How Do You Write a Gay Romance? The Answer is Simple…

 

Hi, my name is Kelli Wilkins, and I write gay (M/M) romances. I also write straight romances, historicals, paranormals, and just about any other romance genre you can think of. But I get a lot of questions about “why” or “how” I write gay romance. “Why would you write one of those? You’re not a man or gay.” I generally respond with: “Why shouldn’t I? I wrote a vampire romance, and I’m not a vampire.”

When my gay romance A Secret Match came out, a friend asked me: “How do you write a gay romance?” I replied: “The same way I wrote my historical Viking romance. I wrote the story that was in my head.”

And that’s how you write a gay romance. Just write the story. Let the characters tell you what happens and start typing. Writing a gay romance is really no different than writing a romance in any other genre, but some people get hung up on the idea of writing intimate love scenes, not understanding how the characters should act, or getting the story right—but that could happen when you’re writing any book, in any genre.

Let’s go back to English class for a minute. All good books (regardless of genre) need to have the same basic elements: a believable plot, interesting, fleshed-out characters the readers can root for (with histories and backstories), sensory details that pull the reader into the story, and good dialogue. These elements go into every romance (and everything else) I write, whether it’s an erotic historical/fantasy, straight paranormal, or gay contemporary. Once you get the basics down, you can just about write anything; mysteries, suspense, horror, and even children’s books.

But everyone has different comfort levels when writing (and reading) a romance. Some people are content with mild M/F romances, others like to spice things up and get a little wild with experimentation or ménage, and still others write straight, gay, ménage, or any combination. It’s probably safe to say that if you’re not comfortable reading M/M romances, you’re most likely not going to write one—and that’s fine. If writing a gay romance isn’t something you’re comfortable with and you can’t get inside your characters’ heads and write freely, you might want to stick to M/F romances.

The bottom line is: read and write whatever you want. I’ll do the same, and I’ll write whatever book comes to me, no matter what genre. My romances are about people who meet, fall in love, and overcome obstacles to be with each other.

This basic philosophy applies whether the characters are same-sex, different sex, or space alien and earth girl. Love is love and romance is romance. That’s why I’m not married to one specific genre or heat level. I have no “control” over the characters who come to me, so I go where the story and the characters take me.

It’s interesting to note that some of my M/F romances (In Another World, A Deceptive Match, and Redemption from a Dark Past) include gay secondary characters. They’re important to the overall story and move the plot along, just like any other character—but they just happen to be gay.

As I’m writing, I focus on the story and tell it the way the characters live it. (It’s their story, after all!) I don’t worry about “what people might think” of me writing about two male characters kissing, going to bed, or making dinner. People will think whatever they want. If readers are “turned off” to me as an author because I write gay romances… well, too bad, see ya.

When I wrote my first gay romance, Four Days with Jack, I considered “what people would think” about the book and me writing it—for about three seconds. Then I reminded myself that I’m a writer, and I create the characters and scenes that make up the book. Basically, the story needs to be told, and I’m the one telling it. I’ve made up all sorts of things: an erotic Bigfoot story, a historical mystery, detailed ménage scenes (in all combinations), and a first-person vampire love story.

But what about the love scenes? Well, my “secret” to writing gay love scenes is: I approach a same-sex love scene the same way I would if I was writing about a hetero couple. When I write a straight romance, about half of the scenes are written from the male point of view. So I have experience thinking from a male perspective anyway. He thinks about the girl he loves, fantasizes about making love to her, they kiss and touch, and… there’s no difference in writing a story from two male points of view. Writing a love scene isn’t about the gender or the anatomy of the characters—it’s about creating a believable, intimate scene where two people express their love for each other.

So what’s the hardest part about writing a same-sex romance or love scene? The answer may surprise you—pronouns! (Yes, we’re back to English class again!) As I’m writing, I’ll dash off something like “He ran his hand down his stomach and….” Wait, what? He ran his own hand down his own stomach? I have to pay extra close attention when revising/editing a M/M scene. Too many “his” references and we don’t know who is doing what. Better to say: “He ran his hand down Steve’s stomach and...”

I enjoyed writing all of my books, and I’m just as proud of my gay romances as I am of my straight romances. Why? Because I’m a romance writer—and in my books, everyone deserves to be in love and live happily-ever-after.

Here’s the book summary and links to A Secret Match. It’s my favorite M/M romance and is a great blend of drama, humor, and hot love scenes.

 

A SECRET MATCH

Everett Kinkade is a world-famous professional wrestler and the sexy heartthrob of millions of adoring female fans. But Ev has a secret he doesn’t dare share with anyone. He’s gay.

After years of being Ev’s secret lover, Josh is tired of hiding in the shadows and wants Ev to openly acknowledge their relationship. Coming out is the last thing Ev wants and fears it will ruin his career.

One night in a moment of truth, Everett outs himself on live TV. There’s no going back, and his announcement sparks a firestorm of problems—both personally and professionally. He’s forced to come to grips with who he really is while facing down a manipulative boss and a tag-team out to destroy him.

Torn between living a lie and losing the man he loves, Ev has risked everything… can he find a balance between his career and his heart?

 

Order A Secret Match here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FERW65A

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/md6rZb

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-secret-match

Catch up on all my romances here: www.KelliWilkins.com

***

I welcome comments and questions from readers. Be sure to follow my blog for the latest updates and visit me on social media. You can read my “Behind the Scenes” blogs here: www.KelliWilkins.com/blog

I also made a FB page for my gay romances: https://www.facebook.com/GayRomancesbyKelliAWilkins/

Happy Pride Month everyone!

Kelli

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, 7 non-fiction books, and 5 horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror stories.

Her latest novel, In Another World, was released in early 2022. This contemporary mystery/romance is set in the world of the paranormal.

She also released two horror shorts, More Than I Bargained For and Silent Sentinel in 2021.

In 2021, Kelli published Journaling Every Week: 52 Topics to Get You Writing. This fun and innovative guide to journaling is filled with hundreds of thought-provoking prompts designed to get you writing about your feelings and emotions.

Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins 

and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor.

Visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and to find all her social media links.

Behind the Scenes: Four Days with Jack (A Contemporary Gay Romance)

 

This “Behind the Scenes” blog is part of a series examining my romance novels. In each blog, I’ll talk about why I wrote the book, share my thoughts on the plot and/or characters, and reveal what I loved most (or least) about writing the book. Warning: Blogs may contain spoilers.

 

Four Days with Jack is the first gay romance I wrote, and like most of my romances, there’s a backstory about how the book came to be.

Several years ago I was writing for Amber Quill Press. Every so often, they would have an open call for “themed” romances. They could be anything: a historical set in England, a contemporary vampire romance, or even super-hot erotica featuring ménage. This time, they were doing a “Postcards from Paradise” theme. The romance could be any genre, but the story had to take place in a tropical setting.

I had been toying with an idea for a gay romance for a while, but I wasn’t sure where to set it. Then I decided, why not set it in a tropical resort and submit the story for the “Postcards” theme?

Here’s the book description and links:

Four Days with Jack

When David invited his best friend on vacation, he never expected them to fall in love…

Spending four days in a tropical paradise with Jack is a dream come true. For years, David has lived a lie and denied his romantic feelings for Jack. Now that they’re together in an isolated Caribbean resort, he finally admits what he really wants—to be Jack’s lover.

Jack has been in love with David for years and is encouraged by his desire to explore a sexual relationship. He’s more than willing to introduce David to the life he has always fantasized about. Their sizzling nighttime encounters confirm David’s long-hidden cravings, but what will happen when they leave the resort?

Will David come out and start a new life with Jack? Or will he go back to his old ways and risk losing the best friend he ever had?

Order Four Days with Jack here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071FTMWHL             

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/bo6Rap

In the book, David is coming to terms with his sexuality. He is finally expressing his true feelings toward Jack and they begin a tender (yet spicy) romance. Jack is David’s first lover and David is a bit unsure about how things will turn out. And it seems fitting that Jack was my first, too (my first M/M romance). In a way, I was unsure, too.

I had the basic plot outlined and I knew where the story was going, what the conflicts were internally (David and Jack each have their doubts, worries, and secrets), and what external challenges they would face from the outside world (how to deal with homophobes, what would people think of their relationship?).

So for the most part, writing this romance wasn’t too much different than writing a M/F romance. The basic components of good storytelling apply to any story, regardless of subject matter or the gender of the characters.

But I wasn’t exactly sure how readers, reviewers, and interviewers would respond to a woman writing a M/M romance. I soon found out! Interviewers asked me lots of questions about the book: “You’re a woman, how can you write a gay romance?” I usually answered that with, “I wrote a vampire romance and I’m not a vampire.”

I’m a writer, and I have a vivid imagination. I also was used to writing from a male POV for the straight characters in my M/F romances. I dealt with the subject matter in Jack the same way I did in my other romances: I stayed true to the characters and the story.

Interviewers also had to ask, “What will people think about you writing a gay romance?” I don’t trouble myself with “what people will think” about anything I write—horror, romance, or sci-fi—I write what I want to write.

My job as an author is to tell a good story that hooks readers and leaves them satisfied in the end. I’ve never worried about “what people will think” about me writing a M/F romance, so why should I be concerned about writing a M/M love story?

At the time the book was originally released, I got some “heat” when I sent out review requests. Several online publications/bloggers/reviewers refused to review the book because it was M/M. I can understand that if your blog/site is targeted to women who read M/F, or historical romance, or whatever. If M/M is not your demographic, fine. But a few people replied that they don’t review “those types” of books. Someone else called the M/M genre “icky.” I never contacted them again.

Also around this time, the RWA made their infamous statement that “romance” is defined solely as a relationship between a man and a woman. A M/M story was not allowed or acknowledged as a legitimate romance. Good bye! I canceled my membership and didn’t look back.

My response to people who questioned the M/M genre as legitimate “romance” or viewed it as a “taboo” subject to write about, was this: If you don’t want to read a M/M romance, fine, go read something else. But don’t tell me what to write and who can and cannot love each other in my books.

I once read an interview with the author of a gay romance, and she said she used a pen name because she “didn’t want people to know she wrote that sort of thing.” Really? Why write something if you’re ashamed of it? Since then, I’m happy to report that the attitude in the publishing world has changed and M/M romances are no longer something scandalous to write, read, or review.

I wrote Jack and stood by the book, loud and proud. And do you know what people thought? They thought it was a great book! Here are a few kind reviews:

"4 Gold Crowns! Four Days with Jack is a great story about best friends who have been in love with each other for years, and, for various reasons, afraid to let it out, finally give in while on vacation. David and Jack are beautifully created. They both have their faults but love each other enough to want to try. Four Days with Jack is a great story about accepting who you are and going after what you really want." - Jaymes, Reviewer, The Readers Round Table

"Four Days with Jack is exactly as promised. Hesitation, longings, risks, fears, and in the end, taking love the way it comes. The peaks and valleys of the story come from David and Jack coming to terms with their relationship. Their secrets are exposed, but those secrets and actions come with consequences. Their journey is a pleasant read and one I'm sure you'll enjoy as well." - Seriously Reviewed

"Kelli did a very good job portraying the confused David and the wary, but hopeful, Jack. David's inner turmoil and fears about outing himself were so heartbreaking. I definitely felt for him. Four Days with Jack is a strong romance with very likeable characters. I'm quite glad I read this story. I learned that as a romance fan I can definitely appreciate and enjoy stories that feature two male heroes. Four Days with Jack is an emotional, yet sexy coming-out story about two men finally opening themselves up to the possibility of a great love. It was an excellent introduction into the world of m/m romance." - Jennifer, Reviewer, Romance Novel News

I loved writing the book and putting the characters through a lot of emotional heartache and drama. Jack is a wiseass (as are many of my male characters), yet he has flaws, self-doubt, and needs a boost of self-esteem.

David is worried about “what people will think” about him and hopes to keep his relationship with Jack a secret. (Jack’s not having any of that!) They also have to deal with an annoying jerk who doesn’t like the idea of two men staying together at the resort. His character is based on a real person I met on vacation. He was an obnoxious blowhard and I knew I’d put him in a book someday. He made a good villain!

I hope you’ll check out Four Days with Jack. It’s got everything a good romance needs: humor, drama, and plenty of sizzling love scenes to heat up your summer!

I welcome comments and questions from readers. Be sure to follow my blog for the latest updates and visit me on social media. You can read more “Behind the Scenes” blogs here: www.KelliWilkins.com/blog

I made a page for my gay romances: https://www.facebook.com/GayRomancesbyKelliAWilkins/

Happy Pride Month everyone!

Kelli A. Wilkins

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, 7 non-fiction books, and 5 horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror stories.

Her latest novel, In Another World, was released in early 2022. This contemporary mystery/romance is set in the world of the paranormal.

She also released two horror shorts, More Than I Bargained For and Silent Sentinel in 2021.

In 2021, Kelli published Journaling Every Week: 52 Topics to Get You Writing. This fun and innovative guide to journaling is filled with hundreds of thought-provoking prompts designed to get you writing about your feelings and emotions.

Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins 

and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor

Visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and to find all her social media links.