Queer Romance Writing Courses and Writing Workshops: How to Help Queer Romance Authors Succeed
This week’s blog initially was going to focus on adapting romance writing courses and writing workshops to queer romance. I’d read Jennifer Probst’s Write Naked: A Bestseller’s Secrets to Writing Romance & Navigating the Path to Success. I started making my way through Writing the Romance by Leigh Michaels. However, while reading the latter, an epiphany hit my sternum like a sledgehammer. Queer romance is too often held to heteronormative romance standards.
Countering Heteronormativity in the Romance Genre
Part of being a queer romance story coach is guiding authors in applying sound writing principles to their queer romance story ideas. These writing principles are unquestionably universal, especially in the eyes of readers. Solid story structure, deep and clear character arcs, and plausible conflicts with satisfying endings are what all readers seek in novels. Thus, instead of adapting romance writing courses and writing workshops for queer authors, I propose this option instead.
Queer romance authors need courses and workshops where those universal writing principles are built into the foundation of their queer romance writing journey. Not as an aside nor in comparison to heterosexual romance novels. These courses and workshops would serve as a core part of how to represent queer romance to their target audiences.
Queer Romance Writing Courses
Late last summer and over the early winter, I took two fiction writing courses through a local writing center. Both classes were informative, yes. At the same time, they offered students a chance to critique each other’s work. Given these points, I’d hoped to come out of them with a deeper insight into my former manuscript-in-progress. Yet I never felt like I was getting enough detailed information—either in the lessons or through the provided critiques—that applied to the queer romance I was writing.
Queer romance writing courses would offer both. Even if the enrollees are not queer, the instructor(s) and queer authors would better understand their writing and story goals. These courses are designed especially to address the students’ needs, individually and as a group. Ideally, these courses would be led by a queer instructor. According to Jane Friedman, course instructors “[create and deliver] materials that leads to learning and engagement, and thus produc[e] the outcomes [students] desire the most.”
Queer representation is important in all forms of media. The popularity explosion, as has been noted before, calls for accurate representation in self-published queer romance. A queer romance writing course could help ensure that accuracy is embedded in the author’s story from the earliest drafting stages.
Writing Workshops
I will never not be grateful for the Queer Romance Writing Workshop group I joined in early January. My fellow members inspire and entertain me, exchange critiques with me, and keep me on track to “finish the damn book.” (Okay, Jennifer Probst said that in her book, but the principle stands.)
A queer romance writing workshop could be a two-hour event held one time on a Saturday morning. Better yet, the workshop could last for up to two months, with the two-hour sessions held weekly. Free or low-cost options—especially for indie or self-publishing authors—will provide the same education as writing courses.
More importantly, the writing workshops offer a safe space for authors to dig into the core of what their story is trying to explore. Participants have the freedom to explore and experiment with different techniques and storytelling formats. They do all this without feeling forced to censor themselves or diminish what they’re trying to create. Finally, the workshop would give instructors the chance to reinforce their own knowledge and build more confidence in their own writing, editing, or coaching skills.
Image by StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay
To Sum It All Up…
Anti-LGBTQIA2S+ bills and laws are gliding through state legislatures coast to coast at lightning speed. Despite—or better yet, in spite of—that fact, queer relationships flourish the world over. Queer representation continues to expand, bowling over each obstacle constructed against it. That representation includes written stories.
Queer romance writing courses and writing workshops don’t just offer education, camaraderie, and a judgment-free writing space. Without a doubt, they give queer romance authors the ability to represent queer relationships accurately and soundly. Queer romance readers deserve no less.
Reflecting On Your Story One Word At A Time!
