The best to hone your craft is to write. Just keep writing. The second best? Read. Know the genre you’re writing in inside out (and back to front), but also - grab some sticky notes and a highlighter and learn from these experts…
1 / GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict, by Barbra Dixon
Goal, motivation, and conflict are relevant in all fiction - but they are critical in romance. The two central characters are each protagonist and antagonist to the other. They need opposing goals that create conflict and believable motivation that explains it all. Internally and externally. Barbra Dixon will help you develop strong character arcs and a compelling romance plot.
2 / Romancing the Beat, by Gwen Hayes
This slim volume is a romance plot “how to,” breaking down the structure into its component parts and explaining how each plot point works in a friendly, engaging manner. I highly recommend it for new and experienced authors—and confess to leafing through it myself when seeking answers to plotting issues.
3 / Understanding Show, Don’t Tell (And Really Getting It), by Janice Hardy
Because romance is all about emotion, the narrative viewpoint should be either first person or third-limited so you can deep dive into the point-of-view characters’ thoughts and emotions. This means as a romance author, you’ve got to do lots of showing. Janice Hardy breaks the concept of showing and telling down to the molecular level.
4 / Beyond Heaving Bosoms, the Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels, by Sarah Wendell & Candy Tan
Beyond Heaving Bosoms might be a bit dated at this point since it was published in 2009—however, its loving and humorous look at romance and feminism is well worth the read. I highly recommend if you’re interested in learning more about the history of the romance genre in a fun way.
5 / Revising your Novel First Draft to Finished Draft, by Janice Hardy
Janice is the queen of Making Hard Stuff Understandable. If you’re struggling with character and point-of view, plot and story structure, or setting and description, this series breaks down these topics into small comprehensive chunks and offers effective guidance and analytical questions to help you figure it all out.
