How to Write Romantic Fiction (12-week course)
Develop compelling love stories by exploring characterisation, relationships, and worldbuilding. Gain confidence and writing skills and receive personalised feedback to craft and refine your romantic fiction.
Have a great love story in mind?
Learn how to write romantic fiction with our 12-week course! Unlock the secrets of crafting captivating love stories in this expertly designed online tutored course. Whether you’re new to the genre or looking to refine your skills, this programme will guide you through the complexities of relationships, the thrill of passion, and the journey of self-discovery—all brought to life through richly drawn characters and compelling plots.
Through a combination of insightful lessons, interactive exercises, and practical assignments, you’ll learn how to design appealing characters, structure heart-warming narratives, and add humour and warmth to your love stories. Experience meaningful progress with personalised one-to-one feedback from your tutor, tailored specifically to your work.
This romantic fiction course will cover…
- The essence of romantic fiction – understanding the genre’s key elements.
- Crafting compelling hooks – developing central dilemmas or goals to drive your story.
- Characterisation & relationships – creating chemistry between unforgettable characters.
- Writing love, heartbreak, and passion – capturing raw emotion on the page.
- Style & emotional depth – using language to evoke powerful feelings.
- Building suspense – keeping readers engaged, even with a ‘predictable’ ending.
Designed for writers with no prior formal training, the course focuses on the foundational skills needed to structure and write compelling romantic fiction. Under the expert guidance of your tutor, you’ll receive personalised feedback on up to 5,000 words of your writing. Additionally, you’ll have a one-to-one tutorial to discuss your work in depth and explore your next steps as a writer.
Book your place by 10am BST, Thursday 14 May to take advantage of our early bird discount!
Start date
Monday 21 September
Location
Online
Length
12 weeks (please see course schedule below)
Price
£495* £445 early bird discount
*Payment plans available. Contact us at [email protected] to find out more.
Course format
This course is delivered across six fortnightly modules (see course programme below). The majority of the content is presented in text form via Teachable, allowing you to progress through the material chapter by chapter at your own pace. You will have two weeks to complete each module, after which you will submit an assignment directly to your tutor for personalised feedback and guidance.
The course also includes up to two live Zoom sessions: a welcome session in the first module, followed by a one-to-one tutorial with your tutor later in the course.
Click to find out more about the course structure and the equipment you may need.
Course programme
Please note, the module order and/or content of the course may be subject to change.
Module one – Understanding the genre
In this module, we will explore the definition of romantic fiction and delve into its various subgenres, including romantic comedies, romantasy, and period romances. We will examine the common tropes that define the genre and identify the essential elements that contribute to a compelling love story. Additionally, we will analyse the current market for romantic fiction by reviewing recent bestsellers and new publishing deals.
Module two – Concept
Here we will look at the choice of story or concept, which is crucial for successfully marketing a book. We will analyse the lead characters, the world and setting, and delve into the principles of high-concept fiction. Additionally, we will begin to outline the central dilemmas, goals, and obstacles that will shape your narrative, while also developing a compelling hook designed to attract potential book deals.
Module three – Characterisation
The most critical factor in determining the success of your romance novel lies in the likability and appeal of the characters. Readers must feel a connection with the protagonists and root for their journey. In this module, we will explore the creation of two compelling protagonists and the transformative journey they undertake to ultimately unite.
Module four – Putting it together
In module four, we will explore the fundamental elements essential for constructing your novel. We will begin by examining various structural approaches and the narrative perspectives you may wish to adopt. This module presents an excellent opportunity to consider experimenting with chronology and timelines, allowing you to determine how to present the sequence of events to your readers.
Module five – Style
While anyone can outline a story, infusing it with warmth, humor, and engagement presents a greater challenge. In this module, we will examine writing style and explore strategies for incorporating elements such as humor, warmth, and passion into your narrative.
Module six – Keep the pages turning
How can suspense be effectively crafted in a narrative with a seemingly predictable ending? In this final module, we will explore the challenge of maintaining reader engagement while incorporating an element of mystery into your romantic fiction. We will experiment with narrative structure and perspectives to introduce unexpected twists, and we will also focus on plotting your love story from start to finish.
Live sessions
There will be two live sessions for this course, which will take place over Zoom.
Timings for these sessions will be confirmed shortly.
Hear from former students
Got a question?
If you still have questions, get in touch with the learning team by email [email protected] or phone (+44) 01603 877177 between our working hours of 9am – 5pm GMT, Monday to Friday. We’re here to help!