Fiction Writing Made Easy

#168. Women's Fiction vs. Romance: What's The Difference?


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If you’re serious about becoming a published author, determining your novel’s genre is one of the most important things you’ll have to do. But sometimes that’s easier said than done, especially if your book toes the line between Women’s Fiction and Romance.

In this episode, I’m going to walk you through the difference between Women’s Fiction and Romance so you can write the best book possible and snag the attention of both agents and readers alike. You'll learn things like:

  • [02:12] Five different ways to talk about the genre of your story (and why it’s so important to know where your book fits in the market)
  • [04:18] How to tell the difference between Women’s Fiction and Romance—and why this difference really boils down to just one thing
  • [07:53] The key characteristics of a Romance novel—including my thoughts on romance genre tropes and creating sizzling character chemistry
  • [11:52] The defining traits of a Women’s Fiction novel (and how to develop your story’s plot when these stories tend to be so character-driven)
  • [19:13] Episode recap and final thoughts

If you’ve ever struggled to understand the difference between Women’s Fiction and Romance, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

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🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

  • Download the Women’s Fiction vs. Romance Cheat Sheet
  • Ep. 2 - Genre: The Key To Writing A Story That Works
  • Ep. 23 - The 6 Key Scenes Every Romance Needs
  • Ep. 38 - Romance Genre Conventions
  • Ep. 46 - The 6 Scenes Every Worldview Novel Needs
  • Ep. 25 - Worldview Genre Conventions
  • Ep. 84 - The 6 Scenes Every Status Story Needs
  • Ep. 70 - Status Genre Conventions
  • Book Club Replay: Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.

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Fiction Writing Made EasyBy Savannah Gilbo

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