RomCom Writing Tips

Here are links to my various posts with tips for writing a RomCom or Romantic Comedy.

The Romantic Comedy Protagonist

For tips for writing the RomCom Protagonist, see this post. Here’s the summary list:

The RomCom protagonist should be:

  • a NonHero/incomplete;
  • likable (my own take) or at least empathetic;
  • have a WANT that is the opposite of what they NEED;
  • complex;
  • obsessed with something – the WANT;
  • funny;
  • trying very hard to obtain what they want;
  • honest and true-to-life at the core.

And check out this post about Defining Your Comic Character Clearly.

The Romantic Comedy Plot

For the RomCom Plot beats, see:

The Romantic Comedy Triangle

For Romantic Comedy Triangles or How to Use the Wrong Guy/Girl in a Romantic Comedy, see these posts:

  • This post on Crafting the RomCom Bellamy
  • This post analyzing ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE to show how to use the Wrong Guy/Girl in a RomCom

The Comedy Set Piece

For thoughts about crafting the Comedy Set Piece, see:

Comedy Tips

For posts with comedy tips, check out:

  • my post on OVERBOARD (and using a scam to create comedy)

More RomCom Writing Tips Resources

  • Writing the Romantic Comedy by Billy Mernit
  • How to Write a Romantic Comedy by Jane Lovering and Rhoda Baxter
  • “You had us at Hello” Podcast with Billy Mernit and Tess Morris
  • The Comic Hero’s Journey by Steve Kaplan
  • Steve Kaplan’s videos on the comic hero’s journey
  • The Comedy Audio Course by Steve Truby
  • Masterclass article on writing the romantic comedy
  • This American Life episode on Rom-Coms