Writing Love and Intimacy

August 1, 2026

Hey everyone!

Now that I've wrapped up my discussion about the characters of the Frontier Hearts Trilogy, I thought I'd switch gears and talk about another important aspect of my storytelling: writing romance and intimacy.

Over the past couple of years, friends and readers have occasionally commented on how I handle intimate scenes in my novels. Most have appreciated that they're written with restraint rather than graphic detail, although one reader admitted they wished they had been a little more explicit. I completely understood that perspective because every reader, and every author, has different expectations when it comes to romance. For me, though, my approach has always been intentional.

When I begin writing a story, I always start with the characters. Their personalities, values, hopes, fears, and the emotional journey they take together are what matter most to me. The romance grows naturally from who they are rather than simply from moments of physical intimacy.

When those intimate moments do arrive, I want the focus to remain on the love, trust, and passion the characters share. I enjoy writing the anticipation, the first kiss, the growing closeness, and the quiet tenderness that follows. Rather than describing every physical detail, I prefer to let the emotional connection carry the scene. For me, showing Nate and Jack sharing a kiss that deepens into an embrace before ending with the two of them lying together in each other's arms says everything I want it to say. It allows readers to experience the intimacy while still leaving room for their own imagination.

I'm also very conscious of maintaining the emotional weight of those moments. I never want the physical details to overshadow what the scene is truly about—the expression of love between two people who have earned that moment together.

Throughout all of my stories, I've tried to focus on the many small moments that make relationships feel real: the conversations, the laughter, the quiet support, the disagreements, the forgiveness, and the simple comfort of sharing a life together. Those are the moments that have always fascinated me as both a writer and a reader because, in my opinion, they're what make a romance believable.

Every author approaches intimacy differently, and I truly believe that's one of the strengths of literature. This is simply the approach that feels most authentic to me and to the kinds of stories I want to tell.

Thanks, as always, for following along on this journey. Until next time, take care and be happy!

— Chris