The
Smoky Mountain Romance Writers, an organization dedicated in the promotion of
romantic fiction, is located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in
Knoxville, Tennessee. Feel free to explore our site. Here at SMRW Online,
we have
photos from past events, articles for readers and authors, puzzles, and the latest releases from our
authors. On the SMRW main site, you can find our monthly programs, special
events, contest information, and member information.
A Book Review by Karen Sweeny-Justice
Those who define the ‘chick lit’ genre in very specific terms may be surprised by Cathy Yardley’s Will Write for Shoes – How to Write a Chick Lit Novel. Despite its title, there’s information that can be translated to any fiction work.
But since it is geared to women’s lit, Yardley begins by defining the genre, and offers her version of its history. There’s no age limit for the heroine; any woman, at any time, can be a star. They don’t even have to be human, or live on planet earth. The ladies’ of Haywood Smith’s Red Hats Club, for instance, are just as much at home in this genre as is Betsy Taylor of MaryJanice Davidson’s Undead vampire series.
Beyond definitions, Yardley asks questions that any author, or would-be author, should ask: Why do you want to write a book? What’s your theme? What’s the reader going to get out of your book? She goes into the various points of view, discusses finding one’s voice, and includes examples of a query letter, a synopsis, and scene outlines. If that’s not enough, she’s included a list of agents and the authors and titles they’ve represented, websites worth checking out, and a list of publishers.
Written in a breezy, easy style by Yardley, this how-to is actually a fun read. Published by St. Martin’s Press in hardcover, copyright 2006, Will Write for Shoes retails for $22.95 and is 214 pages long.