Write On!
Evelyn's Tips and Tricks
of Writing
An Arrest Warrant For Cupid?
February is the perfect time to talk about making a
love connection. Adding a touch (or more) of romance to your mystery provides a fresh insight into the private lives of your characters. How the fated (or ill-fated) lovers interact with each other gives your readers a sneak peek at different facets of their personalities. It's also a chance to meet these characters outside the parameters of a murder investigation. How the two learn to work together to solve the mystery can be as compelling as solving the case itself.
We're suckers for a good romance, especially one that features snappy banter between two lovebirds: think Tracy and Hepburn, Harry and Sally, Han and Chewbacca.
Sure it's trite, but boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl, still works. It's how you fashion this old-fashioned love story that makes the difference.
But remember, your first job is to build a better mystery. The romance fleshes out the characters. Your readers want to know who done it, not just who's "doing it." Keep these tips in mind when weaving romance into your book.
1. Slow but steady. The romance should unfold
gradually within the context of the story, as the
reader – and the characters – get to know each other. Let the romantic interests discover what they like – and dislike - about each other as they unravel the mystery.
2. It's going to be a bumpy ride. Romance,like life, is never smooth. Create obstacles for your couple that they need to overcome, together and individually. While the mystery itself might be a roadblock to coupledom, include emotional blockades that each character needs to confront before moving on to a relationship. This is an opportunity to give depth to your hero and heroine.
3. Don't be a tease. We've all read series where the hero and heroine never get together, but there is a constant, "will they, won't they" component to every story. At some point, readers say "who cares;" the romance or lack of it becomes tiresome and repetitive. While you don't want your couple to fall into an instant white-hot clinch, because that inevitably burns out, keep in mind that you need to have your characters move on or move out. Pacing is important, especially if you hope to create a series. Readers weary of characters who behave like they're still in middle school relationships.
All our best wishes for you to fall in love with your
characters and create for them much murder and mayhem! See you next month.
Evelyn David 