Books on Writing Romance

BeluvdLily

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Do any of you have a favorite or ultimate book that you prefer about writing a romance novel? There seem to be a lot out there but I'd like to get my hands on one that is actually useful. Any recs would be appreciated.
 
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Irysangel

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I liked the Julie Beard one (this one's older) and the Angela Knight one.
 

Karen Junker

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How to Write a Romance for Dummies by Leslie Wainger.

Wainger was an editor for Harlequin for over 20 years. She really knows what she's talking about. Plus, she's a nice person.
 

Mr Flibble

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How to Write a Romance for Dummies by Leslie Wainger.

Wainger was an editor for Harlequin for over 20 years. She really knows what she's talking about. Plus, she's a nice person.

I was just going to say that one!

Very good book imo. Really crystallises what makes a romance ( as opposed to other genres) work.
 

L.Jones

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Writing Romances: A Handbook by the Romance Writers of America by Romance Writers of America (Organization), Rita Gallagher, and Rita Clay Estrada (Hardcover - Mar. 1997)

Because I'm quoted in it :)

I agree with the reading of books on craft that are not genre specific and then learning about the specifics from reading widely in the genre and networking with others writing it.

annie jones
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Ambri

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There's one called Something like 'Writing tthe Great American Romance Novel" by Catherine Lanigan. It was pretty helpful for me in most regards, but I found the chapter on the love scene unhelpful. She gave an example from one of her novels, but didn't go into what to avoid, such as purple prose and body pats operating on their own (lol). In fact, I found the "writing love scenes" section of the Uncle Jim's Guide, right here on AW FAR more helpful in that regard.
 

Saba

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I just started reading Julie Beard's book and On Writing Romance by Leigh Michaels. They've both been pretty helpful so far.
 

girlyswot

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If you're aiming at Harlequin/Mills and Boon, Kate Walker's 12 Point Guide is a brilliant resource. It's had several editions keeping it up to date with what the editors are looking for.
 

Satori1977

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I will have to check some of these out. The only one I have read, and I am not sure it completely fits, is Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches Guide to Romance Novels.

It is geared more towards readers than writers, but it was funny and actually helpful in how not to write a romance novel. It spoke of tropes and cliches and euphemisms. It was a fun book.