quick tips for writing good romance
1. Use the “kiss rule”– if they have to kiss for readers to be able to tell they’re in love, their chemistry is lacking.
2. Relationships (usually) aren’t purely love and fluffy– teasing, playful insults, and telling jokes are important elements that a lot of romances gloss over.
3. They like each other for reasons other than they’re hot. When introducing a character/introducing them as a crush, their looks shouldn’t be the only thing that sparks interest. Furthermore, when your character looks at their partner, physical appearance shouldn’t be the only thing they take note of.
4. They need to be compatible more than they just love each other– common interests, similar humor, and similar life goals are necessary for a compatible couple.
5. No “love at first sight”. If your character falls in love too quickly, it’ll appear unrealistic and shallow.
6. If the majority of scenes with your characters include heavy physical contact, you might be breaking the kiss rule without realizing. While physical affection plays a role in most relationships, that’s not the most important part. Show more conversation than PDA.
7. Make sure the relationship is healthy– nothing is more cringey than reading a toxic or abusive relationship that is being romanticized. Unless you’re aiming for a bad relationship (communication issues are a pretty solid plot point), make sure there’s a lot of trust and honesty between partners.