- Delivery Method Online
- Professional Certificate
- 24hrs Suggested Study Time
- 3 Months Access
- Tutor Support
- Study On Any Device
- 278 Students
Romance Writing
Quick Facts
Whether you're a new or experienced writer, this course will teach you the skills you need to write a romance novel that will make readers swoon.
Romance is the #1 selling genre in mass-market fiction with readers clamoring for more! To pen a novel romance readers love, you'll need to understand how to meet and exceed their expectations—exactly what this class will focus on. Whether you're a new or experienced writer, this course will help you broaden your skills and understand exactly what makes a romance reader finish a book with that ""Ahh"" of satisfaction.
You'll start by learning about the genre of romance and exploring why you fell in love with your favorite romance novels. Then we'll build on these insights. You'll explore how to craft three-dimensional characters your readers will love and how to weave a plot so your story grabs the reader's interest from page one. And of course, you'll gain valuable techniques—your ""romance writer's toolbox""—to apply to your own manuscript.
But good writing is good writing, whether you're drafting a romance, a sci-fi adventure, or a thriller. With that in mind, we'll also spend a couple lessons looking at and practicing elements important for any writer to master: setting, pacing, point of view, dialogue, research, mood, and tone. You'll take on fun assignments that will help you hone your craft.
By the time you finish, you'll be able to pick up a book and figure out what makes it a best seller, or why it's been called a classic, or why it appealed to you as a reader. Even better, you'll have mastered tools and techniques so you can add those same elements to your own writing.
Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.
This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.
In the first lesson, you'll learn a simple definition for a romance and discover the hallmark element of all romance novels. (Think it's just a love story? Think again!) We'll talk about why fulfilling reader expectations is so important, and you'll get an overview of the subgenres found in romance to see where your idea might fit. Finally, you'll take a look at the romances that have really resonated with you—the ones you read over and over again—to discover what makes a "great" book "great."
Next, we'll explore what's needed to create a romance that readers will come to again and again. We'll start by outlining a short list of romance classics that are as popular today as when they were first written. Then we'll pull one classic book off the class Keeper Shelf and use it to demonstrate the eight essential and three optional elements all romance novels should have in order to meet reader expectations.
Our third lesson introduces you to the heart of the romance novel—the characters. In this lesson, we'll talk about what readers expect from your heroine and hero, as well as your options for making your hero and heroine uniquely your own. We'll also explore how to use secondary characters to support your central story, and examine examples drawn from some favorite romances and romantic-comedy movies.
Here, we go deeper into characterization. You'll learn to use tools that will help you get to know your characters on a deeper level. Knowing your characters inside and out will help you make them come alive on the page and better reach the high level of reader satisfaction you want your romance to deliver.
This lesson covers three concepts that serve as the bridge between character and plot development: goal, motivation, and conflict. Throughout the lesson, we'll create a character's GMC chart, noting story goals, the character's motivation, and the internal and external conflicts he or she faces. You'll see how developing the GMC chart provides information that will help you create plots that challenge your characters and satisfy your readers.
Now we're going to get to the meat of your romance: the plot. We'll discuss the difference between story plot and romantic plot, then take a look at the different kinds of romance plots that are common in the genre. Ultimately, we'll see how identifying your basic plot pattern can help as you're writing your romance.
Today, we continue the discussion on plotting. Here, you'll explore the main components of a plotline and examine how to weave in subplots to enhance your main plot. You'll also see how you can organize your plot according to the Three Act Structure to ensure readers are eager to stick with it all the way to your HEA ending. Finally, you'll learn about some typical beginner's mistakes you'll want to avoid as you're developing your plot.
There's still more to be said about plotting! Here, you'll explore how the elements you use to build your plot form the basic structure we looked at last time. You'll start by examining how you'll use cause and effect to create believable events that draw the reader in. Then we'll look at the building blocks of plot, scene, and sequel, and see how you can use them to structure the ebb and flow of your story.
Evoking emotion in readers is a key element in romance. Today, we'll discuss two tenets of romance writing along with various tools that will help you write emotionally packed scenes. Finally, we'll discuss the all-important topic of writing a sex scene—whether or not your story even needs one, and how you can ensure the scene moves your reader along with your characters.
Good writing is good writing, whether you're drafting a romance, a sci-fi adventure, or a thriller. In this lesson, we'll begin to look at the elements of a writer's craft that you'll need to master on your way to penning your romance. We'll cover three crucial elements that are central to all fiction: dialogue, pacing, and point of view. We'll examine examples of each in depth so that by the end of the lesson, you'll be ready to start applying what you learn to your own romance.
In this lesson, we'll continue our exploration of important elements of writing fiction: research, setting, mood, and tone. You'll learn why research is so important, how setting can reflect and even impact your characters, and how mood and tone contribute to the overall impact of your romance.
After all your hard work, you'll finally be able to write "The End." But you're still not done! In this lesson, we'll discuss the steps writers need to take after they've finished the first draft of their manuscript. We'll learn about the need for revisions and editing, discuss the importance of critique groups and partners, and wrap the class up with tips on submitting your manuscript for publication.
Priscilla Kissinger
Priscilla A. Kissinger has a Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She's a long-time active member of Romance Writers of America, a three-time Golden Heart finalist, and a multiple contest winner who writes con... Read more
Read Priscilla Kissinger's ProfileFrequently Asked Questions
Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!
You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.
Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.
If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.
Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.
We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.
What people are saying about our courses
The Learning Environment
From the moment that you enrol in the Romance Writing you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.
Our Values
Learn At Your Own Pace
We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.
We Won't Break The Bank
Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.
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