The Allure of Predictability: Embracing the Comfort of Cozy Winter Romances
I love a thrilling adventure with magic and conflict as much as the next person, but sometimes when life gets too busy, and my list of tasks is getting longer, I start to feel like I'm living in a life-or-death adventure (minus the magic and whimsy). It’s exhausting, so I turn to cozy predictability. Christmas Romances, especially of the Hallmark variety, are fun to joke about because they’re cheesy and follow a cookie-cutter plot line. However, I think that’s what makes them appealing. Fiction can be a wonderful escape from the real world and when the real world already has too much conflict and stress, knowing what’s going to happen next can create a perfectly cozy escape.
Thinking about writing your own cozy holiday romance?
Some key characteristics of a cozy winter novel include:
A winter setting - think small town, country cottage, a chilly city, or a snowy resort.
Comforting characters - they may be going through some things, but they are determined to overcome challenges with kindness and holiday cheer.
Heartwarming theme - Love, family, friendship, community, overcoming adversity, finding hope in difficult times, and the importance of kindness and compassion.
Cozy Plot - Rather than endless action and suspense, a cozy winter novel is slow and meandering with more focus on connections between characters
Escapism - This could be considered the secret ingredient. All of the characteristics above and the overall tone combine to create a comforting, low-stakes, escape from the busy real world.
This is your story and your world so while it’s good to hit all the marks of a holiday romance remember you have the ability to switch things up. What holiday are your characters celebrating? What family dynamic is the main character a part of? The options for your world are endless. Write what makes you happy and I think you’ll find readers excited to read along.
We can’t wait to see your cozy winter novel on the shelves of StoryForge! Update chapter-by-chapter or all at once, receive feedback from readers, and forge your path to publication. Sign up for your free account now!
