Titles are my first flirtation with a story — the doorway, the dare, the whispered you want to see what’s inside, don’t you? And every genre pulls a different version of me forward. Rom-com titles get my wink and chaos. Paranormal romance demands teeth and danger. Contemporaries ask for pulse and intimacy. Romantic mysteries want secrets. And romantasy? Magic braided with longing. This is how I shape the first words that set the whole world in motion.

For me, characters don’t arrive politely. They show up like trouble — loud, messy, magnetic — and immediately start arguing with me about who they are. I don’t build them from a checklist. I meet them. A spark, a contradiction, a desire they can’t hide — that’s all it takes. From there, it’s pressure, emotion, and chaos until they sharpen into people who feel real enough to walk off the page and demand I write them right.

She wasn’t supposed to want him — and she definitely wasn’t supposed to kiss him. But one laugh, one look, one spark too many, and impulse took the wheel. Now that single reckless kiss has shifted everything between them… and there’s no going back.

He finally gathered the courage to confess — the words right there on his tongue, the moment charged and breathless — when a knock at the door cracked it all open. And the worst part? The person interrupting was the one man who could stop the confession cold.

She knew he was off-limits — the kind of man wrapped in rules, vows, and consequences — and that should’ve been enough to keep her away. Instead, the warning felt like a dare, and every careful, controlled glance he gave her only made the forbidden pull burn hotter.

They’re across the room, completely unaware, and somehow every tiny, ordinary habit they have feels like a secret meant just for you. You don’t fall for their smile or their voice — you fall for the way they chew pens, roll their sleeves, and tuck their hair behind their ear like they’re fighting a losing battle.

She swears she isn’t running — but her steps say otherwise. And when he catches her wrist and asks her to tell him she doesn’t love him… she realizes leaving was never actually an option.

He wasn’t supposed to want her — not when duty demanded distance. But when she steps close enough to shatter every rule he clings to, he realizes the real danger isn’t choosing her… it’s pretending he hasn’t already.

She wasn’t expecting a message from him—especially not a handwritten letter that cracked open everything she thought she knew. One confession, one truth, and suddenly her heart is shifting in ways she swore it wouldn’t.

They were close enough to share breath — the kind of almost-kiss that lives in the space between want and fear. He leaned in, she forgot how to breathe… and then her phone rang, shattering everything they weren’t ready to say.

She laughs too fast, too brightly, too much. Not because he’s funny, but because he’s honest — and honesty scares her more than anything. When he admits he likes her, the laughter stops… and something real starts to surface.

He swears he’s not jealous, but the tight fists, sharp tone, and the way he inserts himself into her conversation say otherwise. She notices every tell—but instead of calling him out, she lets the truth hang softly between them.

Romantic fiction has a special place in the hearts of many readers, including myself. There’s something special about devouring a story where love conquers, and characters' hearts and emotions run deep. But beyond the swoon-worthy moments and happily-ever-afters (HEA), this genre holds surprising benefits that enrich our lives in subtle yet powerful ways.

Writing stories has never been the problem—it’s writing great stories that stay with people. That’s why I enrolled in 14 free Reedsy courses, each one pushing me to grow in new ways. Whether it was plotting a novel, writing steamy romance, or sharpening my character arcs, I walked away with tools I use every day in my writing process. If you’ve been wondering whether those Reedsy courses are worth your time, I’m here to tell you: they are.

As an aspiring romance author, I’m always learning from those who’ve paved the way. In this post, I share seven powerful lessons from Jennifer Armentrout—tips that changed how I approach writing, building my brand, and staying true to my voice. Whether you’re just starting or deep into your journey, these insights are worth keeping close.

I’ve been writing stories since I was fifteen—some sweet, some steamy, all tucked away in my notebooks. Now, I’m finally sharing my journey, my stories, and everything I’ve learned about writing romance. Whether you’re a fellow writer or just here for the love stories, I’m so glad you found your way here.