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Romance Novels and the Protagonist’s Wound

~ Kristina Stanley ~ Leave a comment

Why the Protagonist’s Wound Is the Beating Heart of Every Romance

Every romance novel begins with a promise: two people will find their way to love. But beneath the banter, chemistry, and swoony moments lies the true engine of the story—the protagonist’s wound, misconception, or flaw. This internal struggle is what gives a romance its emotional weight, its stakes, and ultimately, its meaning.

In a romance, the protagonist isn’t just moving through plot beats; they’re pursuing a story goal that is shaped, and often distorted, by the wound they carry. Until that wound is confronted and healed, love cannot truly take root.

This is why identifying your protagonist early matters so much. Before you can outline or draft effectively, you need to know whose emotional journey the reader is meant to follow. One of the simplest tools for doing this is the skeleton blurb, a single sentence that captures the protagonist’s goal and the stakes attached to it:

[Love interest] must [story goal]; otherwise, [the stakes].

When you write a skeleton blurb for each character, the wound becomes visible. The character’s misconception shapes the goal they believe they want, while the stakes reveal exactly what they fear losing if they fail.

If the characters have different goals, one character’s emotional arc will naturally dominate—and that character is your single protagonist. But if both characters share the exact same romance goal and stakes, you are writing a combined protagonist.

Regardless of your book’s structure, the wound is the compass. Every major scene, starting with the first scene, must impact the protagonist in a clearly positive or negative way. These scenes aren’t just plot points; they are emotional pressure points that force your characters to confront the beliefs holding them back from love.

Consider how this plays out in modern romance, depending on how you choose to frame the journey:

  • The Single Protagonist (The Bodyguard by Katherine Center): Hannah is the sole POV character. The reader only gets her interpretation of the hero’s feelings. Whatever tension Hannah feels because she doesn’t know what her love interest is thinking, the reader feels it too.
  • The Combined Protagonist (The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary or The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory): Both love interests share the spotlight with a balanced scene split. Because they share a unified romance goal, they function as a combined protagonist. This creates a wonderful knowledge gap where the reader knows what both characters are thinking, creating high tension because we can see the misunderstandings coming long before the characters do.

Whether you choose a single or combined protagonist, the core principle remains the same: the romance doesn’t work unless the wound does. A romance isn’t just about two people coming together, it’s about the protagonist becoming someone capable of receiving that love.

So, as you plan or revise your manuscript, return to the wound. Name it. Understand how it shapes your protagonist’s worldview, and then let every scene, every conflict, every moment of connection, every setback, push them toward healing. Because when the protagonist transforms, the love story transforms with them.

To learn more about Happily Ever Afters and other romance topics, pick up a copy of Secrets to Writing a Romance. 

Post Written by Linda O’Donnell

Linda O'Donnell

Linda O’Donnell is a writer, certified structural editor, certified copy editor, and a writing and editing instructor. She co-authored Secrets to Writing a Romance with Kristina Stanley, and together they are working on their latest book, Secrets to Writing a Novel. Linda’s contemporary romance novel, Behind the Scenes, is coming out soon.

Secrets to Writing a Novel: Now Available

~ Kristina Stanley ~ Leave a comment

We’ve all been there: staring at a manuscript that feels more like a jumbled ball of words than a coherent story. You have the talent, but sometimes the approach turns the project into an impossible mountain to climb.   

Today, we’re thrilled to announce that Secrets to Writing a Novel: The Fictionary Method is officially live and ready to help you turn that mountain into a molehill. 

Write Novels That Sell

Why This Book is Your New Secret Weapon

This isn’t just another writing guide; it’s a repeatable method to ensure your first draft is as structurally sound as another writer’s fifth revision. K. Stanley and L. O’Donnell break down the “Deep Structure” secrets that keep readers hooked from word one: 

Key Actions Before Writing: Create a story vault—a central hub to store narrative strategy, word‑count goals, and artistic decisions—to keep your drafting process sharp and intentional.


The 5 Core Story Arc Scenes: Every page-turner shares one universal factor: it is structurally sound. Create this foundation and never write a filler scene again.  


Story Arc Clusters: Learn how to surround your major plot points with strategic scenes to build deep reader empathy and maintain momentum. Plotting isn’t just about big moments. It’s about connecting those moments.


The Anatomy of a Sensational Scene: Use our 5-point structure to ensure every unit of your story is working hard for your plot.  Whether you are a pure discovery writer or a comprehensive plotter, this book is designed to give you the gift of a good story without taking years to write it.   

Grab your copy today: https://mybook.to/WriteANovel

Want More?

Are you ready to stop thinking about your novel and finally get it written? You can accomplish this by July 2026 if you really want to. Take our Write Your Novel Course and read Secrets to Writing a Novel at the same time. Theory and live classes are the best combination.

At Fictionary, we know that the biggest hurdle for serious writers isn’t a lack of story ideas—it’s the lack of a clear writing roadmap and helpful support. That’s why we’ve designed our Write Your Novel Course specifically for writers who are ready to commit to finishing their draft novel in just 8 weeks. Secrets to Writing a Novel is the course textbook.

The course includes best-in-class storytelling software, live classes that get rave reviews, and the kindest community in genre fiction.

The course is only $69 /month (USD). We are so confident that you will love the Fictionary writing experience that we are offering your first month for free.

Course starts May 26th

Tuesday May 2, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDT, Each class is one hour.

Stop stalling and start drafting. Let’s write a novel that sells.

We hope to see you live in our classes.

With kindness,

The Art of the Mystery Skeleton Blurb

~ Kristina Stanley ~ Leave a comment

Are you struggling to pin down the heart of your mystery novel? Every great detective story starts with a clear promise to the reader. In Secrets to Writing a Mystery, we peel back the layers of plot construction to reveal the most powerful tool in a writer’s arsenal: the skeleton blurb.

What is a Skeleton Blurb?

A skeleton blurb is a single sentence that captures the core of your plot. It’s the “why” that keeps readers turning pages. Without a solid focus, your mystery can become a collection of clues without a compass. To create a skeleton blurb, you must decide on three mandatory elements: the protagonist, the goal (solving the crime), and the stakes.

Think of it as this simple formula: [Protagonist] must [solve the crime]; otherwise, [stakes if the protagonist fails]. Whether it is a professional cop or a detective like Sherlock Holmes or an amateur sleuth like Miss Marple, the goal is always to uncover the truth before the stakes catch up to them.

For a mystery novel, the formula tightens to [Sleuth] must [solve the crime/discover the culprit]; otherwise, [the culprit will commit more crimes/the protagonist may become a victim].

In my last blog, we dove into the mandatory mystery cast with an even closer look at the protagonist. As you create your skeleton blurb, consider how the cast impacts your decisions. What is the crime the culprit has committed? What was the motivation? How is the victim integral to the crime? What weaknesses or traits made them a target?

Adding Depth: Subplots

But a mystery isn’t just about the crime; it’s about the friction in the protagonist’s life. Secrets to Writing a Mystery teaches you how to use additional skeleton blurbs to explore subplots.

  • Protagonist’s Subplots: These involve the same protagonist. In our book, we show how these goals—like keeping a bistro open while solving a murder—add pressure and misdirection to the main story.
  • POV Characters’s Subplots: These follow a different character with a separate goal. They serve to support or complicate the sleuth’s journey, providing a lock on the reader’s attention.

Your Path to a Professional Plot

Developing these blurbs is a critical task. It requires you to consider the “why” behind the culprit’s actions and the “what” behind the victim’s targeting. When you master the skeleton blurb, you master the plot. Remember, as you draft your mystery, you may decide to revise your skeleton blurb to more clearly reflect the story you are telling. It could be fun to keep track of your changes as you go through the process. You can look back and see your creative process at work.

By the time you finish Secrets to Writing a Mystery, you’ll have a “vault” of focused sentences that guide your writing from the first chapter to the final twist.

Are you ready to crystallize your mystery? Start building the skeleton of your next bestseller and watch for the next blog to develop your plot through five essential scenes that form the spine of your story.

Remember, Secrets to Writing a Mystery is available if you can’t wait a month for the next blog. We want to help you because we are excited for you to write your mystery…so we can read it.

Until next time, Lisa.

From the moment the children’s librarian walked a young bookworm upstairs to the Adult Department and introduced her to the mystery section…Lisa Taylor has been hooked on the genre.

For years, Lisa was an educator and librarian, honing her skills in helping readers and writers develop with curiosity and creativity. Now as an editor and writing coach, Lisa works with a small publishing house as well as being a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor and Certified Instructor.

Secrets to Writing a Mystery is Lisa’s first published book. Along with editing and coaching, she is currently writing an amateur cozy mystery series set in Northern Ontario.

Want to Learn to Self-Edit?

Join the Fictionary School for Writers and Editors

The Secret to Bestselling Fantasy: The External Plot

~ Kristina Stanley ~ Leave a comment

In The Magic of Opening Images and First Chapters, we looked at the power of the opening image—that first glimpse that hooks a reader and promises a journey worth taking. But once you’ve hooked them, how do you keep them?

The answer lies in the External Plot.

Every story needs a visible, tangible goal. It’s the movement of the protagonist through the world. While internal growth is beautiful, the external plot is the engine. It’s the answer to the reader’s subconscious question: What is this person actually trying to do, and what happens if they fail?

In fantasy, where the worlds are vast and the magic is complex, it’s easy to get lost in the weeds. That’s why I want to introduce you to a tool we use at Fictionary: The Skeleton Blurb.

What is a Skeleton Blurb?

A skeleton blurb isn’t the flashy copy you see on the back of a book. It’s a structural tool for you, the writer. It’s the shortest possible version of your story that answers three vital questions:

  1. Who is the protagonist?
  2. What is their goal?
  3. What is at stake?

Think of it as the North Star for your manuscript. If a scene doesn’t move your protagonist closer to that goal or raise those stakes, you have to ask yourself: Does this scene really belong?

The Fantasy Layer: More Than One Skeleton

Fantasy writers have a unique challenge. Often, a “real-world” goal isn’t enough. You might need multiple skeleton blurbs to keep your subplots on track. At a minimum, you’ll likely have an External Plot (the physical journey) and a Supernatural Plot (the magical journey). We’ll cover the supernatural plot next month.

Take Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. Violet Sorrengail doesn’t just have one problem.

  • External: She must survive the Riders Quadrant; otherwise, she’ll die as a cadet.
  • Supernatural: She must control her signet; otherwise, she can’t protect the borders.

By separating these, you ensure every “layer” of your story has a beginning, middle, and a satisfying climax.

Identifying Your True Protagonist

Before you can write your blurb, you must be certain who your protagonist is. This sounds simple, but in complex fantasies with multiple Point of View (POV) characters, it can get murky.

We look at the data:

  • The Opening Image: Usually, the character we meet first is our lead.
  • Scene Count: Who owns the most “real estate” in your book?

In The Unbroken by C.L. Clark, we have two strong characters: Touraine and Luca. However, Touraine owns 60% of the scenes and leads the opening. She is our single protagonist.

In contrast, look at A Game of Thrones. George R.R. Martin uses a Group Protagonist strategy. No single character’s goal encompasses the whole story. Instead, the skeleton blurb belongs to the collective: The humans must choose who sits on the throne; otherwise, the kingdoms will fall apart.

Build Your Own

Are you writing a single protagonist story like Twilight or A Court of Thorns and Roses? Or are you weaving a massive ensemble?

Whatever your path, I challenge you today: Write your External Plot Skeleton Blurb. 

Protagonist [Name] must [Goal]; otherwise, [Stakes].

If you can’t fit your plot into that sentence, your story might be missing its bones. Get the skeleton right, and the rest of the body will follow.

Secrets to Writing a Sci-Fi Novel

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 2 Comments

I’m super excited to announce Alexandria Yandt has accepted my offer to co-author Secrets to Writing A Sci-Fi, the 9th book in the Write Novels That Sell series.

Alexandria is a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach editor and instructor. She brings with her a strong knowledge of story structure and the science fiction genres. She writes both historical romance and science fiction with, you guessed it, a romance subplot.

Key Details:

  • Series: Write Novels That Sell (Book 9)
  • Authors: Alexandria Yandt & K. Stanley
  • Expected Release: 2027

We’ll keep you updated on upcoming events in Fictionary that teach how to write a science fiction novel.

Please join me in welcoming Alexandria to the team.

Secrets to Writing Subplots

~ Kristina Stanley ~ Leave a comment

We have some exciting news to share that will definitely help you level up your storytelling game.

Kristina Stanley and Lisa Taylor are officially back in the lab! They are currently co-authoring the 8th novel in the Write Novels That Sell series.

As they are well under way with their research, they have started writing, and you can expect the same high-level craft advice and actionable insights that have made this series a staple on every bookshelf.

Key Details:

  • Series: Write Novels That Sell (Book 8)
  • Authors: Lisa Taylor & K. Stanley
  • Expected Release: Late 2026

We’ll keep you updated on upcoming events that teach how to write a subplot.

The Heart of the Start: The Romance Meet-Cute

~ Kristina Stanley ~ Leave a comment

In the world of commercial fiction, structure is your best friend. It provides the guideposts that keep a story moving and ensures readers stay buckled in for the ride. But when you are writing romance, there is one specific “guidepost” that carries more weight than almost any other: the inciting incident, better known in our genre as the Meet-Cute.

In our book, Secrets to Writing a Romance, Kristina Stanley and I do a deep dive into why this moment is the literal spark that lights the fire of your story. If you’re looking to level up your manuscript, here is how to craft a meeting that keeps readers turning pages.

1. Make it an “Active” Event

A common pitfall is placing the meeting in the backstory. You might be tempted to start the book with your protagonist reminiscing about a “gorgeous jerk” they saw yesterday. Don’t. In romance, the inciting incident must happen on the page in an active scene. Readers don’t just want the information; they want to be in the thick of it. They need to feel the pulse spike and the breath hitch along with your characters. If you skip the “good stuff” at the start, the reader loses their emotional investment before the story even begins.

2. The Power of the “Re-Meet”

While many stories focus on strangers, remember that a powerful meet-cute can also be a re-meet. This is perfect for friends-to-lovers or second-chance arcs. In these cases, the “meet-cute” is a transformative event where two people who already know each other—perhaps as lifelong neighbors, bickering coworkers, or platonic best friends—suddenly see one another in a brand-new light. This shift in perspective acts as the catalyst, launching their existing relationship onto an entirely new, romantic course.

3. Disruption is Key

A great meet-cute should flip your protagonist’s “normal” upside down. This is the moment their ordinary world goes “poof.” Crucially, this disruption should be caused by the love interest. If the world is falling apart because of a meteor strike, you’re writing an action movie. If the world is falling apart because a specific person just walked into the room (or finally looked at them differently) and challenged their status quo—now you’re writing a romance.

4. Lean Into the “Meet-Ugly”

It doesn’t always have to be sunshine and roses. In fact, many of the most memorable pairings start with a meet-ugly. Whether it’s an awkward misunderstanding, an unwanted encounter, or a heated argument, the goal is friction. The initial interaction should be characterized by high emotional intensity. Whether that is instant attraction or instant annoyance doesn’t matter, as long as the emotion is powerful.

5. Early and Intertwined

To keep the pacing tight, aim to have your characters meet (or have their “re-meet” moment) early—ideally before you are 15% into the book. Once they collide, give them a reason they must stay in close proximity. Whether it’s a shared project, a family crisis, or a forced living situation, proximity keeps the tension simmering.

6. Leave Them Wanting More

The meet-cute raises a vital question in the reader’s mind: How on earth are these two going to end up together? Keep that question alive. Let your characters resist the attraction and fight the goal. Readers love knowing what’s right for the characters before the characters do—it’s what makes them cheer for that final “Happily Ever After.”

To learn more about Happily Ever Afters and other romance topics, pick up a copy of Secrets to Writing a Romance. 

Post Written by Linda O’Donnell

Linda O'Donnell

Linda O’Donnell is a writer, certified structural editor, certified copy editor, and a writing and editing instructor. She co-authored Secrets to Writing a Romance with Kristina Stanley, and together they are working on their latest book, Secrets to Writing a Novel. Linda’s contemporary romance novel, Behind the Scenes, is coming out soon.

The Secrets to Creating a Killer Cast for Your Mystery

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 1 Comment

Here’s one of the first secrets unlocked for a mystery novel: There are mandatory
characters you need to set your mystery in motion.
The Mandatory Mystery Crew
You can’t have a mystery without a crime, and you can’t have a crime without the core
cast. These characters form the required foundation of your story:

  • Victim: Without a victim, there is no crime. They may or may not be dead when
  • the story begins.
  • Sleuth: The character who investigates the crime: your professional or amateur
  • detective.
  • Multiple Suspects: You need more than one character who could have done it. At least a few of these need to have the opportunity to commit the crime. Otherwise, the mystery is solved too quickly.
  • Motive: Each suspect must have a reason why they are a suspect.
  • Culprit (Antagonist): The character

Once you have your mandatory characters, you can fill out the rest of your cast with supporting players, such as a sidekick, a mentor, multiple victims or antagonists, experts, or characters who provide local color.

The Protagonist Rule: Why One is the Magic Number

One of the most fundamental principles we stress is this: A story can only have one protagonist.

This isn’t just an arbitrary rule; it’s about engaging the reader. The protagonist is the central character whose journey the reader follows and whose goal drives the entire plot. Readers need a single entity to connect with and root for. If they don’t know who to cheer for, they’re likely to lose interest.To help writers focus their energy, we identified three types of protagonists:

  • Single Protagonist: The most straightforward, where one main character drives the plot toward a clear goal.
  • Combined Protagonist: Two main characters who share the exact same story goal and stakes. If an event helps one, it helps the other; if it hurts one, it hurts the other. They must have distinct personalities to create necessary friction.
  • Group Protagonist: Three or more characters who work together to achieve the central story goal (like a heist team or a community). While individual characters may experience events differently, the group as a whole is either moving closer to or farther away from the main goal.

Defining this pivotal character is the first step in crafting an effective skeleton blurb for your mystery. For those of you not familiar with a skeleton blurb, it is a simple sentence that captures the heart of your story. Using only the protagonist, the story goal, and the story stakes, you can create a sentence that you can use as a touchstone for every scene in your story. I’ll write more about this in the near future.

I’m sure you already have ideas for your protagonist.

Want to dive deeper into story structure, learn how to weave in powerful subplots, and plant the perfect clues and red herrings?

Secrets to Writing a Mystery provides a full framework to support your creativity and set you up to write a commercially successful mystery novel. If you can’t wait for the next blog post, our book is available now to help you solve your own mystery and write your book.

Until next time, Lisa.

From the moment the children’s librarian walked a young bookworm upstairs to the Adult Department and introduced her to the mystery section…Lisa Taylor has been hooked on the genre.

For years, Lisa was an educator and librarian, honing her skills in helping readers and writers develop with curiosity and creativity. Now as an editor and writing coach, Lisa works with a small publishing house as well as being a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor and Certified Instructor.

Secrets to Writing a Mystery is Lisa’s first published book. Along with editing and coaching, she is currently writing an amateur cozy mystery series set in Northern Ontario.

Want to Learn to Self-Edit?

Join the Fictionary School for Writers and Editors

The Secret to Bestselling Fantasy:The Magic of Opening Images and First Chapters

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 2 Comments

The first page of a fantasy novel isn’t just paper and ink—it’s a portal. But how do you ensure your readers actually want to step through it? In our latest guide, Secrets to Writing a Fantasy, we pull back the curtain on the mechanics of world-building, starting with the two most vital components of your debut: the Opening Image and the Opening Chapter.

While they sound similar, understanding the nuance between them is the difference between a reader who browses and a reader who buys.

The Opening Image: Setting the Tone

The opening image is the very first visual or conceptual seed you plant. In fantasy, this often takes the form of “pre-text”—perhaps a haunting quote from a fictional ancient tomb or a snippet of a forgotten prophecy.

Its primary duty is to support two pillars: the external plot and the supernatural plot. You may want to check out Why Your Story Needs Two Story Arcs. You have a crucial choice here: does your “ordinary world” include magic from the start, or is the supernatural something that breaks into a mundane reality? Your opening image sets that expectation immediately. Here are some options for what this scene can accomplish.

  • Establish life-or-death stakes.
  • Hint at what the protagonist loves (and what they stand to lose).
  • Set the atmospheric tone before a single line of dialogue is spoken.

The First Chapter: The Engine of Engagement

If the opening image is the atmosphere, the first chapter is the engine. This is where genre-agnostic duties kick in. Regardless of whether you have dragons or starships, your first chapter can:

  1. Introduce the Protagonist: Unless there is a high-level narrative reason to wait, the reader needs someone to root for now.
  2. Define the Ordinary World: This is the status quo. We need to see your hero in their natural habitat before the inciting incident blows it all to pieces.
  3. Mirror the Closing Image: Expertly crafted novels often begin with a visual or thematic beat that finds its “answer” or reflection in the final pages of the book.

Case Study: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

In Secrets to Writing a Fantasy, we analyze bestsellers to see these rules in action. Take Fourth Wing.

Yarros utilizes a powerful opening image: a paragraph explaining that the text was transcribed by a scribe to honor the dead. This immediately signals that the stakes are lethal. She follows this with a quote from the Dragon Rider’s Codex, weaving the supernatural (dragons) into the very fabric of the world before Chapter One even begins.

When we reach Chapter One, we meet Violet Sorrengail. Her ordinary world is a library, but the inciting incident—her mother forcing her into the Riders Quadrant—has already happened. Yarros uses clever backstory beats to show us what Violet is leaving behind, proving that you don’t need a linear timeline to create an emotional connection.

Excel at the Art of the Beginning

Are you showing the ordinary world in action, or are you weaving it through backstory? Is your tone consistent from the first sentence?

Don’t leave your opening to chance. Whether you’re writing a grimdark epic or a cozy portal fantasy, the transition from the “Opening Image” to the “Opening Chapter” is your first and best chance to cast a spell on your audience.

Ready to build a world readers never want to leave? Check out Secrets to Writing a Fantasy for the full story.

Don’t leave your structure to chance. Stop guessing and start building a structurally sound novel, scene by sensational scene. 

Write Your Novel in 6 Months: Only 25 New Writers Accepted

~ Kristina Stanley ~ Leave a comment

On April 1st, Fictionary is launching our next Write Your Novel cohort. This is a comprehensive, 6-month journey designed to take you from a story idea to the final draft of your novel.

This program includes 3 live, 8-week courses to Outline, Write, and Edit your novel under the guidance of our world-class instructors. You’ll learn how flawless structure builds great stories and unlocks the secrets behind novels that sell.

Only 25 new members will be accepted into the April cohort to ensure every writer receives the professional eyes their work deserves. Join 100% risk-free for your first 30 days. Fictionary School Memberships then start at just $69 /month.

JOIN APRIL COHORT

A Proven Framework for Success

Fictionary Testimonial

We’ve been called “Peloton for Writers” because we provide elite, live instruction combined with our StoryTeller Premium software. No recorded sessions here. We are live online to support you. Our 6-month curriculum is broken into three actionable courses:

  1. Outline Your Novel: Use our story visualization software to build a story arc that works before you waste time on scenes that don’t matter.
  2. Write Your Novel: Transform from an aspiring writer into a confident author with a novel containing the must-have scenes and structure for commercially successful fiction.
  3. Edit Your Novel: Skip the vague feedback of amateur critique groups and use our expert framework to fix your pacing and structure.

Why The Write Your Novel Program is Different

We’re more than just courses. We’re a kind community where you can ask questions in “Ask-an-Editor” if you get stuck and join weekly check-ins that promote accountability and keep you writing.

By joining this cohort, you get access to our StoryTeller Premium software combined with live, interactive classes led by certified editors. It’s the ultimate roadmap to ensure your book is structurally sound and ready for traditional or high-end publication.

JOIN APRIL COHORT

Join 100% risk-free for your first 30 days.