How to Become a Romance Writer

Understand the appeal of the romance novel and discover the background to this immensely popular form of writing. Who reads romance novels and who are they written for?

This guide will help you to discover if you have the skills and qualities needed to become a successful romance writer. It teaches you the structure and essential elements of a romance novel and the tricks of the trade for writing passionate love scenes. It also covers the many opportunities that exist for romance writers, apart from writing novels, and what you can expect to be paid for them.

The guide will help you to find the right publisher, learn their publishing guidelines and the best way to approach them. The Resource section lists contacts, support agencies for romance writers, and the many other resources that are available to you including writers’ associations and publisher lists. If you have ever considered writing a romance novel, this guide will give you everything you need to know to get started.

Table of Contents

Welcome to the TopJobGuide®: How to Become a Romance Writer

What's in this guide?

About the author

The romance industry

A little bit of background

The appeal of the romance novel

Statistics

Who reads romance novels?

What a romance writer can earn

History of romance novels

Early romance novels-from bodice rippers to the present

So, you write that kind of book …

What to expect when you mention your 'other' life

Keeping it a secret

When and why did you start writing?

Opportunities for romance writers

Romance writers conferences

Writing success: is it who you know?

Online critique groups

What online critique groups can do for you

The benefits of e-mail

Advice for aspiring romance writers

Getting the call

When your manuscript is rejected

Ten reasons why manuscripts are rejected

The role of a romance author?

Top 10 romance writing tips

Harlequin romance top 10 wish list

What does a romance writer do?

A typical day in the life of a romance writer …

Goals and long term plans

Setting and achieving your goals

Staying motivated

What qualities and skills do you need to become a romance writer?

Qualities

So, what else do you need?

Skills

Self-check: do i have what it takes?

Tips for newly published authors

An introduction to romance writing

What's the submission process for your target publisher?

Manuscript presentation

How to get started in a career as a romance writer

Where do you start?

Know your markets

What to send … and where …

A word about e-publishing

Essential elements of a romance novel

The love scene-write at the level you're comfortable with

Opening hook-start with the action

Writing the novel

What comes first: setting, plot or character?

The final product-checklist

Questions to ask yourself at the end of every scene you write:

Know what each chapter will contain before you sit down and write the scenes

Are you ready to begin?

Writing your romance novel

You're done with your novel, then what?

Do you need an agent?

More useful resources

Books

Writing communities

Articles and writer's help

Sentence construction and grammar

Writers centres in Australia