This article is part of a series about how you can plot a novel.
Romance novels are a unique genre, ranging from sweet to steamy and incorporating themes from many other genres. Because of their distinctive nature, they rarely follow typical plotting structures. Gwen Hayes recognized this, which led her to identify the specific steps, or beats, inherent to romance novels.
Let’s break it down, phase by phase, with some examples to get your creative juices flowing.
Phase One: Getting Started (The Set-Up)
Introduce Main Character 1: Think about their daily life, why they’re single, and what their big life goal is.
Example: Maybe our heroine, Maya, is a workaholic architect obsessed with winning a major design competition. She’s convinced love would just be a distraction, and she’s still reeling from a bad breakup years ago.
Introduce Main Character 2: Same deal here – what’s their routine, why are they steering clear of romance, and what’s their ambition?
Example: Our hero, Liam, is a single dad raising a rambunctious toddler, determined to prove himself as a successful chef after a restaurant failure. He thinks romance is too messy for his already chaotic life.
Meet Cute: This is the moment they first cross paths. Make it memorable!
Example: Maya spills coffee all over Liam’s perfectly pressed chef’s whites in a bustling cafe, leading to an awkward, yet oddly charming, exchange.
No Way 1: One of them decides, “Nope, not happening.” Especially not with this person.
Example: Maya, still flustered and focused on her deadline, thinks Liam is entirely too charming and laid-back for her serious, goal-oriented life. No way.
Adhesion: Now they have to work together. The stakes need to be high enough that walking away isn’t an option.
Example: It turns out Liam is opening his new restaurant in the same building Maya’s firm is redesigning, and they’re forced to collaborate on the kitchen layout and dining room aesthetics.
Phase Two: Falling in Love
No Way 2: They feel the attraction, but their external goals are still a top priority.
Example: Maya finds herself constantly distracted by Liam’s easy laugh and how he interacts with his son, but she pushes those feelings down, reminding herself of the design competition.
The Inkling of Desire: They acknowledge their feelings, even if it’s just to themselves.
Example: Liam catches Maya humming along to a song he’s playing in the kitchen and realizes he enjoys having her around, a lot more than he should.
Deepening Desire: The connection grows, and they start to let their guards down.
Example: Late nights working together turn into conversations about their dreams, fears, and past heartbreaks. Maya confides in Liam in ways she hasn’t with anyone else.
Maybe This Could Work: A glimmer of hope appears. Could this actually be more than just a temporary thing?
Example: After a particularly successful brainstorming session, they share a lingering look, and both wonder, “Could this be… real?”
Midpoint of Love: Everything’s looking rosy! They have each other, and their goals are within reach.
Example: They share their first kiss, a perfect moment under the stars. The restaurant design is ahead of schedule, and Maya feels confident about her competition entry. Bliss!
Phase Three: Retreating from Love
Inkling of Doubt: Second thoughts creep in, often because of external pressures or their own goals.
Example: Maya’s competition mentor warns her about distractions, making her question if her growing feelings for Liam are jeopardizing her career.
Deepening Doubt: Those doubts get stronger, and the character starts pulling away.
Example: Liam hears a passing comment from a colleague about Maya being “too ambitious” for a serious relationship, and old insecurities about his past failures resurface.
The Retreat Beat: They acknowledge their fears about the relationship.
Example: Maya starts making excuses to leave early from their work sessions, creating distance.
Shields Up: Their fears seem to come true, or they perceive them to, and they go into self-protection mode.
Example: Liam overhears Maya on a call talking about “sacrifices for success,” and he immediately assumes she means him. He puts up walls.
Break Up: The heartbreaking moment they decide it will not work.
Example: A misunderstanding escalates into a heated argument, and they decide to go their separate ways, convinced they’re just too different.
Phase Four: Fighting for Love
Dark Night of the Soul: They regret the breakup but aren’t sure how to fix it. Lots of angst here!
Example: Maya feels a profound emptiness without Liam, realizing her career success means little without him to share it with. Liam is miserable, his restaurant opening feeling hollow.
Wake Up: One character has an epiphany. They have to face their fears and fix this.
Example: Liam’s son draws a picture of their “family” that includes Maya, and Liam realizes he can’t let his insecurities cost him the best thing that’s ever happened to him.
The Grand Gesture: One character makes a big move, often sacrificing something important, to win the other back.
Example: Liam, knowing Maya is about to give her final presentation, shows up at the competition venue with a giant bouquet and a letter proclaiming his feelings and promising to support her dreams, no matter what.
What Whole-hearted Looks Like: They make up, admit their love, and commit fully.
Example: Maya, overwhelmed and tearful, rushes into Liam’s arms. They talk through everything, finally admitting their deep love for each other and making plans for their future together.
Epilogue: A peek into their future, showing them happy and thriving.
Example: Five years later, Maya’s firm has won countless awards, and Liam’s restaurant is a local sensation. They’re happily married with a new baby, proving that love and ambition can coexist beautifully.
By following Gwen Hayes’s roadmap, you can craft romance novels that not only captivate readers but also deliver that delicious emotional satisfaction we all crave. So go forth and write some epic love stories!