Romancing The Beat

What makes a romance novel a romance? How do you write a kissing book?Writing a well-structured romance isn't the same as writing any other genre-something the popular novel and screenwriting guides don't address. The romance arc is made up of its own story beats, and the external plot and theme need to be braided to the romance arc-not the other way around.Told in conversational (and often irreverent) prose, Romancing the Beat can be read like you are sitting down to coffee with romance editor and author Gwen Hayes while she explains story structure. The way she does with her clients. Some of whom are regular inhabitants of the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.Romancing the Beat is a recipe, not a rigid system. The beats don't care if you plot or outline before you write, or if you pants your way through the drafts and do a "beat check" when you're revising. Pantsers and plotters are both welcome. So sit down, grab a cuppa, and let's talk about kissing books.

Every year, thousands of romance manuscripts are submitted to publishers, but only the best are eventually published. This simple guide—written by two awardwinning romance novelists—will show readers what it takes to break into this highly competitive market and will provide them the information they need to get their manuscript out of the slush pile and onto the bookshelf. Readers will learn how to do the following techniques: build a story from premise to plot; add a fresh twist to a classic storyline; create compelling characters; write sizzling sex scenes that carry an emotional punch; research agents and markets; write a story that an editor can’t reject; and promote themselves and their work. New writers, and even experienced writers, will find the solid howto information here invaluable. This is a musthave for aspiring writers who want to write the perfect love story.

This ultimate insider's guide reveals the secrets that none dare admit, told by a show biz veteran who's proven that you can sell your script if you can save the cat!

The first novel-writing guide from the best-selling Save the Cat! story-structure series, which reveals the 15 essential plot points needed to make any novel a success. Novelist Jessica Brody presents a comprehensive story-structure guide for novelists that applies the famed Save the Cat! screenwriting methodology to the world of novel writing. Revealing the 15 "beats" (plot points) that comprise a successful story--from the opening image to the finale--this book lays out the Ten Story Genres (Monster in the House; Whydunit; Dude with a Problem) alongside quirky, original insights (Save the Cat; Shard of Glass) to help novelists craft a plot that will captivate--and a novel that will sell.

Jude Deveraux and 23 other top professional provide valuable, how-to advice on the passionate craft of romance writing.

Third edition. Expanded and updated with more words and categories.A must-have reference for writing romance.If finding the right words for your love scene is challenging, Naughty Words for Nice Writers: A Romance Novel Thesaurus can make it easier. USA Today Bestselling Author Cara Bristol has written a thesaurus and sex scene writing guide for romance authors to help make sex scenes sizzle.Naughty Words for Nice Writers contains thousands of usable, functional synonyms geared for romance, erotic romance, and erotica. Included are more than 50 word lists and tip sheets for male and female anatomy, using the senses, foreplay, orgasm, kissing, flirting, terms of endearment, sex scene locations, specific sexual acts, sexual noises, and spanking terminology. More than a thesaurus, Naughty Words for Nice Writers is a sex scene writing guide with practical suggestions on how to craft a love scene and "show" the intimacy between your characters rather than tell it. Whether you intend to "fade to black" or spell it out in explicit detail, Naughty Words for Nice Writers will provide the craft tips and words to write an appropriate love scene.