Also requested by some workshop participants in Ohio, the list of popular romance novel themes that I ran through very quickly (too quickly, apparently). Be aware that there are literally hundreds of possible themes. These are just a few I jotted down off the top of my head as examples.
You must let go of the past before you can move forward
Love is better the second time around
Love can triumph over unfortunate circumstances
Opposites attract
Compromise is necessary for a strong relationship
To be grown up means taking responsibility for your life
You must not be afraid to reach for an impossible dream
There’s no place like home
Good triumphs over evil
Love triumphs over fear
You can’t take responsibility for anyone’s life but your own
A family doesn’t have to be related through blood
Home is where you make it
Money can’t buy happiness
True intimacy must include complete trust
Love can tame a beast
You must learn to accept your lover as they are
If you can think of other good themes, please add them in the comments!
I like this theme:
You must let go of the past before you can move forward.
This would fit in many Genre’s. I do hope others jump in and add to the theme list.
I am typing up my notes from the class. Don’t know why I didn’t take my netbook.
Sigh.
Sharon, that is one of my favorite themes, too, and in fact the one I used for my book that comes out in March, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH.
Another of my favorite themes is, “People CAN change.” In other words, a leopard CAN change his spots.
Kara
These are great themes and I just picked up a few for my next romance book.
Great! Glad to know this blog post is still being read, and is useful!
life is deep…
You must let you mind love who it loves.
These are great! Nice compilation.
Fitting in doesn’t mean liking everything, and doing the same things; it means finding your true identity
That is the perfect theme for the WIP I’m struggling with right now. I’ll play with it a little, but yeah, I’m totally stealing it. Thank you Maude!.
Thanks for this list. I’m working on a new series, and many of these fit quite nicely. All my books tend to have an overall theme of finally fitting in once you learn to accept who you truly are. This usually happens when the characters see themselves through the eyes of someone who loves them despite(or because of) whatever flaw they have been ashamed of.