#romancebooks

[coffeetank]

Writing ROMANTIC TENSION!

When you're writing romance, you need to have TENSION. Your characters need to pull your readers into the story with not just their dialogues, but also their chemistry. What is tension, you ask? It's quite simple. When two people are attracted to each other, or like each other, or are in love with each other, it causes a certain shift in the air. When these two people come together, they seem to outshine everyone else in the room and make it just about themselves (in a good way ofc). This shift in the air which hooks you into the scene is called tension. The chemistry that your main characters carry, will infact carry the whole story --- if you're writing romance, i.e.

How do you write this romantic tension? Well, as someone who's been writing romance for 4 years now, here's a few things I do to show the chemistry between my characters.

Show, don't tell: This is probably the most common advice you'll ever receive. And spoiler alert: IT IS TRUE. Any scene that includes an emotion will require you to show it, visualise it for the crowd instead of just writing it down. Romance, love, is a sensitive emotion. The readers need to SEE it happening, instead of just reading about it. Eye contact, long stares, switching their gaze from the eyes to the lips & back to the eyes, coming close for a few seconds, banter-turned-flirting are some ways you can show the chemistry.

Intimacy is key: Proximity. Closeness. Coming together. Put your characters in situations where they have to work together. Show their differences/similarities in handling tasks and make them argue or slightly quarrel if there's any differences and show them rejoicing if there's an agreement. Intimacy lies in more than just the body, bring out a quality in your characters, preferably a good one, in your characters when they're together. Make that quality their strong suit that drives them closer.

Words are sexy: Dialogues can create tension better than anything else (in my opinion). Notice how every time your ships/pairings are bantering, one of them ends up saying something sexual or romantic in a frisky way and we end up blushing like crazy? Yep, that's the goal. We absolutely love it when the guy says "oh yeah?" or ends up calling the girl a cute nickname while bantering. Dialogues can reach out to readers in a more personal way because they are the direct interactions between your characters. Make your OTP interact and have fun (pun intended!)

Add restraint: Sometimes, when the characters are almost about to kiss and someone interrupts them, we feel like throwing the book away. But at the same time, we want more because we want to see our characters kiss, or confess, or even get down dirty ;). You have put your characters in each other's close proximities, given them a driving force and added a razzle-dazzle with the dialogues and flirting! Yet, something is missing and the romance feels too....predictable? Put a constraint. This is especially important for slowburns. Personally, I love me a slowburn - it creates higher tension, emphasises on a foundation between characters and makes the kiss/confession/sex even more hot (again, my opinion). I suggest, a hint of a barrier won't do any harm. When you've reached the level of tension where it's normal for your characters to kiss or make-out, your readers are more focused than ever. Adding a restraint will make them crave the romance more and hence, stay hooked into the story. HOWEVER, DON'T STALL THE PROJECT. Just because your characters got interrupted in chapter 7 doesn't mean they can't kiss till chapter 15 or something. If they don't kiss in this chapter, they kiss after maybe 2-3 more chapters. You want to delay the romance only by a tad bit, so that your readers are still interested.

That's all I have for today! I hope these help you guys! - ashlee.

[thethirdgenesisbooks]

How to Put Words in Your Book - 5 Tips to Actually Start Writing

There is a problem among a great many writers and aspiring authors: so many of us never actually put any words into a Word document. Some writers will spend years developing a story idea. They’ll think of everything; the world-building, the characters, moving scenes, but never actually sit down to write the story.

Sometimes this comes from a lack of confidence. Writers think, “What if my story isn’t good enough?” These writers need to realize that the only thing worse than a bad story is the story that’s never written at all. For other writers, the reason why they can’t seem to actually get anything written is because while they know where the story has to go, they don’t know how to start. For still others, the problem is simply a matter of motivation.

Here are five tips to help you get your story rolling:

1 - Read the Opening of Someone Else’s Novel.

Sometimes, it can be hard to know what sorts of details to introduce first in your story. Do you start with a physical description of the character? A quote? A scene with characters in peril? Seeing how other authors started off their books can be helpful in this regard. I’d recommend reading the opening of a novel in a different genre from the one you’re writing. That way, you aren’t tempted to borrow too heavily, and can focus on putting out your own material.

2 - Listen to Music.

My wife and I developed this game that we sometimes play that utilizes her skills as a musician and mine as an author. I’ll sit or lie down on the couch with my eyes closed, and she’ll start playing an original, improvised piece of music on the piano. As I listen to the tune, I’ll start to describe a scene that the music brings to mind and tell a short story. Similarly, whenever I sit down to write one of my books, I listen to instrumental music that’s appropriate to the story I’m working on. I recommend that if you choose to use music to inspire your writing, you make sure it has no lyrics, as your writing may start to reflect the words you hear. I also recommend not using music that you associate with a particular scene. For example, when I tried writing while listening to “The Barber of Seville,” all I could see when I closed my eyes was Bugs Bunny shaving Elmer Fudd. You want music into which you can put your own meaning.

3 - If You are Spiritual, Pray or Meditate.

This piece of advice is pretty simple. If you are a spiritual or religious person, then before you write take a moment to stop and either pray or meditate. There’s a reason the Greeks thought goddesses called “muses” inspired art. The right side of the brain is associated with creativity, intuition, and spirituality. So, activate that side of your brain by doing something spiritual. Personally, when I was writing the first novel in my Third Genesis fantasy series, I prayed every time that “words would flow from my fingers to the page.” Most days, I wrote around 3,000 words in that book.

4 - When Stuck, Get Up and Walk.

You’d be surprised what even the tiniest amount of exercise can do for you. Do you have stairs in your home? Walk up and down a few times. Do you have a stationary bike? Ride it a little. Any form of exercise, however small, can get your mind going.

5 - Act Out the Scene.

Do you know your characters well enough to know how they speak to each other, what their goals are, and what they want out of life? Then play pretend for a bit, as you might well have done when you were a child. Improvise the scene, and pretend that you are all of the characters in the scene engaged in a discussion or struggle. You may find that you’re not good at improvising their dialogue, but that’s alright. When you say it out loud, you’ll get a better idea of what’s natural conversation. You’ll also gain some insights into what the characters would or wouldn’t do, based on what they want.

These are just a few things you could try to get the creative juices flowing. All of these have worked well for me. Good luck and happy writing!

[margueritesauvage]

From Marvel Age 1000out since last Wed - I loved so much working on this story! words @RainbowRowell edited by @TomBrevoort

[scrumptiousloveflower]

Lynn Painter books>>>>>>

[taliatuck]

🌟 Cover reveal! 🌟 Booksmart meets Never Have I Ever in this debut YA rom-com from Talia Tucker about two Korean American teens forced into a shared college visit road trip where they discover that the reasons they’ve been rivals their entire lives might actually be signs they’re a perfect pair. Winter Park and Bobby Bae are Korean American high school juniors whose families have been friends since the kids were making crayon art. They, however, are repulsed by each other. Winter is MIT-bound, comfortable keeping people at arm’s length, and known by others as responsible, though she has a desire to let loose. This probably comes from her rebel grandmother, who is constantly pushing boundaries and encouraging Winter to do so as well. Winter’s best friend is moving abroad and won’t be attending college at all, and Winter’s wrestling with what it means to be left behind. Bobby is as Type-A, anxious, and risk-averse as you can get. He’s also been recently dumped, which has him feeling disoriented and untethered. That’s why, when Winter’s and Bobby’s parents insist that they go on a northeast college campus tour together, both teens find reasons to accept even though the thought of being stuck in a car together for 700 miles sounds unbearable. What awaits them is a journey of self-discovery where the only rule on their road trip is to break all the rules. At first, this happens in hilariously calculated ways (using lists and reason and logic!), but they soon abandon that, challenging each other to dares in Virginia, getting high and wandering Philly for food—and battling the subsequent digestive distress—and crashing a party in Cambridge. And, of course, realizing that they’re perfect together. PREORDER HERE: https://www.penguinteen.com/9780593624753/rules-for-rule-breaking/ Read an excerpt on Penguin Teen: https://www.penguinteen.com/cover-reveal-rules-for-rule-breaking/

[lgbtqreads]

hi! so I just watched the netflix show xo, kitty and I absolutely loved it!! Now I'm very much in a fun ya queer romance mood. my problem is there are SO MANY out there I don't know which to pick! (never thought this would be an issue id be having when I was a teenager! that makes me happy :)) anyway I was wondering if you could give me some recs you wish more people would read so I can pick from those instead of my massive wishlist lol. thank you!

I haven't watched the show so I don't know what's a close match, but I can definitely recommend some fun YA queer romances! Jennifer Dugan writes some of my faves of these - I personally love Hot Dog Girl most but Some Girls Do is her most popular. Love love Leah Johnson's You Should See Me in a Crown, Kelly Quindlen's You Drive Me Crazy, Adiba Jaigirdar's Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating, Alyson Derrick and Rachael Lippincott's She Gets the Girl, and Becky Albertalli's Imogen, Obviously - those are all Sapphic, and I have a few books that fit, too - Cool for the Summer, Home Field Advantage, and Going Bicoastal!

For some other pairings, I love Camp by L.C. Rosen, Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun by Jonny Garza Villa, Always the Almost by Edward Underhill, and How to Repair a Mechanical Heart by JC Lillis in m/m, and I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee is a fave for me in m/f!

[celestialsister0918]

Pinterest loves the Submissioner Gordon universe as much as I do.

Seriously my favorite story I will ever write. Claire and Jim are 🔥. Only woman in the world perfect for both Jim Gordon and Norman Stansfield. (I promise it makes sense. Go read!)

It’s been on my mind lately to turn this into an original work. No clue how to do it, but I want Claire famous lol.

For my MCU readers, I am almost done with my next Brutasha chapter. It’s been a long time coming, I know. I need to make a few tweaks though. It’s been really tough to write their reunion after Sakaar. I kinda understand (as much as I hate to admit it) why those dastardly Russo brothers struggled with it so much.

[thereaderbee]

📚 What genre (or genres) did you read the most in 2022? How’s your Saturday going so far, Bookworms? I hope you’re having a great day. It’s supposed to be chilly and rainy here today, perfect weather for curling up with a good book. 💕 What’s your most read genre for 2022? I feel like I’ve read more romance than anything this year … followed by fantasy and mystery/thrillers. I usually try to read a little bit of everything, which is something I want to get back to doing in 2023. 📚 What’s your most read genres this year?? 📚 🌲 📚 🌲 📚 🌲 #AlltheBooksDec22 #MyFictionalMusings #CourtofReadingDec22 #ReadingintheWeb 📚 🌲 📚 🌲 📚 🌲 #stacksaturday #bookstack #shelfie #bookshelf #bookstagram #yabooks #romancebooks #books #reading #bookobsessed #booklover #ilovebooks #fantasybooks #cozyreading #bookaesthetic #booknerd #booksaremagic #readinglife #readingtime #booksbooksbooks #goodreads #bookcommunity #holidayvibes #readmorebooks #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CltUwnuujMO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bananashemmo]

Hi! Just letting you know that my old story The Math Teacher with Luke is currently being rewritten and turned into a story with fictional characters on Wattpad which I update every week.

It's called Forever Could Be Ours. You can read the first six chapters right here! ✨

It would mean a whole lot to me if you read it, since it's my little bub and so many on here read the original one!

[refugiodafada]

"Those gathered here are some of my most trusted allies, they have sworn to protect the Shadowlands and stand against Kolis and those who support the false Primal of Life. All of them have done so with the knowledge that their oath will likely end in death. And yet, they actvely work to restore Iliseeum to what it once was - a realm of peace and fairness to all."

shadowlands rescueds and Nyktos's most trusted guards and gods

[libraryinthecountry]

★ Happy #ShelfieSunday, readers! What are your last, current, and next reads? My last was @joannashupe’s The Lady Gets Lucky—a historical romance in which an inexperienced lady turns to a scoundrel for “seduction lessons.” It’s the second book in the Fifth Avenue Rebels series and was a solid 4.5 stars! I just started the audio this morning of Net Worth by @awilderomance, the first book in the Wealth trilogy, featuring a woman who makes a bargain to save her family’s name—with a man seeking revenge. I’m excited, because I’ve had the trilogy on my TBR since it released, and I love Amelia Wilde’s books! I’m also continuing to read Shattered Souls by @beck_michaels! I’m at about 72 percent in the ebook right now and hoping to finish this week (the start of the semester set me back a bit!). It’s a beefy, epic read, and if you haven’t started this series yet, I cannot recommend it enough. Fated mates, forbidden romance, found family, a grand journey and heroic quest, morally grey character and villains you kinda sorta wish were heroes. 🙊 One of my next up is Bewitched by @laurathalassa! I adore Laura and her books and she is someone I’ll always drop everything for—including A BRAND NEW SERIES 😭 Bewitched is a brand new paranormal romance, with witches, and an ancient evil that has been awakened, a case of mistaken identity, mysterious deaths, and of course, who holds answers? May I refer you back to “ancient evil that has been awakened” 😱 Laura says this one is dark and spicy, and I’m ready 🙏🏼 Also yeah, you know I’ll be listening to Chain of Thorns the moment I can this week. 😭😅🤧 Hope you all have a great week! February is almost here! ★ HASHTAGS // #totalbooknerd #bookshelfie #bookstagram #readerlife #homelibrary #bookshelves#stacksaturday #readingnook #currentlyreading #fantasybooks #romancebooks #ameliawilde #joannashupe #laurathalassa #beckmichaels https://www.instagram.com/p/CoAu_5dS0Gf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[theauthorvalentina]

The urge to grab her and flip her under me was strong. I needed to get laid, and this woman was too beautiful to resist. I could no longer deny my attraction to her, even if I’d entertain nothing beyond sex.

Shadowed Hearts: an age gap forced proximity romance by Valentina.

[thethirdgenesisbooks]

What is Magipunk?

Magipunk (also called Magepunk, Spellpunk, Aetherpunk, or Dungeonpunk) is a genre of fantasy taking place in a world where all the technology runs on magic. Combustion engines in such a setting may only work because of fire elementals inside, or instead of telephones people may have circlets that allow them to communicate telepathically with someone far away. In such a setting, magic is not some mysterious force, it is a science that has been honed to make life easier.

The roots of magipunk can be traced back to a blend of genres, primarily fantasy, steampunk, and cyberpunk. Elements of high fantasy, such as wizards and magical artifacts, are paired with the gritty, dystopian settings typical of cyberpunk or steampunk. The resulting genre is a captivating fusion of the supernatural and the mechanical.

Like its parent genres, magipunk often explores themes of power, corruption, and the human condition. Characters navigate a world where magic is both a blessing and a curse, where technology brings progress but also danger. Furthermore, such technology often raises questions such as “just what makes us human?” and “Even if someone is not human, can they still be a person?” These themes are often underscored by rich world-building, intricate plots, and captivating character development.

The appeal of magipunk lies in its ability to blend fantastical elements with familiar settings. A wizard may walk with a staff and wear a pointed hat as he walks into a private detective’s office. Lightning elementals powering a city’s grid might cause a major crisis when they go on strike. A dark lord may rise to threaten the world with his army of steam-powered robots. It offers a fresh take on traditional fantasy tropes while exploring themes that resonate with modern audiences.

Some popular books that fall into this genre include “Mistborn” by Brandon Sanderson, “Mage Against the Machine” by Shaun Barger, or “The Iron Druid Chronicles” by Kevin Hearne.

My own fantasy series, “The Third Genesis,” also falls into this category. It has automatons (robots) powered by magical cores, people send messages instantly through enchanted wooden boxes called “bendboxes,” and there are airships that fly because of enchantments placed on them.

[margueritesauvage]

Romance & body language - From Marvel Age 1000out since last Wed - words by Rainbow Rowell edited by Tom Brevoort

[pennymoss]

A few close-ups of the cover art for this here queer romance.

[caridadpineiro]

Exciting and Unusual Locations

Real estate agents will tell you that location is everything when choosing a home. Readers are a little more forgiving thankfully! I know many of you like stories set on ranches or the Pacific Northwest. I took a risk to set my new series in Florida and places like Miami and the Everglades and hope you’ve been enjoying those locations in the South Beach Security series. But that made me think…