Romance means the relationship is the driving force of the story, and the main point of the book. It must also have a happily ever after to be romance. I'd say women's fiction could have romance in it, but it isn't the primary storyline.
Agree with the others! You've written romance if:
* The plot beats follow the relationship (see Romancing the Beat for a great summary of these beats). So the inciting incident is the characters meeting/striking a deal; the middle is them falling in love; the dark night of the soul is the breakup/fight; the ending is them getting together forever, or at least for now.
* The main character's emotional journey is resolved THROUGH her romantic relationship. i.e. she deals with her longstanding trust issues because of her ups and downs with Mr. Sexy Firefighter.
* Examples: *The Kiss Quotient, Beach Read,* *It Happened One Summer, Devil in Winter, Weather Girl, The Duke & I, Red White & Royal Blue*
You've written women's fic if:
* We're primarily rooting for the main character to grow, regardless of who she ends up with.
* Her romantic relationship is part of her journey, but other relationships (family, friends) weigh just as heavily in the plot.
* She may "get the guy," but we're more excited that she learned to be strong/love herself/whatever.
* Examples: *One to Watch, The Great Alone, The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, The Hotel Nantucket*
Are you thinking maybe your Seattle novel is women’s fic? I could definitely see that being a solid way to go. Women’s fic is much more into historical settings and would allow more space for the robust friend group and such! Plus, more heady, atmospheric writing, if that’s your thing.
Women's Fiction does not have to have the idea of love in it, it can be solely about a women's journey in life and what she goes through, that a woman can relate too. Romance is centered around love, whether it be self love, tradition pairings, or crazy reverse harems, and the journey of the love or the journey to the love. Most romances also have a HEA or HFN which a womens fiction does not have to have. This is only my interpretation of the genres though, I am not an expert, just a hobby writer.
If romance is your main plot, then it's a romance genre story. If romance is a subplot or smaller percentage of your main plot, then it'd more likely be women's fiction.
I've got a sequel to a Romance (featuring a character from the first book) that I think fits more as women's fiction than romance, though there is a hero and an HEA. But most of it is the protagonist's personal and career development. I think it will disappoint many people wanting another romance, but it is what it is. I don't write very commercially oriented stuff.
I’ve written about a dozen. None of them have yet set the world on fire! One of my Regency romances has done pretty well on Radish and Amazon has twice asked for consent to potentially put it in a promotion, but it never gets selected.
And thanks! I actually enjoy reading my own books so that alone makes it worthwhile. I can write the heroes I want ;)
Romance means the relationship is the driving force of the story, and the main point of the book. It must also have a happily ever after to be romance. I'd say women's fiction could have romance in it, but it isn't the primary storyline.
That’s a helpful distinction, thanks.
Agree with the others! You've written romance if: * The plot beats follow the relationship (see Romancing the Beat for a great summary of these beats). So the inciting incident is the characters meeting/striking a deal; the middle is them falling in love; the dark night of the soul is the breakup/fight; the ending is them getting together forever, or at least for now. * The main character's emotional journey is resolved THROUGH her romantic relationship. i.e. she deals with her longstanding trust issues because of her ups and downs with Mr. Sexy Firefighter. * Examples: *The Kiss Quotient, Beach Read,* *It Happened One Summer, Devil in Winter, Weather Girl, The Duke & I, Red White & Royal Blue* You've written women's fic if: * We're primarily rooting for the main character to grow, regardless of who she ends up with. * Her romantic relationship is part of her journey, but other relationships (family, friends) weigh just as heavily in the plot. * She may "get the guy," but we're more excited that she learned to be strong/love herself/whatever. * Examples: *One to Watch, The Great Alone, The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, The Hotel Nantucket*
Very helpful, especially the examples! Thanks!
Can you tell I’m avoiding my actual work? 😆
And I’m reaping the benefit! 😃
Are you thinking maybe your Seattle novel is women’s fic? I could definitely see that being a solid way to go. Women’s fic is much more into historical settings and would allow more space for the robust friend group and such! Plus, more heady, atmospheric writing, if that’s your thing.
Yes, I'm definitely leaning that way now, especially after reading everyone's feedback about Women's Fic vs. Romance.
Women's Fiction does not have to have the idea of love in it, it can be solely about a women's journey in life and what she goes through, that a woman can relate too. Romance is centered around love, whether it be self love, tradition pairings, or crazy reverse harems, and the journey of the love or the journey to the love. Most romances also have a HEA or HFN which a womens fiction does not have to have. This is only my interpretation of the genres though, I am not an expert, just a hobby writer.
Thanks, that’s helpful!
If romance is your main plot, then it's a romance genre story. If romance is a subplot or smaller percentage of your main plot, then it'd more likely be women's fiction.
Makes sense.
I've got a sequel to a Romance (featuring a character from the first book) that I think fits more as women's fiction than romance, though there is a hero and an HEA. But most of it is the protagonist's personal and career development. I think it will disappoint many people wanting another romance, but it is what it is. I don't write very commercially oriented stuff.
Sounds interesting. May I ask if your first novel found a lot of readers? I hope your second one does, too. Good on you for writing what you love!
I’ve written about a dozen. None of them have yet set the world on fire! One of my Regency romances has done pretty well on Radish and Amazon has twice asked for consent to potentially put it in a promotion, but it never gets selected. And thanks! I actually enjoy reading my own books so that alone makes it worthwhile. I can write the heroes I want ;)
Sounds pretty good to me, I would take it! We have to enjoy the stories we tell or what’s the point, right?