Romance Genre Writing

What are the required ingredients I personally look for in a Romantic Story or movie?

I have to say, whatever they are, The Proposal has it all.  I am endeavouring to aspire to, and to create, such amazing sheer enjoyment whilst writing my "in-progress" book.

The picture I show of Sandra Bullock, who plays Margaret Tate, chief editor at a major New York City book publisher, and Ryan Reynolds, who plays Andrew Paxton, Margaret's assistant were - I surmise - during a break in rehearsals as these two utterly charming and talented stars were amazing throughout the entire movie in enacting almost constant conflict - my first but by no means least required ingredient, viz: conflict, conflict and more conflict.

The remainder of the ingredients inter alia:

- gigantic build up of romantic tension
- dollops of humour
- family love plus family conflict
- utterly spectacular scenery
- a business and professional environment
- reversal of what used to be the "norm" - where a woman is the boss!
- amazing chemistry!

The Proposal is a 2009 American romantic comedy film directed by Anne Fletcher, written by Pete Chiarelli.  Produced by Mandeville Films and was released on June 19, 2009 in North America by Touchstone Pictures.  (Photograph and information relating to the movie from Wikipedia)

The "Sponge" - Where I am Today

I absolutely "soak" up like the most gigantic sponge, the prolific advice offered by existing inspiring and hugely successful authors and editors I follow on Twitter - and it absolutely represents my "daily fix".

However, in writing, for my part, my "first priority" in the "Romance genre" I am creating, is to have a protagonist who is someone I personally and importantly, would want to read about, in the world that is "today"!

Today's woman in fiction, unlike the 1950's/1960's/1970's must have sooooo many dimensions.  She is not just pretty - she is most definitely not a reality star - she is not just a raving beauty - she is not just a brain, she is not just a home-maker or momma.  Women used to be slotted into either/or .... a blue stocking or a pretty face!

My lady lawyer protagonist will be today's woman - formidable, beautiful, highly intelligent, sensitive - she will have the whole package. 

Despite my "sponge" intake of everyone else's experiences and ideas - at the back of my mind is always JK Rowling - who (against all odds) in a lonely apartment in Edinburgh, wrote and re-wrote what she personally believed in.  She was young and true to herself.  That is what art is about.

My Time Management .. Er .. Conventional .. I think not!

I really admire those writers who are already busy writing at their computer in the early hours of the morning, or at set-times of the day!

When I worked at a large law firm in Johannesburg, I was frequently at my desk by 7.30 am.  However, now I am based at home it is impossible to do that, as I am highly aware of what actually requires to be organized for the day and cannot simply shut the door and take off!

Since sitting at a computer (in my non-writing life) comprised a huge part of my working day in the business world, my preference now is to create and write in long-hand on a notepad, knowing I can speedily type up my notes when required.

I also, importantly, fit into my schedule, my gym and music classes and - being a female - let's not forget the hairdresser, nail bar, pedicure .... or the more mundane tasks of clothes and dish washing, shopping and cooking!

I guess our male writer colleagues have a bit of an advantage in that direction, as they only have to take time off away from their writing if there is a sports event they don't want to miss - or am I being harsh and "stirring up a boiling pot" in making this remark? Ha!

I love it when writer colleagues make the suggestion that, in actual fact, thinking also construes part of creating our stories - thus we can even get our AHA moments whilst hanging up our clothes washing!!

How do you cope with your writing schedule?

My First Book is In Progress - Genre: Romance

The story about my Protagonist actually began its creation in the middle.

Whilst I was busy writing My First Book, I enrolled for a writing course through Stanford University, tutor Wendy Tokunaga.  I really enjoyed the course during which participants obviously had to contribute extract of an existing or new creation for crit. by the other writers.  The writing course subject was "So so Not Chic Lit".

As I wrote, I realised that my new story fitted exactly into my existing story, where I became more and more interested to create a past for my existing Protagonist.   I thus am presently creating scenes, which are not necessarily in sequential order for the finished book.  This was not my original envisaged intention, but it certainly works for me in my creative process.

I wonder how many other writers write in this way?