For as long as I've been a writer of romance, I've heard comments about the formulaic nature of romance novels. After I became published, I began to hear the murmurs of the "secret formula" which all published writers keep amongst themselves--not unlike the Masonic handshake--and bring out for discussion only in behind-closed-doors PAN meetings. Well, the truth is that they (or we) never discuss the "formula"--not anywhere, not anytime. In fact, no one will admit that it exists. But while it may get me drummed out of the core, I've finally discovered what the secret formula is, and I'm willing to share it.

The perfect romance novel has seven vital ingredients and an innumerable number of optional additions. I'll take them one at a time, hoping to stress the importance of each.

1. A wonderful, loveable, sympathetic heroine. Your heroine has to be someone your reader can root for, someone who will deserve the happiness you will eventually settle upon her. She doesn't have to be sappy, sweet, or angelic in her behavior, but deep down in her core she must have something irresistible that makes her eventual happiness just and fair.

2. Ditto for the hero. Remember, you are giving this man to your heroine in the end. He must be worthy of the gift of her love.

3. Something that throws them together. Heck, if they can go their separate ways, the reader just might wonder why they don't. Who needs the trouble that they'll inevitably face before they can find happiness? You must make it darn near impossible for them to walk away.

4. An insurmountable obstacle for them to overcome. If she's wonderful, and he's worthy, and something is drawing them together, you better be sure there's some major stumbling block in the way of their happiness or your book will be over on page four! (And I mean major, not some trifling differences of opinion that they just bicker over. Think already married, think responsible for the death of a loved one, think pregnant with someone else's child. Well, don't think any of those--their mine, and I've used them to keep apart heroes and heroines who were made for each other--just made a little too late!)

5. A black moment. You've been working toward this from page one, or should have been. This is the scene where it becomes clear to the characters, or the reader, or both, that there is no chance that this wonderful woman can ever spend the rest of her days with the only man in the world who can make her truly happy.

6. A monkey wrench. It's always nice to surprise the reader with a little twist she didn't see coming, especially when it complicates the story just a bit more and delays that happy ending for another few pages.

7. The happy ending. Readers enjoy romance novels because they offer a safety net stretched tautly beneath all the excitement and frustration the characters will encounter through the course of the novel. They offer a guarantee that despite that insurmountable obstacle, despite that black moment and that monkey wrench, all will turn out well in the end. And that ending must be fitting, right, and satisfying.

And there you have it. Not so hard, right? Add a dash of history, or an exotic locale. Throw in a pinch of mystery and a dollop of mayhem. Toss with humor, pomp or warmth.

And stir constantly.

Letting it sit, especially in a desk drawer, will never get you published!

Stephanie Mittman is the best-selling author of eight novels including the award-winning THE MARRIAGE BED, the critically acclaimed THE COURTSHIP, A TASTE OF HONEY, SWEETER THAN WINE, and A KISS TO DREAM ON. Publisher's Weekly says: "Ms. Mittman does sweet historical romance to perfection." She is the co-president of Long Island Romance Writers. Visit her website at www.stephaniemittman.com for excerpts from all her books.