Would you believe me if I told you that a single scene in one of my books once made me sob so hard I had to stop typing? It’s strange how fiction can do that — break us down, then stitch us back together. I’m talking about tears that weren’t planned, rolling over old heartbreaks I’d never fully faced.
While writing Chasing Alys, I was vaguely aware that some of the core themes of the book were tugging on my past experiences. I thought I was fine, that I’d buried the pain of being cheated on and ghosted. But as I wrote Alys and Ryan’s breakup and eventual makeup, something cracked inside me. I cried, hard, like someone had finally reached into my chest and found that tiny knot of hurt I’d kept hidden.
When I finished typing, I felt lighter. Almost… healed.
Here’s the truth: I love a good, gut-wrenching breakup — not because I enjoy seeing my characters in pain, but because there’s something deeply cathartic about watching them, and myself, work through it.
Vulnerability, Creativity, and Healing
Breakups in romance novels serve a greater purpose than just driving plotlines. Vulnerability is the cornerstone of creating impactful art. To truly touch readers, I have to dig deep, confronting my own fears, heartbreaks, and insecurities. But as much as vulnerability fuels creativity, it can also leave us exposed.
These scenes allow us to explore emotions we might avoid in real life. Writing the breakup scenes in Chasing Alys and Defying Ella was as much about crafting the characters’ arcs as it was about processing my own feelings.
The breakup in Defying Ella came from a deeply personal moment — one written after my own breakup. That rawness channeled perfectly into Ella’s emotions, creating a scene that resonated deeply with readers.
Vulnerability, however, is a double-edged sword. To create art that truly touches people, authors have to wear their hearts on their sleeves. But that openness also leaves us in a precarious position, where the smallest personal upheavals can shake our creative foundations.
Like Alys, I’ve been burnt by relationships too many times to count. Protecting my muse — my creativity — has meant taking deliberate steps to shield myself emotionally, whether by avoiding relationships or by throwing myself into experiences that feed my soul, like travel. Those steps don’t just protect me; they enrich my stories, giving them the nuance and rawness readers crave.
Romance Novels: Mirrors for the Soul
When my characters heal, I heal. Romance novels are so much more than fantasy; they’re emotional mirrors. Through characters like Alys and Ryan or Ella and Jared, readers see themselves. They relive their own heartbreaks, confront unresolved feelings, and find solace in the promise of healing and love.
Writing these stories requires walking a fine line. I need to dig deep into painful experiences for authenticity, but I also need to leave space for hope. Even in the darkest moments of my novels, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. That’s what keeps me coming back to romance — the happily-ever-afters that make every tear worth it.
A Shared Catharsis
Breakup scenes are more than just plot devices. They’re moments where characters show their deepest fears, regrets, and love. Vulnerability shines through, not just in what they say, but in what they don’t. Ryan’s quiet apology in Chasing Alys wasn’t just words; it was his way of baring his soul, of saying, “This is me, flaws and all.”
These moments of raw emotion resonate with readers because they’re real. They remind us of our own struggles and triumphs. As I look toward new projects, I’m excited to dig deeper. To explore relationships that aren’t perfect, breakups that sting, and reconciliations that feel earned. Because life is messy. Love is messy. And through it all, we’re searching for those moments that make us feel whole again.
