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How to Write Romances (Revised) (Genre Writing)

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How to Write Romances (Revised) (Genre Writing) [Paperback]

Phyllis Taylor Pianka (Author)

4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews) |

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Book Description

Series: Genre Writing | Publication Date: August 1998

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.'

#outer_postBodyPS { display: none; } #psGradient { display: none; } #psPlaceHolder { display: none; } #psExpand { display: none; } 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.'

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

Product Details

Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Writer's Digest Books; Rev Upd Su edition (August 1998)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0898798671
ISBN-13: 978-0898798678
Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces

Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #866,914 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

9 Reviews

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

4.7 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

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

PDEE112@aol.com (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.

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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

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

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.

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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

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

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.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Topic by Topic
Great outlined format on how to establish a clean plot with the proper elements for creating a romance novel. Read more

Published 11 months ago by Janie

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent general writing tips - keep the highlighter handy
I'm not a romance writer, but decided, on the recommendation of a friend, to read this book. Before I knew it I had my highlighter out and was highlighting key things that I knew... Read more

Published on March 15, 2007 by Mary Chrapliwy

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent How-To for Romance Genre
In American fiction, 40% of the marketplace is in the romance category. Novelist Phyllis Pianka takes writers through the paces to learn about the genre and discover their niche... Read more

Published on June 30, 2006 by W. Terry Whalin

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Source of Information
This book is a great investment for anyone who wants to pursue writing romance stories. I found it worth every penny and then some.

Published on December 1, 2005 by Dottie Randazzo

3.0 out of 5 stars Not enough!
This is a good book, but if you have never published a book before, you will need something more to go with it. Read more

Published on May 2, 2003

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful
This book is very helpful. It gives step by step descriptions in writing your own book. It's flow makes it easy to follow. Read more

Published on May 29, 2001 by Nicole Duell

› See all 9 customer reviews...

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