I wrote this list of romantic scene ideas because
as a romance novel editor, I often ask an author to put in another romantic scene—one in which the reader can tell the main characters are really falling in love (or already there!)
I also decided to write it because lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about iconic romance scenes in movies. The kiss in the rain in The Notebook. The “I’m flying!” scene in Titanic. In screenwriting, these kinds of memorable scenes are few and far between, but they can stick with the viewer—or the reader—forever.
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I think setting can be one great inspiration for romance scene ideas. I’ve never seen the movie From Here to Eternity (I just started reading the book!), but most of us are familiar with the scene of the couple kissing while rolling around in the surf. If they’d just been lying in bed kissing, it would’ve been okay, but it wouldn’t have been iconic.
Big gestures can also make for memorable romantic scenes. You often see these in good romance novels and scripts!
This list is just to pique your imagination. I’m sure that as you read through these ideas, you’ll think of a bunch more. Writers, you might want to bookmark this post (or pin it on Pinterest) for future inspiration!
1. They’re alone in a usually crowded place where one of them has private access: for instance, a public aquarium at night.
2. One of them takes the other on an excursion on their boat, private plane, hot air balloon, or spaceship.
3. One of them helps the other one escape a difficult—or just deadly boring—situation.
4. One of them makes a dramatic appearance after the other one thought they were gone for good.
5. One of them does something or participates in something that the other one loves…after previously refusing to do so.
6. They’re in a beautiful natural setting: for instance, behind a waterfall, or in a grove of maple trees in autumn.
7. One of them serenades the other. (This happens in a very unexpected place in my romance novel, Her Knight at the Museum.)
8. One of them helps the other one unwind or fall asleep in a romantic way.
9. One of them wakes the other one up in a romantic way.
10. They play a game—croquet, darts, whatever—and the stakes are romantic: a first date, a kiss.
11. One of them shares something they love with the other, such as a work of art or a passage from a book.
12. One of them defends the other—from a snobbish comment or from a deadly attack.
13. One of them makes a big sacrifice for the other. (The example that comes to my mind is Ben resigning from his job so he can date Leslie in the TV show Parks and Recreation.)
14. They gaze at the stars…from a rooftop, an observatory, or the back of a pickup in the country.
15. They have to participate in something awkward or embarrassing together.
16. They have to lie or pretend about something together.
17. One of them is teaching the other how to do something, such as making a crepe or ice skating.
18. They take a walk on the beach. (Hey, sometimes you can’t beat the classics!)
19. One of them shows the other around—their small town, their workplace, their palace, or whatever.
20. One of them reveals their Big Secret to the other. Maybe it’s their True Form. Maybe it’s their Secret Headquarters.
21. One of them persuades the other to join them in skinny dipping.
22. They wind up volunteering together.
23. One of them gives the other a gift that required a lot of time, and/or money. Maybe the gift arrives or is discovered after a breakup!
24. They slow dance in a place where people don’t usually slow dance.
25. They share an intimate encounter in a place where people aren’t usually intimate.
Do you have thoughts about writing romantic scenes? Do you have a great example of a romance scene you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below!
And if you like idea starters, be sure to check out my book 5,000 Writing Prompts. A lot of writers use it not only for starting new stories, but also for figuring out the middle of a story when they get stuck.
Thanks so much for reading, and happy writing!
This is super helpful Bryn. And I just ordered your book. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks, Bryn. It seems to me, the iconic love scene is truly memorable and special – almost breathtaking, a never to be forgotten sense – and is often the climax of the interweaving of the story between the two potential lovers. For me, the initial setting of a storyline and the painting of the characters are important and contribute to generating an iconic scene.
Thank you, Bryn. Your posts are always inspiring. I’ve also just bought your book ?
I like “on the tarmac” scenes eg Casablanca :). thanks for the ideas!
What a great reference tool. Thank you for sharing this Bryn.
Love this list!
I used #4 in my recent submission.
denise
Thanks Bryn for yet another stellar list of prompts/ideas. A few that come to mind for me are: on the brink of an apocalypse (this happened repeatedly in BTVS series, lol); and the highlighted scenes from An Officer and a Gentleman and Pretty Woman. Why can’t I ever think of anything like that? It’s a good thing we have you watching over us and presenting tips. 🙂
I want to write a book that focuses on the main character while informing the reader of the history of the 1930s-50s mental hospital. I want to add a bit of romance, but keep it friendly enough that a middle schooler could read it.