I think that there are some basic qualities a romance novel must have:
- The ability to make a person feel along with the characters.
- A romance novel without
a true connection to the reader is pointless. There must be some way of
relating to the story or else there would be no reason to read it.
- A plot that isn't predictable.
- If you've read a lot of novels, you probably have the ability to predict what will happen in the story within reading a certain amount of pages. That is exactly what needs to be avoided. A predictable plot makes the reader want to put the book down rather than draw the reader in. The plot should have its high moments and low moments. It should be able to shock the reader at times, and then calm the reader.
- Descriptive imagery of the characters.
- This is something that I really enjoy seeing in a novel. I love detailed descriptions of characters so that I am able to picture them in my mind. Although, the descriptions don't have to come in all at once. They need to be spread out amongst the context of the scene.
- A desired fantasy.
- This quality can be taken in different ways depending on the audience. If the novel is written for Adults, then the content may extend to sexual encounters. However, if the novel is written for Young Adults, the novel may explore some sexual content if really necessary. This topic can get a little iffy especially when it comes to publishing companies because they have requirements for certain age groups. A desired fantasy could also mean the setting and theme of the novel.
- A good lense.
- This quality has more emphasis towards the perception of the characters and their surroundings. Typically, I like to see an author incorporate all 5 senses into his or her work. Using all 5 senses gives more depth into the novel. It helps to connect and describe certain events or the setting.
- Perspective from each of the main characters.
- I honestly hate when authors write a novel that is completely one-sided. Even if the novel is written in first person, the author should be able to project other character's perspectives in some form.
- Character development.
- This is a key quality. Each character should go through some type of change whether it be physical, mental, or even internal. Without character development, the characters would be the same from beginning to end.
- Originality.
- Creating an original story can be hard from the writer's perspective. Every novel has some idea that is the same in other novels, but the key to this is to harness the idea and make it your own in some way. Slightly changing the plot and characters isn't enough to fully make a story your own. It needs to have an essence of originality in it.
- Obstacles.
- There must be obstacles that the main characters go through, especially in romantic relationships. Without obstacles, there would be no building blocks for a relationship. The characters must learn to hit an obstacle and work their way through it together.
- Grammatically correct!
- Even in some of the greatest novels I've read, there are typos and errors. Incorrect grammar can become distracting, especially for those with an "inner editor." Correct grammar helps the reader to view the text without distractions and makes the novel appear more clean-cut and professional.
