Here are my Tops Ten Tips for Guys Writing Romance
The writing world is still a sexist industry.
That's not anyone's fault, it's just not possible to change people's personal
preferences and tastes. Some women have told me they would never read a romance
written by a man. And I would be unlikely to read a book regarding submarine
warfare written by Betty Juggs. That's not being sexist, just a preference.
However, it can be refreshing to get a different perspective in a classic
genre. I do my best to tailor my writing for a female audience and have gone through
a huge learning curve. Here are ten things I've learned or adapted as a guy
writing romance.
I have worked with women writers in various
critiquing groups and there are different standards for male and female romance
writers. For that very reason, my number one tip for a guy writing romance is
to get female feedback prior to publication. I have innocently used terms and
phrases that sound natural to me, yet discovered many women hate certain terms
and words. I do my best to avoid such wordage, but still have an obligation to
my character to speak naturally.
Men are visually driven creatures. So when I write a bedroom scene, my character
wants to focus on the beauty of her nakedness in exacting detail. However, the
female character and the reader wants to know if he'll still respect her in the
morning. Having female critiquing partners helps me find the right balance.
When a woman writes a sex scene, it's hot. When a guy writes a sex scene, he's a perv. For
a guy, sex tends to be a physical act. For a woman it's an emotional one.
Writing from a male point of view (POV) it's impossible to remove the physical
side of it otherwise it sounds like a woman trying to write like a guy – or the
guy sounds totally gay and has no place in the sex scene anyway. I have trained
myself to incorporate more emotions from the fella and get him to acknowledge
his feelings in front of the reader.
The difference between erotica and porn: If you take the sex out of erotica, there is
still a story to be had. If there is no story without the sex, it's porn.
In a conventional romance the hero is only seen
(shown) to have sex with one person, the heroine. Other relationships or liaisons may be eluded
to, but must be kept somewhat vague and non-graphic in nature.
A romance is two people falling in love. The circumstances may be complicated, but the
basic premise is simple.
Be original. There are far too many writers jumping on popular bandwagons
trying for copycat fame. Fifty Shades broke new boundaries, but instead of
following the trend already set, try to set the next trend.
Writing romantic comedies takes a lot of
pressure off. Using humour builds in a
certain amount of forgiveness and saves the temptation of competing with the
Jackie Collins' or Jane Austens of the writing world.
Character flaws, physical as well as emotional,
adds realism. It doesn't need to be
big – a small scar, a nervous habit (hair twirling), or something that shows
them slightly less than perfect makes them more relatable.
One has to get over the Mommy and Wifey factor. Writing stirs a creative vein and often things
flow from where we do not know. You have to go with it unsuppressed. It can be
difficult when the wife presses you, "Where did you get that idea
from?" It honestly does often come from the subconscious. Don't fight it.
Write whatever comes to mind. That's what first drafts are for. Edits will cut
the things that you really don't want to have to explain.
My favorite question I was asked during an
interview was:
What is the best thing about being a romance
writer?
I can control what a woman thinks, says, and
does.
Not many guys can say that.
Forbidden Trouble by Travis Casey
(published by CreateSpace RRP £10.99 paperback, RRP £1.99 ebook) and is
available to purchase from online retailers and to order from all good
bookstores. For more information please visit, traviscasey.com
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