Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels

How to Write Kissing Books, Book 1

By: Gwen Hayes

Narrated by: Natalie Duke

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 is like 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 best-seller 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.

©2016 Gwen Hayes (P)2017 Gwen Hayes

very helpful book

I really found this book helpful and am excited to go through my manuscript and check for all the beats!

Helpful and entertaining

This book is a great, to the point, and succinct explanation of the beats that a romance writer must hit to keep readers engaged, and satisfied.

The quick read is entertaining and the narrative reads with perfect humor in her tone.

Great resource!

Essential for writing kissing books

Honestly I feel that this book covers everything that you could ever need to write a romance novels, short story or novella. Regardless if it is paranormal, erotic, clean Etc. It covers everything that you'll need when it comes to the Beats specifically for kissing book. When I write I always have this book at arm's length for reference. It is completely essential for when I write.

Interesting Advice to Novice Writers

A pleasingly unbiased presentation of the author's personal approach to writing. Should be very helpful to aspiring authors.

keep coming back

this short but to the point book is an alternative glance at story beats. i would recommend to start with save the cat for general view on beats, but if you are a romance writer, read this book next. it's a filter that magnifies the romance structure of a book, and interlaced with other more genre-agnotsic ones, will help with the romance arc. i keep re-reading it each time before i start planning for a new book. each refresher helps me identify new points and get a better feel for my romance arc. highly recommend.