Author Sara Tallary Prefers A Slow-Burn Romance Over The Insta-Love Trope
We talk about what a slow-burn is and how to write the kind of slow-burn story readers won't want to put down.
Do you like romance novels? What’s your favorite trope?
I realize the formatting of that question mimics a line from a horror movie that is, in no way, shape or form romantic in the slightest, but I couldn’t resist.
I’m relatively new to the adult romance genre. I’ve read a handful of rom-coms in my day, but the steamy romance section was not one I frequented. I should have known I’d love it, though.
I’ll never forget my first YA romance. Forever by Judy Blume. The male protagonist was my first book boyfriend. He had dark hair, dark eyes, and glasses…
And now, so does my husband. Would you look at that?
Forever was the first book I ever read that talked about sex, but Judy didn’t get into too many specifics. It’s YA, after all. Adult romance is an entity all its own, with authors in the genre exploring all kinds of relationships and intimate experiences. There are enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, forbidden love, fake dating, second-chance romance, holiday flings, and so many more. One of my favorites, though, is the slow-burn romance.
Unlike insta-love, in which characters fall in love from the second they lay eyes on each other, a slow-burn romance builds. And builds. And builds. The readers watch as characters (who are obviously meant for each other) develop feelings for one another over time. When done correctly, by the end of the book, the reader is all too eager to see said characters get together.
Author Sara Tallary excels at this.
Sara and I met the same way Kelly Andrew and I met: via Writer Twitter. I was so excited for Sara when we reconnected on Instagram and I was able to watch as she promoted and self-published her debut novel, I Choose You, a friends-to-lovers slow-burn romance, back in August of 2022 (which I got my hands on and devoured promptly). Her second book, I Still Love You, an enemies-to-lovers second-chance romance was published in October of that same year.
Ahead, I pick Sara’s brain on slow-burn romances. We cover why she loves this particular romance trope, how to successfully write a slow-burn romance, the one romance trope she dislikes, her feelings on writer’s block, and more.
(PS - Let me know in the comments below what your first romance novel (YA or adult) was, and what your favorite romance trope is!)
On I Choose You, I Still Love You, & Slow-Burn Romances
For those who haven't picked up your books just yet, can you give us a summary of both I Choose You and I Still Love You?
ST: Sure. So, I Choose You is Mason and Mackenzie’s story. The two have been best friends for years and in the midst of building their careers after college, Mason gets a promotion that will take him halfway across the country. He’s reluctant to go because of his feelings for Mackenzie and when the opportunity arises for him to have a chance with her before he has to leave, he takes it. Mackenzie accepts it at first, but as they get closer and his impending move quickly comes, she’s reminded of her commitment issues and a promise she’s made to herself. In the end, she has to choose to stick to that promise or choose her best friend.
I Still Love You is Luke's (Mason’s twin brother) and Layla’s story. Everyone sees them settling down and being together forever, but then tragedy strikes Layla’s life and causes her to run from her problems and break things off with Luke, who is angry and heartbroken. A mishap with her job requires her to come back to town and it isn’t long before she runs into Luke again. When she does, she falsely announces that she and Luke are back together – only they’re not.
Where did the inspiration come from for this universe and these characters? Did you know you'd write about both brothers' love stories when you started, or did you feel compelled to keep going after I Choose You?
ST: Great question. When I initially wrote I Choose You, I didn’t have the plan to write Luke, however as ICY developed, I started to wonder where his relationship with Layla could go and once the idea came, I had to get it down. I really loved the idea of each twin getting their own story, especially because they’re so different from each other.
Can you break down the main tropes of each book?
ST: Of course. I Choose You is best friends-to-lovers with a cinnamon roll hero (a good/sweet/caring guy). I Still Love You is a second-chance romance with a dash of enemies-to-lovers and fake dating.
I Choose You is a friends-to-lovers story, but I also thought it could be considered a slow burn, and you seem to excel at that form of storytelling. My first question on the topic is why a slow burn versus insta-love? What is it about this type of romance that you prefer?
ST: I’ve ALWAYS loved slow-burn romances. There’s just something about building up to the reward of the characters finally getting together. Really getting to know them, feeling their chemistry through the page, and reading about how their goals and motivations tie into each other. I love the requirement of having to commit to a book before you get the reward. Also, for me, the entire point of a romance book is to get to the point when they finally work through their issues and are together. You don’t get that with insta-love. It just feels too easy. I need emotion, angst, tension. I need to FEEL what’s happening!
What is your least favorite romance trope and why?
ST: Reverse age gap and virgin hero. They just don’t interest me.
What would you say are your three pillars for a well-executed slow-burn romance?
ST: I think the perfect slow-burn romance needs solid, well-developed characters. If you don’t have that, then they won’t last through the length of the “slow burn” phase aka most of the book.
Chemistry is second. The hero and heroine have to hit it off from their first interaction on the page. No matter the trope. Without that, it falls flat.
Lastly, the tension and angst! You have to give the reader moments between the characters that keep them hanging on for more, that get them invested. The brush of a hand. The emotion behind the slow perusal of checking each other out. The almost kiss. You need them BEGGING for the characters to get together.
It can be tricky to write from the perspective of the opposite sex. How did you prepare/how did you approach those chapters?
ST: Funny you ask this because I often tell my husband how much easier it is to write my male characters. Ever since I started writing, it’s been that way. I can’t pinpoint exactly why or how that is. Men are usually very simple when it comes to most things, and in some ways, I can relate to that. Maybe that’s why.
What are some of your favorite romance books that you would recommend to Beyond My Byline readers?
ST: I’m very much a mood reader so I’m always reading different authors. If you love romcoms, I’d recommend R.S. Grey, Teagan Hunter, and Meghan Quinn. If you’re looking for something more emotional and angsty, try Emma Scott. Her Bring Down the Stars duet will always be one of my favorite slow burns. Heartbreak Warfare by Heather M. Orgeron and Kate Stewart. A new favorite is Mariana Zapata. She is the slow-burn queen. My favorite by her is probably Wait For It. Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas is also one of my top reads ever!
What, if anything, can you tell us about book three, and do you already have ideas for book four?
ST: Oh yes! My next two books are a duet and will be in an entirely different world from I Choose You & I Still Love You. I haven’t released much information on it so far, but I can say that it’s a college romance, super slow burn, and deals with heavier topics than ICY/ISLY. I’d say it’s probably in between light and dark romance. It’s a more emotional read and has been in my head for years, so I’m really excited to release it. I’ll be sharing more about it soon.
On Writing
Paint us a picture of what a day in the writing life of Sara Tallary looks like.
ST: This mostly depends on what stage of the process I’m at. If I’m drafting or editing, I typically get up at 5:30-6 in the morning (M-F) to get a solid two hours of writing/editing done before the day starts with the kids. I’ll stop around 8ish to have breakfast and spend some time with my family before my husband goes to work. When he leaves, I’ll usually sit back down to spend time working up until lunch (with small breaks in between depending on what distractions come up).
Sometimes my son needs help with school work or I’m asked to sit down to play a game. Then it’s lunchtime. I usually relax and spend time with the kids in the early afternoon, then depending on deadlines I’ll come back to my desk to work around 3-4pm for a little before dinner and bedtime routines start.
The days that my husband is off work and weekends sometimes look different. I usually try to spend more time with them on those days. Then other times he offers to watch the kids so I can get ahead when we don’t have anything else planned.
Do you consider yourself a pantser or a plotter?
ST: When I first started writing, I was very much a pantser. I never planned anything. I would get ideas and run with them, but then when I went back to edit I Choose You, it ended up taking me a lot longer to edit because I wasn’t organized in the drafting phase. I completely re-outlined that book as my first round of self-edits.
Since then, I’ve been more of a plotter and try to outline, even if it’s loosely, to save myself time later on. My characters still sometimes go off on tangents even with the outline, but as long as I can bring them back to the topic eventually, it usually works out.
How do you go about starting a project?
ST: I pick whatever story or character is speaking to me most and spend time really trying to get in their head and figuring out the plot. Most times, I have a general idea of a plot that just needs to be developed more. That’s when I’ll sit down, plug in my headphones to block out noise, and listen to music while I let my mind wander and brainstorm ideas. I write everything down, get a feel for my character’s goals/motivations and figure out how the plot ties into that. Then sometimes I’ll outline each chapter just to give me a roadmap for drafting. If I know what I need to write about, it takes me less time to draft. If I’m struggling, I’ll have a brainstorm session with my husband or a writer friend.
What is your editing process like?
ST: For my current WIP, I did 2 rounds of self-edits on my own. Then had my beta readers read through and offer feedback. When they finished, I applied that feedback and made adjustments before sending it to another round of beta readers and did the same thing. Before applying their feedback each round, I read through the entire manuscript and marked any discrepancies or things that needed fixing, or that I wanted to change. Then it’s off to the editor.
What are 3 of your must-haves to set the tone for a writing session?
ST: Water, a blanket or my robe and slippers/socks, and music – in the mornings, I only listen to meditation music to stay focused and then if it’s later in the day it changes to whatever artist/playlist is keeping me in the zone.
What is the best advice you can give writers battling a bout of writer's block?
ST: I don’t know if I truly believe in writer’s block. Maybe when I first started writing years ago, but the more I write, I realize that if I’m having a hard time getting words down it probably means I’m burnt out or need to refill my cup. Writing is very demanding and takes up all your brain power. You have to learn to pull away and practice self-care otherwise your writing will suffer from it.
Lastly, if you could pull an Alice in Wonderland, but instead of stepping through a looking glass, you can step into a book, which would it be, and what role would you play in the plot?
ST: I don’t know if I’ve ever really thought about this…but the first book that comes to mind is probably A Court of Thorns and Roses, which is more fantasy than romance. The world and characters are so gripping and I love the found family trope that’s intertwined.
Love this so much! Had so much fun answering these questions. Thank you for having me on your blog! - Sara Tallary