Romance Novels Characteristics

TONE
They appeal first to the emotions. This emotional pull provides the
foundation for the genre and defines its evocative sensibility. These novels are
affirming. No matter if the story line is of a woman in danger and on the run or
next-door neighbours falling in love, the overarching feeling is one of
togetherness, support, and deep bonding. These are stories about the creation
of tightly connected groups, and readers feel the power of love on all levels:
parents to children, among siblings and friends, and with lovers.

CHARACTERIZATION
Romance is a character-driven genre. Novels turn on the relationship
between the two central characters. They must come to understand them-
selves and each other in intimate, revealing ways. In almost all stories this
means characters are forced to change, to relinquish preconceptions about
themselves, often their lack of self-worth or desire for control. They must also
come to understand and accept the essential nature of their partner. Writers
detail the inner lives of their characters to help readers more deeply connect
with the protagonists.
Romance characters are written to a pattern, as occurs in most genres,
but that does not mean all Romances are alike, nor does it mean that the
pattern is static. Romance characters change with the times and reflect modern
sensibilities, even in stories set in the past. Heroines are depicted as idealized
versions of a modern “everyday woman,” someone whom the reader can both
identify with and recognize. They are bright, independent, strong, and, though
not always conventionally beautiful, interesting, interested, and articulate.
Today’s Romance heroine is living her life not pining for a man. He just
happens to appear, sparks fly, and plans are upended. Heroes are typically
strong, powerful, and slightly dangerous. But times are changing here as well,
and heroes are also supportive and appreciative, accepting of the heroine’s
right to her own life.
STORY LINE
The story line in a Romance traces the unfolding courtship of the heroine
and hero, their developing relationship, and its happy conclusion. By the end of
every Romance, the characters recognize and affirm their love, and readers can
happily close the book knowing that the romantic future for the characters
looks bright. If this recognition and affirmation of love does not occur, the book
is not a Romance—or certainly not a satisfying one.
Romances are not limited to a narrow story line of courtship leading to
marriage. Some begin with a marriage, in tatters, and the novel follows the
second-chance courtship as the couple comes to love each other once more.
Others blend a story of courtship with strong elements of adventure, intrigue,
or mystery creating a complementary source of action as hero and heroine fall
in love. Authors will also mix in plotlines that explore occupations (wedding
planners, FBI agents, and glass artists are but a few examples). Many also mine
provocative moral and social issues, and most deal in some way with the role of
women in society (and efforts throughout history to improve their plight). All
these details add depth to the story, yet no matter the level of detail and
background, the point of the story line remains the culmination of the romantic
relationship.

FRAME/SETTING
Romance authors take a variety of approaches when crafting these
settings. Some use background details as decorative wallpaper for the central
love story, while others add more authentic flavour to their novels, providing
vivid and authentic glimpses into the time period. Framing details in a Historical
Romance can vary from the delights of the social calendar (with its balls,
dresses, and carriages) to women campaigning for the right to vote. Readers
appreciate the emphasis on heroines and their professional lives in
Contemporary Romance: art, writing, medicine, and journalism have all been
featured. Hobbies, too, provide interesting backgrounds that intersect with
occupations and attract readers with details that range from the more common
(cooking, needlecrafts) to the obscure (botany). In all cases these frames and
setting details support the tone of the story and underline the characters’
progress toward their happy ending.
PACING
Romances are fast reading, and most of them are. This sense of
quickness is achieved in multiple ways. Because they are character centered,
Romances rely more on dialogue than description. The focus on witty and sexy
conversations makes the novels feel more quickly paced. Also, Romances are
constructed around the process of courtship and thus have a strong and clearly
projected outcome. Additionally, although a variety of events may take place,
the books can be easily put down when a reader is interrupted. When picking
up the book again, the reader falls right back into the story, thus creating a
sense of rapid pacing. The speed of reading is important to many fans, who can
read a novel in just a few days, or even in one, allowing them to immerse
themselves into the story with an abandon that adds to the pleasures of the
genre.