Structure of a Successful New Romance: Complete Guide to a Bestseller

The New Romance, a popular sub-genre of contemporary romantic literature, captivates readers with its intense modern love stories and piques the curiosity of journalists. But behind the success of these novels lies a well-thought-out structure. While there is no magic formula, there are still some good ingredients to know. In this in-depth article, I propose to explore together the key elements that make up the structure of a successful New Romance, offering aspiring and established authors a detailed plan to create, hopefully, the next bestseller!

1. The basics of narrative structure in New Romance

Before diving into the specifics of New Romance, let's revisit the basics of a narrative structure.

The three-act structure you will follow

Exposition (25% of the novel)
Here, we subtly introduce the main characters, establish the framework and context of the plot, and introduce the main conflict that will animate our heroes. Your reader wants to know what adventure you plan to take them on. Your job is to make them feel emotions, not to tie their brain in knots.

Development (50% of the novel)
It's all about the art of crescendo. "Hurry slowly," said the tortoise. We carefully manage the tension (a term I'll often use in this article), which should gradually increase. We heighten the desire, both of the main characters and the reader. We skillfully distill information, gradually deepen relationships through dialogues or events, and ramp up our sadism to its peak by integrating complications and obstacles just as things seemed to be calming down. It's the rise of romantic tension that every New Romance reader seeks to feel!

Resolution (25% of the novel)
No way to botch this part! Remember, this is the note on which your reader finishes your novel. So avoid a hasty or too closed conclusion. We have reached the emotional climax (the highest point, the most important moment)! It's up to you to masterfully resolve all the chaos you've created, to let your inner teddy bear express itself (if you didn't know, in romance, happy endings or open endings are favored).

You will plan the pivotal points

First pivotal point
This is the event that truly launches the story. It usually occurs at the end of the first act. Don't give your reader a chance to get bored or wonder when your story is finally going to start... It's the best way for them to drop your book and start Netflix.

Midpoint
This is the turning point. The one that changes the dynamics of the story and revives your reader's interest. Nothing is more enjoyable for them than to be surprised. The reader is a control freak but particularly enjoys that little thrill of "I didn't see that coming."

Second pivotal point
This is the major crisis, the element that precipitates the final outcome.

But you will not stop at this:

Although this structure is a great starting point, don't make it too strict a rule. I don't know who said it, someone very wise surely: rules are made to be broken, circumvented, manhandled, twisted, basically. Have fun, try things, DARE. New Romance is often characterized by its fresh and innovative approach to storytelling.

2. Structural Specificities of New Romance

Now that we have laid the foundations, here are the structural elements that distinguish New Romance from other literary genres. They should be used to highlight the emotional evolution of the characters. Each structural element should impact their inner journey.

The Initial Meeting

It must be memorable and create a strong impression! It is often accompanied by tension or conflict. And above all, it must immediately establish the dynamic between the protagonists. Remember the meeting of Johnny Castle and Baby in the film Dirty Dancing, we immediately understand that this will be a story of initiation with, on one side, an experienced man and on the other, a young woman who has everything to learn, with the ultra-sensual dance taking the place of sexual emancipation.

Development of the Relationship

You will have to play the cat and mouse game without losing the reader's interest. It's a question of balancing between getting closer and moving apart with key moments of emotional and/or physical intimacy. Always ensure that the evolution of feelings is clearly defined so that your reader feels the credibility of this love story and can become attached to this relationship. If your characters become completely moody, your reader won't understand, unless you have a solid final explanation.

The Obstacles

It's about mixing external obstacles (circumstances, other characters) and internal ones (unconscious or conscious fears, unresolved past emotional wounds,...). Do not hesitate to pile it on as they say, these obstacles should seem insurmountable to create tension! But be careful, keep in mind that they will have to be resolved in a credible manner.

Romantic Resolution

This is the moment of vulnerability and honesty between the protagonists. Our two heroes declare their love and dare to show themselves as they are. This moment should bring real emotional satisfaction to the reader.

3. Essential Narrative Arcs

A successful New Romance interweaves multiple narrative arcs to create a rich and captivating story. The key moments of each arc should ideally impact the others. Do not open arcs just to open arcs; you risk making your story incoherent and hard to follow. Tell yourself that each element you integrate should serve your narrative.

The Main Romantic Arc

This is the arc around which the story revolves. We follow the evolution of the relationship between the protagonists, which is punctuated by key moments, as we have seen. First kiss, first argument, first reconciliation... up to the climax of the romantic resolution.

The Individual Arcs of the Protagonists

Each main character must have their own growth journey. The reader wants to see the evolution of your characters. You need to address past wounds, fears, and aspirations. All of this should be developed and resolved (but not necessarily) in parallel with the romantic arc.

The Arc of External Conflict

This arc can be linked to career, family, or other circumstances. The goal is to create additional pressure on the relationship. And obviously, as everything that doesn't kill us makes us stronger, the resolution of this arc helps strengthen the couple.

4. The Structure of Scenes in New Romance

Structuring your novel globally ensures a solid base. However, the way you build your individual scenes is just as important. Let's take a closer look at this.

Essential Types of Scenes

Meeting and Parting Scenes
They are filled with emotion and tension. They are here to define or redefine the relationship.

Intimacy Scenes
This doesn't just refer to erotic or explicit passages, or what some might call spicy. New Romance is not pornographic. Sex scenes are meant to strengthen the characters' emotional bonds and reveal their vulnerability. They expose themselves, both literally and figuratively.

Conflict Scenes
As in life, conflicts are necessary to highlight differences and obstacles. In a novel, they will create tension and drama.

Reconciliation Scenes
And once again, like in real life, we love reconciliations after the storm. They show the characters' growth, their ability to forgive, to move forward, and they strengthen the bond between the protagonists.

Internal Structure of Scenes

Objective
Each scene must have a clear purpose in the story. No small talking. Everything you describe, have them say or do, must be relevant to the narrative.

Conflict
Introduce an element of tension or challenge.

Emotional Consequence
The scene must impact the characters' feelings. If your scene doesn't bring any development to the characters or the plot, then say bye bye to it, it's useless.

Transition
Link each scene to the next to maintain the narrative flow.

5. Rhythm and Tension in the Structure

Rhythm is crucial in New Romance to maintain reader engagement. Like music, you need to alternate between intense moments and calmer ones to create a captivating dynamic. I invite you to listen to Beethoven's symphonies (a great figure of Romanticism) and analyze their construction to understand my comparison with music.

Creating an Effective Rhythm

To achieve an effective rhythm, alternate between scenes with high emotional impact and moments of respite. You can also write chapters of varying lengths to control the rhythm and end chapters on emotional cliffhangers.

Managing Romantic Tension

As we have seen earlier, it's all about building the tension gradually and escalating it throughout the novel. You can use moments that I'll call "almosts": almost kisses, almost confessions... to maintain the tension (I warned you I would use this term often). But since this is all about meticulous dosing, you must also create temporary relief moments before reintroducing... drum roll... the tension!

The "peaks and valleys" rule

Do you know the Roller Coasters? You know, those rides where you lose your voice and your dignity at the same time. Well, imagine you're the creator of a roller coaster, and your goal is to make your reader feel intense emotions. The "peaks" are moments of high emotional or dramatic intensity, and the "valleys" allow the characters and the reader to breathe and reflect (yes, because, on a roller coaster, there's always a moment when you wonder what you're doing there, don't say otherwise). As usual, you'll need to find the right balance between the two.

Create a graph of the emotional intensity of your story. This will help you visualize and adjust the pace and tension throughout the novel.

6. The importance of subplots

Subplots add depth to your New Romance and offer opportunities to explore various themes.

Common types of subplots

Personal Development
We explore the individual growth of the protagonists. Most often, this involves professional or personal challenges.

Family or Friendly Relationships
The relatives who orbit around your characters contribute to giving them depth since they are part of their history and construction. Moreover, you can reuse these relationships to create conflicts or support the main relationship.

Mystery or Suspense
This type of element requires careful groundwork but adds an additional very interesting element of intrigue. It may be related to a character's past or a current situation...

Integration of Subplots

Remember that everything is interconnected to serve your plot? So make sure each subplot is linked to the main plot and use it to reveal hidden or dark aspects of your characters. Be careful; these subplots will need to be resolved skillfully and, ideally, in connection with the resolution of the main plot.
I suggest you limit yourself to 2 or 3 main subplots to avoid overloading your story.

7. The Time Structure

Managing time in your New Romance can greatly influence the impact of your story. It must be carefully worked out to avoid making your story "unstable." But as Albert said, time is relative. It can be managed in different ways. The key is to choose a method and stick to it.

Choice of Time Structure

Linear
The simplest temporal operation. The story unfolds chronologically. Ideal and safe for a natural progression of the relationship.

Non-linear
More delicate since it involves using flashbacks or time jumps. If mastered well, it can add mystery or depth to your story.

Parallel
Here, we decide to follow two simultaneous timelines. This can be very useful for exploring the characters' past and present. Although this structure is an excellent starting point, don't make it too rigid a rule. Rules are meant to be broken, bypassed, twisted. Have fun, try things, dare. New Romance is often characterized by its fresh and innovative storytelling approach.

Managing the duration

Ask yourself the question. How much time passes in your novel? A few days, months, years...? Don't hesitate to use ellipses to skip over less important periods. Above all, be logical. Make sure that the progression of the relationship matches the chosen timeframe. Don't rush... The house, the baby, and the dog don't come after just three days of relationship.

Key temporal moments

Where does your story really begin? At what moments do changes in the relationship occur? Anniversaries, important dates can serve as landmarks in the story.

What might seem tedious but is very structuring for the temporality of your narrative is to create a detailed timeline of your story, including important past events for your characters. That way, you will always have this timeline as a reference to avoid mistakes.

8. Character structure

Although not strictly related to narrative structure, the way you build your characters directly impacts the structure of your New Romance.

New Romance archetypes

There are many archetypes in New Romance that you can easily find with a quick search online. The best-known ones are, for example: the tender-hearted bad boy, the young girl leaving her hometown to start a new life in an unfamiliar city, the mysterious millionaire who finds the time to hit the gym every day despite his busy professional schedule, or the passionate, introverted, and tortured artist.

Don't confuse stereotypes with archetypes. So you can have fun playing with these archetypes, subverting them, mixing them, to create unique characters.

Character development

Create detailed profiles for each main character, including their past, desires, fears, and goals. This information will be crucial to guide their development throughout the story. It's important to clearly establish who your characters are from the very start. The reader needs to understand who they're dealing with. If they don't understand who your characters are, they'll struggle to attach to them. Then, show their evolution throughout the story and ensure that their growth relates to their relationship.

Dynamics between characters

We've already seen it, you need to create an initial tension between the protagonists and then develop the chemistry between them through meaningful interactions. You will need to show how they complement and improve each other. A couple is a wonderful laboratory for personal development and elevation. Here are some major themes found in New Romance:

• Love heals past wounds;
• The power of vulnerability;
• Reconciling career and love life;
• Redefining happiness...

9. Advanced structuring techniques

For authors wishing to further master narrative structure, here are what I would call more "advanced" techniques.

Mirror structure

The events of the first half of the novel are reflected in the second half. This allows you to show character development in response to similar situations.

Loop structure

The story begins and ends in similar circumstances. This allows you to clearly show the transformation of the characters.

Fragmented structure

The story is told through non-chronological fragments. It's very interesting for creating mystery and intrigue, but it requires skillful execution!

The interweaving of viewpoints

Very common in New Romances, we alternate between the perspectives of different characters. Often the point of view of the heroine and that of the main love interest. This allows for an in-depth exploration of each protagonist's thoughts and emotions, thus giving the reader a "head start."

Conclusion

As you can understand, the structure of a New Romance is a clever mix of classic narrative elements and specificities of the genre. It's also about balance! By mastering these different structural aspects, you have all the ingredients to create a captivating love story that will resonate with your readers.

Remember that although these guidelines are useful, they are not absolute rules. New Romance is a codified genre but constantly evolving, and readers are often in search of new innovative approaches. Don't be afraid to experiment and find your own voice within this structure.

Emotion, authenticity, and connection with your characters are what will truly resonate with your readers. Use this structure as a guide, but let your creativity and passion for romance guide your writing.

And keep in mind that there is a certain mystery surrounding the success of a novel, like music or a film. A chemistry that is much easier to dissect after success than before! Proof of this is that not all books by the same author are necessarily best-sellers. So don't put too much pressure on yourself and above all, have fun!

Happy writing!