Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels (How to Write Kissing Books)

What makes a romance novel a romance? How do you write a kissing book?Writing a well-structured romance isnt the same as writing any other genresomething the popular novel and screenwriting guides dont address. The romance arc is made up of its own story beats, and the external plot and theme need to be braided to the romance arcnot the other way around.Told in conversational (and often irreverent) prose, Romancing the Beat can be read like you are sitting down to coffee with romance editor and author Gwen Hayes while she explains story structure. The way she does with her clients. Some of whom are regular inhabitants of the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.Romancing the Beat is a recipe, not a rigid system. The beats dont care if you plot or outline before you write, or if you pants your way through the drafts and do a beat check when youre revising. Pantsers and plotters are both welcome. So sit down, grab a cuppa, and lets talk about kissing books.