Kate Walker's 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance (Studymates Writers Guides) (Paperback)

~ Kate Walker (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Kate Walker has done it again! She has produced a guide to romance writing that has surpassed her previous excellent effort. The book is an outgrowth of her expertise at leading workshops and guiding aspiring Romance writers of all ages towards the goal of publication. As well, Kate draws on her experience of writing over 43 books for Mills and Boon. Anyone who seeks to achieve that goal or who simply wants to improve their craft of romance writing would do well to buy this book. Not only does Kate explain each of her 12 topics from emotion to the believable happy ever after ending with a great deal of depth and clarity, she also provides lists of discussion questions to get you thinking about your novel and exercises to help improve your writing. She explains the hows and whys of conflict, the importance of sensuality and passion as well the need to keep asking why. She even has a section that deals with coping with editor or agent generated revisions. If you are serious about romance writing, this book should be on your shelves. --Amazon.co.uk As an aspiring romance writer, Kate Walker sent me this book. It's a very useful tool for unpacking mistakes in your own writing - given by a woman who's phenomenally successful in her chosen genre. I am now a multi 'accepted' author, Natasha Oakley, with Mills and Boon myself. What more can I say? Natasha Oakley (England) --Amazon.co.uk Kate Walker has come up with another keeper. Her 12-Point Guide to Writing Romance is clear, comprehensive and practical and jam-packed full of the kind of inside information it would take a stack of rejection/revision letters to learn the hard way. The checklists are wonderful for any writer published or yet to be. A fabulous resource, almost like having the multi published Kate sitting alongside sharing her experience and wisdom with you as you write. If you write romance, do yourself a favour and get this book. You won't be disappointed. --na

Product Description

If you want to write romance and be a professional writer then this book is a must for you. Following on from the success of the first edition of this book, which won a major award, this guide explains what is meant by romance and takes you through the process of writing emotion and conflict. The author explains how dialogue should be natural between your heroine and her hero and she explains the difference between sensuality and passion. With an expanded text and more true insider-secrets this is a must for all writers of romance, whether professional or amateur.In this book you will learn: how to write emotion and create PTQ (page turning quality); why dialogue is the lifeblood of your novel; and, the importance of 'after' and why the intense black moment in romance is so important. The book will appeal to: all students taking courses to improve their creative writing skills; post 16-Level students and first-year undergraduates on creative writing and creative studies degrees; adult education centres including WEA; teachers, tutors and lecturers; school libraries, reference and public libraries; and, University and college central libraries. It is ideal for undergraduates. The related titles in the series include: "Writing TV Scripts"; "Writing Historical Fiction"; "Starting to Write" and "Writing Crime".

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Product Details

• Paperback: 173 pages
• Publisher: Studymates Ltd; 2nd edition (July 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1842851314
• ISBN-13: 978-1842851319
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #460,696 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great guide, April 9, 2007

By	reader99 "reader99" (England, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kate Walker's 12-point Guide to Writing Romance (Studymates) (Paperback)

Kate Walker is a seasoned professional writer. Her first novel was published way back in 1984. She has written over fifty books and currently has two Harlequin Presents books out this year.

This book explains: how to write emotion and create page turning quality. How to create conflict amidst your characters and why it is a major essential component of your novel. Why dialogue is the lifeblood of your knowledge. How to make dialogue sound realistic. How to make your characters real. How to create the required sharp focus on your hero and heroine. How to develop supporting characters that work. Why flashbacks are important in some stories and how to create them in your novel. Why sensuality is imporant and how to develop sensuality between your hero and heroine. How to pace the development of the romance that is occurring between your hero and heroine. How to write the love scene between your hero and heroine and the importance of 'after'. The importance of the hero and his essential 'vital' vulnerability'. The filter role of the heroine for the reader. The heroine's 21st century response to conflict. How to answer the question 'why?'. How to write the intense black moment and why it is so important. She also has a chapter devoted to the practicalities - agents, market study, rejection, revisions, synopsis', queries etc.

In short the book covers everything that romance writer needs to develop their craft. I found this book to be pretty comprehensive and clearly laid out. If you are serious about writing then this book should be on your shelf.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfection, September 6, 2009

By	Gemma Jackson "Irish Nomad" (Northern Ireland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have bought this book from the point of view of a frustrated writer. Ms. Walker takes so much time explaining matters that have defeated me in the past. Its been a wonderful experience, I learned so much that I can use in my day to day writing. Ms. Walker has given me hope for the future.

One of the best how to books I have ever read. I am going to polish up my manuscript using the knowledge gained from this book.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone who wants to write fiction!, April 29, 2008

By	Kym McNabney (Illinois) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kate Walker's 12-point Guide to Writing Romance (Studymates) (Paperback)

This is a wonderfully written book. I've been writing for some time, but it wasn't until I read this book, that I realized why my writing wasn't working. This is a MUST read for anyone who wants to write fiction. Easy to read, to understand, and right to the point.

Read it...you won't be disappointed...in fact you'll wish you'd read it sooner.

I was told she's coming out with an updated edition, so watch for that.