Getting in the Romance in Romantic Elements

Thank you so much to Shona for inviting me to guest blog at Winkgirls today! My debut historical novel with romantic elements, IN A TREACHEROUS COURT, is due for release on August 9th, and I thought I'd explore the concept of weaving romance through a book that could work without it, but not, in my opinion, nearly so well.

My two main characters are based on real people (as are many other characters in the book) and one of the things that drew me to their story was their romance. If they hadn't had one, it wouldn't have gone in the book, but they did marry in real life, so I am able to weave a love story through the main plot with a clear conscience. Of course, their marriage could have been a cold, dispassionate contract for political gain, but as my heroine was not the daughter of a courtier, that seems extremely unlikely. In fact, given Parker, my hero's, position at court, it is almost amazing that Henry VIII did not marry him off to another courtier's daughter. Instead, Parker marries an artist from Ghent (which is in modern-day Belgium). A mystery indeed. And I took that as full evidence of a love match :) .

One clear difference from a straight romance to a novel with romantic elements, is I did not see the need for a lot of conflict between the two main characters. I'm providing them with a lot of external conflict, and their relationship is something of a port in a storm for both of them through most of the book. They work out early on they can trust each other, and they do not hesitate to do so. That trust helps them, and furthers their cause, in a way that makes the whole so much more than the sum of its parts.

Also, because there is a lot of action, and a great deal else happening, as well as their growing relationship, I haven't added a a lot of dialogue between them about their feelings. Actions most definitely speak louder than words and there is an understated sexual tension, and a delight that they take in each other's company, that I hope permeates the book.

I think it's safe to say the book would not have been half as interesting if Parker and Susanna did not have a romantic relationship, and I think that's true for most books. Which is why romance is the biggest seller and so many mainstream books have at least some romantic element to them. Vive l'amour!

Michelle Diener lives in Australia with her husband and two children. She's worked as an editor, a publisher, managed a small IT business, and now writes full time. Her debut historical novel, IN A TREACHEROUS COURT, is due out with Simon & Schuster's Gallery Books on August 9th, and the second book in the series, KEEPER OF THE KING'S SECRETS, is due for an early 2012 release. You can find out more about her at her website http://www.michellediener.com/, her group blog http://www.magicalmusings.com/ or follow her on twitter http://twitter.com/#!/michellediener or Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michelle-Diener/196593580366013

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