Writing Craft

Story Essentials – Continued

Recapping as we work our way down the romance editor’s wish list, so far we have:

• An opening hook
• An appealing, human heroine
• A hero to fall in love with. He must be human, appealing and honorable
• An original story line.
• Dialogue that sings
• Emotional roll coaster (highs and lows)
• Sensuality that steams up the windows

All romances need sexual tension. When an editor talks about sensuality that steams up the windows, she wants sexual tension. Tension is another form of conflict. The implied question of will they or wont they? Is there is every romance. Will they fall in love? Will they become intimate? Will they find away to resolves their issues?

For an in depth look at sensuality and what drives sexual tension, take a look at The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Writing Erotic Romance by Alison Kent she has devoted chapter sixteen to writing sexual tension. Quoting from the least you need to know section:

• Conversation provides many opportunities for sexual tension, including innuendo, banter and double entendres.
• While sexuality is a more physical condition, balancing it with sensuality helps increase the story’s eroticism.
• Characters can experience sexual tension both mentally and physically, and their body language is a good indication of their feelings.
• Using the five senses will bring your love scenes to life and add an evocative realism to your prose.
• Chemistry between two people is conveyed through their sexual, emotional and intellectual attraction.