Writing Romance

Writing Romance
by Vanessa Grant

Writing Romance
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Book Summary Information

Author: Vanessa Grant
Edition: Paperback
Published: 2007-04-30
ISBN: 1551807394
Number of pages: 309
Publisher: Self-Counsel Press

Book Reviews of Writing Romance

Book Review: Writing Romance worked for me!
Summary: 5 Stars

When I first received this book as a gift, I sat down immediately and read it cover to cover. Being an avid writer of romance fiction, it was the book I had been looking for. Writing Romance is a great source for writers just venturing out into the world of romance fiction, but offers all writers great tips and techniques. Not only does Vanessa explain her techniques in this book, but she also offers examples of how she used the techniques within excerpts of her own published novels, giving the reader a better understanding of how and when to use the technique. When I wrote my first romance novel, I used her book as my 'bible'. In the end, it proved to be an extremely helpful companion to me, and I completed a novel of 75,000 words. In this book, Vanessa provides her reader with a wealth of information as well as samples of query letters, manuscript formats, synopsis, character sketches, data sheets, as well as internet information for romance writers, publishers, agents, and more! If you're a struggling romance writer hoping to see your book hit the shelves, this is the book for you.

Summary of Writing Romance

The writer sits at her desk, her auburn hair catching the late-afternoon sun, her chocolate-brown eyes focused far, far away. For as long as she could remember, she'd spent Sundays at the beach, wearing the same bikini she'd worn in high school and looking even better now than she did then. Each of her companions was more compelling than the last one; her life was an ever-changing cast of ... romance novels. The stories were exciting and alluring, each fulfilling its promise to whisk her away. After having read so many romances, then, why was she having so much trouble writing her own? Because she didn't have Vanessa Grant, published by Harlequin 25 times over, to attend to her queries about plot, conflict, character development, and love (not sex, please) scenes. As luck would have it, now anyone can benefit from Grant's romance-writing know-how. In Writing Romance she coaches you on everything from naming your characters to getting an editor to read your finished manuscripts. She's got ideas about story development ("Try dumping your character into your worst nightmare"), setting ("If you're not an expert on your setting, it's wise to have your character new to the setting as well"), suspense (it's created by unanswered questions), and more. If you find that your characters are running amuck, try out Grant's garbage-can test. Pretend to throw out your novel. Then, Grant says, ask yourself what one part of the story you would pick out of the garbage, if you could pick out just one. You might be surprised by what you hold on to. Grant peppers her text with helpful examples from the pages (and preparations) of her own books.
  • Create a romance bestseller
  • Write romantic scenes from start to finish
  • Get in on the big business of writing romance!
  • Realize your creative dream and make money, too!

Romance novels represent one of the most lucrative genres in book publishing--making up over half of all mass market fiction sold in North America and generating more than $1.2 billion a year. This book will show you everything you need to know to successfully break into the romance writing market, from planning and plotting your story to editing and selling your manuscript. Whether you're excited by classic love stories or steamy erotic romances, there's a market for your love story. Let Vanessa Grant coach you in the process of getting from idea to finished novel.

Learn how to:

  • Develop characters your readers will care about
  • Write sensual and romantic scenes
  • Set up a suspenseful story
  • Research your plot details
  • Use your computer to write efficiently
  • Work with an agent
  • Find a publisher
  • Sell your book

Writing Romance includes contributions from popular romance authors Jo Beverley, Mary Jo Putney, Gail Crease, E. C. Sheedy, and others writing about subgenres of the romance field: historical romances, paranormal romances, romantic suspense, erotic romances, and more.

A CD-ROM jam-packed with helpful templates, audio files, and two e-books is also included.

Highlights of the CD:

  • Excel template for tracking character history and timelines
  • Trial version of MuseNames character-naming software
  • Bonus MP3s from Vanessa Grant's seminars on writing great romance novels
  • Two complete e-books

General Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in Ultimate Guide to Writing Bestselling Romance Novels and Screenplays
You Can Write a Romance (You Can Write) ImageYou Can Write a Romance (You Can Write)
by Rita Clay Estrada
Writers Digest Books; Published: 1999-07-15; Paperback; Book
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by Leslie Wainger
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Writing Romantic Fiction (Writing Handbooks) ImageWriting Romantic Fiction (Writing Handbooks)
by Daphne Clair, Robyn Donald
A&C Black; Published: 2007-09-01; Paperback; Book
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by Billy Mernit
Collins; Published: 2001-08-01; Paperback; Book
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by Vanessa Grant
Self-Counsel Press; Published: 2007-04-30; Paperback; Book
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by Catherine Lanigan
Allworth Press; Published: 2006-08-01; Paperback; Book
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by Gail Gaymer Martin
Writers Digest Books; Published: 2007-12-20; Paperback; Book
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The Writer ImageThe Writer
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Will Write for Shoes: How to Write a Chick Lit Novel ImageWill Write for Shoes: How to Write a Chick Lit Novel
by Cathy Yardley
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