First, let's look at the two kinds of formats you can write:

• Category
• Single title

You may be thinking that this type of romance is easy to write, but I beg to differ. When you are writing a category romance, you have no other parallel goings on to help push the story forward. All of the intrigue, interest, and pizzazz must come from the developing relationship between the hero and heroine. The writers who are good at this, I consider to be artists in their own right.

Single title romance is what I write and naturally they tend to be longer. These romances have other plots going along at the same time the romance is progressing. The art to writing a single title is that you must keep the various plots going and wrap each one of them up.

Many writers get so carried up in the non-romantic plot that they forget that the story is essentially a romance. This is a mistake, because, remember, your reader picked up your book to read an emotionally-satisfying romance. At the same time, you cannot forget the suspense you've built up in the parallel plot. Readers demand that all loose ends be completely tied up by the end of the book.

Subgenres of romance
Let's look at the different subgenres of romance that are popular today. To watch the video, click anywhere within the box below.

At their core, all romance novels have these qualities:

• The central theme of the story must revolve around the two people who are falling in love.
• The conflict and the climax of the novel should be about developing a romantic relationship.
• The ending should be a happy ending.

Assignment: Do either one of these assignments: If you have a romance that you are thinking of writing: Explain which subgenre your story would fit into List the types of problems might arise from writing this particular type of romance Explain how you will overcome those challenges. If you do not have an idea for a romance novel: Outline the plot of the last romance novel you read Explain which subgenres the novel would fit into Tell how the author moved the romance along. Be sure to explain what you found appealing in the novel, or what you didn't like about the novel.

If you would like me to take a look at your completed assignment, simply purchase one of my books at Leigh Barbour.com, then send proof of purchase to: leigh_barbour@yahoo.com.

I will be more than happy to offer you feedback or direction on your work.