finally greived. It took me a whole year not to burst into tears at the thought of him. In the beginning I was crying gut wrenching sorrow filled crying everyday for like 3 months. I discovered you cannot interrupt the process of grief, you will always pick up were you left off till you walk through that process. While you go through the process just be kind to yourself.

I'm writing my zero draft of my first novel. Its what I would called a second chance romance the FL is a divorce who moves to Shanghai from Brisbane Australia to redefine herself as a person. She is hurt by her 1st marriage and wants to remain single to rediscover herself. However only after a few weeks in her new job as a professor at a prestigious university she discoverers she is pregnant with her exs child and is scared that she will lose everything due to the conservative culture. The ML her younger Teaching Assistant and student at the University proposes a flash marriage so she can stay in the country.

Brilliant video! 😀 Thank you for sharing it that was great information. 🤩 I would like to share that I am a full-time fictional author & I write different genres but my main genre is Erotic-Comedy i.e. funny erotica; I have written one Romantic fiction. Currently at this time I am writing my 3rd French-Spy novel but, when I finish that I will be planning to write a Romance novel. 💞

I lost my brother six months ago. I’m still deeply grieving. I hate this new reality of mine, of never seeing my brother again or talking to him. A lot of us , sadly, can understand 🙏🏻 May all who we have lost, Rest in Peace, and may we all have the strength to move forward 🙏🏻

Wonderful information. What if your story has multiple Tropes. The Tropes change as the story changes & the character grows.

What are good examples of proximity romance?

I LOVED this video -- thank you for your very specific tips and the encouragement.

imma be real here…booktok has oversaturated enemies-to-lovers for me…

Hello. Thank you for all the tips. Just discovered you from my writers group. And subscribed! So sorry to hear your difficulties but hope things are better for you now. Wishing u all the best!

Can you talk about how to write lgbtqia+ romance?

Go for it. I'm a 58 year old hetero male and I wanted to push my own boundaries. I seem to have a knack for this genre. If you feel called, do it.

I have a question i have never seen addressed. I believe women over 40 are an underserved demographic. There really don't seem to be a lot of books where the heroine is more mature. They always seem to be pretty young things, but older readers might want to see more characters that are like them. Sex and romance doesn't die after 40 - or 50. So what's your opinion on writing older female leads who are more independent and experienced and know what they want?

I have cerebral palsy and I want to be married but it’s kind hard for me so I write romance novels

Great insight. What word count are your books in average? Do you ever do short books of say, 10k, have you a sweet spot time versus word count? What is your turn around from start to publish?

Ogres are like onions.

Good

I came here from a video that started out with her saying "I don't write romance and I don't really know what I'm talking about" 🙄 so your intro was spookily on point 😅

Hello. I'm new to your channel. Condolences to you for whom ever you lost. It's not easy. My question is do you know anyone talking about how best to write Paranormal or M/M romances? I know that these subgeneres all rely on the basics of a romance but they also require certian things beyond that. i hope you find this comment soon since I just realized that the video is a tad old.
Either way I hope you have a great holiday!

These tips don't make much sense. Sometimes the flow of the story simply demands that the author explains why their characters do what they do and the circumstances that lead them to their actions. IT IS SPUN INTO THE STORY! This is a great video for writing YA romances. But for a serious romance? I don't think so.

I did not fully understand on why romance books cannot end in a tragedy, can you elaborate? I am an aspiring author, so i hope this question does not come out too empty headed.

I've watched this video so many times the past few years! I watch it before I write to pump me up 💪

Hello! ✌️🥰🌸 First of all. Love the video! Thank you. I do have a question. My readers love my graphic content… which means I’m more of an exotic writer 😅🌸… I love JRWard and Anne Rice writings ❤… but I’m currently a nurse 👩🏻‍⚕️ and want to cross over or at least publish a book and see if I can do this. Lol … Where would I go to get started as an exotic writer? 🤔🌸 I appreciate the help! Have a beautiful day! ✌️🥰🌸🌞

When I put something together, would it be ok to share with you and have you critique it and point me in the right direction?

Thank you so much and this is a huge help for me get my writing staryed.

Thank you.

Nice tips💀 it will be my first time writing romance and im glad i found your channel, you're providing value for sure🔥 keep going 🔥 amazing stuff

So I have a great idea for the male character development, but as far as the woman goes, my mind is blank. I don't know her personality yet is this a problem?

Hi Courtney, this is the first video I have seen of yours and I am so grateful to have found you. Your advice is just brilliant. Honest, direct and practical, delivered with such warmth and passion. I was particularly touched how you have shared the grief you are currently experiencing that is clearly very raw for you. I obviously don't know what has happened, I am going to assume you have lost a loved one, apologies if I am incorrect. Someone once gave me some advice after my beloved mum died (I was her carer for 10 years and we were incredibly close) my GP told me that, "We never get over loss, we just learn to walk beside it as we go forward in life.' I found the simplicity of that statement so profound and it saved me. You have to find what works best for you and I hope that by sharing your heart the way you do, that you find comfort and strength from this virtual world and its people, because behind the screens we are all just humans doing the best we can. I wish you well on your journey forward and look forward very much to watching more of your videos and reading your work. You seem like the loveliest of people with a very big heart. You will get through.

Thank you very much

This is the 1st video I've seen of you. (I surfed: "Mystery romance" to find tips.) Whatever made you cry... I hope you are better now. (2 years later)
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Peace. :)

Hey could you do a video on when to break the tension and how to keep the story interesting after the fact?

This video is amazing! I’ve always wanted to write and I’m going for it . Just doing a bit of research . Thank you for your tips , tricks and advice ❤

You are amazing, thank you so much
Keep smiling, god bless