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Writing Romances: A Handbook by the Romance Writers of America
Jude Deveraux and 23 other top professionals provide valuable, how-to advice on the passionate craft of romance writing.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
209 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1997
3 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Rita Gallagher
6 books1 followerRita Gallagher, a founding member of the Romance Writers of America, was a noted writing instructor of romance novels. She also wrote three women's historical fiction novels from 1982 to 1986.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 12, 2019
A handy book with good general advice as well as specifics on publishing and writing and researching within a specific genre. The problem is that it's more than 20 years old, and MUCH has changed since then, from research to publishing to feminist expectations and social mores. (There are several references to the internet that are laughable now-- this newfangled electronic networking phenomenon that is affecting how research and other tasks can be done. "If you have a computer and a modem," hahaha.) As a result some chapters and sections are just skippable; we don't need an in medias res glimpse into the demise of the small bookstore (RIP), and the nitty-gritty about beginning research has changed, though it is still essential to know how to use a library. Some chapters are packed full of useful information, such as "The life and times of a manuscript," which is by a novel editor for a major publishing house, but it's hard to know how much the process of publishing and even the jobs and publishing options have changed. A history lesson on the development of the historical romance is great, but it stops, rather disconcertingly, around the apex of Fabio's career. What happened next? What do readers want now? I'd love to see a revised and updated version of this essay and this entire book.
The structure, with essays by different authors, means that there is useful advice and the unique perspectives of many successful authors to be found here. It also means that it's not as practical to browse it as a how-to book. Unlike "Writing the Romance Novel" by Leigh Michaels, this book doesn't dwell on the craft of creative writing so much as offer some hard-won perspective on writing and publishing as an industry and romance as a market-driven genre. There are some great nuggets of craft guidance as well, particularly in the interweaving of action and character to create the romantic suspense genre, everyone insisting that you must research, research, research.
The structure, with essays by different authors, means that there is useful advice and the unique perspectives of many successful authors to be found here. It also means that it's not as practical to browse it as a how-to book. Unlike "Writing the Romance Novel" by Leigh Michaels, this book doesn't dwell on the craft of creative writing so much as offer some hard-won perspective on writing and publishing as an industry and romance as a market-driven genre. There are some great nuggets of craft guidance as well, particularly in the interweaving of action and character to create the romantic suspense genre, everyone insisting that you must research, research, research.
October 7, 2012
What an interesting read!
Although this is an older book (from the late 90s), the chapters basically amount to essays on various subjects of the romance genre -- each written by experts in the field such as Debbie Macomber and Christina Dodd.
Especially fun reads were the chapters in part four -- more specifically, "Writing the Historical -- Then and Now," by Jennifer Blake, "Writing the Short Contemporary Romance," by Helen R. Meyers, and "Writing the Young Adult Romance," by Sherry Garland. (I'd love to see an update by Sherry Garland on this chapter, with the development of recent vampire/werewolf stories!)
Besides these great reads, there's some good advice that still holds true today no matter what type of fiction writer you are. If you're serious about writing romances, this is a must-have book and I highly recommend it!
Although this is an older book (from the late 90s), the chapters basically amount to essays on various subjects of the romance genre -- each written by experts in the field such as Debbie Macomber and Christina Dodd.
Especially fun reads were the chapters in part four -- more specifically, "Writing the Historical -- Then and Now," by Jennifer Blake, "Writing the Short Contemporary Romance," by Helen R. Meyers, and "Writing the Young Adult Romance," by Sherry Garland. (I'd love to see an update by Sherry Garland on this chapter, with the development of recent vampire/werewolf stories!)
Besides these great reads, there's some good advice that still holds true today no matter what type of fiction writer you are. If you're serious about writing romances, this is a must-have book and I highly recommend it!
September 24, 2020
This book is useful, with 25 quick chapters to inspire, solve problems and create stories.
January 2, 2015
I have to admit that I'm more impressed by this book than I expected I'd be, which means I'm probably guilty of some of the "literati snobbery" Gallagher addresses in the book's afterward. Each of the book's 25+ chapters are written by a different romance author, addressing a different component including genre (category, Regency, mainstream, etc.), publishing, working with an agent, etc. There's good advice here for any serious writer.
Some of these chapters read more like critical essays than a how-to primer, which made me appreciate the book even more. The romance authors writing herein--some of whom are college professors and all of whom are bestsellers--write with knowledge that goes far beyond how to write a love scene. History, theory and psychology are discussed, along with the importance of understanding that, to write a successful romance, "love must conquer all".
Recommended for writers.
Some of these chapters read more like critical essays than a how-to primer, which made me appreciate the book even more. The romance authors writing herein--some of whom are college professors and all of whom are bestsellers--write with knowledge that goes far beyond how to write a love scene. History, theory and psychology are discussed, along with the importance of understanding that, to write a successful romance, "love must conquer all".
Recommended for writers.
September 14, 2023
Jude Deveraux and 23 other top professionals generously share their invaluable insights on the art of romance writing in this exceptional resource. This book is not just a collection of great reads; it's also a plethura of advice that resonates with writers across various fiction genres. The wisdom imparted within its pages transcends the boundaries of romance, making it a valuable resource for writers of all kinds.
For those who aspire to craft romance novels, this book is nothing short of essential. It serves as a guiding light, illuminating the intricate and passionate craft of romance writing. The advice offered by Deveraux and her fellow contributors is not only practical but also deeply inspiring.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone contemplating the journey of writing a romance novel. It's a must-have companion that will empower you with the knowledge and guidance needed to embark on your own romantic literary adventure.
For those who aspire to craft romance novels, this book is nothing short of essential. It serves as a guiding light, illuminating the intricate and passionate craft of romance writing. The advice offered by Deveraux and her fellow contributors is not only practical but also deeply inspiring.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone contemplating the journey of writing a romance novel. It's a must-have companion that will empower you with the knowledge and guidance needed to embark on your own romantic literary adventure.
February 23, 2014
Good information, but a bit dated (it was published in 1996). There should be a update with more internet information and newer writers to the romance scene.
That aside, there were still a lot of details that were interesting to learn; like why to get an agent, the process a manuscript takes to become a published, how to research different romance genres. I would highly recommend it to anything thinking of writing a romance novel.
That aside, there were still a lot of details that were interesting to learn; like why to get an agent, the process a manuscript takes to become a published, how to research different romance genres. I would highly recommend it to anything thinking of writing a romance novel.
September 27, 2008
Diana's chapter on Paranormal Romance was the reason I purchased this book. Other than the one chapter I was interested in..I thought the rest of it was SMELLY. ;)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews