Writing the Christian Romance [Paperback]

Gail Gaymer Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 20, 2007

Craft Compelling, Salable Romances With a Christian Worldview

Every novel needs believable characters, strong plot lines, and universal themes–and Christian romance is no exception. This unmatched resource by award-winning novelist Gail Gaymer Martin will help you master basic fiction writing skills, while ensuring your story meets and exceeds the standards of the Christian market. It comprehensively covers the special techniques and elements of the Christian romance novel, as well as how to sell your finished product to a publisher. Through detailed step-by-step instruction, examples from successful Christian romances, and practical exercises, you'll discover how to:

• develop a story that includes personal, romantic, and spiritual growth
  
  
• incorporate prayer and spirituality into your story
  
  
• use introspection to fully develop characters' relationship with God
  
  
• discuss issues of sin and forgiveness in believable ways
  
  
• present sexuality realistically, but from a Christian viewpoint

Martin's exercises will help you apply what you've learned so that you are actively becoming a better writer and can work toward your goal of a finished romance. She'll also teach you the different options for romance publishing–a single title or a category romance–and help you decide what you want to write and who to market it to. Because it covers so much, Writing the Christian Romance will help you create a beautiful romance made even more meaningful because of its openness to God's love.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Accomplished author and conference speaker Gail Gaymer Martin is the award-winning author of more than 25 Christian romance novels and is a co-founder of American Christian Fiction Writers. Greystoke Entertainment has optioned her 2003 novel, The Christmas Kite, for a Hallmark TV movie.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books (December 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582974772
• ISBN-13: 978-1582974774
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #959,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Award-winning author, Gail Gaymer Martin writes romantic suspense, romance and women's fiction for Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing and has over 3 million books in print. Her books have received numerous national awards including: Romantic Times Reviewers Choice for Best Love Inspired 2002 and the American Christian Romance Writers Carol for her romantic suspense, A Love for Safekeeping. Her books have also won two Holt Medallions, two Booksellers Best, National Readers Choice Award,and the Winter Rose Award. Gail's novel The Christmas Kite, a Holt Medallion finalist, was optioned by Greystoke Entertainment for a Hallmark television movie. She was awarded 2009 Heartsong Presents Author of the Year. Gail is a cofounder of American Christian Fictoin Writers and is a popular keynote speaker. She grew up in a Detroit suburb and continues to live in Oakland County. She has a Bachelor and Masters degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Before writing, she was a high school guidance counselor and previously a high school English and public speaking teacher. She also worked as an adjunct instructor of English and public speaking at Davenport University. Gail's web site has been visited by many new writers where she provides numerous articles, workshop logs, and frequently asked questions about writing and getting published. Visit her web site at www.gailmartin.com You can also visit her blog at www.gailmartin.blogspot.com and her WritingFictionRight blog at www.writingright-martin.blogspot.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of Writing the Christian Romance by Gail Gaymer Martin, February 18, 2008

By 

Patti Shene (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Writing the Christian Romance (Paperback)

Having read some of her novels, I was looking forward to reading Gail's book and gleaning all the advice she had to give about writing romance. Gail covered most of the essential elements of a good story: characterization, dialogue, tension, POV, and plotting. She leads the reader through the process of developing the hero and heroine as multi-dimensional, believable characters and escalating their romantic interest throughout the story.

Gail does a thorough job of speaking to the specific elements of a Christian romance verses other genre fiction. She gives excellent information on how to handle delicate subjects without offending the Christian publisher or reader. She explains how to develop the spiritual thread of a story.

Her suggestions and tips are backed up by examples from a wide variety of authors. The exercises at the end of each chapter are thought-provoking and geared to teach the writer how to improve in specific areas.

Gail provided an example of a query/cover letter, short synopsis, a one-page synopsis, and a long synopsis. There may be others out there, but this is the first writing craft book I have read that gives a complete example of all four. This will be most helpful to those who struggle with this integral step in making a sale. She also gives sound advice on publication options, choosing a publisher, and searching for an agent.

Thanks for a great book, Gail!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My opinion on ' Writing the Christian Romance', July 16, 2009

By 

Dee Vee (Nowra, NSW., Australia.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing the Christian Romance (Paperback)

This book is absolutely fantastic. My first Christian Novel is currently in the hands of an editor in N.Y. Just before I sent it over, I thought it was ready to approach the people concerned. However, after reading this book, I learnt SO MUCH! Even little things like 'said tags,' explaining how to bring in the feelings of each character, making sure it was 'feelings' not sight by the main character, which is impossible. It has enabled me to produce a far better Manuscript. I have been able to bring so much more emphasis on the emotions and senses of both my Hero and Heroine after reading Gail's explanations. By the time I sent my M.S. over, it was a much better novel.I thoroughly encourage any aspiring writer of this genre to grab this book! Many many thanks, Gail.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of informative book, April 14, 2010

By 

Virginia J. Foster (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Writing the Christian Romance (Paperback)

Writing the Christian Romance by Gail Gaymer Martin has been a god-send to me. The book is thorough and comprehensive. As a beginning writer, I have found the book to contain just the right information at the right time.