What do you think?
Liz Fielding's Little Book of Writing Romance
Is it your ambition to write Bestselling Romance? Are you looking for a useful, no nonsense guide to writing sizzling, bestselling romantic fiction? Or are you a published author wanting to improve your writing skills? No matter where you are in your writing journey, multi-award winning romance author Liz Fielding’s straight-forward, no jargon guide to writing Bestselling Romance shows you what it takes to get there. She does not confuse with the science of writing, but shows clearly, using examples, how to use the first line to grab your reader, how to write great dialogue, how to create characters that readers will care about. Liz Fielding’s Little Book of Writing Romance is laid out in ten,easy-to-understand chapters covering all the main points on the craft of romance writing, including how to—Grab the Reader on the First PageCreate Great CharactersUse ConflictWrite Deep EmotionUse Sexual TensionWrite Crisp DialogueUse ViewpointConstruct a Four-Dimensional World
- GenresWritingNonfictionRomance
98 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
Liz Fielding
600 books475 followersHi, I'm Liz Fielding, and I'm a best selling contemporary romance author with more than 15 million books in print and Katie Fforde wrote, when honouring me with the Romantic Novelists' Association's Outstanding Achievement Award in 2019 said - "Liz Fielding's books, with their warmth, humour and emotion, have charmed millions of readers. She is a true star of the romantic fiction genre..."
And now I've turned to a life of crime with my first cozy mystery. Murder Among the Roses, published on 18 April 2023 - of which Katie Fforde also said, "I was gripped from beginning to end..."
Reading is a big part of my life. I love witty, contemporary romances, not too much sex,, Women's fiction by the likes of Fiona Harper, Julie Cohen, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jennifer Crusie and Barbara O'Neal. And I love crime fiction that isn't too gory, or focussed on clue hunting, but is big on character.
My best loved series at the moment are the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths, The Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch and the Libby Sarjeant Mysteries by Lesley Cookman. I've just read the first in the Georgina Drake crime series from Kate Hardy and looking forward to the next.
For news and excerpts of my new releases, visit me at http://www.lizfielding.com and sign up for my newsletter
And now I've turned to a life of crime with my first cozy mystery. Murder Among the Roses, published on 18 April 2023 - of which Katie Fforde also said, "I was gripped from beginning to end..."
Reading is a big part of my life. I love witty, contemporary romances, not too much sex,, Women's fiction by the likes of Fiona Harper, Julie Cohen, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jennifer Crusie and Barbara O'Neal. And I love crime fiction that isn't too gory, or focussed on clue hunting, but is big on character.
My best loved series at the moment are the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths, The Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch and the Libby Sarjeant Mysteries by Lesley Cookman. I've just read the first in the Georgina Drake crime series from Kate Hardy and looking forward to the next.
For news and excerpts of my new releases, visit me at http://www.lizfielding.com and sign up for my newsletter
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 17, 2012
If anyone is debating whether to get Liz's Little Book of Writing Romance then hesitate no longer. It's a brilliant little book. Some pages I just want to print out to stick somewhere while I'm editing. And it doesn't take forever to read. It's also really well laid out to dabble in for particular aspects so you don't have to search desperately for that one perfect piece of advice.
And just to illustrate how well written the book is. When I read the chapter on putting emotion into your story, she made me cry. A how to book that makes you cry and get emotional. That's got to be a winner. There is nothing dry as dust about this book. It is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Nuggets of wisdom abound. There is nothing extraneous in this book. Every sentence is well thought out and takes the student on a journey with a fine example of 'show not tell'. The examples Liz uses from her own books are beautifully chosen to illustrate the precepts.
I'm a person who is generally resistant to being told what to do and how to do it so approach how to books with a certain caution. (It's a flaw but I'm the heroine of my own story so I have to live with it.) I was prepared to think, 'Oh yeah, that's fine for HER style. But it isn't me.' But I couldn't. The information in the book isn't reliant on any particular type of story within the romance genre or a particular person's style. It deals with the practical in a simple and down to earth manner. While it says it's designed for beginners, I suspect even more advanced writers might enjoy it, even if for a nostalgia trip.
And just to illustrate how well written the book is. When I read the chapter on putting emotion into your story, she made me cry. A how to book that makes you cry and get emotional. That's got to be a winner. There is nothing dry as dust about this book. It is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Nuggets of wisdom abound. There is nothing extraneous in this book. Every sentence is well thought out and takes the student on a journey with a fine example of 'show not tell'. The examples Liz uses from her own books are beautifully chosen to illustrate the precepts.
I'm a person who is generally resistant to being told what to do and how to do it so approach how to books with a certain caution. (It's a flaw but I'm the heroine of my own story so I have to live with it.) I was prepared to think, 'Oh yeah, that's fine for HER style. But it isn't me.' But I couldn't. The information in the book isn't reliant on any particular type of story within the romance genre or a particular person's style. It deals with the practical in a simple and down to earth manner. While it says it's designed for beginners, I suspect even more advanced writers might enjoy it, even if for a nostalgia trip.
April 28, 2012
If you want to learn how to do something, to do it well, you need a teacher who not only knows their stuff, but has made a career of it too.
Liz Fielding is an award-winning author of almost 60 books. Doesn’t get much better, does it?
This book, Liz Fielding’s Little Book of Writing Romance, offers her wealth of experience in a unique style.
She reveals the elements required and the reasons why her fans (and publisher) come back for more.
Of course, writing to a structure that readers and publishers demand, is only part of the game. Liz explains how she creates believable characters that have a past, even if it won’t necessarily be revealed in her books.
Popular contemporary fiction should, she says, be ‘effortlessly entertaining’. I doubt many achieve that quite so successfully as Liz.
Readers should want to spend time with the characters and she suggests her ‘lift factor’ as a good benchmark – would you be able to spend time with either your hero or heroine, trapped in a lift?
There are thousands of books that profess to teach us how to write successfully. But it’s a little like learning how to drive. Eventually you have to stop reading, put the car in gear and hit the gas. And that’s what I like about Liz’s book. You’re encouraged to develop your own work whilst learning. And even better, I would suggest her book could be re-read to reinforce her tips and check you’re on track.
And if you don’t write romance? Much of the advice isn’t genre specific – all books demand good structure and well-defined characters. Her tips on dialogue would benefit all writers. I particularly enjoyed her advice on characters with accents – never write in dialect if you want your reader to enjoy the story. Liz suggests the more subtle touch of comparison – using Sean Connery’s ‘velvet undertones’, for instance, to describe a low and gravelly voice.
So what else can Liz’s book offer? Well for me the best part was how she illustrates her theory with practical examples - excerpts from her successful novels – reinforcing that she isn’t just offering an opinion.
Just a few paragraphs from selected novels, and I was hooked. Am I about to turn the page and try writing romance? Not until I know what happens in The Marriage Miracle – Sebastian sounds like my kind of man!
Liz Fielding is an award-winning author of almost 60 books. Doesn’t get much better, does it?
This book, Liz Fielding’s Little Book of Writing Romance, offers her wealth of experience in a unique style.
She reveals the elements required and the reasons why her fans (and publisher) come back for more.
Of course, writing to a structure that readers and publishers demand, is only part of the game. Liz explains how she creates believable characters that have a past, even if it won’t necessarily be revealed in her books.
Popular contemporary fiction should, she says, be ‘effortlessly entertaining’. I doubt many achieve that quite so successfully as Liz.
Readers should want to spend time with the characters and she suggests her ‘lift factor’ as a good benchmark – would you be able to spend time with either your hero or heroine, trapped in a lift?
There are thousands of books that profess to teach us how to write successfully. But it’s a little like learning how to drive. Eventually you have to stop reading, put the car in gear and hit the gas. And that’s what I like about Liz’s book. You’re encouraged to develop your own work whilst learning. And even better, I would suggest her book could be re-read to reinforce her tips and check you’re on track.
And if you don’t write romance? Much of the advice isn’t genre specific – all books demand good structure and well-defined characters. Her tips on dialogue would benefit all writers. I particularly enjoyed her advice on characters with accents – never write in dialect if you want your reader to enjoy the story. Liz suggests the more subtle touch of comparison – using Sean Connery’s ‘velvet undertones’, for instance, to describe a low and gravelly voice.
So what else can Liz’s book offer? Well for me the best part was how she illustrates her theory with practical examples - excerpts from her successful novels – reinforcing that she isn’t just offering an opinion.
Just a few paragraphs from selected novels, and I was hooked. Am I about to turn the page and try writing romance? Not until I know what happens in The Marriage Miracle – Sebastian sounds like my kind of man!
January 22, 2012
A gem of a book with practical and accessible advice for the romance writer. Chock full of examples and easy to understand chapters, Liz's Little Book Of Writing Romance is a great resource to have at hand while crafting your Happy Ever Afters!
Read
January 5, 2013Great advice, clearly written. Thank you, Liz!
June 6, 2013
This is a fantastic book for everyone who writes romance! Love this book!
February 4, 2012
Every wannabe romance writer should read this book!
I'm a big fan of Liz's style of writing, how she makes the romance sizzle between the hero and the heroine, even in a 'sweet' romance - so to have a 'how to' book by Liz is just fab!
There are loads of examples included to help illustrate Liz's points. It really is useful.
Unlike some 'how to' books that you can start getting bored with, switching off, this book reads effortlessly. It was nice to read snippets of books I have read, and be reminded of why I loved them so much (Tempted By Trouble being one). It's also pointed out I have so many more books of Liz's to read.
Thank you, Liz, for writing such a great book and sharing your expertise.
And can I just say, I really do love the cover of this book!
I'm a big fan of Liz's style of writing, how she makes the romance sizzle between the hero and the heroine, even in a 'sweet' romance - so to have a 'how to' book by Liz is just fab!
There are loads of examples included to help illustrate Liz's points. It really is useful.
Unlike some 'how to' books that you can start getting bored with, switching off, this book reads effortlessly. It was nice to read snippets of books I have read, and be reminded of why I loved them so much (Tempted By Trouble being one). It's also pointed out I have so many more books of Liz's to read.
Thank you, Liz, for writing such a great book and sharing your expertise.
And can I just say, I really do love the cover of this book!
March 20, 2012
I love Liz Fielding's books, so even before I read this one I knew she'd give good advice. What sets this "how to" guide apart from all others is that Liz uses examples from her own books to illustrate her points, making it very easy to understand.
This book covers all the basics of writing romance in a very simple and easily digestible way. Though it's marketed as a primer for beginner writers, I'd recommend it to established writers too as it makes a great refresher.
This book covers all the basics of writing romance in a very simple and easily digestible way. Though it's marketed as a primer for beginner writers, I'd recommend it to established writers too as it makes a great refresher.
June 7, 2015
One of my favourite authors, and my favourite Mills & Boon author. Brilliant writing tool, and I have gone on to buy some of the books whose excerpts are featured in this guide. Straightforward advice from a master of romantic writing. One book I shall refer to again and again :-)
January 18, 2012
A fantastic newbie guide to writing romance with clear jargon-free advice and examples from published works to back it up.
April 28, 2020
Tantalizing tips mixed with examples from her own romances made the reading fun. I also like that she advises you to study the romance writers you enjoy and see what they do to achieve a good read. This s valuable advise for any genre writer.
There are ten chapters covering everything from grabbing the reader on the first page and character to developing the romance and sexual tension. She also delves into viewpoint and the basics of grammar.
I appreciate the list of further reading choices and the writing organizations and publisher's websites.
The book was published in 2014, but much of her information is pretty current.
I would recommend it to anyone wanting some advise in this area.
There are ten chapters covering everything from grabbing the reader on the first page and character to developing the romance and sexual tension. She also delves into viewpoint and the basics of grammar.
I appreciate the list of further reading choices and the writing organizations and publisher's websites.
The book was published in 2014, but much of her information is pretty current.
I would recommend it to anyone wanting some advise in this area.
February 4, 2020
Romance is seldom my bag but it's interesting to see how the other half lives sometimes, and you can glean good writing tips from any source. There wasn't a lot to glean here. It was solid, but didn't add anything new to the conversation and was heavy - heavy - with author-written examples.
September 15, 2020
A great introduction to writing romantic fiction
I devoured this book in two days, making lots of notes that I can't wait to apply to my writing. I think it will be useful reading for any writer, whether complete newbie author or new to the romance genre.
I devoured this book in two days, making lots of notes that I can't wait to apply to my writing. I think it will be useful reading for any writer, whether complete newbie author or new to the romance genre.
September 30, 2025
This would be a gem of a book for anyone starting out as a writer of romantic fiction. Written with good humour and common sense. A bit basic for those with experience, but I’d probably have found it handy some years ago.
December 2, 2018
Love this book! My co hosts on U.K. RomChat advises me to read this and I am glad I did. It’s going to become a part of my romantic writer toolkit!
July 7, 2015
If I had this book ten years ago I would have a lot of space on my book shelf. In other words, I wouldn't need half the how to write books I have bought and not been able to wade through over the past several years. This little book is to the point and covers just about all you need.
December 8, 2017
A fantastic guide for improving your writing. Chapters are logically broken down, with summaries at the end. A must-have reference for new and aspiring authors, or those who want to make their writing better.
March 6, 2018
This is a concise "little" book on the craft of Romance writing with a plethora of examples from Liz's own writings. A little bit too steamy in some parts for me (I'm more of the Inspired Romance genre...) but points were well taken.
Examples clearly illustrated the points given.
Examples clearly illustrated the points given.
September 9, 2018
Well written
I'm a first time romance novelist. This book will definitely be in my read it again list. An excellent resource for rookies and seasoned veterans of the writing craft.
I'm a first time romance novelist. This book will definitely be in my read it again list. An excellent resource for rookies and seasoned veterans of the writing craft.
January 27, 2016
Just okay
June 1, 2017
This is a fantastic book. Such simple and practical information.
Quote:
"The way the characters are feeling is more important than what they are wearing."
Quote:
"The way the characters are feeling is more important than what they are wearing."
April 9, 2018
Not a bad little book, but obviously aimed at beginners.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews