I have seen a lot of changes over the years when it comes to the romance genre. Lately, I am seeing a new twist that have stories reading more like women's fiction and less like the classical romance novel (I will explain shortly). I have also seen a ton of submissions lately by authors arguing that their novels were romances, and yet, really fell far short from fitting in this genre. So, what is the central focus that is in a romance?
It is the relationship.
Romance novels are not simply romantic stories. Romance novels are about a development of a romance from nothing to something. These could be friends to lover stories, or stories of couples who may have liked each other in the past and are now rediscovering that lost love after so many years. The key is that we, as readers, are following the building relationship. Since we know we are reading a romance, we know they will make it to the Happily Ever After, but the "adventure" and what keeps us going is to determine how they will make it to that point.
Stories about married couples who might be going through a tough patch in their life would not fall into the romance genre. For these stories, think of that tough patch as being that dark moment in the middle of the romance novel. We would not call those chapters at about the 75%-80% point in a novel THE ROMANCE. This is that part where we think things might fall apart.
It is also important to note that just having sex scenes in a novel does not make it a romance. Your characters do not have to fall into bed or have fantasy thoughts when they see the hero or heroine. We do not have to read about the entire evening in the bedroom to make it a romance. While the characters havin a sensual encounter in the bedroom may be part of a building relationship, it is just "a scene" and that is it. The relationship building involves more of seeing the characters for who they are as people.
Now, the focus I have seen some authors taking lately is that with the feel of a women's fiction novel. The stories are more female protagonist focused and a large portion of the story focuses on their their personal journey. But here is the twist. This is not, like the Romance Writers of America called "A Novel with Romantic Elements" These stories are true romances because the real, central story arc, IS the relationship between the two characters. Think of it this way. A romantic suspense is not about the suspense, but the romance. The suspense is just the driving force in the romance.
So if you are someone questioning where your story falls, ask your self what the real storyline is. If all of the scenes and actions are focusing in on adding pieces to the building relationship, and you are heading to the happily ever after, then you may have the romance. If your characters are going from nothing to something, you may be in that area. If, however, your characters already have a relationship and all you have them doing is going through "bumps in the road" then you are probably out of the romance genre.
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