Chapter Spotlight: Southern Magic Chapter

Spotlighting RWA chapters
Posted 6/20/2024

Hello from the Magicians of Southern Magic! The Southern Magic chapter (#178) is based in Birmingham, Alabama, and was established in December 1997. Our name is derived from the nickname for Birmingham, “Magic City,” which the city earned because of its growth between 1881 and 1920. We strive to promote excellence in romantic fiction through educational opportunities to improve both our members’ writing and their marketing skills. Those educational opportunities include everything from individuals sharing their experiences to more formal workshops with experts in various fields.

Write Your ‘Destination Romance’ TV Movie Script Today!

By Scott Kirkpatrick
Posted 6/20/2024

Picture it: an ‘almost’ first kiss exiting a charming Italian gelato shop; a flirty meet/cute in a French vineyard; or an unexpected secret romance with a Royal Prince (travelling incognito of course) on the beaches of a tropical paradise.

Chapter Spotlight: Valley of the Sun Romance Writers

Spotlighting RWA chapters

By Cathy McDavid
Posted 5/15/2024

Valley of the Sun (VOS) became an Arizona RWA chapter in 1994, and like many organizations, we grew comfortable with a format that worked for us. Yes, there were some changes over the years, but not a lot. Then, one day, everything suddenly changed — locally, nationally, and worldwide, leaving VOS, like many RWA chapters, with a loss of members and struggling to hold regular meetings. Our regular meeting location abruptly closed one day without notice and a mere month before the entire nation shut down.

Message from the President - May 2024 RWR

Clair Brett shares her president's message for the May RWR addressing marketing and mental health awareness.

Finding the Right Editor

By Emily Keyes
Posted 5/15/2024

Finding the right romance editor can feel overwhelming, especially with the advent of freelancing platforms like Google, Upwork, Fiverr, and Guru. How do you choose between candidates? How do you evaluate their skills and figure out if they’re the best editor for your book?

Beyond the Sheets - Characters Body Language Beyond Steamy Scenes

By Renee Carter
Posted 5/15/2024

Axle rubs his chin. From that movement we know the main character is deep in thought, puzzling through a dilemma. As writers, a key component in the development of realistic characters is the use of body language.

On the Shoulders of Giants: Some Thoughts on Mentorship

By Annie R McEwen
Posted 5/15/2024

Eddie Cantor said it takes twenty years to make an overnight success, but that’s probably because he didn’t have an RWA Mentor.

Tighten Your Writing

By Lara Zielinksy
Posted 4/10/2024

In On Writing, Stephen King recommends a 10 percent word reduction as a good rule for tightening your prose. Removing 10 percent means reducing a 100,000 word manuscript to 90,000 words, or 85,000 words to 76,500 words.

Put Your Novel’s Best Foot Forward With Editing

By Carolyn Rae
Posted 4/10/2024

You’ve finished your novel and gone over it one or more times, but you want it to be the best it can be. Do you need to have your book edited?

Beyond Typos: The “3 Cs” of Editing that Take Your Manuscript to the Next Level

By Ann Kellett
Posted 4/10/2024

You have poured your heart onto the page and had the thrill of typing “The End.” Your critique group has given feedback, and you have implemented the many helpful resources from the Romance Writers of America.