Whether a self-publishing author is writing in the romance genre or adding a romantic subplot to another fictional story, it is important for them to be able to get the reader invested in the relationship.

Here are five tips for self-publishing authors on crafting excellent romantic relationships in fiction.

1. Well Developed Characters

Gone are the days when readers were invested in a love story where the princess was merely beautiful, and the knight was merely strong and brave. Readers want character depth. They want to understand what makes characters tick. They want to understand the character’s backgrounds. They want the characters to fly off the page and seem as real as flesh and blood people they know.

It is essential for a self-publishing author writing romantic relationships to be sure to spend time developing both characters. In a genre romance, the characters’ development should be pretty even. In other types of fiction, the growth can be more lopsided, with the protagonist being fleshed out more than the love interest. Regardless, both members of the couple should have clear backstories, identifiable personality traits, internal conflicts, and desires of their own outside of the romance.

2. Banter

Romances should be fun. Dialogue is one of the best ways for self-publishing authors to show characters romantic progression. Two characters using words as foreplay will get the reader excited about the characters’ relationships.

This doesn’t mean that every exchange between the couple must be snarky. In fact, couples that never stop teasing may come off as immature. On the other hand, readers won’t find a relationship between characters interesting if every conversation they have is about plot points and declarations of undying love.

Fun is pivotal for the characters and the reader as they become invested in these characters’ love story.

3. Shared Goals

Romantic characters often are brought together in a story by shared goals. This doesn’t mean there can be no conflict between the characters or the characters can’t be rivals. Regardless of the conflicts brought about by the novel’s plot, there should be some areas where the romantic couple wants things that align and can work together to make those things happen. Having a couple spend time working on shared goals is a great way to show relationship progression while keeping the plot of the book moving forward.

4. Inherent Conflict

Just as the romantic couple in a story needs shared goals to bring them together, they also need inherent conflict, which allows them to overcome obstacles in the name of love. A love story that takes no work on the characters’ part isn’t one that readers will be interested in.

The lovers in a story shouldn’t agree on everything all the time. They might not even need to agree on most things. Conflict allows them to solve their problems together and grow closer.

5. Relationship Arc

Just as characters within a story should have a character arc, couples should also have a relationship arc. A couple’s relationship should grow and change throughout the story.

Characters who fall in love the moment their eyes first meet and are in love until the last page of a novel are boring and not characters whose relationship a reader will be invested in. Typically, a romantic arc will involve characters meeting, characters spending time together, overcoming obstacles. At the same time, their attraction builds, a terrible challenge that seems like it can only tear the lovers apart, and then a resolution of either overcoming the challenges or broken hearts.

Character relationships should be as enjoyable and dynamic as the characters themselves.

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