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Crafting Category Romance: The Art of Fiction Haiku
Category romance is a precise art. With such a small word count, writing the perfect category romance is a little like writing a haiku. But how do you write a book in seventeen syllables? How can you cram compelling conflict, satisfying character development, and toe-curling romantic tension into less than sixty thousand words? In Crafting Category Romance , two-time RITA™-nominated author of nearly one hundred books Amy Lane describes the rules of engagement, traps to watch out for, and how to leverage common tropes to create conflict, craft a character, develop a plot, and leave readers with a happy ever after that's different every time―all in a tidy package. With practical exercises in plot, conflict, and character development, Crafting Category Romance will teach you how to use the rigid rules and expectations of the genre to your advantage and win a loyal readership following for life.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
200 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2020
28 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Amy Lane
203 books3,488 followersAmy Lane dodges an EDJ, mothers four children, and writes the occasional book. She, her brood, and her beloved mate, Mack, live in a crumbling mortgage in Citrus Heights, California, which is riddled with spiders, cats, and more than its share of fancy and weirdness. Feel free to visit her at www.greenshill.com orwww.writerslane.blogspot.com, where she will ride the buzz of receiving your e-mail until her head swells and she can no longer leave the house.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 26, 2021
FYI, I just finished and enjoyed it.
After 10 years of writing, I actually still learned things and was reminded of other stuff. A lot of good ideas popped up.
This is available in audiobook which helped me out a lot since I listened while walking.
After 10 years of writing, I actually still learned things and was reminded of other stuff. A lot of good ideas popped up.
This is available in audiobook which helped me out a lot since I listened while walking.
September 23, 2020
Not a bad book for those who want to get into writing. Good tips and things. And in easily explained ways. For me personally, it's not for me because I'm not a writer. I have the imagination and pics in my head but I could never get things on paper. I have a hard enough times writing reviews, much less trying to write a whole book and such. But for others, it's good.
November 24, 2020
I found ‘Crafting Category Romance: The Art of Fiction Haiku’ a fascinating and educational read.
Some background to put this review in perspective – I’ve been attending writing workshops and writing panels via the World Science Fiction Convention and local science fiction conventions off and on for the last twenty-five years. So I quite understand what is necessary for professional writing and publishing: words need to be placed on paper, there must be a beginning, middle and – most importantly – an end, there has to be a plot, character development, and world building. I get that and more.
Amy’s book blew away every workshop and panel I’ve attended from a basic writing platform. Amy’s book explained Category Romance in a way that I had never considered but makes infinite sense and explains why I’m reading more male/male romance at this juncture in my life than science fiction. However, this is about writing Category Romance in all its wonderful flavors and variations, not solely one set sub-genre.
I recommend approaching ‘Crafting Category Romance: The Art of Fiction Haiku’ like a textbook, and really, this would be a perfect complement to a several-day writing workshop. About a quarter of the way into the book I was wishing I had printed this out. First, my six-year-old e-reader didn’t like some of the formatting and several of the tables and paragraphs were cut off. Second, I really wanted to be able to scribble notes in the margins, highlight key points, and flip back and forth between chapters and exercises.
What?!? Exercises? Yes! Writing exercises! Writing exercises that build on previous chapters, that help explain the writing process by putting ideas and concepts down on paper, which when combined help explain the backbone of writing a good category romance. These are the key elements a romance writer needs to have, period.
I did most of the exercises: I found them approachable, engaging, interesting from a creative process, informative, and, yes, challenging. The lessons require some thought, understanding of the concept, and imagination. As I noted above, romance is not my initial or primary genre – there are different expectations to writing romance vs. science fiction. Which also explains why category romance is the way it is and why one should not deviate from those rules. I wanted to do the exercises as part of reviewing this book, what good is my review if I skipped a quarter of the book and the salient points?
Whether interested in moving toward publishing in category romance, already published, or writing in the genre as a creative outlet for personal entertainment, I recommend this book.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Some background to put this review in perspective – I’ve been attending writing workshops and writing panels via the World Science Fiction Convention and local science fiction conventions off and on for the last twenty-five years. So I quite understand what is necessary for professional writing and publishing: words need to be placed on paper, there must be a beginning, middle and – most importantly – an end, there has to be a plot, character development, and world building. I get that and more.
Amy’s book blew away every workshop and panel I’ve attended from a basic writing platform. Amy’s book explained Category Romance in a way that I had never considered but makes infinite sense and explains why I’m reading more male/male romance at this juncture in my life than science fiction. However, this is about writing Category Romance in all its wonderful flavors and variations, not solely one set sub-genre.
I recommend approaching ‘Crafting Category Romance: The Art of Fiction Haiku’ like a textbook, and really, this would be a perfect complement to a several-day writing workshop. About a quarter of the way into the book I was wishing I had printed this out. First, my six-year-old e-reader didn’t like some of the formatting and several of the tables and paragraphs were cut off. Second, I really wanted to be able to scribble notes in the margins, highlight key points, and flip back and forth between chapters and exercises.
What?!? Exercises? Yes! Writing exercises! Writing exercises that build on previous chapters, that help explain the writing process by putting ideas and concepts down on paper, which when combined help explain the backbone of writing a good category romance. These are the key elements a romance writer needs to have, period.
I did most of the exercises: I found them approachable, engaging, interesting from a creative process, informative, and, yes, challenging. The lessons require some thought, understanding of the concept, and imagination. As I noted above, romance is not my initial or primary genre – there are different expectations to writing romance vs. science fiction. Which also explains why category romance is the way it is and why one should not deviate from those rules. I wanted to do the exercises as part of reviewing this book, what good is my review if I skipped a quarter of the book and the salient points?
Whether interested in moving toward publishing in category romance, already published, or writing in the genre as a creative outlet for personal entertainment, I recommend this book.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
October 5, 2020
Thoughts: This is a break from the author’s standard romance writing. Though it is still about romance, it is a well-written non-fiction book about how to write the stories. She has exercises you can follow to help you set up your book, how to brainstorm ideas, tropes, plots, and more. I have read a lot of “how to write” books, and this one definitely makes the cut. It’s something everyone who thinks of writing romance should read—whether you’re writing category or stand-alones. She highlights the hows and whys of writing a category romance—as well as the different types (sub-genres).
What I liked: Everything. Well, almost. You can skip the intro pages and get right to the meat of the book. Follow the exercises and you can start getting ideas on writing your own book. As she says in the book: Grab your notebook. Follow her exercises. Her style is easy to follow and understand. Go through this step by step and you will learn. I did. And I’ve been in this game for a very long time.
What I didn’t like: For me, the whole “haiku” bit didn’t work. I understood the analogy, but I liked the “Flavor” of your story better. That hit home more for me.
Recommendation: If you have any idea at all about writing a romance book, especially a category one, pick this book up and read it. It’s a great place to start. And even if you’ve been in the business a while, it’s a good reference book. Highly recommended.
I received this book from the publisher with the wish I’d write an honest review.
What I liked: Everything. Well, almost. You can skip the intro pages and get right to the meat of the book. Follow the exercises and you can start getting ideas on writing your own book. As she says in the book: Grab your notebook. Follow her exercises. Her style is easy to follow and understand. Go through this step by step and you will learn. I did. And I’ve been in this game for a very long time.
What I didn’t like: For me, the whole “haiku” bit didn’t work. I understood the analogy, but I liked the “Flavor” of your story better. That hit home more for me.
Recommendation: If you have any idea at all about writing a romance book, especially a category one, pick this book up and read it. It’s a great place to start. And even if you’ve been in the business a while, it’s a good reference book. Highly recommended.
I received this book from the publisher with the wish I’d write an honest review.
September 12, 2020
This is an unexpected release from one of my favorite authors. With how 2020 is going I have more time to do my favorite solo pringle activity and that is reading. I decided to go on a journey with this author's works. I've committed to reading any books that come my way by this author. I've been reading books by Amy Lane for nearly a decade and now in 2020, I'm willing to admit that they are one of my favorite authors. This book really is eye-opening in the many parts that take to write a category romance. It highlights that they understand their craft and willing to impart some guidance.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I honestly didn't know this was coming and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it. As a reader, I enjoyed the behind the scene look of possible avenues an author can/may take to craft a category romance. I related so much to the criticism one gets for enjoying the books that I enjoy. Kudos to everybody who encourage Amy Lane in writing this book.
4.5 stars
*This book was provided to me for free by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I honestly didn't know this was coming and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it. As a reader, I enjoyed the behind the scene look of possible avenues an author can/may take to craft a category romance. I related so much to the criticism one gets for enjoying the books that I enjoy. Kudos to everybody who encourage Amy Lane in writing this book.
4.5 stars
*This book was provided to me for free by the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 18, 2020
I don't normally read these kinds of books, because I don't want to be a write, I prefer to read to my hearts content, but since I'm an big Amy Lane fan, I looked forward to reading this book.
It was an interesting and fascinating look into how Amy's mind works when writing a book. And I'm sure would be a big help to any aspiring writer wanting tips.
I did enjoy reading it, sadly it didn't make me want to start writing lol
~ This book was given me by the author in exchange for an honest review. ~
It was an interesting and fascinating look into how Amy's mind works when writing a book. And I'm sure would be a big help to any aspiring writer wanting tips.
I did enjoy reading it, sadly it didn't make me want to start writing lol
~ This book was given me by the author in exchange for an honest review. ~
November 13, 2020
I'd heard of romance tropes before, but Amy takes them to a whole new level! Turns out the tropes I'd been thinking of are just a small piece of the romance-writing pie. In this book, Amy discusses character tropes, conflict tropes, narrative tropes, and even how occupations fit into tropes. But it's not just about the tropes, there's so much more included in this quick read. Learn key plot points as well as what not to do in your category romance. I'll be referring to this book for years to come. Thank you, Amy!
December 5, 2024
A quick, engaging, on-point read for anyone interested in crafting category romance--appropriate for all levels of writers. Amy Lane has a great voice--if it comes through in a craft book, I can only imagine how her own fiction reads. Amy brings a wealth of knowledge from her days in the editorial trenches at Harlequin to her own career writing category romance, etc. (Heads up: There is a sprinkling of strong language in some spots, which strikes me as genuine to her voice, but may be off-putting for some readers.)
November 9, 2020
I have been writing for many years and love to read craft books. Very seldom do I find one with new information or a new approach. Ms. Lane's book does an excellent job of showing how the foundation of your conflict (its tropes) can tweak a story to something new and different. Very quickly, I was reaching for my notebook to strengthen the conflict in my current manuscript. I know I'll be referring to this book whenever I am planning my next story. Highly recommended.
April 19, 2022
Oh my goodness - where was this book when I first set my sights on writing category romance? I have completed three manuscripts with one getting a second look with a publisher - yay. But Lane's book changes EVERYTHING! From how I read category romances to how I plot my next novel - nothing will ever be the same! Thank you, Amy Lane, for writing this intelligent and compressed (see what I did there?) technique book that explains *and* celebrates this unique sub-genre of romance novels.
October 30, 2022
Concise clues for writing category romance
Very useful,insightful book updating writing romance ( unlike grandma*s old books) and how to set oneself up for success writing and submitting a manuscript to a category publisher or not. She distilled down the whole process to set the readers writer up for success. I'm glad I purchased the book. I will apply my zip into the exercises to tweak its development for category submission success.
Very useful,insightful book updating writing romance ( unlike grandma*s old books) and how to set oneself up for success writing and submitting a manuscript to a category publisher or not. She distilled down the whole process to set the readers writer up for success. I'm glad I purchased the book. I will apply my zip into the exercises to tweak its development for category submission success.
September 8, 2020
This book is an essential piece of literature to help aspiring authors in romance break into the field of romance and/or category romance. The book breaks things down with a simplistic step by step guideline with practical examples and suggestions for plotting out an individual book. The style is easy to follow and is suitable for new authors as well as a refreshing update for seasoned authors to find new avenues to entertain their loyal fans and gain new readership.
October 20, 2021
Very good! This was a very good book, I thought that it was going to start off like any other book and it just was going to have fluff pieces. But instead it showed a lot of practical advice as well as a great section on why romance is so important. I thought that the particular sections were it was talking about the importance of romance we're definitely the best selling parts.
September 27, 2024
A nice tool for those who write novella romances with the goal of signing with a specific romance imprint (the author mentions Harlequin a lot, which is understandable given the bajillion imprints that house has). I enjoyed the principles she covered regarding character and plot tropes pulling double duty as well. I can see how this would be a valuable resource to novella-length novelists.
September 8, 2020
This is unlike any Amy Lane book I have read so far. As I am not an author just a romance reader, it was interesting to learn all the nuances of the craft. This is a non-fiction book that would be very informative to an author.
March 30, 2021
Extremely helpful book. Lots of information on tropes and how to use them to write to your audience and fulfill their expectations. Loved this one. One of my new favorite craft books and will be using it frequently, I'm sure.
September 28, 2020
Excellent craft book. Great insights on tropes, characters, and reader expectations.
Read
January 18, 2022Writing category romance with tropes and compression.
March 30, 2022
Extremely helpful and motivating.
September 4, 2022
Found some useful information in this book. Would recommend if you are looking for additional information on Category Romance.
January 13, 2021
I love reading romance and reading about how to write romance. And writing romance, but really, that's hard.
This is a fantastic guide for anybody interested in writing romance, even if you're fairly new to the genre. I've read a fair number of writing "guides" that ended up needing a huge amount of knowledge about the genre, about terminology, about story structures, etc., but this is something you could read after having read all of three Harlequins and get a pretty solid understanding of romance.
I appreciate the emphasis on consolidating plot tropes and character tropes and subplots and etc., etc., in order to create the "fiction haiku." The exercises are fantastic for understanding this in greater depth, and just plain fun. (That's how you know you're a romance nerd, by the way--when you sit down for a half hour and just work through romance writing exercises for the fun of it, even without a story in mind.)
If you're interested in writing romance of any kind, you can get a lot from this book, regardless if you've written romance novels before. And if you're interested in writing category romance, it's even more useful.
This is a fantastic guide for anybody interested in writing romance, even if you're fairly new to the genre. I've read a fair number of writing "guides" that ended up needing a huge amount of knowledge about the genre, about terminology, about story structures, etc., but this is something you could read after having read all of three Harlequins and get a pretty solid understanding of romance.
I appreciate the emphasis on consolidating plot tropes and character tropes and subplots and etc., etc., in order to create the "fiction haiku." The exercises are fantastic for understanding this in greater depth, and just plain fun. (That's how you know you're a romance nerd, by the way--when you sit down for a half hour and just work through romance writing exercises for the fun of it, even without a story in mind.)
If you're interested in writing romance of any kind, you can get a lot from this book, regardless if you've written romance novels before. And if you're interested in writing category romance, it's even more useful.
February 25, 2024
Lane describes how to use character and plot tropes to plan a 40-60k word romance novel, yet still create something new. She defines what romantic conflict is and how to scale it so you don’t create a problem that needs a larger word count to solve. She offers advice on avoiding common plot problems that stem from a mismatch between the romantic heroes.
The exercises are fun and help you create heroes who are different enough in the beginning to be interesting, but have enough in common to reach a believable HEA at the end. I loved her breakdown of the sources of conflict into 7 types. So helpful for thinking about the plot in a shorter piece of fiction.
If you’re new to romance, this book is great place to start, especially if you’re a learn by doing kind of writer. And if you're an experienced romance author, this book gives a unique perspective on romance fundamentals. I imagine it'll be useful for anyone who wants to self-publish a romance novella as well as those hoping to traditionally publish a category romance.
The exercises are fun and help you create heroes who are different enough in the beginning to be interesting, but have enough in common to reach a believable HEA at the end. I loved her breakdown of the sources of conflict into 7 types. So helpful for thinking about the plot in a shorter piece of fiction.
If you’re new to romance, this book is great place to start, especially if you’re a learn by doing kind of writer. And if you're an experienced romance author, this book gives a unique perspective on romance fundamentals. I imagine it'll be useful for anyone who wants to self-publish a romance novella as well as those hoping to traditionally publish a category romance.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews