Romancing the Beat

Romancing the Beat Story Structure for Romance Novels

Gwen Hayes2016
What makes a romance novel a romance? How do you write a kissing book? Writing a well-structured romance isn't the same as writing any other genre-something the popular novel and screenwriting guides don't 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 arc-not 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 don't care if you plot or outline before you write, or if you pants your way through the drafts and do a "beat check" when you're revising. Pantsers and plotters are both welcome. So sit down, grab a cuppa, and let's talk about kissing books.
Sign up to use

Reviews

Photo of Megan Beth Davies
Megan Beth Davies@meganbethdavies
5 stars
Jun 19, 2022
Photo of Caellum
Caellum@vdeyja
5 stars
Dec 3, 2021
Photo of Janne Janssens
Janne Janssens@wordsnwonders
4 stars
Aug 2, 2022
Photo of TL Wright
TL Wright@tlwright
5 stars
Jul 1, 2023
Photo of Alexandra Dawning
Alexandra Dawning@alexandradawning
4 stars
May 23, 2022
Photo of Yesenia Vargas
Yesenia Vargas@yeseniavargas
5 stars
Apr 3, 2022
Photo of Shafel McDowall
Shafel McDowall@hotgyal
5 stars
Feb 27, 2022
Photo of Kimberlee Southard
Kimberlee Southard@ksouth
4 stars
Nov 17, 2021