The Romance Writer's Handbook: How to Write Romantic Fiction & Get It Published

Rating:
Summary: A MUST for every writer!
Review: It's never too late to learn...and you can teach an old dog new tricks. If there is anything I've discovered from Rebecca Vinyard, it's that you should never give up and always have an open mind when you're writing. It's when you close yourself from new ideas that the barrier begins to rise.

Sounds simple doesn't it? Well, for most of us, it's not always that way. Conflicts arise with our characters and we just don't know in which direction to take them. Should we? Shouldn't we? Just maybe we can try. And try you should. When you're sitting and staring at the wall and don't have a clue about what comes next, that is the time you need to begin reading this highly intelligent handbook. The wealth of knowledge you'll find throughout the various topics will have you shaking your head and believing in yourself once again.

Ms. Vinyard has enlisted the help of many highly successful authors and together they've created something well worth their efforts. I can only liken this diverse novel to that of a famous painting where everyone who views it comes away with something special just for them.

There is a wonderful section on dialogue which is something I need help with. I find it difficult to speak for my characters and make it sound believable. With the help of Patricia McLinn, speaking through the written word will come much easier now.

Rebecca Vinyard has taught me that this writing stuff can be a joyous learning experience from the very beginning. But like everything in life, you must also enjoy what you're doing - have fun with your words and let them express just how you're feeling. Her thoughts on how to begin the story that seems to be running rampant inside your mind is another highlight of this masterful piece. Yes, it's very important to know your characters - not just their hair and eye color - but anything that makes them real and believable - even their little quirks and dreams.

Do you dread the word `synopsis'? Does it make you cringe and cause terror to strike? If so, then you really do need Rebecca Vinyard in your life. Does the thought of sending out your manuscript cause hives and night sweats? No, you're not in menopause - you're having the MS Blues. Will they read my story? Will they want to publish it? Will they like me? Yep, the MS Blues can cause a person months of worry. Let me tell you once again - you need Rebecca Vinyard.

There is a section in THE ROMANCE WRITER'S HANDBOOK for everyone, whether you're a published author or just learning the ropes. As we all know, there is always room for improvement. The advice from bestselling authors is worth its weight in gold, too.

Now, how do you spell relief? I spell it R-E-B-E-C-C-A V-I-N-Y-A-R-D! Try her, you'll really like her.

When I contacted Rebecca about reviewing this book I knew it was something special - it was a feeling I had inside. She didn't let me down and I feel I've come away with some powerful information. With her words of wisdom and those of the authors she enlisted, there is no place for you to go but upward and forward. I highly suggest you take the time and read this fabulous handbook - you'll be very glad you did.

Patti Fleishman, Reviewer for www.romancejunkies.com

Rating:
Summary: A MUST for every writer!
Review: It's never too late to learn...and you can teach an old dog new tricks. If there is anything I've discovered from Rebecca Vinyard, it's that you should never give up and always have an open mind when you're writing. It's when you close yourself from new ideas that the barrier begins to rise.

Sounds simple doesn't it? Well, for most of us, it's not always that way. Conflicts arise with our characters and we just don't know in which direction to take them. Should we? Shouldn't we? Just maybe we can try. And try you should. When you're sitting and staring at the wall and don't have a clue about what comes next, that is the time you need to begin reading this highly intelligent handbook. The wealth of knowledge you'll find throughout the various topics will have you shaking your head and believing in yourself once again.

Ms. Vinyard has enlisted the help of many highly successful authors and together they've created something well worth their efforts. I can only liken this diverse novel to that of a famous painting where everyone who views it comes away with something special just for them.

There is a wonderful section on dialogue which is something I need help with. I find it difficult to speak for my characters and make it sound believable. With the help of Patricia McLinn, speaking through the written word will come much easier now.

Rebecca Vinyard has taught me that this writing stuff can be a joyous learning experience from the very beginning. But like everything in life, you must also enjoy what you're doing - have fun with your words and let them express just how you're feeling. Her thoughts on how to begin the story that seems to be running rampant inside your mind is another highlight of this masterful piece. Yes, it's very important to know your characters - not just their hair and eye color - but anything that makes them real and believable - even their little quirks and dreams.

Do you dread the word 'synopsis'? Does it make you cringe and cause terror to strike? If so, then you really do need Rebecca Vinyard in your life. Does the thought of sending out your manuscript cause hives and night sweats? No, you're not in menopause - you're having the MS Blues. Will they read my story? Will they want to publish it? Will they like me? Yep, the MS Blues can cause a person months of worry. Let me tell you once again - you need Rebecca Vinyard.

There is a section in THE ROMANCE WRITER'S HANDBOOK for everyone, whether you're a published author or just learning the ropes. As we all know, there is always room for improvement. The advice from bestselling authors is worth its weight in gold, too.

Now, how do you spell relief? I spell it R-E-B-E-C-C-A V-I-N-Y-A-R-D! Try her, you'll really like her.

When I contacted Rebecca about reviewing this book I knew it was something special - it was a feeling I had inside. She didn't let me down and I feel I've come away with some powerful information. With her words of wisdom and those of the authors she enlisted, there is no place for you to go but upward and forward. I highly suggest you take the time and read this fabulous handbook - you'll be very glad you did.

Patti Fleishman, Reviewer for www.romancejunkies.com

Rating:
Summary: This is a great book for the beginning writer
Review: Ms. Vinyard provides a wonderful roadmap for writing romance fiction. Most beginning writers have ideas and characters and can write a good story. By using this book, they will have the tools to write a great story.

TRWH covers basics like plot, and characters, but also adds information about external conflict, internal conflict, and the framework on the resolution of those. Every aspect of the novel is de-mysified. She also covers how to write the dreaded query letter and synopsis.

The handbook has sections on the business of getting published, agents, entering contests and websites.

Truly, this book deserves to be in any aspiring romance writer's library.

Rating:
Summary: Great for both the beginning and experienced writer
Review: The author uses an informal style that immediately puts her readers at ease. She uses her own experiences to illustrate points in her book, a method that really helps the reader understand why she is saying what she is saying. Another thing is how short the chapters are. It makes for easier reading. I know that seems kind of minor, but for me, sitting down and spending an hour reading just isn't possible. I read this book while on the elliptical machine at my gym. By making a point in a few pages then moving on, it held my interest. If I put the book down for a few days, it was easy enough to pick it up and get back into the groove.

The chapters entitled "Finding Your Voice" and "Imagery" were both excellent. They are very helpful to both new and experienced writers. I really liked Connie Flynn's chapter on paranormal romances. She made a couple of points that were salient to my writing.

I've got a bunch of how-to romance writing books, but I don't think I ever read one of them all the way through. It is simply written and the author makes her point and moves on. I recommend it highly to anyone wanting to write a romance.

I must confess that I did contribute a small article to the book. I did so knowing that Ms. Vinyard would put together a good book. I was not disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent and "writer friendly" resource
Review: The Romance Writer's Handbook: How To Write Romantic Fiction & Get It Published by novelist, journalist, and www.Romance-Central.com webmaster Rebecca Vinyard is a quick-study course to crafting romance fiction for the markets and readers of today. From practical advice to creating heroes and heroines that resonate with the reader; to delicately orchestrating plot complications; to bringing alive sensual love scenes, and more, The Romance Writer's Handbook is an excellent and "writer friendly" resource and primer especially recommended for beginners seeking to break into print and intermediate level romance writers seeking to expand their published title list.