How to Become More Romantic

For anyone who likes to write about romance, yet often finds themselves uninspired, I have one very important bit of advice:  Get Gregory J.P. Godek’s book “1001 Ways to Be Romantic.” Not only will you find scads of fabulously romantic ideas already written out, but this book will soon have you generating some romantic ideas of your own.  This author works very hard to change the reader’s perception of romance, his theme being that romance is not about big gestures, but little ones. 

The ones that melt our hearts, soften our minds, and make us sigh with longing.  It is the thoughtful things that can actually make a person (and often a reader/writer) melt versus the big gestures which are often commercial or just plain wrong.  Godek will show you how something as simple as a post-it note can become more exciting than roses.  So, if you are a writer that needs some romantic inspiration, “1001 Ways to Be Romantic” is a must-have for your shelf.  It will take your characters beyond the ordinary to the extraordinary. 

Here are 25 of my favorite ideas that can be applied to any romance novel (although keep in mind, this is my interpretation of some of Godek’s ideas):

#55:  Hide Erotic Notes and Small Gifts in Random Places (Such as under the pillow, in a purse or briefcase, under the dinner plate, etc.)

#110:  Add Candlelight to Any Meal (or Event) 

#117-144:  Instead of a Day of Romance, Make it a Month of Romance.  Do something special everyday for an entire month, whether delivering a single flower, taking walks, having a picnic, and son on.

#149:  Lie if necessary.  (By this, Godek means that it is okay to lie to your partner if you have a wonderful surprise planned.  His reasoning:  “The end justifies the means.”)

# 195:  Have the Hero Brush the Heroine’s Hair

#204:  Change a bad habit in the name of love, especially one that annoys the Heroine.  Make him stop gambling, change his appearance, have him give up other woman…all without the Heroine having to ask. 

#238:  Go lingerie shopping together. 

#250:  Build Anticipation by leaving an erotic note of what the Heroine would like to do to the Hero later.  It will be all he will be able to think about.  (This works well with “no undergarments” also.)

#257:  Try an exciting new adventure together (like hot air ballooning).

#277:  Have the Hero add to the Heroine’s entire collection of…whatever.  Music, trinkets, stamps, books by a particular author…whatever the Heroine is fond of. 

#333:  Instead of having your Hero buy a piece of jewelry for the Heroine, why not have him design one.  Think of how silly but touching such a gift could be. 

#348:  Have your Hero or Heroine attempt to be completely supportive, positive and non-judgmental for a specific period of time no matter how awful the other person is being. 

#359:  Have the Hero go out of his way to do something nice for the Heroine.  (It may sound a bit nerdy, but what woman doesn’t appreciate this from the man in her life?)

#374:  Give him/her a favorite toy or trinket from his/her childhood. 

#424:  Have a secret look or gesture that communicates the desire to be private immediately.

#449:  Make a list of “Ten Reasons Why I Married You.”  (This could be a very intriguing character quirk for a Hero/Heroine…the incessant need to make lists.)

#459:  Create a Romantic Ritual, like swapping unwanted food from each other’s plate, bathing together every morning, or bringing the other person a cup of tea before bed every night. 

#627:  Have your Hero interview someone from the Heroine’s past who might know a bit more about what she likes and doesn’t like, and then have him surprise her with it. 

#647:  Read the newspaper in bed together.  (This goes will with the Romantic Ritual idea.)

#653:  Have your characters work together to cook a meal.

#690:  Have a meal together in an unusual place, such as a museum, the airport or train station, or even by the side of the road in the middle of nowhere.

#722:  Have your Hero stop to pick wildflowers from a field or the side of the road for the Heroine.

#745:  Name the Hero’s boat/horse/car (etc) after the Heroine.

#772:  Have your Hero or Heroine keep old mementos from their past; anything like love letters, a journal, ticket stubs, pressed flowers, etc. 

And #813:  Have your Hero or Heroine do something totally out of character.