Romance/Love: May 18, 2022 Issue [#11365]
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 This week: The Art of Attraction
  Edited by: StephBee Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

A banner for the Romance/Love newsletter.

“Love is about mutual respect, apart from attraction.” -- George Best

“I suspect the secret of personal attraction is locked up in our unique imperfections, flaws, and frailties.” -- Hugh Mackay

First, I want to thank everyone who took my Traits of the Romantic Period word search. I hope it was fun. It was my first word search. For those who left a review, I went ahead and sent you a merit badge for “Word Searches.”

May is National BBQ month! Who doesn’t love a good BBQ – from hot dogs to tri trip, just about everything you BBQ is delicious, unless you burn it. So, what attracts you to BBQ? The Meat? The spice? The anticipation of taste? The smoky scent? I love to BBQ a good steak, and I’m a sucker for pork ribs. Feedback: Let me know if you enjoy a good BBQ and what your favorite meat is to BBQ.

A couple of months ago, I talked about Romantic Tropes which are basically, plot themes. For example: the Cinderella story where poor woman meets rich man and after some trials and tribulations, they fall in love. This month, I’m going to talk about things/traits that augment your story - attraction and bonding.

Here’s my new poll question for you: What’s your favorite romantic genre. If you have an opportunity, please take it and let me know what you think.

 
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POLL
Your Favorite Romance Genre Open in new Window. (E)
A poll about your favorite romance genre
#2272941 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon



Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

The most successful romances follow a formula. There’s a beginning – the reader meets the heroine and hero, there’s an engaging event and a problem or a challenge is introduced that brings the hero and heroine together, and off they go! But go where?

The first part of the story (rising action) should be about attraction. What attracts the couple? Keep these traits in mind:

Physical attraction
Intelligence
Social status (dude is rich)
Wit and charm
Humor
A spiritual connection

These traits take time to build as falling in love at the meeting is rare. It’s like building a fire. First you need tinder aka attraction (dry leaves and small twigs) and then you need kindling aka bonding. small sticks and small pieces of wood). A realistic arc of attraction might include the first 5 chapters.

If you don’t have attraction, you can’t go to the next phase – bonding. As the challenge/conflict/problem gets more challenging (throw in some character flaws to get in the way) and the hero and heroine depend on each other more and more. Attraction leads to bonding. What’s bonding? Realistically, these might be chapter 6-10 of the novel.

The couple strives to achieve a mutual goal.
The couple must escape danger together
The couple must help each other with a personal project

Both the hero and heroine should help each other grow and improve.

A good romance starts off with a slow burn. Attraction is the hook which leads to bonding and then more. Ah, a good romance is about the attraction – if it’s not there, the journey falls flat.

What attracted you to your significant other/spouse/partner? I’ll share the replies in my next newsletter in June.

ASIN: B00UGPGMHO
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Product Type: DVD
Reviewer: StephBee Author Icon
Review Rated: 13+
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Reference: https://thenovelsmithy.com/how-to-write-romance/


Editor's Picks

Submitted last month:
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The Belle Of The Regency Balls Open in new Window. (ASR)
A Regency romance I wrote about a woman who just wants to be the Belle of the Balls.
#2253260 by Princess Megan Snow Rose Author IconMail Icon


Snow Angel Open in new Window. (E)
A Valentine's Day inspired story about a Winter Embrace
#2267462 by KingsSideCastle Author IconMail Icon


 
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Ingredients for Romance Open in new Window. (13+)
A fourth of July picnic with some missing ingredients leads to love.
#2262324 by Graywriter Author IconMail Icon


A Day at the Office Open in new Window. (18+)
So this dame walks into my office, and...
#2205954 by WriterAngel Author IconMail Icon


Image Protector
STATIC
The Belle Of The Regency Balls Open in new Window. (ASR)
A Regency romance I wrote about a woman who just wants to be the Belle of the Balls.
#2253260 by Princess Megan Snow Rose Author IconMail Icon


Bad Touch Open in new Window. (13+)
Love is patient, love is kind... Paranormal Romance Short Story Contest entry.
#2233385 by Jeff Author IconMail Icon


 
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Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Don't forget to support our sponsor!

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Ask & Answer

Feedback from my Romance/Love Newsletter dated: 20 APR 2022:

Princess Megan Snow Rose Author IconMail Icon

Jane Austen is my favorite. I write Jane Austen type stories and Regency Romance. Jane wrote and lived in the Regency Times. Her stories were a good outlet and romance, characters and story lines left us wanting more. Wouldn't we like to have met Mr. Darcy?

Monty Author IconMail Icon
No real favorite. I liked them all.

A pic of me taken 2 years ago.

StephBee Author IconMail Icon is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. Her summer romance, “Journey of the Heart” is available on Amazon. Can James help Rachel save her winery?


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