In a recent post on this blog, we discussed the literary term “trope,” and its various meanings and translations in today’s fiction industry. Specific elements are familiar to authors and readers alike. Examples of thematic tropes might include topics, such as “Good triumphs over evil,” or “Bad guys wear black and good guys wear white.” Also common in the fiction industry, particularly in romance novels, are three specific love themes, which Christian authors may want to incorporate into their stories.
These three love themes leave room for many twists and turns in a story’s plot. Authors may steer them toward happy endings or tragedy, depending on their goals for a particular storyline or character. If you’re thinking of putting your romance writing skills to the test, one of these three themes might be a good place to start.
Love themes Christian authors can use to capture readers’ attention
While this list is by no means extensive, it provides launching off points for Christian authors who want to try writing romance novels:
- Opposites attract
- Dating by agreement, which (surprisingly) leads to true love
- Best friends fall in love
Depending on how many characters and subplots you incorporate into your next Christian romance novel, you might be able to use more than one of these love themes in the same story.
What is dating by agreement?
Dating by agreement, sometimes referred to as “fake dating,” is a common love theme in romantic comedy films, as well as Christian romance novels. Author Richard Paul Evans presents a perfect example of this love them in his romantic novel, “The Mistletoe Promise,” which was later made into a Hallmark movie. The basic premise of the story is that a man and woman who both despise the holidays sign a contract to be each other’s date for the Christmas season. Of course, true to the dating-by-agreement love theme, they wind up falling in love.
The other two love themes mentioned earlier can be equally entertaining for Christian romance novel readers. Most authors might consider it easier to write “opposites attract” stories over “best friends falling in love,” which can be challenging. Authors must first decide whether the love will be mutual or unrequited. Jo’s dual rejection of Laurie in Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” is a well-known example of unrequited love between best friends. Best-selling novelist, Jane Austen, on the other hand, wrote a happier ending for her characters in the best-friends-falling-in-love story, “Emma.” Which of these three love themes do you most enjoy as a reader or Christian fiction author?
