I have no doubt in my mind that writing a romance novel is not as easy as we would like to think it is. The romance novelist is not just some woman who takes bubble baths, paints her nails and then after a day of leisure decides to pen a few words in cursive with a fountain pen. It takes research, tons of reading and plenty of work. While I do like the idea of romance writing, I like even more the idea of writing something I, myself would like to read.
So, with the full knowledge that I am going to have to do many things to even get started, I feel well on my way. I read endlessly and now I am off to Barnes and Noble on the Upper West Side of Manhattan to do some research into how to go about this daunting, but tantalizing task that is writing the historical romance novel.
It is now 3:30pm, I hope to be out of the house and on the subway by 4pm. If all goes well, I should be at B&N before 4:30.
If I get enough done-as my husband is off to a farewell party-I might take in a movie.
What better movie that "Becoming Jane" to round of my day of leisurely regency period research!
I know I can do this.
I just have to stay focused!
-Louise
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
I have to write
It was by pure accident that I picked up the soft, small, green-toned historical romance novel in Target not more than a month ago. It was not an accident that I was into the first chapter before even leaving the store and it was with sheer delight that I finished it a few hours later.
The book......The secret diaries of Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn.
Now I have always been an avid reader, especially of the romance variety, that is, up until 7 years ago when I moved to NYC and decided that becoming an intellectual was extremely important to me. I dated men who had read War and Peace, Men who were way smarter than me and in time I really did begin to enjoy the more difficult reads. Gone were the days when I would read Sweet Dreams books instead of studying for my high School exams. I was smart and I felt smart. In time, like my friends, I looked down at those woman on the subway reading the "easy reads"- talk about peer pressure!
But, in a moment of relaxed desperation I reached for that book in Target and a whole world I thought was lost to me opened up and has refused to close. I am swept up in the regency period. A delightful romantic time in the early 1800's and I am loving every minute of it.
Just how swept up you might ask?
Well, I have read all of Julia Quinn's books, bought 7 new historical romance novels by authors I have never read and I have started to research the Regency period- all in one month!
Not only that, but I have decided that I can not go on living without writing one of these lovely books.
Finally I have come full circle.
Finally, I am back in my childhood bedroom ( in my mind) loving romance and following the dream of that 15 year old girl.
The dream to write books.
Granted I am no stranger to the book publishing industry. I have helped authors write query letters, have assisted in book contract negotiations and my husband is a published author as well as an editor of a national magazine. So while I have been exposed to the industry, I was never the one needing to thrive within it.
But this time, it is about me. I want to write.
And I want it to be about the regency period.
Only, I don't know where to start.
So I am starting here.
This will be a blog about how I get the job done. All the trials and tribulations, all the horrors I might go through and all the good that may come of this. I need this blog. I need it so that I can tell myself I am trying, so that I can read how far I go, if I go at all.
Come along for the journey.
I could always use your help.
I dont have all the facts. And nobody knows about my secret passion. Only YOU!
- Louise
The book......The secret diaries of Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn.
Now I have always been an avid reader, especially of the romance variety, that is, up until 7 years ago when I moved to NYC and decided that becoming an intellectual was extremely important to me. I dated men who had read War and Peace, Men who were way smarter than me and in time I really did begin to enjoy the more difficult reads. Gone were the days when I would read Sweet Dreams books instead of studying for my high School exams. I was smart and I felt smart. In time, like my friends, I looked down at those woman on the subway reading the "easy reads"- talk about peer pressure!
But, in a moment of relaxed desperation I reached for that book in Target and a whole world I thought was lost to me opened up and has refused to close. I am swept up in the regency period. A delightful romantic time in the early 1800's and I am loving every minute of it.
Just how swept up you might ask?
Well, I have read all of Julia Quinn's books, bought 7 new historical romance novels by authors I have never read and I have started to research the Regency period- all in one month!
Not only that, but I have decided that I can not go on living without writing one of these lovely books.
Finally I have come full circle.
Finally, I am back in my childhood bedroom ( in my mind) loving romance and following the dream of that 15 year old girl.
The dream to write books.
Granted I am no stranger to the book publishing industry. I have helped authors write query letters, have assisted in book contract negotiations and my husband is a published author as well as an editor of a national magazine. So while I have been exposed to the industry, I was never the one needing to thrive within it.
But this time, it is about me. I want to write.
And I want it to be about the regency period.
Only, I don't know where to start.
So I am starting here.
This will be a blog about how I get the job done. All the trials and tribulations, all the horrors I might go through and all the good that may come of this. I need this blog. I need it so that I can tell myself I am trying, so that I can read how far I go, if I go at all.
Come along for the journey.
I could always use your help.
I dont have all the facts. And nobody knows about my secret passion. Only YOU!
- Louise
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