How to Write A Christian Romance Novel (Part 4)

How to Write A Christian Romance Novel (Part 4)
by Sandi Layne

Write On!

We’re prepped. We’re ready. We know the Who, What, When, Where and Why of our novel. We’ve been in prayer.

It’s time to write!

Beginnings

For some people, I know, beginning a book is the hardest part. There are different ways to begin. For me, I prefer to toss my reader into the beginning of a Happening. A conversation, a chase, something that is active and busy to immediately interest them.

For every book, this is different. In some ways, a prologue is helpful to set a scene and make the reader want to find out the result of the action. Some publishers have very specific notions about what they want at the beginning of a romance novel. One publisher says that the hero and heroine have to meet or have a connection within the first four manuscript pages, so that can give a writer their focus for a beginning.

However you choose to begin your book, keep a couple of things in mind:

Your work needs to capture the attention of the reader/buyer right away or they might dismiss your whole story out of hand.
Editors of prospective publishers might not read more than the first three to six pages of your book at first sight. You’ll need to make sure those pages are fascinating.

Endings

How to make the ending of your novel better and more memorable than the average romance? Good question!

Remember, we’re writing a Christian romance. Our conclusion should not only have the “and they lived happily ever after” sort of wrap-up; we should also have a spiritual journey completed, a life changed, and a solid example of how the Lord works in his own good time.

Your reader should be able to take away a general feeling of well-being. She should be edified. She should have a smile on her face when the final word of the final page has been digested.

So try to make things interesting. The circumstances of the Big Question can be different and unique. Perhaps the couple is on an adventure or in an awkward situation. Is there a secondary plot? Is that resolved first or second?

The important thing is to have fun with this ending. Remember, you might have been writing towards this particular scene for weeks or even months. Enjoy it!

Middles

This is more than just how to get from Point A to Point Z!

During the middle of your book, all those chapters from two to nineteen, you, the writer, have the opportunity to draw your reader into a relationship with the characters that have lived in your head for so long. Let them enjoy this!

Is this a humorous story? Make sure not to include too much slapstick…just enough to make it Just Like My Life. Is this an adventure or action packed romance? Keep those protagonists involved! Share! Grow! Let them learn and grow as you hope your reader can do.

This is the time to build connections, to share what is in your heart, mind, and imagination. The Lord has given you a gift; make the best use of it in these chapters. They’re what make that wowzer ending so effective and joyous!

And then, one Thursday at about 8:47 p.m. –

You’ll be rushing, your adrenaline pumping through your whole body. “Go away,” you’ll tell your spouse. “I have got to finish this tonight!”

Jane will be gasping for breath after an incredible chase scene, maybe, and Jack will be right behind her, thankful beyond words that they both were rescued from whatever situation they were in.

He says, “Don’t you ever scare me like that again.”

She says, “I will if I want to!” And laughs.

He growls playfully, pulls her into his arms…and…! You have your ending…however you choose to shape it.

And then…you look at your clock and you gasp. It’s almost like a bucket of cold water. You’re done! You’ve finished! They’re going to get married!

Wow. It’s a rush, let me tell you.

Get to work! May you write a romance to inspire!

Look for Sandi's regular Kids-n-Keys column at: http://www.writetoinspire.com

Also, look to Sandi Layne for your editing needs: http://www.alookediting.com or visit Sandi at: http://www.authorsden.com/sandilayne