Romancing the Web: Writing and Selling
Romances to Online Markets

Course Outline 

Week 1: Introduction 

Romance is perhaps the bestselling type of genre fiction around the globe, but readers and even writers can become confused about just what constitutes a romance.  This week we’ll explore this popular genre and its many recognised subgenres as well as investigate electronic markets for romances.  We’ll also review our favourite romances and analyse what makes them work so well.  Topics covered this week will include: 

•What is romance? 

•Romance as genre fiction. 

•Romantic subgenres. 

•What to avoid in romances. 

•The state of the electronic romance market. 

Week 2: Romantic Characters 

Characters are the pulse of romance stories, and romances are unique in that they always have two main characters, the hero and the heroine.  This week we’ll discuss what makes for memorable romantic characters, the importance of point of view in romance stories and how dialogue can make or break a romance.  We’ll also create character sketches for our romances and think about the evolving relationships of our characters.  Topics covered this week will include: 

•Writing the romantic hero. 

•Writing the romantic heroine. 

•Creating villains. 

•Secondary characters in romances. 

•What characters think: selecting the best point of view. 

•What characters says: writing memorable dialogue. 

Week 3: Romantic Plots 

Romances wouldn’t be exciting without conflict, and while there may be broader conflict in the story there is always some form of conflict keeping the hero and heroine apart.  This week we’ll delve into adventure in romantic plots, how setting can affect a story and how to plot a romance story.  We’ll plot our own stories and make sure to give our characters the “happy ever after” they deserve.  Topics covered this week will include: 

•Elements of adventure in romances. 

•Selecting the best setting for a romance. 

•Using the five senses to set a scene. 

•Internal conflicts for your characters. 

•External conflicts affecting your characters. 

•Writing the dark moments. 

•Writing the fight. 

•Unacceptable plots for romances. 

Week 4: Hooking Your Readers 

Romance readers are very demanding.  If there is so much as a whiff of cliché or disbelief in the opening of a romance they may well jump ship.  This week we’ll look at all of the “firsts” in our plot and brainstorm on how to make them both believable and memorable.  We’ll also write our first chapters to make sure we’re on the right path.  Topics covered this week will include: 

•Writing the first line. 

•Writing the first scene. 

•Writing the first chapter. 

•Writing the first kiss. 

Week 5:  Writing the Romance 

Love scenes are integral to a good romance, but many writers find themselves unable to write scenes that perfectly fit their characters and plot.  This week we’ll analyse what makes a good love scene, how to determine the level of detail for such scenes and how to make each love scene exciting and unique.  We’ll also write our own love scenes for our works in progress.  Participants should be advised that there will be an opt-in lesson on erotic writing in this week.  Topics covered this week will include: 

•What makes a story romantic? 

•Creating romantic tension. 

•Romantic vocabulary. 

•Levels of heat in electronic romances. 

•Opt-In Lesson: Writing the erotic. 

Week 6: Finding An Online Home 

Electronic romances are a booming business with niche publishers looking for content of every type.  This week we’ll review the many options for electronic publication and plan how best to find an online home for our work.  We’ll also write a query letter and synopsis to accompany our works in progress for when we are ready to submit them.  Topics to be covered this week will include: 

•Finding e-romance markets. 

•Understanding e-romance guidelines. 

•Approaching e-romance markets. 

•Resources for the electronic romance writer. 

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