Courses

Romance novels make up 46 percent of all books sold in the United States, selling more than mystery and science fiction combined. The field itself, however, can be surprisingly hard to break into. Writing successfully within the genre without resorting to clichéd character arcs or hackneyed plots takes more writing skill than many imagine. Successful commercial romance novels are authored by intelligent, literate writers who have figured out how to break into this crowded and competitive market to gain increasingly scarce and valuable exposure. In this workshop, you’ll learn the common misconceptions writers (and readers) have about this genre, and the truths that hide behind them. We’ll look at the form of the novel itself and how to work within, rather than against, the tropes of romance. We’ll figure out how to create organic, believable conflict that carries through from your inciting incident to your final scene, and how to make your happily-ever-after a satisfying and original resolution for even the most academic reader. Excellent examples include Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas (historical) and Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie (contemporary); neither is required reading, but both are highly recommended. Finally, we'll discuss where the romance market is going in this rapidly changing publishing world and where your work might fit best within it.