Making the heroine fall in love with your hero is easy. It’s much harder making the reader fall in love with him too.

In my guide to real-life romance, I’ll Have What She’s Having, I describe ten romantic commandments to keep romance alive. The same 10 tips work equally well in fiction.
1.
THOU SHALT COMMUNICATE, REMEMBER, ATTEND and EXPERIMENT with your romance
Don’t have main characters tell minor characters things they should tell each other.
Make them almost psychically aware of each other.

2.
THOU SHALT NOT KILL OFF THY ROMANCE THROUGH NEGLECT
Make sure the romance remains the main focus of your book.

3.
THOU SHALT CONSIDER THY PARTNER BEFORE ALL OTHERS
The greater the sacrifices you show them making for each other, the more emotionally powerful your story will be.

4.
THOU SHALT NOT STEAL TIME AND ATTENTION FROM THY PARTNER
In fiction this means any issue must have an effect on the relationship, good or bad. Children and other issues only matter as they affect the romance.

5.
THOU SHALT REMEMBER SPECIAL OCCASIONS
A hero who makes grand gestures on special occasions, or creates his own special moments, is to die for.

6.
THOU SHALT CHOOSE AND GIVE GIFTS WITH ALL THE LOVE AND CARE POSSIBLE
Unusual gifts and gestures help define your characters. Have him woo her through his gifts. They may be valuable or of sentimental value.

7.
IF IN DOUBT, PLANT SOMETHING, GROW SOMETHING OR COOK SOMETHING TO SHARE
Use such moments to show your characters becoming closer despite the conflict keeping them apart.

8.
THOU SHALT LOVE THY PARTNER AS THYSELF
Your characters’ words and deeds should reveal them as you want the reader to see them. Avoid having them behave dishonestly or unkindly even if they’re well motivated.

9.
THOU SHALT NOT COVET ANY OTHER PARTNER
Any other romance should ideally be over before the hero and heroine get involved, so you keep the spotlight on the two of them.

10.
THOU SHALT APPLY TWO QUALITIES FOR A BLISSFUL UNION: DESIRE and COMMITMENT
Your characters should demonstrate both these qualities. They desire each other from first sight, but something big is at stake – their entire futures - if they’re not committed to solving their problems.

© Valerie Parv 2004