The Ultimate Guide to Writing SLOW-BURN Romance 😍
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- Опубликовано: 27 мар 2023
- Are you struggling to write a slow-burn romance that will make your readers fall in love and hold their interest until the very end? If so, today’s podcast is for you. We’re talking all about how to write BETTER SLOW-BURN ROMANCE. In this episode, Abbie and I are case-studying some of our favorite romances and share our best tips for creating tension, developing chemistry, and crafting addictive plotlines that will keep readers invested until the final scene. Whether you're a seasoned romance writer or just starting out, this episode will take your slow-burn story to the next level and make your readers swoon. Grab a notebook and let’s start crafting the perfect slow-burn romance.
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FAVORITE SLOW BURN OF ALL TIME... GO! 💗
“Better Than The Movies” by Lynn Painter 😍☺️😊
Kaz And Inej!
The Ex Files. Sorry. Not Sorry.
Pride and Prejudice, one of the OG slow burn romances.
Sherlock Holmes lol
_TLDR post:_ Another tip I learned from Abbie a few years ago... for those of us who can’t wait to get to the end/the "happily-ever-after"... is to go ahead and give yourself the latitude to write that part _when_ you feel the urge to. There's no rule that says you can't write in a non-linear fashion. Write the juicy bit and then go back and fill in all of the emotional progressive moments after the fact. If you force yourself to wait until the end to write the end, you risk doing a disservice to your middle and unjustly rush through all your other (equally important) plot points. And, honestly, having the ending mapped out before you write the lead up, might even give you a better idea on how to capitalize on the lead up in ways that make the ending that much sweeter.
YEEASSS 🙏🙌 Write when the spirit moves!
Omg i do this ALL THE TIME
Can I use this method for any story and in any genre that doesn’t have any romance in it?
@robynevershed9292 I usually write all the scenes I'm excited for then bridge them together, it works best for me at least
Can you please show me an example ?@@misleroux8010
0:35 Why we love slow burn
03:00 Prompts before writing the story
- What is the internal conflict both my characters are personally struggling with?
- What kind of relationship do they have with each other at the start of the story, and why?
- How long have they known each other?
- How did they meet?
- How much does Character A know of Character B’s internal conflict?
- How much does Character B know of Character A’s internal conflict?
- Are they keeping any secrets from each other? If yes, why?
04:20 It's about them as individuals
06:30 Pacing
- Progression, going forward and backward,
- Conflict in their individual lives and in their relationship
09:15 Example: Miss Scarlet and the Duke
- Having their own internal conflict
- Slowly revealing their backstory
- Competing against each other
- Secrets
- Emotional roller coaster plot points
- Having their own goals and plans
- Progression, how their attitude to each other changes
- Struggling together brings them closer or further apart
- Each episode ends with some progression in their relationship
- Can be two steps forward, three steps back
- Slow burn is not dragging things out, it is building layers of anticipation
- Give the audience a little but not too much, space out a cookie trail
- Keep the romance thread active
20:05 Example: All Creatures Great and Small
- Well paced - not too fast, not too slow
- There's always something changing
- The main plot creates conflict within the relationship, the relationship is integrated with the main plot instead of being a side plot
- They have their own separate lives and journeys, making you wonder what a life together would look like
- Simple, everyday conflicts, doesn't have to be dramatic
- Watching them navigate the conflicts makes us empathize with them
27:40 Recap
- Pacing is the most important
- Give us small rewards along the way - progression, momentum
- Develop the characters as individuals, don't overwhelm the story with the romance
29:05 Prompts after writing the story
- How have both my characters changed and evolved as a result of their journey/relationship with each other?
- How much has Character A affected Character B’s internal conflict?
- How much has Character B affected Character A’s internal conflict?
- Are they still keeping any secrets from each other? Why or why not?
- What does the future look like for these two characters?
thank you for this!
Wow thanks for writing this out! This is so helpful!
Thank you!
You just took my notes for me! Thank you so much and have an amazing day!
@@KAEmmons My favourite slow burn romance is between Pepé Le Pew and Penelope Pussycat 🤭 . #CartoonReferences
I think the Bid Bid Burn pattern works well to keep from frustrating readers. That means for every two failed attempts by a character to move forward, there is one bit of progress. That doesn’t mean they can’t backslide in the next “bid”, but there is general foreward progress. It might be minuscule, but something has to move the needle. It rewards the reader with enough satisfaction to prevent reader frustration.
the miraculous ladybug writers should watch this fr
Lol
I spent/waste *years* on that oml. And I started watching from the early season 1
Mary sue protagonist, so ive heard
Thank you. I wouldn't write a romance but this was great for adding a romantic side plot into other genres. Love and light. 💜
This is so wonderful. I love a good slow burn. Also, I LOVE that you brought up Miss Scarlet and the Duke! I am slightly obsessed with that show, I binged all three seasons within a week, and seriously CANNOT WAIT for season 4!
This was so useful! I am a huge fan of slowburn romance. Granted the slowburn I love the most is so painfully slow and frustratingly denied... The X-Files had me by the throat for Mulder and Scully!!!! 😅
I can't wait to dive in! I love slow-burn and I am about to start my second one ever story with this type of romance so this is indeed well-timed :)
Yay! We're so glad to hear that this episode is well timed for you 🙌 Happy writing!
Okay. You've convinced me. I'm going to watch All Creatures Great and Small. 😍
Thank you SO MUCH for this marvelous episode! I've been waiting for you to do one on this topic, and it did not disappoint!
I really need to watch it too.
I tried watching Miss Scarlett and the Duke... I was underwhelmed, which was a bummer, because I love that era and I love slow burn 😕
It's such a great show!! Thank you for listening, friend! Happy writing 🙌📖
I have a slow burn romance in a trilogy that have written but since got sidetracked on some other projects and this session has inspired me to look over it again 🥰
So a simple way of describing a Slow Burn Romance is that there are 2+ character arcs intersecting into a sparking romance.
Love this video and this episode. Also, I would like to see more videos and episodes on any type of romance. Not just because I usually don't write romance. But also because in my current writing project there will be a cliffhanger at the end of the story that may introduce romance for my MC.
So glad this episode can serve you in your current writing journey! 🙌
Hi Kate and Abbie! Loved this episode, the list of questions at 4:01 are super helpful!
Could you make a future video on how to write young/innocent romance without it becoming cheesy? I find it difficult to balance the character’s pure hearted naïveté with revelation of their true love for each other, and I really don’t want my storyline to come off as babyish. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks so much!
The only problem i have with slow burn romances most of the time are when the plot somehow uses "right person wrong time to date / right time to date, wrong person" to involve interlopers or 3rd party romantic interests that are there for morally grey area conflictive feelings struggles it ruins my love of alot of stories that have slow burn the second they pull in another person into their emotion drama.
Because alot of books or shows have a very hard times making it not seem like these supposedly "good/decent" characters aren't just plain cheating when one of the pairing is having emotional infidelity to the partner they are in a relationship in verses whom the slow burn is actually with or when a character goes through the possessive jealously phase over when someone they aren't dating or expressed their wish to date finds a romance interest with a person besides them in a "the one that got away" dilemma regretting scenario.
Cause i'm sorry cheating is a hardline for me and slow burn romance can be good without involving cheatings innuendoes or euphemisms and it sucks that alot of media use the drama tag of their shows or books to basically condone morally questionable cheating casting aside other human beings with emotions and value too even if they're portrayed to be unlikable as long as its cause the people of the slow burn are the "better fit" as its really causing a unhealthy/toxic standard to the slow burn genre as a whole.
I second this. It's sometimes worse with love triangles.
My story has a slow burn, and as I wrote it, I got more ideas, so the story is now 4 planned stories. Each adds more while dealing with what happened in the last.
You guys are great! Although personally I would be interested in a second video or series on this topic that goes deeper into examples from not just television, but books included! I would have liked some more examples of a failing slow burn, as that would be really helpful to delve into. More than just “they got together too soon” type. Plus side by side comparisons. I love this topic personally and it’s sooo hard to execute well!
Much love ❤️!! I’m definitely watching more videos!
All Creatures Great and Small is a book, a part of a series by James Herriott. His writing is lovely.
Thank you so much for this video, but I have a request can you make a video about slow-burn break up or ?😅
I’m new to the channel and I really like your advice! I’ve been writing for years but find that there’s always room for improvement, especially for this genre. I’ve written long-form romances many times but always had regrets by the end. I’ve asked some of these questions in my outline and did my best to answer them throughout the plot, but I really like how they directly address character relationships with respect to the plot. More than struggling to balance character chemistry and plot development like I’ve made a habit of doing. I’m gonna give them a shot with my current story and see how it goes!
this was such a good video! I love that you guys mention references, thats extra helpful for me love it
Nice! Slow burn is the best!
I'm sad to say I don't like All Creatures. I've read every single book Mr. Herriot wrote and it was all about the animals. The romance is ok, I guess. I was watching for the story about the animals and the people in the area. 🤷
Miss Scarlet and the Duke, holy smokes, so great.
Thank you for your talk about this trope. Well done, good information!
Thank you for this! You guys are awesome! This is similar (ish), but I love friends to lovers and am doing a mix of that and slow burn for my series, so I'd love to hear your advice for friends to lovers :)
I'm new to watching your podcasts, but so far they are really helping me on my writing journey!
Do you think you could talk about how to write in Third-person limited onniscient? I'm currently trying to write a story in this point of view, focusing on a different character's thoughts and feelings etc in every chapter, but it's not something I've done before and I think getting advice from this podcast would really help me with this topic!
Love this video!! My own series is based on All Creatures Great and Small and is a slow burn romance. Would love the watch Miss Scarlett and the Duke. Both of those series are fantastic 😊
That's awesome!!
All creatures Great and small is a wonderful book. by James Herriot. (aka: Alf Wight) . The show is based on the book I believe.
My father used to read his stories to me whenever I was sick. Great memories
Benjamin MCcavoy will be drafting my reading material for the novel.
31:07 I think slow burn works great with contemporary Christian romance. I would love to hear your thoughts about how to give this genre plenty of good conflicts using faith in a realistic way.
More about romance! Like plot points.
you guys seem like the friendly/involved sisters who everyone loves and is friends with in hs
The girl in grey waiting for her turn to speak be like: 🙂 ⌛⏳
Have you done a podcast on love triangles? That’s what I’m writing and would love to hear your thoughts! I learned a lot form this episode. Thanks!
Hey their last episode talks about that a bit...you can go check it out :D
Yess I've been looking for videos talking about this.
Also I have a huge question that I have not been able to find the answer to anywhere. How do I write romance from first person pov. But the side characters are the ones in love. How do I write their romance as a side plot. I feel like it would be weird if the Mc just keeps seeing the two falling in love. Should I just switch the pov to the side characters for certain chapters.
Also I have been filling both of your channels for years. I love your vibe and I always love watching ur videos. You guys have helped me write my book and I am definitely putting u both in my acknowledgments.
Also I have been watching both of your channels for years. I love your vibe and I always love watching ur videos. You guys have helped me write my book and I am definitely putting u both in my acknowledgments.
I'd say it would be best to do certain chapters from the side character's perspective OR have the MC be kind of like a cheerleader for their relationship/wingman for one of the characters if that's in character for them
Ooh, I'm reading a book right now where this is done - there's a subplot where two non-POV side characters have an adorable romance, and how the author pulls it off is by having the POV heroine directly involved in her friend's romance! Maybe that's something you could think about?
@@worthfightingfor2299 thanks that's a really good idea, what's the book you are reading.
also do a video about filled character profile as an example
Can I use this method for any story and in any type of genre that doesn’t have romance in it?
plus disect some short films
I am simply ruined for real life man.
This edit is a masterpiece. ❤
I have been struggling with this. And it really helped. But in my story the slow burn is over a couple weeks. Is that too short for a slow burn or should I elongate it?
Is it possible to do good slow burn in a standalone novel (as opposed to a series)? I know you guys use tv series for the visuals but with novels (as with movies) you don't have the luxury of hours and hours of "screen time" to show the relationship develop.
I think something like Pride and Prejudice shows how this can be done really well, by showing how the characters interact and their relationship changes over a longer period of time. So maybe making your novel take place over a long period of time or having time skips in the book could help with that:)
Can you write this kind of slow burn in a High Fantasy novel where the focus is on something else entirely? Especially if the two lovebirds don't see each other that often since their respective arcs keep them busy?
I think what would help is questioning why they’re falling in love in the first place because if they’re so physically separate, how are they falling for the other?
What if someone is not writing a romance story, can this method help with any genre without the romance?
I always love your videos, but I would be happy if they had subtitles. That way, it would be more accessible! Thank you.
if you click the "cc" button on the video, captions will come onto the screen. Thank you for being here dear soul! And happy writing 💗
four corner oposition? and philosophical conflict
Hi, thank you, dear K.A. Emmons
I have a question: what does " salty banter" mean that Kate said?
Salty is like being annoyed. Banter is a harsh type of teasing that you know they don't actually mean. Adding saltiness spices up the banter, which could make the teasing extra funny or rude 😂
@@BelieveInImagination thank you, I'm not a native english, so I don't know it means rude or it means funny
@@goldenbuffalo1987 I think of it as witty teasing
@@Financiallyfreeauthor thank you so much dear Carolyn🙂
Please consider the American series "Bones." Not all romance is 19th century-style British-style romance.
21:35 - is that Neville Longbottom?
How slow is too slow for a romance? What about on again off again romances? How do you keep a reader interested?
I know im not Abbie, but for on again off again, I like writing that, when people get back together something has to change for better or worse. Maybe they broke up because he was distant and now he's willing to be more open, or they are away on vacation when they get back together, etc. Let each time they date feel different
@@RumoHasIt Thank you! That’s very helpful!
😏💏💆