How to Edit a Romance Novel

Do you want to learn how to edit a romance novel so you can join a profitable and in-demand editing niche? Romance novels are a booming industry, with book sales generating around $1.4 billion per year. The popularity of these novels has only been increasing since the COVID pandemic and the rise of social media spaces – such as BookTok and Bookstagram – dedicated to the genre. And because 30% to 34% of all ebooks are written by self-published authors, there’s plenty of opportunity to connect with potential clients.

In this post, we’ll review the fundamentals of romance novel editing. By the end, you’ll be familiar with the common features of the genre and the key responsibilities of romance editors.

What Is a Romance Novel?

Romance is a popular genre that focuses on the romantic relationship between two people. Romance novels typically have an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending. Although almost all romance novels focus on the development of the relationship between the two main characters. Other elements, such as the setting, plot, and time period, can vary greatly from story to story. For example, some romance novels take place during the Regency era of British history, and some are set in modern New York City.

For hundreds of years, the romance genre has existed in some form, with roots tracing back to the 18th century. At that time, romance novels were unique because they were one of the few types of fiction written by women. And, they featured female protagonists. Around the 1950s, publishing companies such as Harlequin and Mills & Boon popularized the mass marketing of romance novels. The genre has since expanded to include a wide range of different characters and types of relationships.

Some well-known examples of romance novels include Emma by Jane Austen, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, and A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks. There are plenty of contemporary examples, too, such as The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover, and The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary.

How to Write a Good Romance Novel

To write a good romance novel, it’s important to keep your readers invested in the story from the beginning to the end. That means creating relatable, three-dimensional characters, a well-paced plot, and an emotionally satisfying ending that resolves the story without leaving any loose ends. To ensure the ending pays off for the reader, it’s important to create romantic tension between the main characters. Things between them shouldn’t be all sunshine from the very beginning; there should be some conflict to resolve before the end!

Strong character development and compelling dialogue are also essential features of romance novels. Because there usually isn’t as much fast-paced action or adventure in romance novels as there is in other genres (such as science fiction or horror), authors rely on character growth and banter between the main characters to keep the plot moving. Characters should be likable, and dialogue should be engaging (e.g., not too much exposition) to build interest in the story. Keep in mind that creating likable characters readers care about doesn’t mean that those characters have to be boring. Characters can be flawed and still appeal to readers (think of the gruff yet beloved Mr. Darcy in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice). 

What Does a Romance Novel Editor Do?

The modern romance genre is very diverse, so a romance novel editor’s responsibilities will vary depending on the tone, voice, and narrative elements of the book. In addition, some romance novel editors are self-employed or freelance while others work in-house for publishing companies.

However, some of the typical responsibilities most romance novel editors share are:

• Editing for structure: Editing romance novels may involve working with an author to develop their manuscript from the beginning, often right after the first draft is complete. This is known as structural or developmental editing. 
• Developing characters: Editors help to develop multidimensional characters whose actions and motivations are believable. This responsibility could include flagging character behavior or storyline inconsistencies for the author.
• Editing dialogue: An important task for editors is to polish dialogue to ensure it sounds natural and advances the plot. You may need to localize dialogue to match the setting and time period of the story (e.g., considering the context of antiquated language or whether certain colloquialisms were popular during a specific era). 
• Checking grammar and style elements: Romance novel editors check for grammatical correctness, natural phrasing, and a consistent narrative style. Depending on the publisher of the manuscript, they may also have to stick to a specific style guide.
• Collaborating: A single novel may go through several rounds of editing, so it’s important that romance novel editors have the skills to communicate and collaborate with authors and publishers.

5 Tips for Editing a Romance Novel

If you’re a new or an aspiring editor, check out the following five tips for editing a romance novel.

1. Focus on the Romantic Arc

The most important element of a romance novel is the central romantic relationship between the main characters. As an editor, be sure to keep the romantic tension palpable throughout the entire story and pay special attention to any plot points that drag or seem out of place. It’s also essential to ensure that the resolution isn’t too rushed or abrupt. An unsatisfying ending could leave the reader disappointed, even if the rest of the story is solid.

2. Strengthen Character Voices

The characters are the core of every romance novel, so each character should have a distinct voice that reflects their personality. Pay attention to point of view, dialogue, and inner thoughts to ensure they’re consistent and match the established traits of the specific character.

3. Ensure Plot Consistency

Double-check the plot for any inconsistencies or plot holes. Every event should logically follow from the previous one, so flag any out-of-order elements for the author. Also, check for confusing elements related to the timeline of events. Although you don’t have to tell a story chronologically (e.g., you can use flashbacks and dreams to further the plot), the overall series of events should flow well and make sense to the reader.

4. Polish the Prose

Romance novels often include vivid descriptions and emotional language. Ensure that the prose is evocative without being repetitive or over the top. Romance novels can sometimes have a reputation for being “cheesy,” so avoid cliched or overused language that could leave the reader rolling their eyes.

5. Take Your Time

Romance novel editing can be somewhat complex because it involves many unique voices that you’d need to preserve. Be sure to take your time editing and consider the intended audience. For example, is it a young adult romance, or is it aimed at a specific niche market? If possible, read the entire manuscript before editing so you truly understand the plot points and character motivations.

Becoming An Editor

Are you interested in learning more about the different genres you can work with as a professional freelance editor? Check out our comprehensive Becoming An Editor course. It teaches you everything you need to know about launching a successful freelance editing business, including the different kinds of clients you can expect. Claim your two free lessons and get started learning today!