For Catapult’s Romance Week series, I wrote about a writing exercise on how to strengthen the romantic subplots in your work.

Subplots are a time-tested way to elevate your romance novel. These secondary storylines, which will likely involve one or both of your main characters, create obstacles they must fight to overcome, or help with your story’s pacing by adding comedy, tension, or reprieves. They can force your protagonists to make difficult choices and confront their pasts, and even add nuance by advancing your story’s overall themes or tropes.

To read the full article, visit Catapult’s website here.

Whether it’s Valentine’s Day or not, if you’re in the mood for love and romance, this list of South Asian books, including Grown-Up Pose and A Holly Jolly Diwali, make perfect gifts for your special someone.

Sonya Lalli’s novel is more than just romantic fiction. It looks at the issues that can exist within marriage, family dynamics, gender roles and parental relationships. … It’s a coming-of-age story that emphasises that life is a series of ups and downs, no matter what stage you’re at in life.

DESIblitz

To read the full review and see the rest of the books on the list, click here.