Writing Romance Fiction with Tara Loder

Course Summary

Are you drawn to writing stories that centre on female characters and experience? Do you want to write swoon-worthy romances? Then this course is for you! From small town romance to issue-led books to escapist reads, we’ll cover them all in this online course.

Your tutor and editor will be Tara Loder, who has years of experience as an editor working for big five publishers and digital first imprints. By the end of course you’ll have 5k polished words shaped by an experienced commissioning editor.

Course Outline

Writing Romance and Women’s Fiction is an online course for those who have never written a word or already written their first manuscript. Editor and tutor Tara Loder will define what publishers mean by ‘women’s fiction’ vs ‘romance’ and how to capture readers in both genres! Tara will help you craft irresistible opening chapters, define a strong plot, create characters your readers can fall in love with and how to pitch your novel.

You will learn what to keep at the heart of your novel, so that agents and publishers know what your book is, where to place it in the market and why that’s so important in pitching and getting your book published.

Ahead of class starting please submit a summary of your project in no more than 200 words. Each class will end with dedicated writing time, where you can learn what it’s like to have a writing group that writes together for at least 15-30 minutes.

 Week 1

First half

We’ll discuss how to pitch a project, using examples of books that have been published.

Second half

You’ll turn your 200-word summary into a pitch line. Don’t worry, at this stage we’re just looking to get an idea of what your novel is about and who your reader is.

Week 2

First half

Romance vs Women’s Fiction. What’s the difference? Why this difference is important. And why you need to know. Find out where your novel sits in the genre spectrum, so that you can successfully shape and then pitch your novel.

Second half

We’ll workshop your first three chapters, learning how to grab the reader’s attention and figure out how to make them laugh, cry, gasp or offer a question they need to know the answer to.

Class/Takeaway exercise: Plot and write as much of your next three chapters as you can.

Week 3

First half

Does your book do what it says on the tin or are you offering something different? Learn which is easier to get published and why those two lines you submitted may be the most important ones you write.

Second half

You’ve summed up your novel in 200 words. Now make it into a one-to-two-line elevator pitch and a 200-word blurb, just like publishers and self-publishers do to get their back cover copy.

Takeaway exercise: send your elevator pitch and blurb before Week 4.

Week 4

First half

Discover how to ensure your book keeps its promise. We’ll discuss examples of books that never saw the light of day and the importance of your first 50 pages. We’ll also start writing a synopsis.

Second half

Sharpen your shoutlines and blurbs so they sing, and grab the attention of agents and editors. We’ll brainstorm ideas just like they do in an editorial meeting, and look at character development.

Takeaway exercise: Write as much as you can of your first three chapters and send your synopsis before Week 5.

Week 5

Reflection & Writing Week. Instead of having class this week, I’ll be available for online sessions to answer any questions you may have and to support you in writing your next three chapters. You can use the class time as writing time if you wish.

This is the moment to take all we’ve covered and craft or edit as much as you can of your first three chapters. Make them irresistible! You’ll be submitting your chapters for feedback from both Tara and your classmates.

You’ll need to submit these (up to 5,000 words) to Tara by an agreed date.

Week 6

First half

Feedback on your first 5k words will be given in group, so we can all learn from the exercise. Individual feedback will follow via email. We’ll discuss accomplishments and how to improve your chapters.

Second half

We’ll catch up on where you are with your novel and the challenges you’re facing. We’ll discuss writing schedules and how to finish your novel. You’ll be surprised how quickly this can happen.

 Takeaway exercise: Edit your first 5k words, edited material to be resubmitted by Week 7.

Week 7

First half

You’ll master the Squiggly Line Test and other plotting tools. Now we have the start of your novel and the heart of it, we’ll look at the overarching plot. This will be a session of brainstorming using all our plotting models.

Second half

We’ll work together to plot out your next chapters, followed by writing time to make sure you keep up the momentum after finishing your first three chapters.

Week 8

First half

I’ll feedback on your edited chapters and take time for a Q&A session.

Second half

You’re now well on your way to having a novel. I’ll reveal what happens once your novel is finished from an insider’s view of publishing.

Course Outcomes

Each participant will have a minimum of 5k polished words, edited by a commissioning editor, and know how to pitch their novel by the end of the course.

Having worked as an editor across big five publishers such as Little, Brown and Headline, as well as the UK’s fastest growing publisher, Tara Loder knows what it takes to create a bestselling novel. She’s worked on Sunday Times bestsellers, as well as chart topping digital bestsellers, and is experienced in taking a novel from an idea to a published masterpiece.

Booked out? To be added to the waiting list for this course, please email bookings@irishwriterscentre.ie.