Part Four - Practices of a Published Author by Debra Glass

Be Able to Classify Your Book

Before I ever got serious about getting published, I attended a class with Michael Garret who is an editor and writer. I had 400 typed pages of my baby with me. It was a vampire story which I wrote from my dissatisfaction with all the other vampire stories I’d read or seen at the movies. Mr. Garret asked me, “If the book were to be published, in which section would it be found at your local bookstore?”

Well, that stumped me. I didn’t know. He told me, “If you don’t know, the publisher doesn’t know and they won’t buy your book.”

I can still quote the rejection letter I received after one long year of waiting for three chapters and a synopsis of this book to be read. “Dear Debra, your writing is, at times evocative, however we must pass on publishing this book because there are elements of both romance and horror and the editors don’t feel they can determine a genre for this work.”

Funny how those rejections stick with you but I can’t recall the exact wording of my first acceptance letter.

Michael Garret was right. I’ve heard many unpublished writers say they’re writing the next great American novel which is based on their own experiences. In the sage words of Spongebob Squarepants, “Well, good luck with that!”

Writers must know in which genre are writing. They need to know exactly where their book would be found on a bookstore shelf, be it romance, teen fiction, horror, inspirational, biographical, etc.

Editors do not want anything different – especially from an unknown. They want tried and true plots but with a fresh spin. They want to know exactly how to classify your book. Don’t hope to surprise an editor by crossing two genres. That’s the fastest track to rejection.

Study your "writing voice." Get input from friends and critique partners. Is your writing funny, serious, dramatic, melodramatic? Do you have a light voice which is perfect for contemporaries or a dark voice that lends itself well to suspense, horror or paranormal? Or perhaps, your writing is filled with prose and antiquated words perfect for penning a historical romance or historical fiction.

Know what it is that you write and write to your strength.

DEBRA GLASS is the author of over fifteen books of historical and paranormal romance, non-fiction, and folklore. The recipient of the National Society of Arts and Letters Alabama Screenwriter Award, she went on to win the NSAL Empire State Award for excellence in screenwriting. She received nominations as favorite erotic romance author with two of her books earning nominations as best erotic historical romance of 2009 from The Romance Studio. Two of Debra’s historical romances are currently finalists in Romance Writers of America’s Passionate Ink contest for published authors.

Debra is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Professional Authors’ Network, and Passionate Ink. She is also a member of RWA's Heart of Dixie chapter. She lives in Alabama with her real life hero, a couple of smart-aleck ghosts, and a diabolical black cat.

For more information about Debra or her books, click HERE

Highlights From Southern Magic RWA

I enjoyed guest speaking at the Southern Magic Romance Writers of America Chapter yesterday. It was great to see familiar faces from my home chapter, Heart of Dixie, and to meet some new writers as well. One of my favorite authors, Kelley St. John, was there with copies of her new book, Flirting With Temptation. Check out the latest Cosmopolitan Magazine where Kelley's book was picked as the Red Hot Read!

Young adult romance author, Jennifer Echols, attended and announced a book signing for her new release, Going to Far. Check out her website for information on her book signing.

Check out Christy Reece's site. Her romantic suspense trilogy is due to release starting in April.

I was especially surprised to see Michael Garrett there. I'd taken his course at UNA when I first got serious about getting published and he steered me toward the paranormal romance section at the book store and to Romance Writers of America. If you are an aspiring author, check out his site.

Southern Magic is an awesome, supportive group for writers and I enjoyed speaking about writing love scenes at their monthly meeting. For information about the group, check out their site: Southern Magic RWA Chapter

Here are the highlights from my handout:

Erotic Romance – Blow by Blow

What is erotic romance?
In erotica, the sexual relationship must be integral to and an important element of the storyline and the character development with the sex scenes furthering the plot and affecting the growth of the characters. Erotic romance includes abundant and explicit sex and sexual tension, starting early and continuing throughout with graphic sex scenes.
The story must also meet the definition of a romance novel: the primary focus must be on the development of a romantic relationship, and there must be an emotionally satisfying committed ending for the main characters.

Every love scene has to be relevant to the story and must show character growth. Nothing is gratuitous.
Show, don’t tell.
Build tension with intimacy rather than with sex or the desire for sex.
Focus on the emotions that build the internal conflict rather than on the physical act of sex itself. Love scenes are not all about action.
Your characters’ sexual behavior can reveal a lot about their motives and personality.
Write what turns you on.
Incorporate all five senses to draw your reader into the scene.
Don’t let your sex scenes overshadow a good plot.

The Twelve Steps of Intimacy:
Eye to Body, Eye to Eye, Voice to Voice, Hand to Hand, Arm to Shoulder, Arm to Waist, Mouth to Mouth, Hand to Head, Hand to Body, Mouth to Breast, Hand to Genitals, Sexual Intercourse


While there are many books on writing erotic romance, the best research is to read what you want to write. Check out: Ellora's Cave's Free Reads