Good writing style is a must. The language should be able to convey the emotions effectively. Also, many popular ones often have a unique setting. It could be in a high - school, in a workplace, or in a fictional fantasy world, which makes the story more interesting and engaging.
One characteristic is intense emotional exploration. Since it's about two male characters falling in love, the novels often delve deep into their insecurities, joys, and fears regarding their relationship.
A strong plot is another characteristic. It could be something like dealing with family acceptance, career challenges while being in a relationship, or just the simple journey of two people getting to know each other. The setting can also add to the charm. For instance, a historical setting can bring in elements of forbidden love which is often very appealing in bl romance novels. And of course, the writing style should be engaging, using vivid language to describe the emotions and interactions between the characters.
Once upon a time, a fisherman in a Chinese village found a mysterious box in his net. It could be filled with precious jewels which would make him rich (good). But it also might contain something dangerous or bring him bad luck according to the superstitious beliefs in the village. This is a typical'maybe good maybe bad' Chinese story.
You can start with an uncertain event. For example, 'One day, I received a mysterious letter. I had no idea who it was from or what it contained. It could be good news or bad news.'
A boy bought a lottery ticket. It was a'maybe good maybe bad story'. He was excited about the possibility of winning a large amount of money. When the results came out, he didn't win the big prize. He was really disappointed at first. But then he realized that he had spent very little money on the ticket. And this experience made him understand that he should not rely too much on such uncertain things. Instead, he should work hard to earn money. So it was a bad thing in terms of not winning, but a good thing in terms of the lesson he learned.
Popular BL romance novels often have strong character development. The main characters usually go through a journey of self - discovery, especially in relation to their sexual orientation and feelings towards each other. For example, in 'Call Me by Your Name', Elio has to come to terms with his love for Oliver.
Well, 'Heartstopper' is also a great 'bl romance novel'. It has been adapted into a popular series as well. The story focuses on the sweet and innocent relationship between two high - school boys, with themes of friendship, acceptance, and first love. And 'Red, White & Royal Blue' is a fun 'bl romance novel' that involves a relationship between a prince and the son of the US president.
Power imbalance is a common theme. One character may have more control or influence over the other, leading to a tumultuous relationship. For example, in some novels, one character might be wealthy and use that to manipulate the other.