Romance Writing Buzz

Goal, motivation and conflict

2008-06-15T17:32:00.001-07:00

This book has been around for a few years, but it's one every writer needs: "Goal, Motivation & Conflict: The Building Blocks of Good Fiction" by Debra Dixon.

Because the book has been out for a while, you can get it online but not in your actual bookstore. You also can go directly to Debra Dixon's site to get the book.

Especially if you are a new fiction writer, this book explains in very simple terms and using several movies as examples, how important goal, motivation and conflict are to your story. Without these three elements, there is no story.

I've had the opportunity to hear Dixon speak at at Romance Writers of America national conference and she's awesome. If you get the chance to hear her at a nearby conference, make the time. It's worth it.

Advice on how to not get an agent

2008-06-15T16:31:00.000-07:00

Literary agent Kristin Nelson with the Nelson Literary Agency says it's a nice gesture, but please don't send bribes along with your manuscripts.

Doesn't matter how small the measure — cookies or gifts — can't be accepted.

As she says on her blog Pub Rants, everyone gets the same opportunity to show off their best work. No bribe is necessary.

Writer's Digest's 101 Best Sites for 2008

2008-05-28T00:01:00.001-07:00

Writer's Digest has released its 101 Best Sites for 2008 which includes agent websites, general resources, niche/genre websites for writers, publishing resources and more.

How to pick pseudonyms

2008-05-10T07:16:00.000-07:00

Not sure if you want to use your own name or a pseudonym for your writing?

Nelson Literary Agent Kristin Nelson discusses tips for picking a suitable pseudonym for your writing career.

Barnes & Noble Studio

2008-05-04T22:04:00.001-07:00

Barnes & Noble Inc. has launched Barnes & Noble Studio, featuring content about books, readers, writers and showcasing Web video series and other multimedia content.

From glancing at it just now, the front page offers me the opportunity to listen to video interviews with authors such as Debbie Macomber and Mary and Carol Higgins Clark, and a online show called tagged! where the hosts discuss "This Week in Books."

Basically, consider this a coffee shop for readers and writers where they can learn more about what they are reading and can "meet" authors they've always dreamed of meeting, though virtually.

For authors, this is a tremendous publicity tool to introduce their books to a larger audience.

HQN Editors offer podcast interviews

2008-05-04T21:56:00.000-07:00

Here's another way to get to know some of the editors that you may be targeting for your book.

Harlequin Enterprises Limited has started to air Meet the Editors podcasts featuring interviews of acquiring editors discussing their various series and imprints.

New episodes are added every two weeks on podcasts such as eharlequin.com, iTunes , PodcastPickle.com and others.

Meet a few editors

2008-04-26T00:17:00.000-07:00

Once again, Harlequin V-P Isabel Swift has let writers take a peek behind the doors of Harlequin to get to know the people who read our manuscripts.

Here's a handful she recently has spotlighted on her blog:

• Diana Ventimiglia, associate editor for Desire

• Allison Lyons, editor of continuities.

• Mary-Theresa Hussey, executive editor of the Silhouette imprint.

• Emily Rodmell, assistant editor for the Steeple Hill lines

Don't fall for scams

2008-04-23T01:15:00.000-07:00

Newbie writers are sometimes so desperate to see their words in print that they can't wait for the publishing process and turn instead to self publishing or vanity publishing.

Check out the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America's Writer Beware site for information about the pitfalls of vanity publishing, things to check and warning signs. There are many schemes to target writers.

Working in the newspaper business by day, I see this quite often when I receive books to review. I see a lot of self published books that honestly aren't worth reading. I only read them when I'm absolutely forced to, for good reason. Plus, self published books are generally very expensive for the reader. Who can afford to pay $15 to $25 for one book that's not a hardback and not by a well-known author?

Yes, finding the perfect editor or agent is hard. You may receive tons of rejections, but I promise it will be worth it in the end.

In the publishing business, nothing is easy.

Romance versus Women's Fiction

2008-04-11T23:59:00.000-07:00

Barbara Samuel had an interesting post on Romancing the Blog today about women's fiction versus romance.

She wanted readers' opinions on whether they stick to one genre (romance) or enjoy various genres. For example, do you read JUST contemporary romance, or do you also read women's fiction and historical romance? Do you read paranormals or erotica?

Everyone has their own tastes. I, myself, have a wide range of interests.

I enjoy contemporary romance the most, though I will read almost anything if the back cover blurb gets me. I do like the women's fiction that I've read similar to Debbie Macomber's Thursdays at Eight or The Shop on Blossom Street.

Barbara Samuel says that many do not like women's fiction because of the possibility that it might not have a happy ending. I will say I prefer a happy ending, but I don't require it. While saying that, I want a satisfactory ending. I don't want my hero to drown in the ocean while he is on the way to tell me he loves me ("Message in a Bottle"). Take the movie "Breakup." At first I was upset with the ending because they did not end up together. Once I thought about it though, I realized the movie had the right ending. They grew from their experience together. But that doesn't mean that they are right for each other in the end. They had both changed and too much had happened for them to go back. These two people are better off because of their experiences with each other.The movie does leave you with the possibility that later on in the future, they could "try" again but it doesn't promise.

I will read paranormal romance, but I admit it's not my favorite genre. I feel the same about historical romance.

However, if someone I know recommends the book I will try it, or if an author I like has written it, I will consider it. I've enjoyed many paranormals and historicals this way — books I never would have picked up otherwise. This also has taught me to try new things. Barbara Samuels touches upon this too -- many authors write in different genres and they hope that readers will take the chance to try their other works. If I like the author's voice, I will read anything they write, regardless of genre.

What are your thoughts on genres? Do you have a favorite? Will you read a women's fiction book if it doesn't have a happy ending?

Baby Be Mine by Eve Gaddy

2008-04-08T23:30:00.000-07:00

This week I'm reading a Harlequin Superromance Baby Be Mine by Eve Gaddy.

This is a "marriage of inconvenience" book, according to the cover. The heroine Maggie Barnes is hardworking cop who has appeared in a couple of her other recent books. In "Baby Be Mine," Maggie requests her good friend Tucker's help when she finds an abandoned baby by her patrol car. She insists their instant family will be temporary as soon as she gets custody of the baby, but their intense attraction may not allow that to happen.

I've read many of Gaddy's books in the past few years, and in fact, one of her books led me to my renewed interest in writing fiction.

I saw that she was from a RWA chapter in my area and decided to attend a meeting. I have been a member of RWA ever since. She also was the first author I met in person.

Rita and Golden Heart finalists announced

2008-03-31T00:04:00.000-07:00

Romance Writers of America has announced the 2008 RITA finalists and the 2008 Golden Heart finalists.

The RITA Award is the highest honor presented in the genre of romance fiction. The award will honor romance fiction published in 2007 in 12 categories.

The Golden Heart contest honors the best in unpublished romance manuscripts of 2007. More than 1,000 manuscripts were judged in 10 categories.

Winners will be announced Aug. 2 at the RITA and Golden Heart Awards Ceremony during the RWA National Conference in San Francisco, CA.

A special auction for writers

2008-03-25T23:09:00.000-07:00

Harlequin author Brenda Novak is now holding her fourth annual Online Auction to Benefit Diabetes Research.

She has a amazing list of auction items perfect for writers — including agent and editor evalations, or once-in-a-life time trips to stay in Nora Roberts Inn in Boonsboro, Maryland or Susan Wiggs' home, or special lunches and dinners with several authors. There's also neat items such as the Amazon Kindle e-reader or paid fee to the national RWA conference.

There's also tons of other items and prizes such as electronics, gift baskets, romantic getaways, jewelry, purses, autographed items and even website design.

The auction will run from May 1 to May 31, but you should go ahead and check out what is being auctioned now to get an idea of what is available.

Writing a Synopsis

2008-03-23T22:27:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't dread writing a synopsis? I don't know many authors who actually enjoy them. Yet many have learned ways to get through them. They are a necessary means to an end. Editors and agents need to see where your book is going and the synopsis is the best tool for the job.

Check out author Charlotte Dillon's website for help on getting through a synopsis.

Found an interesting blog for HQN

2008-03-22T00:47:00.000-07:00

While surfing for topics to write about, I hit upon Harlequin VP Isabel Swift's blog where she discusses publishing, editorial, romance and storytelling in the 21st Century, and her perspective given her Harlequin connection.

What I like about her blog from an author's perspective, is that she provides us with profiles of the editors that we are submitting to. We get to see what they are looking for and some of their pet peeves. Plus, she even puts photos with the profiles. It's much easier to send off a submission and actually know what the person looks like. I don't know if that really matters, but to me it means that they are a real flesh and blood human being just like me, not an evil editor (we hope).

According to her latest blog, which gives a profile of editorial assistant Elizabeth Mazer with Steeple Hill/Silhouette, they are looking for new authors for Love Inspired, Love Inspired Historical and the Silhouette lines.

Possible B&N, Borders merger

2008-03-21T01:56:00.000-07:00

According to reports, book retailer Borders Group Inc. is considering selling and its possible that No. 1 bookseller Barnes & Noble could acquire the company.

If that were to happen, it may not be good for romance authors. See agent Kristen Nelson's blog for details.

Congratulations Barbara Vey!

2008-03-15T00:02:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Barbara Vey and her Beyond Her Book blog on Publishers Weekly!

Barbara just celebrated her first anniversary with an online anniversary celebration featuring all kinds of virtual goodies such as an martinis of all flavors, a coffee bar, chips and dip, and even a luscious chocolate fountain!

Barbara reviewed her first year where she interviewed tons of authors from a reader's perspective while blogging on women's fiction, visiting numerous writing conferences and events.

Dozens of authors, publishers and agents chipped in to donate books from various authors to those who "stopped by" to visit the celebration.

As of this posting, more than 600 people had left comments about her online celebration.

And the winners are...

2008-03-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

Romance Writers of America has announced its 2008 award recipients. Let's roll out the red carpet for:

Vicki Lewis Thompson, author of the Nerd series, is the winner of the newly named RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. Be sure to check out her new Hex series. She is an eight-time finalist for RWA's prestigious Rita award and the author of more than 50 books.

Linda Winstead Jones won the RWA Emma Merritt Service Award. This award is bestowed on a member who has made major commitments of service to RWA. This award can only be given once.

Jill Lumber and Nicole Burnham are winners of the RWA Service Award, which also awards winners who make major commitments of service to RWA.

The RWA Vivian Stephens Industry Award will go to Sue Grimshaw, a romance buyer for Borders Group Inc. This goes to a non-writing professional in the romance-publishing industry who has contributed to the genre or to RWA in a significant manner.

RWA Librarian of the Year is Susan Gibberman of Schaumburg Township District Library in Schaumburg, IL. The award is given annually to a librarian who demonstrates outstanding support of the romance genre or its authors.

The RWA Grant recipient for 2008-09 is Sarah S.G. Frantz, assistant professor of literature at Fayetteville State University. Her project is called "The Rare Tears of a Strong Man": Power Exchange and the Construction of Masculinity in Popular Romance Fiction."

There were no nominations submitted for the RWA Veritas Award. This award (when there are nominations) is given annually for the article that appears in print or in another medium that best depicts the romance genre in a positive light. I think RWA members needs to strive to nominate possible recipients for 2009. I believe there are people out there that deserve it.

The winners of these awards will be recognized at the 2008 RWA National Conference this summer.

RWA Lifetime Achievement Award renamed

2008-03-06T23:56:00.000-08:00

Romance Writers of America has renamed its RWA Lifetime Achievement Award to the RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award, according to a RWA Hot Sheet alert for members.

Read about some of the 2008 awards recently announced, including the newly named RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award at Dearauthor.com

My interview with Nora Roberts

2008-03-04T23:48:00.000-08:00

In July 2007 during the Romance Writers of America's national conference in Dallas, I was fortunate to secure an interview with the Queen of Romance, Nora Roberts.

I've been able to interview other wonderful authors over the years, but unfortunately most of the others aren't available on the web. I hope to get them up in the future. Among others, I've interviewed authors Debbie Macomber, Carly Phillips, Diana Palmer, Eve Gaddy, Dee Davis,Mary Alice Monroe and Harlequin editor Leslie Wainger.

What I'm Reading

2008-03-04T23:40:00.000-08:00

Right now I'm reading Cherry Adair's Hot Ice.

This book is very character-driven. Huntington St. John is an operative with the privately funded freelance anti-terrorist organization T-FLAC. He needs to retrieve vital computer disks from jewel thief Taylor Kincaid that she picked up during her recent heist that could stop a deadly terrorist. The interaction between these two characters, even down to their slightest facial expressions, makes me feel like I'm watching a movie. It's sexy and smart and I literally can't put the book down.

I love romance novels!

2008-03-04T23:33:00.000-08:00

I love everything about romance novels. That's not an exaggeration. I love the characters. The alpha males. The strong (not wimpy!) women. I love the plots. I love the books and the book covers. I love writing romance. I love reading my RWR. I love being a part of Romance Writers of America and my local chapter.

So my goal with this blog is to promote romance novels. I've reviewed several books over the last several years through my newspaper job but haven't been able to do it a lot lately due to the time I'm allotted at work. I hope to do some though in the near future.

I want to help promote authors, especially debut authors. I have a respect for them because I know how hard they have worked to finish and sell their novel.

My blog will have posts about authors, their books, their websites, their book trailers, the romance writing industry, interesting websites and blogs, etc.

I am particular about one thing: I will not promote self-published books. I'm sorry, but that's just how I feel.