Writing a Romance Novel For Dummies

Demystifies subgenres, from historical to paranormal Get the inside track on creating and marketing your romance novel In love with romance? This easy, step–by–step guide gives you the leading edge on writing your novel and getting published. From plotting and pacing to creating the perfect heroes and heroines, you’ll discover how to hook your reader, write with passion, and shape a proposal that will wow agents and editors. The Dummies Way Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear–out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun Discover how to: Map a compelling plot Develop your own voice Fine–tune your pacing Write love scenes Find the right agent Put together a winning submission Select a pseudonym

Foreword. Introduction. Part I: Welcome to the World of Romance Writing. Chapter 1: Romance Writing at a Glance. Chapter 2: Romancing the Marketplace: Identifying Your Options. Chapter 3: Setting Up for Stardom. Part II: Laying the Foundation: The Building Blocks of a Great Romance. Chapter 4: Creating Compelling Main Characters: Alpha Males and Fiery Females. Chapter 5: Crucial Ingredients for Every Plot: Conflict, Climax, and Resolution. Chapter 6: Setting the Scene. Chapter 7: Outlining Your Romance. Part III: Putting Pen to Paper. Chapter 8: Finding Your Own Voice. Chapter 9: Hearing Voices: Letting Your Characters Speak. Chapter 10: Pacing: The Secrets of Writing a Page–Turning Romance. Chapter 11: Taking It All Off: Writing Love Scenes. Part IV: Putting It All Together: Mechanics Count, Too. Chapter 12: Starting and Stopping. Chapter 13: Getting Your Story Straight: Doing Research Right. Chapter 14: Neatness Counts — and So Does Grammar. Part V: Submitting Your Manuscript — and Making the Sale! Chapter 15: Targeting the Right Publisher (And Editor). Chapter 16: Rejection and Revision: Don’t Let Them Get You Down. Chapter 17: Closing the Deal. Chapter 18: Tracing the Steps from Page to Press — and Beyond. Part VI: The Part of Tens. Chapter 19: Ten Plots Every Editor Knows — and Why They Still Work. Chapter 20: Ten Tips for Coming Up with a Successful Title. Chapter 21: Ten Common Writing Mistakes Beginners Make. Chapter 22: Ten Reasons Why a Manuscript Gets Rejected. Chapter 23: Ten Ways to Beat Writer’s Block. Chapter 24: Ten Questions Every Romance Writer Needs to Ask Herself. Index.

Leslie Wainger has worked with New York Times bestselling authors such as Linda Howard and Heather Graham in her over 20 years at Harlequin.