First, a statement that is not a confession: I love romance. I always have. But I didn’t embrace it until relatively recently. There are several reasons for this, but suffice it to say that I’m an elder millennial and after a childhood in which the media told me that the best thing to be was… Read more »
Researching tidbits of information before creating a new romance novel is like unopened presents waiting to reveal hidden treasures. Thorough research can uncover behind-the-scenes goodies and historical secrets that turn a yawner story into a can’t-put-it-down page-turner. My vivid imagination takes me on a research mission, listening for ghost-like whispers in a closet and the… Read more »
Today, Lori is interviewing Taylor Hahn. They’ll be talking about her debut romance novel, The Lifestyle. Have you signed up to be a DIY MFA Radio Insider yet? This is an exciting new monthly newsletter, especially for our podcast listeners. Every month, you’ll get an email from our podcast producer with recaps of the most… Read more »
Today, Lori is interviewing Amy Lea. They’ll be talking about her debut romance novel, Set on You. Have you signed up to be a DIY MFA Radio Insider yet? This is an exciting new monthly newsletter, especially for our podcast listeners. Every month, you’ll get an email from our podcast producer with recaps of the… Read more »
What makes a great love story? Whether you’re writing romance, mystery, or literary fiction, when you’re incorporating romance into our work, the task is the same—to write a believable, engaging relationship that keeps readers turning the pages. (I write contemporary fiction, for example, but I write contemporary fiction that sometimes has romance in it, and… Read more »
Hi word nerds! Lori here. Our longtime columnist Tammy Lough is in need of a break, so I am stepping in and serving up a round-up of some of her best columns for DIY MFA. In case you are not familiar, Tammy Lough is our romance writing columnist, so most of these columns will help… Read more »
It’s coming up to the rom-com season of the year: Christmas. And whether you’re writing a novel or a screenplay, it’s handy to know your Christmas romance tropes and important to make them fresh, original, and most of all, interesting. So let’s talk about what the Christmas romance tropes are: “But since it’s Christmas…” When… Read more »
Talk is cheap. Rather than words, supply your characters with romantic gestures to back up their sweet little nothings. Your reader will love your character’s creative actions and so will an agent who considers your manuscript. A reader plucks your romance novel from the shelf to lose herself in a world she can only imagine…. Read more »
Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Kris Clink. Kris writes about relatable characters who rely on humor and tenderness to navigate complicated relationships. Set in middle America, her novels are laced with romance, heartbreak, and just enough snarky humor to rock the boat. When not writing, Kris spends her time searching for an open… Read more »
[Hello Readers! If you missed the first article of this three-part series, check it out right here. Parts I and II of this article deals with ideas for writing plot twists. Part III will take you through the mechanics, the nuts and bolts of making it happen.] Let’s do the Romance Twist: Seduction for Hire … Read more »
