When writing a book, you don't HAVE to add romance, right?

Question: When writing a book, you don't HAVE to add romance, right!?

I mean, whenever I write a story and it has romance in it, my parents get all!.!.!.uncomfortable!. It's a religion thing but I dont want that to come in the way of me writing a great book!. So I dont neccesarily HAVE to add romance, do I!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

You don't necessarily have to add romance, but most books that are mass marketed do have underlying romantic themes!. There is almost always tension between you hero/heroine and another character!.

I'm wondering, you say it's a religion thing!. I'm kind of wondering if it is an age thing with your parents!. You don't give your age, but I have to wonder if because of their faith, they feel that maybe you are too young to be writing things like this!. Try talking to them and explaining that you are not looking to be explicit and ask them for honest reasoning why they feel you should not be writing romance into your themes!. If you could assure them that you are presenting the romance in a faith-friendly way, they may feel reassured!.

You can't make them comfortable with their child growing up- they just want to make sure that you are following your faith and not making poor choices for your life!. I highly doubt that writing a psycho-thriller would make you a killer, but they may feel that romantic/sexual situations may make you a bit more free wheeling with your morals and sexuality!.

Approach them and have a very open and honest discussion!. Knowing what makes them uncomfortable is a great way to deepen your relationship with them and gain critique on your writing!. They may feel that you are too accurate for their liking, but you will never know until you ask!

Good luck and happy writing!Www@QuestionHome@Com

No it doesn't have to have romance!. But I don't know what you mean by "romance!." Do you mean sex!? Are your characters just romantically involved with a boyfriends/girlfriends!? Is there a love interest that is driving the story, or is it just a sidestory!?

All of these things can add (or subtract) from a story depending on how they're used!. Conflict from a character can be driven by a lost, or potential love, but the same impact can be had from a jealous sibling or a mean boss!.

*Edit: also, like SeanB said, you have to be practical with your writing!. It would be best if you could sit down with your parents and discuss with them what they think it appropriate, then explain why you put it in your story!. What does it do for your characters!. One can always hope that you'll be able to reason out an agreement with them about what is and isn't acceptable!.

However, that's not always possible!. Everyone has to learn to work with some sort of limitations!. If you go bigtime and get published, then editors will be telling you what to cut and what to include!. It's just part of the game, whether from your parents or an agent or a publisher!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I know a lot of great books that never mention anything romantic!. The Hobbit, a classic fantasy, doesn't even have a girl character in it!.

Of course, if you don't put romance into your book, you have to remember that your audience changes!. Instead of girls, your book will have to be more for guys!. Many girls would get bored if a book didn't have romance!. Guys would welcome that book with open arms!.

No one HAS to add romance to a book!. Some people even prefer books without romance!. It's all up to you, the author, to decide on what goes into your book!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

If you are not writing a romance per se, no, you don't need to!. You can always add affection without it being physical!. I really don't understand what your parents are uncomfortable about!. Love is part of life, didn't they fall in love, get married and have you!? Remember that romance is not about the physical only, it's the emotional aspect what makes it engaging in a book!. How you describe it and make the readers connect with the characters emotions!. Work on that instead!. You don't need to add sex at all!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It depends on the novel!.

If it's a romance, clearly that's rather difficult to do!. If it's not, then it doesn't matter!. You can have some, but you don't have to!.

But I agree, you shouldn't write what your parents want you to do, or not write something because it makes them uncomfortable, you should write for yourself!. Sometimes it's good for people to be uncomfortable; novels should give you lots of different feelings!.

There's no sense in stifling your creativity for the benefits of your parents!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Unless it is a children's book!. Most stories have some underlying romantic part even if they don't come out right and say it!. People in general like love and when they read they like to picture characters together!. You don't have to put them together physically but put in there a sneaked kiss, or warm embrace, or a thought reflection towards the other person!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

There is the practical answer- no, not every book has romance in it!. I have never read a how-to book with a kissing scene!.

Then there is another layer of practicality!.!.!.!. I am assuming you are under 18 and living with your folks!.!. that gives them the authority to make the rules!. It doesn't sound like they are stopping you, just concerned that you not get too ahead of yourself!. Yes, as an artist you should be free to pursue your craft and all that, but your parents are you parents!. Even great artists had patrons that influenced what they wrote, painted, sculpted!.

So listen to your heart (and when push comes to shove) your folks and things will work themselves out!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

it's not necessary to add romance into ur story!. If u think that everybook has to have romance element in it,then u r wrong!. Many best seller books doesnt have romance in it!. A story just have to be able to captivate the hearts of the readers and contains a great suspence element!. Most authors used romance in their story coz it would make their story more interesting and many readers espeacially teens love to read a book that contains romance!. So,just write ur book according to what ur heart tells u!.!.not what others tell u!Www@QuestionHome@Com

I don't think you have to add romance to make it a good book!. But, I'm a Christian myself, and I've read tons of Christian romance novels!. Just adding romance doesn't mean you have to add sex scenes or anything dirty!. It can still be clean and sweet and be fine with any type of religion!. Read a few of Janette Oke's books, or Lori Wick, and you'll see what I mean!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

no, you don't HAVE to!. sometimes, it just doesn't work with some plots!.

but if you actually want to write a story with some romance in it and your parents won't let you, sit down with them and ask them why, exactly!. lots of books have romance where there's no sex or anything!. it's just two people who care about each other a lot!.

good luck with your story, anyways!Www@QuestionHome@Com

No, you don't but it always seems to me that books with romance in it are a little more interesting!. If u are writing a story and feel like adding romance, then do! you should always write just the way you are!. try to make your parents understand that you like to add romance to your booksWww@QuestionHome@Com

You do not need to include romance to have a novel!. But you should write what is inside of you!. It is a novel after all and the religion factor should have nothing to do with things!. Parents opinion or not!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Your parents should respect what you right and most books you read do have somekind fo romance storyline!. If YOU want romance in your story then put it in, i'm sure your parents will be able to respect you for thatWww@QuestionHome@Com

oh no no no, romance doesn't have to be in every book!. it just seems there is usually a little love interest in each book I've read lately, maybe it's good that you give that a change! Www@QuestionHome@Com

I've read plenty of books with no romance at all!. As long as it's got a good plot, it's good!. And don't let your parents get in the way of your writing!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You shouldn't get parents getting in the way of your thinking nor writing!.!.!.

Aspecially when they're religious!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

No, you don't!. Just write what you feel like writing!. Not all stories have romance in it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

no of course not!.!.!.!.write about whatever you wantWww@QuestionHome@Com

Yes but do you want to SELL your book!?Www@QuestionHome@Com