For Writers

I've always been a bit of a craft junkie. When I first started writing, I did an enormous amount of research on the craft of writing and I believe I've read every article on the Internet as well as numerous books (not to mention all the tapes/CDs I have from writing conferences). So because there are simply not enough writing articles out there, you'll find some of my own below as well as my list of must-haves for every romance writer's how-to library.

General writing books
Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Writing From the Inside Out by Dennis Palumbo
Self-editing for fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King
38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes by Jack Bickham

Plotting books
GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict by Debra Dixon
Scene & Structure by Jack Bickham
Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain

Characterization books
The Complete Guide to Heroes & Heroines by Tami Cowden, et. al.
What Type Am I? by Renee Baron
Creating Character Emotions by Ann Hood

Some of the webpages I found useful in my education were:
Alicia Rasley
Vicki Hinze
Stephanie Bond
RWA

Articles by Robyn
Lables...Shmabels...
How to Plot a Character Driven Book in 3 Easy Steps
The Strength of Your Book
Give me a "G"
The Reader's Secret Decoder Ring
Setting Goals
Professional Jealousy
Coping with Rejection
Is Your Writing a Hobby or a Job?
Motivation
Are You Ready to Get Published?
The Three "D's" of Success
Writing Better
My Top 5 Writing Tips
Goal Setting For Writers
Emotions

FAQs

What advice can you give an aspiring author?
Join RWA, then sit your butt in the chair and write. There's no magic formula or secret handshake it's all about determination, stubbornness and a lot of hard work. Check out my articles for tips about specific elements of writing.

Where can I find your schedule on the writing classes you teach?
I try to teach a couple of classes every year, usually on-line classes sponsored by RWA chapters. But I also give workshops in person at conferences and some chapter meetings. You can find out my schedule on my homepage.

Are you available to give workshops to writers' groups?
Absolutely. I give workshops regularly, and they are available either in person or online. For in-person workshops, I do require travel fees. I also teach workshops with my critique partner, Emily McKay and we are available for meetings together. Workshop topics include:

• Making GMC Work For You
• Bigger Than Botox (all about revisions)
• Goals For Writers
• Creating Compelling Conflict
• Character Plotting

Why do you write romance?
I can't think of anything I'd rather write more. Romance novels have been a part of my life for so long as I started reading them as a teenager and it seemed like a natural fit with my desire to be a writer. I've always been a hopeful romantic and absolutely believe in the healing power of love. Being able to write about that while going on adventures is just the coolest job ever.