When readers pick up a romance novel, they want to escape into a world where love conquers all. However, for writers of romance, crafting an emotionally satisfying journey to “happily-ever-after” requires careful plotting, precise pacing, and a deep understanding of reader expectations in the romance genre. In this two-part class, we’ll explore how to create compelling characters and build a story structure specifically for romance novels. Through discussions and writing prompts, we’ll dive into internal and external character motivations, how to create chemistry between characters, and effective ways to show attraction. We’ll also cover how to outline a romance novel that hits all the emotional beats readers crave, even if the writer hasn't fleshed out their entire story. This class is ideal for experienced writers or romance readers ready to take the plunge into writing their own stories.
• In-Class Writing Lift: Light
• Homework: None
• Workshopping Drafts: None
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Sara Holifield is an indie author who writes paranormal fantasy romance under the pen name Avalon Griffin. She is the author of the novel Unbound by Shadows, its sequel To Dwell in Shadows and the short story The Vampire’s Library, which was published in Once Upon a Book Club’s 2024 Book-Club-Mas anthology. When not writing, she can be found traveling the globe in search of kitschy roadside attractions, off-beat museums, and cryptozoology legends. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and a crew of formerly feral cats.
"Sara is a fantastic instructor. Her teaching style is so engaging and personable, and she packs a lot of great information into a single class!"
"Sara is open, available, and easy to understand. Absolutely worth my time and money."
"Sara provided insightful information and examples of lessons learned from her own writing journey. I truly appreciated her support."
