The Women's Fiction Club

Click Here For Women's Fiction Club Book Club Review

Ok, here's my plan. I've decided to make an attempt at writing a romance novel (check out my previous posts as to why). The good thing is that romance novels can come in so many different subgenres - mystery, suspense, sci-fi etc. I like suspense thrillers, so I'm going to go that route. The question which needs to be answered is how much of romance and how much suspense makes for a good story?

I'll be writing each chapter and posting it online. At the end of each chapter, I'll include a poll of one or more questions regarding the direction of the plot. So however you vote (the most votes wins), that's the way the storyline goes. (Perhaps readers are better than editors in knowing what works and what doesn't.)

At the completion of the story, I'll post it online in ebook format downloading. Because this is an actual novel or novella, it must be revealed that all copywrite laws appy.

So if you're a writer, reader or just a very creative person, join the Women's Fiction Club and help write a novel! Feel free to give your comments, ask questions and join the discussion!

The first five chapters have been voted on and posted. Want more? Contact me for additonal free chapters!
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UPDATE
This romance novel is complete, edited and will be available as a free ebook in retail stores soon! The title? Save Angelina. Was it too much romance? Not enough romance? Did the readers do a good job guiding the story for half of the book? Have your say in the next book which will begin next month! Join Women's Fiction Club on Facebook and stay tuned!

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

What is women's fiction? So many people are not exactly sure but there are a few distinctions that writers should know if they choose this genre.

A women's fiction title always has a women as the central character, with or without a man, with or without a happy ending. A women's fiction title should have an ending that shows the character has learned something, grown and the reader should have a sense of satisfaction with the ending. The character is going to be alright - not perfect, maybe not the happiest in her life, but the reader knows she'll get herself together (maybe in the sequel). The have faith in her. It's a little like our relationships in real life. We hope that we can bend without breaking when life gets unexpectedly turbulent or just a little too wacky.

Another thing about a women's fiction title is that it's all about working through relationships. Not necessarily a romantic one. Perhaps it's a story about a women climbing the corporate ladder and dealing with the sexism of her boss. Or perhaps it's about family relationships with her sisters or mother or children. Maybe she's a middle aged, empty nester (is that a word?) who goes to college and now has to deal with living in a world with twenty something year olds. How does she deal with that?

Women's fiction is less about romance, (which is a different genre) and not so much of a chick-lit (another break out genre) it's about life view through the relationship lens of a women. That's something I know a little bit about!

If you are a writer of women's fiction, being told to write romance instead is advice that you have probably heard or read about from an "expert" in the world of publishing. Why? Because romance sells more than any other novel. As a matter of fact, now more books are sold in the genre of romance than any other genre. That may be due to the fusion of other genres such as paranormal, fantasy and even inspirational. (I have recently been told Christian romance is actively being sought after by publishers.) So the advice is to write what sells and romance sells.

"Hey", you might say, "what about women's fiction? It sells too, right?" Not so much, the experts will say. Agents will tell you it's a harder sell, no matter how much you and your book club members like it. So what do you do?

The answer to that question will come from other literary agents/publishers. They will tell you to write what you love to write. To write what you love to read. You should be creative, but stay honest to yourself.

They will tell you how they are being inundated with queries for books mimicking the hottest trends in writing, yet looking to be the next big thing. How they are receiving romance manuscripts which are so forced that it makes them uncomfortable to read.

Good advice for writers: study what sells and try to find an opening within the genre (ex. Christian romance). After all - writers write. Get your foot in the door.

Great advice for writers: stay true to your genre and be your own warrior. Do more than get your foot in the door - be the next big thing.

Sometimes referred to as women's fiction, romance novels have evolved into more than a predictable genre. First of all, while women are the faithful and targeted audience and romance is the common thread to these novels, there are so many subgenres that its readership has been expanded to include a more diverse demographic, even amongst women. Women who may have passed by the traditional or stricter formatted romance novels for other fictional interest (suspense thrillers, sci-fi, inspirational) can now enjoy a combined genre. In some cases, classifying any one title simply as a romance novel can be doing an injustice to the novel, the reader and the author.

Another aspect of the romance novels that is much more interesting than its consistent success in the industry is the possible affect it has on its readers. Do women who read romance novels (identified by their relationship "formula" which includes a happy ending) have a more difficult time in their real love life because of unrealistic romantic expectations?

For instance:

Romantic Fantasy - Women may see themselves as the heroine, fighting hard to "tame" their roguish, unruly men with true love which is supposed to melt the heart of even the toughest male protagonist. Her love will change him.
Reality check - With or without love, he doesn't want to change from his bad boy ways. If he were the boyfriend/husband of a friend, he would have quickly been labeled a "loser".

Romantic Fantasy - Women with an immediate, inexplicably strong physical attraction to a man may be more inclined to believe it is love at first sight. He's "the one".
Reality check - It could be purely physical attraction that turns into a purely physical relationship. Lust doesn't always turn into love (he knows that).

Romantic Fantasy - Women may imagine that their significant others walked away from their relationship for some noble, loving reason. He doesn't think he's good enough for her.
Reality check - He's ready to move on - without her.

Let's face it, the fantasy life is consistently more satisfying than reality but at times the lines may blur. In most instances the ordinary guy cannot compete with the fantasy relationship but that alone should not be problematic. The trouble starts when the disappointments from those unrequited romantic fantasies begin to rule the real life relationship. This doesn't mean women should let men completely off the hook; after all, who doesn't want a wonderful, romantic relationship? However, it does mean women should obligate themselves to accept or reject their "protagonist" in his entirety.

If your relationship has hit a romantic decline, rather than lament the loss or attempt to live vicariously through the heroine of your latest novel, try initiating practical solutions.

Romance Him - Send him roses, prepare a candlelit dinner or surprise him with fun day at the batting cage or an old fashion picnic in the park. Try activities that not only give the two of you quality time but shows how much you're thinking of him.

Communicate with Him - Stop hinting an be clear about your definition of romance especially since it may have changed a bit as the relationship evolved. A married mother of four may still love to be sent flowers, but a husband arriving home early with dinner, giving the kids a bath and doing the dishes without being asked can easily make the top ten of ways to show he's thinking about her.

Encourage Him - Women can be deep thinkers, fraught with emotional complexities that encourage analysis of every aspect of their romantic relationship. Most men would agree with the assessment that they are just not that complicated. Give him credit for trying, even it he doesn't quite meet all of your expectations.

Romance readers expect happy endings along with passion and tingly excitement from a swash buckling, rugged, sexy, man's man, right? Well, regular guys may require a little understanding and patience but it it's the right guy, a happy ending is just around the corner.