Hello, lovely writers! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just dipping your toes into the romcom waters, one thing’s for sure: writing a romance that feels real, raw, and absolutely swoon-worthy is no small feat. But here’s the thing—writing romcoms is so much fun! In a romcom, you’re crafting a journey that sparkles with chemistry, banter, and those lingering glances that make hearts flutter. Trust me, writing inspiration is everywhere.
Writing romantic comedy is all about letting your characters navigate the hilarity and heartache of falling in love. It’s the perfect genre to showcase humor, deep connections, and unexpected truths that hit close to home. To help you write that heartfelt, laugh-out-loud romance readers won’t be able to put down, here are eight essential ingredients for finding that romcom magic.
1. Writing From Awkward Truths
We all have those little moments in life—the awkward “did they see that?” wave, the unintentional snort during a laugh, or the dawning realization that, oops, you’re head-over-heels in love with the person you’ve been bickering with all this time. Romcoms are like a mirror reflecting all the quirks and oddities of romance. Some of the best romcom moments come from embracing these awkward truths, the embarrassing slip-ups, and the quiet “Oh no, I think I might love them” moments.
Writing Inspiration Exercise:
Think about the last time you laughed at yourself or witnessed something ridiculous in public. Jot down three moments from your life where you felt awkward or clumsy. Then, imagine how one of your characters would react in the same scenario. For example, if you once spilled coffee on a date, imagine your protagonist doing the same and the ensuing banter that follows. This can be a great way to add a unique, personal touch to your romcom and create genuinely funny scenes that readers will relate to.
2. Build Tension with Small Details
Chemistry in a romcom is all about the tiny sparks that happen when characters notice little things about each other. It could be the way they tilt their head when they’re thinking, the exact curve of their smile, or the small habits that drive each other crazy. That’s the magic—these tiny details are the heartbeats of romance. Start by focusing on one detail that one character notices about the other and let it grow. That small detail will feel like it’s full of tension, and as it repeats, the connection between the characters deepens.
Deep Dive: How to Write Slow-Burn Tension
If you’re going for that slow-burn romance, where every glance feels charged with meaning, here’s a trick: imagine you’re writing a scene where your characters are just out of reach. Maybe they’re sitting side-by-side, their hands almost touching, and your lead can feel the heat from the other’s skin. Draw out that moment, describing every tiny sensation and thought that crosses their mind. The small details, like brushing hair behind an ear or even a lingering look, all build tension without a word being spoken. By the time your characters are ready to admit their feelings, your readers will be just as invested!
For writing inspiration, play on your own desires. What type of tension do you notice in your relationships? In those around you?
3. Let Characters Bring Out Each Other’s Messiness
Here’s the thing: we don’t fall in love with perfection; we fall in love with quirks, flaws, and all the little messy details that make us unique. When writing romcoms, it’s essential to embrace your characters’ imperfections and let them bring out each other’s less-than-perfect sides. Maybe your heroine is meticulous and controlling, while your hero is impulsive and relaxed. Or maybe he hides behind sarcasm to cover his insecurities, and she’s quick to call him out. Letting your characters clash and complement each other creates a rich, dynamic relationship that readers will love.
Writing Inspiration Exercise:
Think about the quirks of someone you love. Maybe they’re a bit of a neat freak, or perhaps they have a habit of cracking jokes at inappropriate times. Now, imagine how a character with that quirk would interact with someone who’s their opposite. Write a scene where they’re forced to work together—like organizing a surprise party, planning a road trip, or baking a cake. How do they handle it? What friction arises?
4. Writing Dialogue that Dances
In a romcom, dialogue isn’t just conversation; it’s foreplay. It’s the little back-and-forth, the teasing remarks, the subtext, and the sparks that fly with every word. Dialogue should feel like a game, a push and pull, a way for characters to express what they’re really feeling without saying it outright. Think of your conversations as a tennis match—each line a volley, each pause a breath before the next point.
How to Master Banter
When writing romcom dialogue, aim to keep it quick, witty, and full of subtext. Avoid heavy exposition or too much “telling.” Instead, let your characters express themselves through sarcasm, teases, or even playful jabs. For example:
“You know, if you keep scowling like that, your face might stay that way.”
“Maybe that’s the plan. Keeps annoying people like you at bay.”
This kind of dialogue not only shows their chemistry but also reveals personality traits without a single descriptive paragraph. Letting your characters say what they don’t really mean (while meaning every word) adds layers to the romance.
5. Bring Out the Heart in the Humor
While romcoms are often lighthearted and funny, the best ones are also incredibly heartfelt. Romance is vulnerable. It’s awkward, funny, a bit terrifying, and so, so worth it. By balancing humor with moments of real emotional depth, you can create a story that feels genuine and stays with your readers long after they finish the last page. For writing inspiration, my best advice to reflect on real-world experiences. If you don’t have many, look at the people around you. Trust me, writing inspiration is everywhere.
Balancing Act: Humor and Emotion
The key is to keep it real. Maybe your protagonist uses humor as a defense mechanism or constantly hides behind sarcasm. Then, when the moment finally arrives to be vulnerable, it becomes incredibly powerful. For instance, your character could make a joke in a vulnerable moment to break the tension, only for the other to say, “You don’t always have to be funny, you know.” Suddenly, the humor fades, leaving room for something raw and real.
6. Create a Memorable “Meet Cute”
The meet cute is a romcom staple, and it’s often the foundation for the entire story. The meet cute is the spark, the unexpected twist, the moment when two worlds collide, quite literally sometimes! Don’t worry about making it too grand. Sometimes the best meet cutes come from mundane, everyday situations that suddenly become memorable due to the characters’ reactions.
Crafting the Perfect Meet Cute
Think of a simple scene where your characters could meet: standing in line for coffee, both reaching for the same book at a library, or colliding during a morning jog. Now, throw in a unique twist. For example, maybe your lead accidentally spills their coffee on the other. The spilled coffee is just the setup, though. The magic happens in how your characters react, sparking that initial chemistry. Maybe they both laugh about it, or perhaps one is mortified while the other brushes it off. Use the meet cute to hint at who your characters are at their core and set the tone for their relationship.
7. Play with Tropes and Turn Them Upside Down
One of the best things about writing romcoms is the freedom to play with beloved tropes like “enemies to lovers,” “fake dating,” or “only one bed.” These tropes have been around forever for a reason—they work! But the real fun comes from finding ways to twist them, to add a fresh angle that makes the trope feel brand new and exciting.
Playing with Expectations
Let’s say you’re using the “fake dating” trope. Sure, you could have two characters pretend to be in love for practical reasons, but what if one of them is already halfway in love and goes along with it to see if they have a chance? Or maybe your “enemies” have been harboring secret crushes all along. Twist the trope by playing with your readers’ expectations. It’ll keep them on their toes and make your story feel fresh and unpredictable.
8. The Grand Gesture, Redefined
The grand gesture is the climactic moment in a romcom, that final “I love you” moment when one character bares their heart. But here’s the thing—the grand gesture doesn’t need to be big and flashy. Sometimes, the sweetest gestures are the quietest, the most intimate, and personal.
How to Make the Grand Gesture Matter
Think about what would mean the most to your characters. Is it something they’ve wanted to hear, an apology, or even just the acknowledgment of a small but significant fact about them? Perhaps they’ve been craving validation, or maybe they just need to know they’re accepted as they are. By making the grand gesture deeply personal, you’re showing that the character truly sees the other. This turns a traditional romcom moment into something unforgettable.
Ready to Write Your Romcom?
Writing a romcom is all about celebrating the hilariously awkward and unexpectedly profound moments of falling in love. It’s about two people who find themselves, sometimes despite their best intentions, irresistibly drawn to each other. And in every romcom story, there’s a little piece of magic that makes it uniquely yours.
So, grab your laptop (and maybe a coffee!), find a cozy spot, and dive into that story. Writing inspiration is everywhere – all you have to do is look for it. Let your characters collide, clash, and connect in messy, wonderful ways. And remember: the best stories come from life’s little surprises, from all those times when things don’t go according to plan… and love walks in anyway.
Happy writing!