Reading, Writing, And Romance: A Literary Circle With Heart

By Jan Howard

Romance writing may have its critics, but the romance genre is growing. Forty percent of the paperback books purchased in the United States are romances, and an estimated 45 million women, ranging in age from 15 to 105, read them, according to industry statistics.

The business generates approximately $1 billion per year in sales, and about 19 publishing houses produce romance novels.

Once a month, about 70 members of the Connecticut chapter of Romance Writers of America gather at the Southbury Library to learn more about the craft of writing.

Debra Sennefelder and Nancy Block of Newtown are strong advocates for the professional organization and romance writing.

The state organization offers lectures and workshops on everything from writing techniques, characterization, and plotting to the business of writing and how to deal with editors, Mrs Block said.

 “It’s very informative,” she said.

The group encourages members to enter writing contests, attend small conferences, and share information, Mrs Sennefelder said. She will be vice president of the state group beginning in January.

 “Romance writing has had a lot of bad knocks. There is a misconception about what romance writing is,” Mrs Block said. “It’s about a relationship. That’s an integral part. And there is a plot and story line. There always is a happy ending. The stories are well crafted and plotted. The majority of books are well written. It’s a shame that more people don’t read them.”

“There are all levels of romance writing, from sweet or inspirational romance to erotica,” Mrs Sennefelder said. “The characters are building something. They’re not there for just one night. It’s about two people and how they come together.

“The heroines are strong women. They are not looking for a hero to rescue them. They’re real, they reflect us, not someone who is extraordinary,” she said.

About 15 of the Connecticut chapter’s members are published authors, Mrs Sennefelder said.

Formed in 1980 and incorporated in 1986, the Connecticut Chapter of Romance Writers of America has been meeting at the Southbury Library for ten years. It meets on the second Saturday of the month at 11 am. Members pay dues to the state chapter and the national organization in Houston, Tex.

A guest lecture, which is open to the public, is featured at every meeting, Mrs Sennefelder said.

Once a year, the national organization holds a four-day conference that is open to every member. The site rotates between major cities. In 2000 the conference will be held in Washington, D.C.

Mrs Sennefelder said she learned about the organization from Mrs Block. “When Nancy got published, I saw she was from Newtown. I wrote to her, and she sent me information about the chapter.”

Mrs Block learned about the organization from a press release in a local newspaper. “My sister-in-law pointed it out to me. She knew I had been writing. Everyone is very welcoming,” she said. When she met some of the members, she realized she had read their books.

Mrs Block said she joined the writers group because she wanted to learn more about writing. She has been a member for 12 years. “I had been writing for a few years, here and there,” she said.

Mrs Sennefelder said she joined the writers group four years ago because she wanted to be with other writers. “It was an opportunity to learn.”

Sharon Schultz of Oakville, who has had several books published, said historical romantic novels have been around for centuries. “Jane Austin was a historical romance writer,” she said.

However, it was during the 1970s that romance writing blossomed with the publication of Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss, she said. “Her first book was one of the first popular historical romances. That was when the genre began to open up.” She said writers such as Norah Roberts and Sandra Brown have written romance novels.

Mrs Schultz is vice president and a former president of the chapter. She also serves as the group’s publisher/author liaison.

Writing To A Deadline

Mrs Schultz said the romance writers group sponsors the Golden Heart contest yearly for unpublished authors. “It creates a deadline every year so you have to get your book finished.” She said some of the group’s members have sold their books through the contest.

It’s easy to procrastinate as a writer, Mrs Block said. Without a deadline, it’s easy to keep putting off writing. “I finally finished a book as a result of entering the Golden Heart contest,” she said.

But it wasn’t easy. The power went off the night before the book had to be submitted. “I had to pick up my computer and drive to my brother’s house,” she said. “I’d been up three nights to finish it. My hand was cramping so bad, my thumb kept going straight up.”

“I finished it. I got it out. It was my biggest accomplishment to finish that book,” she said.

The manuscript was due in Wyoming the next day. “My husband had to drive to Westchester to get it on the plane,” Mrs Block said.

Though she later had a book published, it was not the one entered in the contest. Following that first sale, another of her books was sold, but the publishing house dissolved the line, she said.

“I stopped writing for a while. I took a hiatus,” Mrs Block said. “I was doing so much to avoid it. I went through all the books on writers’ block. Finally, I thought, I’m not writing at all so I thought why don’t I just write for myself.

“People think once you’re published, it’s easy,” she said. “Every book is different.”

Mrs Sennefelder has completed a mystery romance and intends to submit it to a publisher. “I want to be published,” she said. She received her inspiration from a lecture by Carla Neggers, who has had over 40 books published, on finding the right niche in writing. “It put me on a path,” she said.

She said she keeps writing to stay focused. “The first book is a learning book. Someday I might rewrite it.”

Mrs Sennefelder encouraged beginning writers to go with their strengths.

Mrs Block said writers must have a routine. “Be kind to yourself. There are some writers who are very disciplined. They have the drive to be on the best seller list. It might take someone else ten years, but it doesn’t mean it’s less important. When you compare yourself with others or go by a time line, it causes problems.”

The Importance Of Research

Mrs Block emphasized the importance of research in historical romance writing. “Everything must be historically correct,” she said. She claimed that copyeditors often question anything that doesn’t sound right and ask that facts be rechecked.

“If you wrote something that is wrong, you will hear from people,” Mrs Block said.

Her first book was based on the War of 1812. “I based the ship on the frigate Constitution,” she said.

Because of her extensive research, she said, “I put things in that book that you never see in romance. People liked that. The book was written with a lot of tongue in cheek. It’s racy, but it’s funny. If you read it, you will see real life in it. I just had fun with it, and took everyday occurrences and played upon them.

“People wrote me saying they related to the women in my book,” she continued. “They want to be uplifted by reading a book.”