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A Book Review by Karen Sweeny-Justice
Romance novelist and RWA member Leigh Michaels is an instructor with the Gotham Writers’ Workshop. While taking her romance writing class through Barnes & Noble University, I was introduced to her book Creating Romantic Characters (PBL Limited, 2002). Subtitled Bringing Life to Your Romance Novel, Michaels relies on her extensive background as a published author to define the elements of romantic fiction. Interestingly enough, Michaels includes a definition of gay romance as a sub-genre right along with definitions of the paranormal, category and historical sub-genres.
Divided into chapters that highlight aspects of characterization, Michaels includes plenty of examples from her own published novels. Each chapter ends with a list of questions that writers can use to develop their own stories. A blank characterization worksheets asks writers to consider such background information as where the hero/heroine’s name comes from, what are his/her most important material possessions, and what trait does he/she want most to keep secret. A completed worksheet for one of the reading assignments shows exactly how Michaels developed one of her published characters.
With a brief history of the development of the romantic novel and a list of reference materials, this 192 page book is a worthwhile read for writers.
A coupon in the back of the book enables readers to get another Michael’s book for the cost of shipping and handling. Dear Leigh Michaels… A Novelist Answers the Most-Asked Questions About Getting Published (PBL Limited, 1994) was written under Michael’s real name, LeAnn Lemberger. As its name implies, this smaller book answers common questions that beginners have concerning finding publishers and submission requirements. Samples of a query letter, cover sheet and synopsis are included. A couple of items date this book, though, as electronic and print-on-demand publishing weren’t viable when the book was first written.
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