5 Mistakes New Romance Screenwriters Make (And How to Fix Them)

Budget-Breaking, Dialogue-Dragging, Reality-Dodging: 5 Fixable Sins of Romance Movie Writing

When I first started writing made-for-TV romance movies, my scripts were larger-than-life. Literally. I didn’t stop to consider budgets and the logistics of a 10-12 day maximum shooting schedule. Because of this, I did more rewrites than I’d like to admit. Perhaps I can save you from the same fate. Here are 5 mistakes new romance writers make, and how to avoid making them:

1. Too Many Characters - A made-for-TV romance movie has two leads. Typically a FMC and an MMC (though this can change if its a queer romance.) After that, you have your secondary characters - usually two “bounce off” characters, who your main characters confide in throughout their journey. At MOST, you can have eight featured speaking roles. A safer bet? Aim for six. SIX SPEAKING ROLES (including your main characters) Why? Most of these made-for-TV movies have extremely low budgets. They don’t want to pay another actor if necessary. Review your script and identify any unnecessary speaking roles. It’s likely that the barista who says “Next” doesn’t need to speak at all.

2. Too Many Locations - Reminder: These movies are filmed over 10-12 days, maximum. Every new location you write into your script means the cast and crew have to break down the current setup, relocate to the new location, and set up. Again and again and again. Not only do they lack the time required. They lack the budget. If you take anything away from this blog, TAKE THIS: RE-USE YOUR LOCATIONS AS MUCH AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE. There. I’m done YELLING.

3. Un-Earned Conflict - Yes, in every made-for-TV romance movie, there is going to be an “all is lost” point in which the boy loses the girl. Yes, there will be a miscommunication. Conflict ensues. However, just because conflict is “supposed to happen” doesn’t mean it should be forced. If you have created fully fleshed-out characters with wants, motivations, and flaws, use this information to develop organic conflict. Don’t just contrive some badly pieced together fight just because it’s page 70, and that’s what happens on page 70. Make it matter. Make this moment genuinely affect your character. Earn this moment.

4. Forgetting Tone - These made-for-TV romance movies are light-hearted fare. So lighthearted, in fact, that a production company once told me they’d prefer my FMC didn’t cry. Ever. “Too upsetting,” they said. While that may seem ridiculous— and I mean it IS— it’s important to remember that these movies are watched not for the quality, but for the aesthetic and the ambiance. The vibes. Don’t get too heavy. Don’t get too comedically broad.
   Keep it fun, fluffy, and festive.

5. Scenes that Don’t Drive Plot or Inform Character - Yes, these romance movies are chock-full of contrived moments where your two romantic leads are forced to do silly activities together. However, these moments are opportunities to show us your character’s strengths and weaknesses. How these two people are different (oil and water) and how they’re surprisingly similar. If they are baking cookies, make the recipe personal. An opportunity for one character to reveal something intimate and vulnerable. Every scene should push the plot forward or reveal character.

Writing Hallmark and Lifetime-style romance is a singular art. But once mastered, it’s so—SO— much fun!