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The most important thing to do to start with, if you want to write a romance novel, is to take a look at the current market. Romance novels have changed a good deal over the last ten or fifteen years or so, so if you're basing your ideas on what was available in the 70s or 80s, you'll be missing the mark by a good bit. Even the linchpin publisher of romance, Harlequin, has changed their approach a great deal. Where the genre used to be dominated by torrid historical romance, or stories about young virgins being seduced by rich oil barons, now the landscape is quite a bit different. Heroines are more mature and more experienced, while heroes have a softer edge in many cases. The Alpha male is still popular, but he's often paired with an equally Alpha female, these days. Readers expect strong, fully-developed characters and a deeply fulfilling emotional journey. These are books where the theme is often the profound healing power of love, and they touch readers deeply, so bear that in mind. If you want to write romances just because it's a good market, but you don't enjoy the genre, or, worse, don't respect it, you won't be successful. But if you love the books and the powerful emotions they can evoke when well-written, it can lead you to a rewarding career.

Another growing trend in the current market is erotic romance. This sub genre has really come into its own over the past two years, with all the major New York houses launching lines dedicated solely to spicier stories that pull few punches. Paranormal romance is big in this sub genre-perhaps more so even than in the more mainstream lines. Werewolves and vampires are particularly popular. Many authors and readers of erotic romance find the stories deeply empowering.

So if you want to jump into the romance market, take a look first at what that market entails. Then be aware of the expectations of the romance novel as a genre. Your readers will expect the story to progress in a certain way, and they'll expect your hero and heroine to end up happily ever after. There are books available on the subject, such as How to Write a Romance novel, as well as many online courses. eHarlequin.com offers a variety of opportunities for aspiring writers to learn the craft, and is a particularly good source of both technical and market information.

So start writing that romance novel, and have a good time writing it! I've written almost twenty romance novels and novellas, and I always find them a joy and a challenge to write.

Learn more about this author, Katriena Knights.
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