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Where do you find unique love story ideas?
This is a question people have asked me about writing romantic fiction.
The answer to that is simple: Unique Love Story Ideas are everywhere.
If you look at situations and people as subjects for your romance novels or novellas, it’s not hard to imagine stories around them, once you get in the habit of doing so.
From Your Own Relatives
Here is an example: Recently a distant relative of mine got married in Hawaii.
I saw the photos on Facebook, looked at the beautiful bride, and enjoyed the romantic, tropical setting.
I don’t know these people personally so I don’t know their actual story.
What I can do is use their photos as a jumping off point for creating a romantic plot.
The first step to coming up with a romance plot is to ask, what if?
What if the bride only knew the groom for a week before she married him?
What if the groom is on the run from the law?
What if the bride’s family doesn’t want her to marry him?
What if the bride has been married before—to an abuser who is after her?
What if leading up to the wedding, one of the couple became seriously ill?
At the Airport
If you have ever spent time in an airport waiting for your flight to be called, you’ve had lots of time to watch people and make up stories about them.
The tired-looking woman in the business suit – see her over there, texting – perhaps she has spent so much time on the road that her boyfriend is losing interest.
What does she have to do to keep her relationship alive?
Or, perhaps she is never in one place long enough to have a relationship but she longs for a romance and a family.
A man wearing climbing gear sits next to the window reading a newspaper.
Where has he come from and where is he going?
Is there a woman in the city wishing he loved her more than he loves the mountains?
You have enough conflict there to create a dynamic plot.
What about the couple hugging?
What’s the story behind their relationship?
At the Beach
Why is that young woman walking along the shore all alone?
Is she waiting for someone or did she just break up with her boyfriend?
The young adults playing volleyball on the beach all look so happy and carefree.
But what if that girl with the brown ponytail looks longingly at the tall, blonde guy who never seems to notice her? What is their story?
The choice, of course, is yours.
You can make up any tale you like about anyone you like.
Put them in a setting that appeals to you, and in a situation that is difficult.
Give them an attraction for each other, but lots of obstacles that they have to overcome before getting together.
When you figure out those basics, voilà!
You have a romantic plot.
About Wendy Dewar Hughes
Wendy Dewar Hughes writes award-winning inspirational suspense novels, and sweet romances set in contemporary times. Her fiction inspires and entertains readers with compelling plots, fascinating characters, and satisfying romance—page-turning fiction that is fast-paced and exciting with unexpected sparks of humor. She also writes non-fiction on spiritual and personal interest topics as well as business subjects. Find out more about Wendy at www.wendydewarhughes.com.
Learn how to write about love in exotic locations here.
Looking for a romantic summer beach read?
Try Sweet Summer Love.
Note: This post may contain some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure and privacy policies...
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