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Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels
Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels | Gwen Hayes
8 posts | 10 read | 3 to read
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 can be read like you are 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 bestseller 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.
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CrowCAH
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#jolabokaflodswap 2023 sign-ups are still open till 11/25/23, follow the link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScy3JBCkSnmHCLSABUtcIjYuAX36Fk7srbnllGo...

Opening day is December 24!

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the.bookish.valkyrie
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Pickpick

I love this book! It really helps break things down to manageable parts and keep the overall narrative in perspective! Tonight I‘m working on my Romancing the Beats Scrivener beat sheet between trick or treaters in preparation for #NaNoWriMo‘s kick off! And CleoCatra is “helping” me, lol. I had planned on reading some ghost stories, but the last minute panic of zero prep has kicked in! 😹

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CocoReads
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Pickpick

Not scary and I could have been finished with it long ago but I was taking my time with it. I really enjoyed this break down of romance story structure since that‘s my writing and reading jam these days. Plus, I really dig the 80‘s playlist for each of the beats. #scarathlon 6 points for #TeamSlaughter #cocorurns50 #24hourreadathon

In_the_stacks This book sounds interesting. Yes to 80s playlists! 4y
42 likes1 comment
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CocoReads
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“Nearly Awake” mug (Irish Breakfast tea from Twininga) laptop and barely legible writings. Giving myself an hour to work on writing before diving back into #Scarathlon and #cocorurns50 reading. #NanoNovember is coming up fast and my schedule won‘t be allowing my free time so I‘m doing some prepping this week while I‘m off. Good morning Littens!

jb72 I can‘t believe NaNo is coming up so fast. 4y
CocoReads @jb72 I know! And I‘ve been so blocked, I‘d blame Covid but that‘s not it, I got to keep going to work during lockdown, work and uncertainty have left me extra exhausted but I definitely have been feeling the words again lately 4y
dylanisreading Isn't it crazy that NaNo is just around the corner?? I've been trying to come up with an idea I want to run with. Also, Romancing the Beat is good. 4y
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CocoReads @Bianca I think I‘ve got mine-now if only I focus and make the time. I‘m enjoying the book-it‘s short but I‘ve been taking my time with it. 4y
jb72 @CocoReads I‘m glad the words are flowing again. I just started reading poemcrazy and it‘s helping me gain some inspiration. I can‘t really blame anything since I don‘t work (I‘m disabled). 4y
CocoReads It‘s mostly just excuses for me. But also a little bit of exhaustion. Glad you‘re finding so@e inspiration-I may have to add it to my list of tbr as well! 4y
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CocoReads
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Rough day today but it‘s always great to come home to #bookmail

Libby1 🌼 6y
48 likes1 comment
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Elizabeth_Chatsworth
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Boo the Yorkie: I'm celebrating mommy's novel THE BRASS QUEEN being named as a finalist for the RWA® Golden Heart® Award in the Mainstream Fiction category. Congratulations to all the 2018 #RITAGH finalists!

#scifi #romance #romantsy #dogsoflitsy #petsoflitsy #readingbuddy

Cinfhen Congrats 🎉🎉🎉and Boo is looking super adorable 💗 6y
AmyG Ao cute. Congrats 🎉🎉🎉 6y
CocoReads Congrats! 🎉🎉👏👏👏 6y
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Sungirl79 Congrats!!!!🍾🎉🎉👏👏 6y
GripLitGrl Congratulations!!!🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉 6y
ladym30 She is beautiful! Congrats! 6y
Jas16 Congratulations 🍾🎉🙌🏽 6y
Pamwurtzler Congratulations! 6y
JacqMac Congratulations! 🥂🎉 6y
rwmg Well done 👏👏👏 6y
JessClark78 Congratulations! 🎊🎉🥂 6y
xicanti Congratulations! 6y
mabell Congrats! 🎉 6y
RohitSawant Congrats! 🎉🎉 6y
KaatjeH Congratulations!!🎉🎉🎉 6y
Elizabeth_Chatsworth Thank you all! ❤❤❤ 6y
UwannaPublishme Way to go! 👏🏻👏🏻🍾🎉🙌🏻🙌🏻 6y
Cathythoughts Wow that‘s fantastic... break open that sparkly stuff 👏🏻👏🏻🎉🌷 6y
jfalkens Happy birthday!! 6y
rockpools Congratulations! And happy birthday! 🎉🍾📚🎉🎂 6y
HannaPolkadots Happy birthday to you!😀😀😀 Hope you will have a great day 🌼🌻🌼 6y
MayJasper Great news 😊 6y
AceOnRoam Happy birthday 🎂🎂 6y
Jas16 Happy Birthday 🎁🎉🎂🎈 6y
Elizabeth_Chatsworth Thank you everyone for the congratulations and the birthday wishes! ❤😊❤😊❤ 6y
131 likes25 comments
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4evamoore
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The perfect partners for a dinner alone at Le Bou

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mizzelle
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Getting in a little prep time for NaNoWriMo with this book on plotting romace. My books tend to have a romantic subplot so I thought it might help to read up on the genre quirks. (There's a Scrivener template available on her website too.)