What Precedes Us As Writers When We Write

I was going to put words together with high concentration of spiritual notation. To my Young’s concordance I did go. My eyes roamed the section of ‘write’ and ‘writing’ plus ‘writer.’ Overwhelmed, I retreated. Then I glanced at words that led up to the one I was considering and this less spiritual devotional post was ‘born’. Hopefully, God in His mercy may use it to encourage we writers. For the price paid can be high to make our words mean something to someone and do something in their heart, mind and lifestyle.

Here’s the words preceding ‘Write’.

Would.

Do you really want to put fingers to the keyboard and begin the agony of a writer? Would you not rather be reading, gardening, watching a DVD? You would, but you cannot. For there is something inside which would not be denied.

Wound.

This is always a writer’s reality. We experience the wounding of time that might have been spent doing other things. The wounds are caused by priorities, timetables and conviction motivating compulsion. Many do not see them but our heart and mind wear them.

Woven.

As with needle and thread so our mind takes words and ideas mixed with experience to weave into sentences. Once the process has started it is relentless. The process goes on and on from bathroom to boardroom, unseen but unrelenting.

Wrap.

This could be the writer’s desire to wrap themselves up and forget the pain. Or it might be the person wraps their story up into a nice ‘edible’ bite. Then you find that the wrap gives way and out spills all that seemed enclosed, controlled.

Wrath.

If you have never felt this, lucky you. Whether it is unco-operative words, self-thinking computers or out of ink pens, all are capable of stirring this emotion. Then I could list many other facets over which my emotions can run riot as I face the next stage of my build up to being a writer who has written.

Wrestle.

As I enter this contest it usually follows on from ‘wrath.’ Words taunt me. What I want to see on the page, when I put it there doesn’t look right. Nor does it sound right in dialogue or description and punctuation, O dear no! To pen sentences or concepts or some other issue can exhaust. But the writer must not give in to accepting the third-rate. The struggle must be won!

Wretched.

When you arise from the wrestling match (knowing others are in the clubhouse waiting their turn) the toll is emotionally high. Sometimes it is even physical. Hopefully, we are spared the relational price of making others feel like that, or they adding pain to our existing state.

Wring

There are times when I’ve felt like Gideon’s fleece – all wrung out. It is as though the waters of inspiration have gone and I’m exhausted. Do you feel like that at any time? Then, it occurs to me that I should wring out of my writing either the unwanted, unnecessary so that my readers are not distracted. Or maybe I need to wring out of my heart the refreshing ‘words of water’ that will quench the readers thirst. Determining what the wringing is meant to accomplish is the difficult part of the process.

Wrinkle.

The furrowed brow can produce wrinkles on the soul. We can age as we engage with our manuscript. When we look at the emerging masterpiece we may feel like Job ‘You have filled me with wrinkles’ (Job 16:8). However, for a writer wrinkles on the soul are a testimony of honour, perseverance and ultimately of joy.

Write.

When we realise that being a writer can, and more than likely will, have all those ‘W’s’ why would we bother? Ultimately it comes down to being another ‘W’ word. That is, a witness. Our stories, articles, poems become our way of sharing the wonderful news about Christ Jesus. A Christian writer isn’t in it for the acclaim or the money (though few of us would knock them back). We are called, motivated, compelled through our words and all the pain of the ‘W’ words to confront readers with the grace of our Lord.

Mary experiencing the 'W' phenomenon

So cheer up, your suffering is never in vain in the Lord’s service.

 

©Ray Hawkins July 2015.
http://rayhawkinsauthor.blogspot.com.au
Author of 6 themed devotionals
1 book of poems.

 

How To Create A Memorable Book Launch

Peter McKinnon

By Dorothy Adamek

Last month my Beloved and I attended the book launch of Peter McKinnon’s The Songs Of Jesse Adams at Kooroong Books in Blackburn.

I love attending book launch gatherings. Some have been huge affairs, like the launch of Eating Heaven by Peter Carey Holt, where the food and beverages flowed and Eating Heaven flew off the shelves and into the hands of eager readers. 

Other launches, smaller but no less exciting for me, have been Mary and Ray Hawkins’ joint launch of Mary’s Barragula books and some of Ray’s devotional books. I have fond memories of Amanda Deed’s book launch of Ellenvale Gold, followed the next year by the launch of The Greenfield Legacy with Amanda Deed and Paula Vince. 

I consider myself privileged to have heard about the creation of stories from the heart (and lips) of the author, and each time glad shivers of anticipation have reminded me... I could be next. 

Here’s my three tips for making your book launch and signing memorable. 

Paula Vince and Amanda Deed

1. Get The Word Out Once you’ve decided on your budget, your venue and set your date, you will need to promote your book launch. Start a month in advance. I received facebook invitations and reminders for most of the launches I attended as well as personal email invitations from Acorn Press representatives for both Eating Heaven and The Songs Of Jesse Adams. 

If your venue is a book store, ask about promotion. They may include you in mailings or email newsletters about in-store events. If your venue is a church, like the one Mary and Ray used, think about putting an announcement in the church bulletin. 

2. Learn To Sign If you’ve never autographed books before, start practicing with the pen you will use on the day. Amanda Deed used a metallic pen with gold colored ink for her goldrush period Ellenvale Gold. Spend some time thinking about what you’ll write. A few stock phrases up your sleeve will keep your messages fresh and you won’t feel like you’re signing to the same person over and over. Always ask for the correct spelling if your reader wants their name included. 

3. Have Fun A book launch party is meant to be a celebration. It shouldn’t be a stressful event. Peter McKinnon shared the inspiration for The Songs Of Jessie Adams, a play performed many years ago by dear friends. From the big smiles on their faces, I could tell his friends celebrated their own part in the seed sowing of this story. 

With Mary Hawkins at her book launch in 2011

Mary Hawkins read an excerpt from her book which featured the names of her daughter’s bible study group ~ a cameo appearance of names to honor a significant group of friends. They cheered and hollered to hear their names read out by the author. Amanda Deed’s husband joined in the fun and dressed up with her in 1850s garb, and Simon Carey Holt didn’t disappoint the foodies in the crowd with a delicious spread of yummies befitting a book about food and spirituality. 

Amanda and Morry Deed

Whether you have a crowd ready to mingle, food and chat, or a small gathering keen to hear how your story come about, remember it’s a day for celebration and what better excuse for FUN than the launch of your very own book.

Have you attended a memorable book launch? 

What can you add to my list of tips for the making of a successful book launch?

*****

Dorothy Adamek lives in Melbourne with her Beloved and their three gorgeous kids. 

She's the winner of the 2013 FHL ~ Touched By Love Competition, and is the 2104 Inspirational Category Winner of the TARA Writing Contest. 

Enamoured by all things 19th century, she writes The Heartbeat of Yesteryear, Historical Romance - Aussie style. Come say G'day at her blog, Ink Dots. 

When the writing 'Bug' doesn't bite

By Ray Hawkins

Ray Hawkins with latest book

My Writing Proceedure: Do I write as the ‘Bug’ bites?

No! - Well maybe ‘yes! – if the ‘Big’ bites.

Trouble is most of the ‘biting Bugs’ for this writer, at least, are toothless, fickle or squashed.

So, how do I write?

Being a minister for over forty years I’ve preached nearly every Sunday and sometimes twice on that day. Add to that Bible studies, youth, women and men’s talks I needed more than ‘Bugs’ to bite. It ultimately came to discipline and appreciating my people. Having a great resource book, the Bible, plus knowing a little about life and the joys and sorrows of my people gave me a framework. Sometimes issues arose from the community or world scene which stirred me to support, defend or oppose. However it all came back to the discipline of forming the material to be presented.

When the time came to be serious about writing Devotional material I had to approach it in a similar manner. There were word length requirements when I submitted to Upper Room Magazine. They really gave me my first real opportunity outside my denominational paper. When multi-published Debra White-Smith accepted some of my prose and poetry for two of her books on marital relationships I had to learn other arts of discipline. It is called pruning the excess and selecting the most striking way to say what I wanted said.

Out of all this grew a desire to let others into my convictions about the Lord Jesus, His Word and its transforming grace and power. Being a procrastinator I needed more that a desire. I needed the motivational incentive of my wife. Because she is a multi-published novelist and I went with her to various conferences, I met certain publishers. Enter Rochelle Manners of Wombat/Even Before Publishing books (now Rhiza). This lovely enterprising young woman was willing to give me a chance to publish some themed 31 Day Devotionals I’d put together.

What did I first present to her? ‘Children, God’s special interest’ and ‘From Eden with Love’ The latter is about what I discerned in the Scriptures about God’s heart for married couples. The debates about so called ‘marriage equality’, seeing marital breakdowns and the ignorance about God’s purpose re marriage fired me up to write. (Was this a ‘bug’ or a ‘whip’?) The one on Children stems from the joy I’ve had as a parent and grandparent combined with stories of child abuse.

The discipline I needed to write these and other devotionals was to plough through the concordance on all the relevant information it offered. Then it was ‘sifting, sorting, selecting and shaping it, plus seeding it’ with my own insights and experiences. It goes without too much saying that all this had associations with editing, cutting, pasting, tears and sometimes whoops of joy. Then comes the hopes, the fears and the waiting after it is sent to the publisher.

I’ve had the privilege of having four other devotional books printed. Each one encompasses some aspect of my conviction about God’s Word and life and faith. You can check them out on my blogsite. http://rayhawkinsauthor.blogspot.com.au

Would I write my heart even if no one wanted to publish what was written? Yes! For the following reasons:
i) It is good discipline for my soul as I research, especially the Scriptures.
ii) When I’m long gone to glory someone might read them and be helped.
iii) Then again there is the world of ‘the web’ which I believe Christians should make better use of in sharing their faith and convictions.

I will share some challenges Devotional writers face when next I have the opportunity to put words onto your computer through the grace of ACW. Ray (wanting the ‘bugs’ to bite) Hawkins.

OUR FIRST LOCAL WRITERS FESTIVAL

The Executive and Board members
of Festival of Golden Words Inc.

The Beaconsfield Festival of Golden Words was simply awesome. 

Check it out: http://www.festivalofgoldenwords.com.au

On the website it was advertised as “Free marquee sessions, poets’ breakfasts, literary lunches, a literary dinner, a national address, writers workshops, vineyard food and wine writing sessions. A unique writers festival in Tasmania’s beautiful Tamar Valley in March."

I have never been able to attend any large Writer Festivals and always vaguely thought they were only held in large cities like Sydney, Melbourne and even Byron Bay. Then multi-published Stephen Dando-Collins and his wife returned to Tasmania to live only a few kilometres away from us here in the West Tamar region.

Volunteer Mary

When I first heard about this venture for our small Beaconsfield village and close to an hour’s drive from Launceston, I was a little sceptical about what was being planned and anticipated. However, I did sign up to be a local volunteer. But now, I am rather ashamed of myself for underestimating the whole thing. The Beaconsfield Festival of Golden Words gained local and state government support. It attracted eighty published authors presenting workshops in various locations and sharing on panels in two large marquees with the many hundreds of attendees. The Beaconsfield primary school principal reported there were about 570 school children on Saturday who arrived from several areas of our island. The eleven authors there included Wendy Harmer, Andy Griffiths, Christina Booth and Lian Tanner

Because I was unable to attend many sessions and also did not take photos, I asked my local, published author friend, Margaret Muir, to share some thoughts and photos of the event.

Margaret Muir - background is the Tamar River

                                                                                                 

Margaret, one of the eighty busy authors reports:

Festival launch. L-R Stephen and Louise Dando-Collins,
Premier Lara Gidding, West Tamar Mayor Barry Easther

I thoroughly enjoyed the conference and though I have attended conferences for Romance writers and Historical novelists and, in some cases, travelled overseas and outlaid a fortune in travel expenses and registration costs, this BFOGW was the best I have ever attended. It was so well organised and well attended, the only problem for the attendees was choosing which of the lectures’ panels to go to as two marquees of events were happening throughout the day.

The Festival was the first of its kind organised in Tasmania and is set to rival the Byron Bay Festival in Australia. 

Already funds are available for a similar event next Year.

Also, I think, because it was not a limited field – such as Romance or Historical, the authors and those attending came from very diverse fields including fiction, non-fiction, children’s, food/wine etc.

One of the many panels

 As for myself, the first panel I was part of was chaired by Stephen Dando-Collins.

 It was excellent with Rachael Treasure, Irina Dunn and Tim Lack of Foot and Plaisted printers. The topic was “Is self-publishing the Future of Publishing.” 

Speaker on left is Steve Bisley

While no direct answer was achieved, some of the terms – self- publishing, assisted self-publishing, vanity publishing, independent publishing were discussed. There was considerable interest from the audience and I received several follow-up questions after the event.

Beaconsfield gold mine entrance

 Apart from the free marquee events there were several other sessions and paid workshops.  Two very enjoyable gatherings were the Gala opening cocktail party where Maggie Beer and Julian Burnside QC were keynote speakers. 



In memory of the ABC journalist who died at Beaconsfield during the mine disaster, at the Literary Dinner Charles Woolley delivered the Richard Carlton address. 

Mary again:

Thank you so much, Margaret. I have just enjoyed reading another of your books, Admiralty Orders, that I bought at the Festival. your books are also now available as e-books. 
Do check out her website:
http://www.margaretmuirauthor.com

I also enjoyed Finklestein's Miracle by Stephen Dando-Collins and then discovered it had quite a story to how it was published. Do also check out his interesting website and 30 books: http:www.stephendandocollins.com
 

Running in conjunction with the Saturday and Sunday was the Fringe Golden Word event with the aim of providing a valuable platform for promising, emerging writers. I presented a workshop to a small group of fiction writers that was well received. This was organised by Yvonne Gluyas and Joy Elizabeth with help from Robyn Friend - who unfortunately became ill during the session of readings by emerging writers.

It is planned to make this Festival an annual event. Whether annual or even bi-annual, stay tuned for another opportunity to attend our next Beaconsfield of Festival Golden Words.

Mary Hawkins is currently finishing her latest Christian romance manuscript, Her Outback Cowboy, and still trying to put into practice what she has been learning about romance writing for nearly thirty years. Last December she celebrated twenty years since her first book, Search For Tomorrow, was published in 1993 by Barbour. She is excited her back list contemporary and historical Heartsong Presents novels are again available as e-book through Barbour’s Truly Yours Digital Editions.
http://www.mary-hawkins.com

WRITING CRAFT - CHRISTIAN ROMANCE (Part Three)

How much sexual and spiritual content?

What do most inspirational romance readers (and publishers!) accept?



Saw these in Texas, 2009

This again depends on the readers own personal background and preferences.

As far as I am aware, most publishers are primarily  marketing to Christian Bookshops.

However, Barbour Publishing have sold their Christian Romance Book Club, Heartsong Presents, to Harlequin. It now comes under Harlequin’s Love Inspired Heartsong Presents line. At least in America they should be more available in any good shops that already stock the Love Inspired line.

How I would love to see these released in Australia and New Zealand by Harlequin Australia and made readily available side by side the other Harlequin lines in places like our department  stores. 

It is important that whatever kind of inspirational romance novel you want to write, do read publishers' specific submission guidelines. e.g: They are under Extras on the Harlequin website pages for their inspirational lines

http://www.harlequin.com/articlepage.html?articleId=1735&chapter=0

I noticed their HP line requirements are still very much the same as Barbour required when I submitted to them back in 1992. For example, it states these are, “Contemporary and historical inspirational romances with an evangelical Christian worldview focusing on faith, hope and love.”

Eleven Key elements are then listed, including: “No drugs, alcohol, gambling, profanity or immodest dress. No dancing in contemporary stories. No graphic violence or sex within the course of the story.”

I am absolutely delighted that my hard-working friend, Narelle Atkins has signed a six book contract for Heartsong Presents. As far as I am aware, besides myself and one from Jennifer Ryan years ago, we are the only three Australians to have Heartsong Presents books published. I do not know of any in the Love Inspired line. Where are you all? Would love to have many, many more available for romance readers in our own countries.

Narelle is one of the administrators for our ACW writers' group and blog. Very Exciting things are happening in her writing life. Do click on her name and check out her website. 

The Love Inspired books are longer novels and the guidelines are similar but also includes: “Relationships that emphasize emotional intimacy rather than sexual desire.”

And I believe this should be the standard for most, if not all, inspirational romance novels whether they be the category kind Harlequin publishes or other single titles.  

There are publishers who may accept “edgy” romance manuscripts but I strongly suggest this is NOT wise for unpublished authors to try. All love scenes even between a husband and wife stop at that “bedroom door.” 

Of course these guidelines also include points about including faith elements in Harlequin books.  

 

Handling spiritual content. 

I hope you read a wide variety of inspirational romance novels. Which ones did you think included spiritual content the way you prefer? Were you challenged by the faith elements? Did you like having scripture references so you could look them up yourself? Were you blessed in some way? They should be the kind you need to study and try  to write.

Always take note of who published them but remember also a publisher may vary what they accept. Obtain the submission guidelines for the ones you would like to submit to. If you cannot find them on the internet, ask for them to be sent to you via email or post. And I strongly suggest you do that first before commencing your manuscript. Of course, the very best way is to go to writers’ conferences where publisher representatives are present so you can ask them specific questions!

 I have read some books over the years (including Heartsongs) that have characters only going to church, saying grace before meals, have ‘good” morals, but the characters really not very much different from many in sweet romance novels. Quite frankly, I expect more in ones I read but there may be other readers who simply prefer that. However, for me the spiritual lives of the characters has to be woven into every aspect of the novel. Having said that, of course no one likes to be “preached” at.

 

For all writers today, the catch-cry is to “SHOW not TELL”. This is even more important in Christian fiction.

Wherever possible SHOW faith by the actions or lack of action of the characters. Remember it is “by their fruit you will know them.” However, I believe how realistic these elements become in your book will ultimately depend on your own personal experiences – your own Christian walk and what you have observed in others. While any writer without any active faith of their own can research and study faith elements for hours, I doubt if those elements will always ring true. Showing your own faith and how you have seen or heard how God works in your own life will give the most realistic, spiritual content in your manuscript.

 

More "help" suggestions:  

I  have been a member of Romance Writers of Australia since it commenced and owe so much to this great organisation as well as the Faith Hope Love chapter of Romance Writers America. Over the years I have only missed attending a few of the great RWA conferences in Australia. It was such a thrill and privileged to meet other international inspirational romance writers in 1999 at RWAmerica's national conference. If at all possible don't miss at least one American Christian Fellowship Writers conference. The one Ray and I went to simply blew us away.

 

I have only been able to share so little in these posts about inspirational romance. There is more you should be aware of that romance readers - and publishers - expect. For example, space has not permitted me mentioning the special element needed for a romance book on that very first page, first paragraph to capture the reader. 

 

There are many “How To...” books and articles about writing  romance and inspirational romance available. As well as searching the websites and blogs of favourite writers, I strongly suggest you invest in some “How To” books.

Recommended:-

Writing the Christian Romance  As well as Christian romance, Gail writes sweet romance for Harlequin. It is also an e-book. Gail Gaymer Martin 

Heart & Craft  See the website of Australian romance author, Valerie Parv, especially her Writing Tips page. As well as her up to date information there, this book by her contains articles by at least eleven Australasian, multi-published romance authors.
Plot and Structure (Writers' Digest) The author, James Scott Bell is multi-published in the general as well as Christian market. I am looking forward very much to him being one of the keynote speakers at the Romance Writers of Australia’s annual conference next August.
A Novel Idea is fantastic for any Christian fiction writer. Published by Tyndale with articles by many best-selling romance writers like Francine Rivers, Robin Lee Hatcher, Karen Kingsbury, Kim Vogel Sawyer, Jerry B. Jenkins. 

So, as well as from these professionals, you’ve read various series like Harlequin’s Love Inspired Lines and books by your favourite single title authors from various publishers - hopefully including of course some Australian authors like Andrea Grigg, Rose Dee. Perhaps some of my own books also?

Have you now re-read your favourite books as a writer?
Have you tried to discover just how the writer made you want to keep reading?

You believe you have an idea that would make a good Christian romance novel. You’ve decided on what you thing is a good plot, chosen your hero, heroine and perhaps some minor characters. Better still, I hope you are now a little more aware of at least some of the expectations of avid sweet and inspirational romance readers. 

However, be warned. You need more than just an idea. You need a really GREAT Idea. The most important thing I can share with you is that you must have a really powerful, emotional story. I have read many books over the years that perhaps could have been written better. Better point of view, less typos and other technical problems that I wished had been edited. However, there are novels that contain some of these problems but have such a riveting, fascinating story I could not put the book down until that last page. And be warned, becoming a writer does make you notice these problems more than most readers and may jar you out of the story even more. 

Always remember, no matter the genre, “The Story” is the most important thing of any novel. It should be so powerful it gives many pleasant and sometimes very challenging “emotional experiences” from that first page to “The End".

Mary Hawkins is currently revising her latest Christian romance manuscript, Her Outback Cowboy, and still trying to put into practice what she has been learning about romance writing for nearly thirty years. Last December she celebrated twenty years since her first book, Search For Tomorrow, of 19 titles was published in 1993 by Barbour. She is excited it is again available as an e-book through Barbour’s Truly Yours Digital Editions.
Website and blog: http://www.mary-hawkins.com




Currently all her back list Heartsong Presents Kindle editions are on sale. Not sure when they will revert back to full price. (Unfortunately so far only Justice at Baragula, Book Three in her Baragula series, is available as an e-book )

WRITING CRAFT - Christian Romance (Part 2)

So just what do romance readers expect in an inspirational romance?
Basically, everything they expect from any other SWEET romance sub-genre but from a Christian world view. 

WARNING: If you do not enjoy reading SWEET romance novels with low sexual content, you will not really understand this and will disappoint avid romance readers. And I am very aware that these days there are novels classified as sweet which still contain levels of love-making you may not like or approve of in Christian fiction. On the other hand, there are also “sweet” novels that have little or no sensual tension and simply can leave a reader wondering if Christians never have desire for a member of the opposite sex!

 

This means it is essential to understand those basic elements any novel classified as a romance should have plus the faith elements. I only had space to touch on some of these elements in Part One. The best way to discover these is to read widely in the inspirational romance sub-genre, including novels of varying lengths and from  different publishers.

When you find writers whose style and content you really enjoy, read their books again as a writer and try to dissect why and how they have made you enjoy their type of novel.  Check out the author’s website and/or blog. See if they have made comments and written articles that will help you.

Okay, romance novels all end up the “same” so what keeps readers wanting to read them? Basically it is the story, the characters, the emotional impact and the way the couple overcome all obstacles to their having a believable HEA ending. So whatever the sub-genre inspirational – contemporary, historical, mystery, suspense, etc – this makes the whole plot, setting and characterisation very important.

Plotting:  The romance, while not the story itself, is central to the plot and MUST be adequate. In inspirationals, the faith element must also be woven throughout. Remember, this also can include SHOWING the different responses of characters without faith as well as those with faith - including whether weak or strong faith. Do remember to make sure the reader knows that because a character has no personal relationship with God does not automatically make them a “bad” person. Unfortunately we know that there are many unbelievers who by their lifestyles can put professing Christians to shame.

Character’s Goal, Motivation and Conflict:  With characterisation, I touched on these in last Monday’s post.  Characters should have a goal - or goals. Make sure it fits with their personality and history. Whether a good or bad goal, the reason for it has to be strong enough to motivate the characters in what is thought, believed and acted on in an attempt to reach it.

Of course, these are all very important for any novel but  you must study and understand these elements as applied to romance. Remember, you can make many seemingly unbelievable things believable with strong enough characters who have strong and believable motivation! A strong goal can supply motivation to keep the character persevering through the journey to reach mountains as well as when things happen and they are in the valleys of life. (Sounds like writers!)

Conflict between hero and heroine is essential and also requires extra consideration in how to include the faith elements. There must be believable, strong external and internal conflict that cannot be resolved easily so tension can be maintained between the characters and keep the reader turning the page. It is also important to have conflict that is possible to be resolved.

 Because of what I have personally seen happen between couples over the years, one faith “conflict” that I have tried to highlight in some of my novels is the issue of a believer marrying a non-believer. Then after writing my first single title, Return to Baragula, I wondered how a heroine without faith might feel and respond when she realises that is the main reason the hero with faith refuses to allow a romantic relationship between them to develop. However, in Outback from Baragula I then had to make both characters “lovable” enough for the reader to care about what happens to them despite their differences. They had to have strong reasons, strong enough events, in their past histories to make them the way they were when the story commences. However, that “theme” of being “unequally yoked together” needed to

run throughout the whole story of stolen cattle and dangers they both had to face.

 

Time line: Another important element in a romance is having the hero and heroine together in scenes long enough to develop a realistic, loving relationship that leads to marriage. Love at first sight? Perhaps there is, but whatever the time frame, their relationship has to grow. They need to be seen together in scenes to show the reader how they get to know each other. Show how and why their relationship develops until they both realise their love for each other. Even after that there may still be obstacles of course preventing them from committing to each other. 

I have touched on only one faith theme here. In Part Three next Monday, January 6^th , I will share a little about “How much spiritual content?” “How much sexual content?” and other hints about how readers expect inspirationals to be “different” from other romance novels.

 

Are there any themes you have read in inspirational romance novels that you thought very important, were challenging and you really loved? Are there some you thought were not relevant or important enough to make you want to read more?

Please leave comments here on the blog as well as on Facebook.

 

 

Mary Hawkins is currently revising her latest Christian romance manuscript, Her Outback Cowboy, and still trying to put into practice what she has been learning about romance writing for nearly thirty years. This December she is also celebrating twenty years since her first book, Search For Tomorrow, was published in 1993 by Barbour. She is excited it is again available as an e-book through Barbour’s Truly Yours Digital Editions.

(Currently all her Heartsong Presents Kindle editions are on sale. Not sure when they will revert back to full price.)

Website and blog: http://www.mary-hawkins.com

 

WRITING CRAFT: Christian Romance - Part One

So just what is a Christian romance novel?
The Romance Writers of America classify this romance sub-genre as Inspirational Romance. Their website says they are “Novels in which religious or spiritual beliefs (in the context of any religion or spiritual belief system) are a major part of the romantic relationship.”

Many great Christian fiction single titles do have a romantic relationship between main characters but are not actually romance books, just novels with romantic elements. Please note that many avid romance readers become disappointed if a novel is classified as “romance” but they discover it does not focus on the romance as should all romance genre novels. Other readers who do not like reading romance books may be upset if they buy a romance not clearly identified as one.

So, what are the ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS in a novel that makes it a romance novel?
This is very important for not only romance writers but all editors and publishers of inspirational romance to be very knowledgeable about.

CHARACTERS
Much has been written to help writers on characterisation. Because romance novels are more character driven than plot driven it is essential to study and know how to create believable, interesting characters.

Both the hero and heroine must be chosen with the aim of intriguing the reader. Romance readers know there has to be a Happy Ever After (HEA) end. So, to keep the reader turning pages to see how that happens, both main characters must be likeable enough to make the reader care for them and want to follow their journey of overcoming all problems to reach their HEA.

The length of your novel will also dictate how many minor characters you will need. Remember that a 45,000-50,000 word length usually will not give you enough space to have more than one sub-plot with minor characters. Once you give a name to anyone like a passing servant, waiter, taxi driver etc, that person becomes a minor character to the reader.

Whatever the number of characters you need, choose them well so they only enhance the hero and heroine’s story. In one of my first manuscripts I unintentionally took the focus off the main romance plot by making a minor character and his sub-plot too important. Fortunately an experienced editor saw that and suggested a revision. However, it is still something I have to be careful of and one reason I am now writing longer novels to be able to include more about those characters.

For the hero and heroine at least, I believe you need to do a full biography that includes their attitude and history about spiritual things before that first chapter. Our Creator knows everything about us both outward and inwardly. You as the creator of your characters must know the same. Their spiritual journey should be revealed, interwoven throughout the whole story. It also helps to do a biography for any major minor character.

CONFLICT
I hope you have read and digested Anne’s excellent ACW blog last Monday, December 16th, on the Big “C” – conflict. As you plot your Christian Romance novel, do try to put her thoughts into practice.
The essential element of having a HEA conclusion means the conflict has to be intriguing and strong enough to keep the hero and heroine apart for the whole length of the novel. However, do be careful of having conflict between them that cannot be resolved. Again, the length of the manuscript is an important factor here. If you discover in the writing of the manuscript that you find it very hard in the middle of the book to maintain tension between the couple, look at the type of conflict. Beginner writers can often have a simple or unreal conflict that can be too easily sorted out and not strong enough to be maintained. Be careful the conflict is not just a misunderstanding that makes the reader wish they would just sit down and talk it out!

And that last sentence really leads into my blog next Monday, December 30th. Christian Romance (Part Two). Ever heard of GMC? Goal, Motivation, Conflict are essential elements in any novel. How can you adequately apply them to a romance with spiritual elements?

When choosing characters you need to decide on the kind of couple who have problems that keep them from a romantic relationship. I have only briefly mentioned Conflict here. To make the actions of characters in Christian romance novels relevant and believable, they must have GMC for doing what they do, whether right or wrong, to give the reader an essential “emotional experience” and a satisfying, HEA conclusion.

Next week: PART TWO: Goal, Motivation - and more about Conflict especially in spiritual matters.

Despite this busy time, would love to have your comments. Lets talk about characters especially in inspirational romance novels you loved or hated – and why.

Do have a wonderful, rich time of love and fellowship with family and friends this Christmas.

Mary Hawkins is currently revising her latest Christian romance manuscript, Her Outback Cowboy, and still trying to put into practice what she has been learning about romance writing for nearly thirty years.

 

This December she is also celebrating twenty years since her first book, Search For Tomorrow, was published in 1993 by Barbour.

 

 

 

 

She is excited her first book

is again available as an e-book through

Barbour’s Truly Yours Digital Editions.

 

Mary's website and blog for more information

about her other books.