Regency Lady in whiteIt surprises me a little when people ask me why I chose to write romance. I didn’t honestly choose to write romance, it sorta chose me. I never woke up one day and said, “The romance market is really successful over other genres, so that’s what I’m going to write.” It happened over time. My earliest attempts at writing were adventure and mystery. Later, I turned to science fiction. By my teens, I was writing fantasy. As an adult, I finally wrote historical–with elements of adventure, mystery, and even a little fantasy. In all these earlier genres, progressively more and more romance subplots crept into the stories.

My favorite books and movies are very character-driven, meaning the characters are interesting and well-rounded, with a balance of strengths and weaknesses. These favorite tales have characters who get a satisfactory ending, triumph over their challenges, and are happier at the end of the story than at the beginning. And if there’s a little romance, I like that even better.

Writing romance evolved over time, as what I wrote tended to center around characters overcoming obstacles to succeed in their goals and find love in the process. Now my stories center on romance, how characters find each other and realize that they are better, stronger, happier people as a couple than they were alone, AND overcome obstacles to succeed in their goals. Those are the best endings, don’t you think?

People also often ask why I write “PG-rated” romance, also known as “sweet” or “clean” romance. That answer is very simple; that’s where my comfort zone is. I prefer to read and write stories that don’t go into the very private, intimate details of bedroom scenes nor have swearing, profanity, or overt innuendos. Many people, including my own agent, have encouraged me to write hotter romances, or even put in “just one little sex scene” because, as we all know, “sex sells.”

True, I probably would sell more books and therefore make more money, but that would feel as though I’m selling out. I need to be true to myself, and write the kinds of books that I like to read–romances that have interesting, relatable characters, fun plots, plenty of chemistry, and a few detailed kissing scenes. Anything beyond that either does not occur in the course of the novel, or happens behind closed doors.

I think Jane Austen would approve, don’t you?

What kinds of books do you love to read?

 

Author of Historical Romance and Fantasy, award-winning author Donna Hatch is a sought-after speaker and workshop presenter. Her writing awards include the Golden Rose and the prestigious Golden Quill. Her passion for writing began at age 8 she wrote her first short story, and she wrote her first full-length novel during her sophomore year in high school, a fantasy which was later published. In between caring for six children, (7 counting her husband), her day job, her work as a freelance editor and copywriter, and her many volunteer positions, she still makes time to write. After all, writing IS an obsession. All of her heroes are patterned after her husband of over 20 years, who continues to prove that there really is a happily ever after.

16 Thoughts on “Writing “Sweet” Romance”

  • Just want to thank you for writing clean romance. This is the only kind I read. I have read one of your books and am currently halfway through another. I plan on reading them all. I really enjoy your writing and hope you put out many more books in the future.

  • The world needs more clean romances. It’s commendable that you write the standards you believe in! Thank you! Jane Austen would definitely approve!

  • I hope you aren’t tired of hearing it, but I also want to thank you for writing clean romances! You are a fantastically talented author. Your style, humor, character depth, unique stories, chemistry…. I have thoroughly enjoyed your books, thank you. It sounds like you are an incredibly busy woman, but I do hope you’ll one day be able to tell us Grant’s story? 🙂 No need to reply – I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful work, and for sticking to higher moral standards in a world that is abandoning and changing its standards left and right.

  • I have to say, I love that you write clean romances. I find it very hard to find decent romance books. I love Jane Austin and Georgette Heyer and people who write intelligent, clean, historical novels like them, are in the minority. Keep writing such books please and don’t give into pressure to do otherwise. Anyone can write smut but it takes talent to write captivating, intriguing love stories that warm the heart. Thank you for such books 😉

    • Thank you so much, Vanessa. Your kind comment means a great deal to me! And you’re right–the pressure do write “just one little sex scene” is very real (even from my own agent)but I promise to continue writing clean and wholesome, yet swoony romances. I really appreciate your support!

  • I hope you never run out of stories to write! You have a wonderful talent of writing clean historical romances with characters who come alive on the pages and take a journey of self revelation and growth. You manage to create a great chemistry in the love relationships that is steamy in it’s own right without the need for explicit sex scenes. Some things are better left to the imagination. I look forward to future Regency romances and I hope you will write another series with characters that are connected. It’s fun to see them pop up in subsequent books.

  • I was googling clean romance novels and your name was on top. I’m happy to find that there are authors who prefer this type of writing. I myself would like to learn more about developing my writing in that area, so I’ll be reading your books!

  • I want to thank you for writing this article without denigrating sexier books. I am writing a sweet story – not clean – and I have been so disheartened by the condescension and scorn in “how to” and “best practices” articles. So, thank you.

    • Thank you, Alexis. I’m sorry you’ve met with such challenges and criticism. We all have different preferences, and there’s room for us all, so we writers should encourage and lift one another. Good luck with everything!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.