Course Overview
Romantic fiction commands over 50% of mass market paperback sales worldwide, and a recent survey by HarperCollins ranks Penrith NSW as #1 for romance novel sales. Why is this genre so popular and what constitutes a saleable story? What are the popular tropes and reader expectations? And how do you go about writing one?
You will learn practical techniques on how to plot and develop your romance novel. There will be writing involved in this course and by the end, you will have an outline of your romance novel’s plot, characters’ goals, motivations and conflicts.
Learn from Award-winning Australian fiction author, Paula Roe:
Join Paula Roe, an award-winning, multi-published fiction author who will break it all down, answer your questions and explain exactly what a romance novel is/is not and why romance continues to endure (it’s not all about the kissing!). She is a regular Borders Books bestseller and one of only five Australian authors who write for Harlequin Desire, a line published by Harlequin Enterprises, the biggest romance publisher in the world. Harlequin books go out to over 28 countries and are translated into 28 languages in 114 international markets on six continents. Before publication, Paula’s writing won and placed in various contests, including Wisconsin Romance Writers Fabulous Five Silver Quill, Magnolia State Dixie First Chapter, Romance Writers of Australia’s Emerald Award and the Valerie Parv Award.
Macquarie Community College operates from a range of venues across Northern and Western Sydney. We have campuses in Blacktown, Carlingford, Chatswood, Epping, Mt Druitt, Richmond, and Ryde. Enrol now!
What you will learn
Course outline
In this course students will learn:
- What romantic fiction is and is not
- An overall view of the publishing landscape
- Reader expectations vs other genres
- Practical techniques on how to plot and develop your romance novel
Course outcome
By the end of the course students will:
- Be able to identify the elements of romantic fiction
- Have a clear understanding of their chosen subgenre
- Be able to outline their story plot and their characters’ goals, motivations and conflicts
- Have greater knowledge to further develop their own stories
What you need to know
Entry requirements
The ability to read and write in English at an intermediate level or higher.
What you need to provide
- All course material is provided and inclusive with course fees
- Notepad and pen OR Laptop