Romantic Tension

In the romance genre, it’s a given that your hero and heroine will end up together for a happily ever after. Or at least a happily for now. The challenge for the writer is coming up with the obstacles (AKA conflict) to keep them apart.

The most satisfying stories are those with organic differences that seem insurmountable, but the couple, because of their love for each other, are determined to find a way. Deanne Gist is a master at this. In Tiffany Girl, it’s 1892 and Flossie Jayne is a New Woman. She’s moved from her parents’ home to a boardinghouse, to take a position at Mr. Tiffany’s glass studio. Most young gentlewomen don’t leave home until they marry. And they certainly don’t work at jobs. Reeve Wilder is a resident at the boardinghouse who disapproves of the New Women and believes all women should stay out of men’s business and their domains. He even writes a newspaper column about the proper place for women in the home and in society. I had to keep reading to see how they would reconcile such differing beliefs and come together.

Susan May Warren is another author gifted at creating characters with deep wounds and flaws that seem diametrically opposed, but ultimately can only find healing in each other. I just finished her The Way of the Brave. Orion Starr was a pararescue jumper who was injured in Afghanistan in a mission gone wrong. He’s angry and wants answers. Jenny Calhoun was the CIA profiler who gave the okay for the mission that cost Orion his knee and his teammates’ lives. How can they end up together? But Susie makes it so that not only can they get past these issues, they must, to heal each other and to move on.

In The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck, there are two story lines, one contemporary and one historical, (that also intersect with two other timelines). In the historical timeline, Emily is engaged to a suitable young man, Phillip, whom her parents approve of. Daniel, the man she thought she loved once, has returned to town, eager to renew their relationship and upset to learn she’s moved on. Phillip is perfect for Emily and wedding plans proceed. The only problem is Emily and her mother disagree about her dress. And the little things Emily notice that lead her to believe her fiancé may be hiding something from her. If she breaks her engagement, her father will lose his standing in his business and in the community. Her mother will be devastated. Daniel knows Phillip is not what he seems, but if he tells Emily she will be broken-hearted and blame Daniel. Now that’s conflict.

Conflicts and obstacles are not something that can be solved if your characters would just sit down and have a conversation. They’re something deeper and organic. They demand really knowing your characters. They’re hard work. But they make for a richer, more satisfying read that will linger with your reader long after they close the book.

Carrie Padgett lives in Central California, close to Yosemite, but far from Hollywood, the beach, and the Golden Gate Bridge. She believes in faith, families, fun, and happily ever after. She writes contemporary fiction with romance. Carrie and her Stud Muffin live in Central California with their cat and dog and within driving distance of their six grandchildren.

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