How to Write Romances (Genre Writing Series) [Hardcover]

Phyllis Taylor Pianka (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1989 | ISBN-10: 0898793246 | ISBN-13: 978-0898793246 | Edition: 1st

In bookselling today, romance is the bestselling genre in the market. This book offers writers expert guidance for creating stories that will captivate readers and get the attention of publishers.'

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

By a noted romance author ( Midsummer Madness), this nuts-and-bolts introduction to the craft of romance writing provides checklists and charts for character, dialogue, and plot; how-to's on writing synopses and doing research; quotes from writers and editors; writing exercises; and a list of 53 reasons why a manuscript might be rejected. Providing a host of examplesnot only from her own booksshe points the student writer toward "essential reading." While cautioning the incipient romance writer that one is unlikely to write good romances if one does not enjoy reading them, she presents an enlightening guide for those who do. F.R. Lewis, Albany P.L., N.Y.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 164 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books; 1st edition (April 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898793246
• ISBN-13: 978-0898793246
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,323,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, April 4, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (UNITED STATES) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Write Romances (Revised) (Genre Writing) (Paperback)

A must for anyone who wants to write a romance book. Mrs.Pianka does an superb job in her step by step process of how to begin your novel. And the character description sheets are ideal for sketching out your characters. This book is exactly what the aspiring romance novelist needs.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only romance manual you need., November 27, 2000

By 

sarah (vancouver island, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Write Romances (Revised) (Genre Writing) (Paperback)

Very, very valuable as both a guide to writing romances and a guide to getting them published. Gives concrete, useful tips and techniques on all aspects of the process, and manages to make it all sound fun and achievable. Especially excellent were the sections on dialogue, planning, plot pacing, and writing for specific lines and genres (historical, fantasy, Christian, etc). Also much fun to read if you think romances are silly, because there are frequent references to how popular "secret babies, cowboys and arranged marriages" are.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Encouraging and Great for Aspiring Novelists, October 7, 2002

By 

Beth Jones Henkel (St. Louis MO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Write Romances (Revised) (Genre Writing) (Paperback)

This book has really calmed a lot of fears that I had when I began writing. Pianka is very thorough but not overbearing in her explanations on how to create compelling romance. She includes great advice from well known romance writers such as Nora Roberts and Jo Beverley. I have the highest regards for many of the people who she interviewed.

She makes learning fun and enjoyable. There are many humorous antecedotes that made me laugh. And I enjoyed reading some of the things editors had to say as well. She also kept me grounded with her advice that the process can be hard and there is a lot of competition. But she's very encouraging and uplifting with her advice that there's lots of unexplored plots, characters and ground to be discovered in romance fiction.

Fast Flowing... this book really helps to get you focused and serious about writing.