This is Ink & Intrigue—the blog where romance ignites, secrets simmer, and every love story hides a twist. I’m your blog host, Sheila Kell, romance author and lover of plot twists, slow burns, and morally questionable book boyfriends.

Every romance writer starts somewhere—and yes, we all trip over the same pitfalls. The good news? With a little awareness, you can dodge these traps and give your readers the swoony, page-turning love story they’re craving.

1. Forgetting the Romance is the Core

Romantic suspense? Historical romance? Paranormal? Doesn’t matter—the relationship is always center stage. Don’t let car chases, vampires, or epic worldbuilding drown out the heartbeats.

2. Insta-Love Without the Build-Up

Yes, attraction can spark fast. But readers want the journey—the banter, the stolen glances, the tension. Let the romance simmer. A love story tastes better slow-cooked than microwaved.

3. Perfect Characters = Boring Characters

Nobody relates to flawless heroes or heroines. Give them quirks, scars, and baggage. The best happily-ever-afters come from imperfect people choosing each other anyway.

4. Weak Conflict (a.k.a. Nothing Keeping Them Apart)

If the couple could’ve just talked it out in chapter two, your book ends there. The push-pull between them—internal doubts, external threats, clashing goals—is what keeps readers flipping pages at 2 a.m.

5. Skipping the Payoff

Romance readers want the kiss, the confession, the hard-won embrace. Don’t cheat them with a rushed ending. Deliver that satisfying HEA (Happily Ever After) or HFN (Happy For Now) they picked up your book for.

Bottom line: Avoid these mistakes, and your story has room to shine. Because romance isn’t about perfection—it’s about the messy, beautiful, earned connection between two people who discover love is worth fighting for.

Thanks for joining me on Ink & Intrigue, where romance and suspense go hand in hand.

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Want more behind-the-scenes content, writing tips, or a peek into my books? Visit sheilakell.com or follow me on social media at @sheilakellbooks.

Until next time—keep writing, keep swooning, and remember: every heart has a secret.