We're nearly in September, which, if you're in the northern hemisphere, means one thing: it's time for cozy autumnal books. Romance novels with leaves on the cover set in small towns with cute names that hold annual pumpkin carving festivals and Halloween decorating contests. Readers eat them up every fall, so if you're in the mood for a new, seasonally-appropriate story idea, check out the writing prompts below.

1. Trope: Opposites attract, fish out of water

   MC 1: Romance writer heroine

   MC 2: Lumberjack hero

   Dynamic: M/F

   Premise: MC1 visits a small-town for a month-long writer's retreat, only to butt heads with MC2, who is the co-owner of the retreat B&B, on the first day. But their chemistry inspires her, and as MC1 works on her next novel, she finds love developing on and off the page Prompt: Write the meet-cute scene
   

2. Tropes: Enemies to lovers, brother's best friend, forced proximity MC 1: Doctor, single dad MC 2: Sheriff

   Dynamic: M/M Premise: MC1 moves back to his hometown to give his son a chance at the idyllic childhood he enjoyed, far away from memories of his deceased partner. He isn't expecting to be pulled over by his high school enemy on his first day, and is shocked at how often they seem to run into each other. At first, they stick to their old dynamic, convinced that neither of them has changed, but a stormy night stuck together reveals the men they've become, and just how well they fit together now.

   Prompt: Write the forced proximity stormy night scene
   

3. Tropes: Grumpy x sunshine

   MC1: Grumpy billionaire

   MC2: Sunshine bookstore owner

   Dynamic: M/NB Premise: MC1 is burned out and on edge when he moves to the small town of Lumina. All he wants is a few months' rest, away from the company he just sold and the best friend he fell out with. Lumina is, unfortunately, heavily interested in the newcomer, but MC1 finds sanctuary in MC2's bookstore, and the two develop a quiet friendship that soon turns romantic, with MC2 helping MC1 face the difficulties he left behind in the city.

   Prompt: Write the first kiss scene

   
   

4. Tropes: black cat x golden retriever, marriage of convenience MC1: Black cat bartender MC2: Golden retriever brewer Dynamic: F/M

   Premise: MC1 is perfectly happy spending her life behind the bar, but when her bar is bought out by MC2's company, she's forced into the spotlight, working with MC2 to come up with 5 new beer-based cocktails for the bar's grand re-opening. She thinks it'll be torture, but MC2 isn't the arrogant ass she thought he was. He's kind, witty, and slowly breaks down her walls, teaching the lifelong misanthrope that sometimes, people can surprise you in the best ways.

   Prompt: Write a scene when MC1 accidentally spills an entire tray of drinks on MC2, and things get steamy as she cleans him up
   

5. Tropes: childhood friends to lovers MC1: Firefighter Mc2: Plant shop owner

   Dynamic: F/F Premise: MC1 has always harbored a small crush on her BFF MC2, but never acted on it. But when MC2 is suddenly single and needs MC1's help organising the town's annual pumpkin carving contest, the project brings the two closer than either of them expect, giving them a chance to explore feelings that, it turns out, both have been keeping secret for years.

   Prompt: Write the scene where MC1 learns she's been given the task of organising the town's biggest festival, with only 3 weeks' notice

Until next time, happy reading and writing!