Current Project: untitled
Status: one chapter
Safari Moon
Top attributes of a romance novel that I feel are important and how
I used them in Safari Moon.
Romance novels are character driven. To me the characterization of
the novel is the single most important element. The next most important is the
conflict. There must be internal as well as external conflict.
I spend a great deal of time developing my characters. The
characters must have a life before the story. They have birthdays and
anniversaries; favorite hobbies and nicknames. Several years ago I attended an
inservice/workshop at the school where I worked. It taught how different mind
styles affected a character's personality.
When the characters in Safari Moon were created, my intention was to
set their mind styles in conflict. A minor thing but a very real beginning to
their journey to find love. Nyssa is concrete sequential which means she is
organized and has to know the what, when, where, how, and why of every task. To
her all she does and plans is clear and precise. Solo, on the other hand, is
concrete random. Solo will come up with answers before he even hears the
question. He will jump back and forth between fact and theory. This ability
often leaves Solo unable to explain his thinking.
These are some of the internal conflicts, which leave the characters
breathless but dying to figure out the other person's point of view.
External conflicts are usually more obvious and revolve around the
physical actions of the characters. They are on the surface not hidden in the
mind. These conflicts can change from scene to scene but the major or elemental
conflict is a common theme carried throughout the novel.
Romantic conflict is a third conflict one can find in a romance
novel. They struggle to come to terms with their emotions. And raw emotions can
get in the way of love scenes. When, where, why, and how they occur. Of course
all three conflicts tend to merge and separate as the novel is created.
Turning points are also essential to a good romance. Every scene must
have some kind of turning point. The first kiss, the moment the protagonists
meet, any decision they make which will effect the outcome of the story. In the
first chapter, when Solo decides to call Nyssa and ask for her help concerning
his 'willing, eager and able women is an example. Their needs to be at least
three major turning points as well as a black moment when it appears all will
be lost.
Theme, motivation, tone and tension are other elements which I
incorporate in the novel. I try to put each of these into each scene. And to
keep the reader turning the pages when I write a scene, I plot to a twist. So
the last sentence in the scene compels the reader to continue.
Oh, and did I forget point of view. Point of view is incredibly
important to creating tension in a story. Each scene should be in only one of
the protagonist's point of view.
