Plotting is the backbone of any good story.  In a romance novel, you should have two plots going at the same time--the love affair between the hero and heroine and the action taking place that keeps them apart, both physically and emotionally.  In the best novels, the love story and action are interwoven and interdependent.  The lovers wouldn't grow and change without being thrust into or choosing to jump into a difficult situation, and the story wouldn't occur without the involvement of two people who care enough about each other to endure some tough times together.  These tough times (the action) can include such things as a battle against the villain, a struggle against nature or circumstance, or the lifestyle differences between the two main characters.  The hero and heroine either work together to conquer the tough times or work against each other until they suddenly realize they love each other.  Usually the midpoint of the book takes place when this realization occurs.  From there the plot turns and starts to run "downhill" gaining speed and intensity until the climax at the end.

The most satisfying stories thrust the characters into the main "problem" on the very first page of the book, and then push the hero/heroine through a series of crises, disappointments, and setbacks which are all related to the main story problem and are not just a bunch of unconnected misfortunes.  Never let life be too easy for your main characters.  Simple disappointments in love are not enough to sustain a story.  The more the heroine and hero suffer and rise above their troubles, the more they will be respected and loved by your readers.

Also remember to keep the sexual tension high.  The main reason readers continue to turn the pages is to find out if the lovers end up together.  Don't give out this information too soon or readers will lose interest in your story.  Not until the last moment should the lovers confess their love or finally agree to spend their life together.  A good rule of thumb is to solve the action plot first and wait until the last scene of your book to resolve the emotional plot.

A typically well-plotted story includes three sections: 

1) A setup (introduction of characters and The Problem)

2) Five main scenes where the characters collide with the The Problem and discover how it is making their love a living hell and,

3) A period of resolution at the end. 

Any other minor scenes you create should support the five main scenes as either stepping stones or setbacks.  An easy way to plan your story is to do the setup and right after it, throw in a setback.  Then, right before the resolution, when things are looking up for the main characters, throw in another setback.  As one writer put it, "Plotting and interesting story is easy--it's just one damn thing after another."

For excellent information on plotting, read A SCREENWRITER'S WORKBOOK by Syd Field.

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