How To Write A Romance Novel: An Expert Step-By-Step Guide To Writing Romantic Fiction

by Neil Black

Want to write a romance novel readers fall in love with? Then this book is for you.
How to Write a Romance Novel is your ultimate step-by-step novel-writing blueprint for writing romantic fiction. Whether you’re writing a sweet slow-burn or a steamy enemies-to-lovers dark romance, this book gives you the tools, templates, and confidence to write your novel. Practical exercises throughout make this novel writing guide also a great workbook, the best kind of blueprint to start your career as a writer of romance.

Inside, you’ll learn how

Plan, outline, and structure your romance novel romance beat by romance beat before you start writing.Create two perfect protagonists with believable chemistry, and give them unforgettable dialogue and a proper emotional arc.Master meet-cutes, break-ups and make-ups, happy-ever-afters or happy-for-nows, subplots, interfering exes and best friends, conflict, and more.Decide “how much sex is too much” for your book—and you!Build your career, developing a brand and writing in series, and understand your options for both traditional and self-publishing.
“What Neil doesn’t know about structure isn’t worth knowing.”
Emma Flint, author of Little Deaths and Other Women

Acclaimed novelist and writing mentor/editor Neil Black leads you every step of the way, with insider tips, industry knowledge, and expert techniques you won’t find in generic writing guides.

Plus! ACCESS TO FREE BONUS MATERIAL
Download the 20-Chapter Master Document – A customizable a downloadable tool that will help you plan, structure, and revise any novel in any genre

Click Buy Now and begin your journey – and career – in romance.

155 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2025

Reviews

[Kristina Stangl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fascinating Analysis to the World of Romance Novels!

A fascinating analysis to the world of romance novels! I discovered this book on a whim, and I’m so glad I read it! It’s so interesting!

This book is a golden guide for writing romance novels, and is perfect for both romance authors and readers alike. It’s divided into chapters and highlights several key points, such as: types of romance genres and sub-genres, writing formulas, classifying romance audiences, and my favorite part, using Pride and Prejudice as an entire case study!

Overall, a fantastic read and I highly recommend it.

[David Shanholtzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to know where to start on your journey to write a romance novel, Neil's book is a great starting point. Thanks to the author, I was provided an advanced free copy to read and provide a voluntary review. As a beginner novelist, I think that this book is a great extension of his "How to Write a Novel in 90 Days" book, which was written in a similar, friendly manner. As you read it, you don't have to struggle to understand heavy literary jargon, as he assumes you know little about the topic and guides you step-by-step from explaining the different types of romance novels that make up the genre through plot structure and character (relationship) development for the romance. The timing of romance development is crucial; thus, he makes suggestions on when and where to advance and grow the romance ARC in the course of your novel that are in line with current standards. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to other books he may author for different genres.

[Morally_Gray_Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

In ‘How to Write a Romance’, I found author Neil Black provides a mountain of information that is easy to understand, follow, and retain. The book held my attention from start to finish—too many points of fascination for me to list, so I ‘spun the wheel’ and chose 5 points of interest that set this book apart by way it was presented or for its uniqueness:
* History of Romance Novel
* Sub Genres of Romance
* Types of Conversations in Romance Novels and Their Strategic Purpose — subtopic
* Ten Pitfalls to Avoid in Romance Writing
* Part 2: Breaks down, at percentage placement in novel, what should be occurring — fascinating stuff.

This book is well worth the read—Whether you are looking to write, improve your writing, or just want to better understand the process.

*** Recommended ***

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jacobus Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Book

As a 40-year-old man fascinated by the process of writing books, I found How to Write a Romance Novel incredibly inspiring and practical! The clear, step-by-step blueprint broke down story structure in a way that actually makes sense, even if you’ve never tackled romance before. I especially appreciated the detailed guidance on character development, emotional arcs, and all those classic romance beats that keep readers hooked. The bonus chapter planning tools are a real game changer—ideal for keeping my writing organized and on track. With Neil Black’s expert tips and insider perspective, I now feel ready to finally write—and finish!—the kind of romance novel I’ve always dreamed of.

[Katrina Zarubinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful reference.

As an aspiring author, writing in a “romantasy” genre, I found the book very useful and informative.
It provides a great perspective of the variety to sub-genres under the”romance novels” umbrella, gives a lot of advices.
Definitely will be using it to improve my work.