WD Editors

On Writing Romance
by Leigh Michaels
ISBM: 978-1-58294-436-1
$16.99 paperback; 272 pages
Available January 2007

Read a Chapter Now!

Learn about the four crucial components of any successful romance novel. Click here to view or download the table of contents, along with Chapter 3: Essential Elements.

About the Book

In On Writing Romance, award-winning romance novelist Leigh Michaels talks you through each stage of the writing and publishing process. From the origins and evolution of the romance novel to establishing a vital story framework to writing that last line to seeking out appropriate publishers, everything you ever wanted to know about writing a romance novel is here.

In addition to a comprehensive breakdown of more than thirty romance subgenres, including such categories as historical, inspirational, Regency, and sweet traditional, you’ll discover how to:

• Steer clear of clichés and stereotypes by studying the genre
• Craft engaging and realistic heroes and heroines readers will adore
• Convincingly develop the central couple’s blossoming relationship
• Add conflict by utilizing essential secondary characters like the “other woman”
• Use tension and timing to make your love scenes sizzle with sensuality
• Get your characters to happily-ever-after with an ending readers will always remember

Plus, read a sample query letter, cover letter, and synopsis, and learn how to properly prepare your romance novel for submission to agents and editors. On Writing Romance has everything you need to leave readers swooning!

About the Author

Leigh Michaels (www.leighmichaels.com) is the author of more than eighty contemporary romance novels and several nonfiction books. More than thirty million copies of her romance novels have been published by Harlequin Books. Six of her books have been finalists for Best Traditional Romance in the RITA contest sponsored by Romance Writers of America. She also has received two Reviewer’s Choice awards from Romantic Times. In addition, she teaches romance writing on the Internet at Gotham Writers’ Workshop and at Barnes & Noble University.

Table of Contents

Preface
Part One: Getting Ready to Write

Chapter One: Studying the Romance Novel
Chapter Two: Selecting and Researching Your Story

Part Two: Establishing Your Framework

Chapter Three: Essential Elements
Chapter Four: Hero and Heroine
Chapter Five: Conflict
Chapter Six: Relationships and Resolutions

Part Three: Writing Your Romance Novel

Chapter Seven: Starting to Write Your Story
Chapter Eight: Putting Your Story on Paper
Chapter Nine: Populating Your Romance Novel
Chapter Ten: Creating Sexual Tension and Love Scenes
Chapter Eleven: Using Point of View
Chapter Twelve: Writing Dialogue and Introspection
Chapter Thirteen: Building a Believable Plot
Chapter Fourteen: Bringing It All Together

Part Four: Submitting Your Romance Novel

Chapter Fifteen: Revising Your Manuscript
Chapter Sixteen: Marketing Your Romance Novel

Part Five: Appendices and References

Appendix A: The Query Letter
Appendix B: The Cover Letter
Appendix C: The Synopsis
Appendix D: The Cover Page
Appendix E: Romance Publishers
Appendix F: Consolidated Reading List