If asked whether there is a formula for writing romantic fiction, I would point to classic romance themes.
No, they are not a cookie cutter formula where you can just exchange names and places and Voila! you've got a book.
That would be plagiarism at best and serious copyright infringement at worst.
That would be tantamount to a crime of passion.
Still, what if you are just getting started with writing romantic fiction and you're not really sure of where to begin? You might know how to craft a general fiction plot but when it comes to writing romance, even though you love the genre, you're still having a hard time.
If this is you, I have just one word for you: "Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.
" Okay so that was more than one word - eight words if you want to be like that; but this quote by Charles Caleb Colton expresses what I'm trying to say.
If you're new to romance writing imitation might be the answer.
If you want to go the imitation route, here's what you need to do:

• Pick up a novel you really enjoyed reading
• Find out what theme it falls under
• Look for other novels with this theme
• Find out what changes the authors made to the classic theme
• Look for how you can give the same story a different twist

That last bit is crucial particularly if you're working with a publisher but also if you are self-publishing your story.
You need to give your readers something different or a different take on a classic story and I don't mean just changing the names of the characters or changing the setting.
There is a reason classic romance stories sell and that is because they appeal to readers.
Most play to secret fantasies while some depict everyday life.
But they all connect with the readers' emotions somehow.
I will list 3 romance themes and give you a brief description on how they work then suggest some ways you can adapt them and make them yours.
I can't assure you that the twists I mention haven't been done before but well, I'm pretty sure you have a much more fertile imagination than I do; this is just a guide.
So here goes! Cinderella Theme This is as classic as it gets; the ill-treated or poor heroine and the Prince (Billionaire) who rescues her.
Most of us know the fairy tale...
it's a story about a girl who was treated poorly by her step relations.
Despite a lot of trials and obstacles, she doesn't lose hope and never gives up on her dreams.
Finally she marries the Prince.
This theme has almost been done to death and yet, it is still a favorite with readers.
If you choose to work with this theme you should be wary of sounding like a romance cliché.
So how do you work this theme to make it unique? There are several ways to do this:

• You could do a role reversal, that is, instead of the hero being the 'rescuer' he could be the rescued.
  
• The heroine does not need to be poor, suffering, etc.
  She could be a regular woman who is working hard to achieve her goals; heck she could even be a freelance writer looking for the next gig.
  
• In the fairy tale, Cinderella's step relations are used to create conflict between the hero and heroine and also as a means of internal conflict for the heroine.
  They are used to move the plot along and are the obstacles.
  Is there a way you could fulfill this without using external characters? Could circumstances, forces of nature, the characters themselves etc.
  create conflict and tension without the 'other party?'
• Could the heroine save herself (by becoming successful) and face the hero as an equal?

Some twists to the Cinderella theme are Rags to Riches and the Plain Jane themes.
There are many ways you can play this just free up your imagination! Friends to Lovers Theme This is a particular favorite of mine.
It's another one that has been done to death too, but somehow, despite the attempts by some authors to completely annihilate it, it's still living and breathing.
Basically there are two best friends who one day, stumble and land with their lips glued to each other, then the epiphany happens! They realize they are crazy about each other.
Okay so it doesn't always happen like that and that's the best part of it; this is a really versatile theme and it appeals to readers because at one point, most of us had a guy BFF (Best Friend Forever) that we had a crush on.
Some versions of this theme I've seen include:

• Best friends since Kindergarten/High School/College
• Neighbors and best buddies
• Same office best friends (also includes the boss/PA version)
• Used to date but no more dating best friends

I suppose at first glance, it doesn't look like there are a lot of ways to twist this theme but I'd like to think there are.
For instance the hero and heroine could have grown up together as best friends and then lost touch only to be reunited.
A good way to do this is to have some other classic themes interspersed with this, for instance: Unrequited Love: One of the friends has had this ginormous crush on the other and has pined for ages.
Stranded: Nothing like being marooned or stranded together to get the romance flowing.
It's called propinquity.
Enemies to Lovers Theme Think Romeo and Juliet.
This theme explores two sworn enemies who become lovers; the passion is there from the first; it is just redirected.
Although the Capulet-Montaigne thing is interesting, what I tend to see in most stories is two characters with a personal feud.
The hatred might be family-related, but these two have a personal vendetta against each other.
They could be business rivals or former lovers or one of them blames the other's family for ruining theirs; it doesn't really matter what tack you take as long as these two sworn enemies become lovers.
A word of caution here; it is important to make the transition realistic and give the characters redeeming features.
They are free to utterly detest each other but build in the subtle attraction into that; like that they can't stop thinking of each other - even if it's hate thoughts.
The Enemies to Lovers theme could be fun to write especially as there is already tension and conflict built into the plot; you don't have to manufacture it.
It's there and it's alive.
You just need to make it sizzle.
If you're a novice in the romantic fiction genre, the best way to gain experience is to read lots of romance stories, then identify the themes.
Romance stories run along classic themes with different variations.
Master the themes and the variations will come easily to you.
There is no need to reinvent the wheel.