RWA® Online
Chapter #136, Romance Writers of America®

Home
About Us
Join RWA® Online
Contact
FAQs

 

Meeting 24 /7

Online, All the Time

spacer spacer
RWA® Online Presents

The Natural History of the Romance Novel:
How Understanding our Roots Can Help Today's Authors
Write a Compelling Romance Novel

Presented by Teresa Bodwell
August 11 - September 12, 2008

Registration for this class is from July 21, 2008 - August 10, 2008.

 

  

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
 

This course will track the eight essential elements that define a romance novel according to A Natural History of the Romance Novel by Pamela Regis. Participants will learn how to apply the essential elements to create a compelling, romantic page-turner.

According to Regis, the eight essential elements of a romance novel are:

Society Defined; The Meeting; The Barrier; The Attraction; The Declaration; The Point of Ritual Death; The Recognition; The Betrothal

The workshop will discuss all of these elements using examples from several romance novels. Participants will submit excerpts from their works in progress for comment. Assignments will include: the meeting, the barrier, the attraction and the point of ritual death.

To get the most out of this course, participants should read the following books:

  • The Natural History of the Romance Novel by Pamela Regis

  • Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

  • Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

  • Montana Sky by Nora Roberts

  • Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

  • Scent of Roses by Kat Martin

About the Presenter:

Teresa Bodwell lives in Montana where the mountains, rivers and sweeping plains inspire her stories of rugged characters facing untamed country and dangerous villains. Tough heroes and courageous heroines who struggle for survival, for family and for love. Teresa is the author of two western historical novels and a novella in the anthology, My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys. As an attorney she has learned that life can be unfair and a happy outcome is not always possible. She enjoys writing stories where happy endings are guaranteed.

Visit Teresa's website at http://www.tbodwell.com

     


Format: Course is conducted via online discussion (bulletin) board on the RWA® Online website. Non-chapter members MUST complete both the workshop registration AND the discussion board login registration for access. Instructions for login are presented after the registration pages (or to return to the login instructions, go to http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/WorkshopAppTY.html. The workshop is available for up to one week after the end date and a downloadable archive of the workshop will be available the week following the workshop.

Registration for this class is from July 21, 2008 - August 10, 2008.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Registration Period:  July 21-August 10, 2008
Registration Deadline: August 10, 2008
Fee: $15 Non-Chapter members
RWAOL Chapter #136 members; free (registration NOT required)
Payment method: PAYPAL is recommended! Checks and money orders also accepted, but register early and mail your payment promptly.  No person will be allowed in unless payment is received.

Format: Course is conducted via online discussion (bulletin) board on the RWA® Online website.

Non-chapter members MUST complete both the workshop registration AND the discussion board login registration for access. Instructions for login are presented after the registration pages (or to return to the login instructions, go to http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/workshopregistrationTY.htm ). 

The workshop is available for up to one week after the end date and a downloadable archive of the workshop will be available the week following the workshop.

 


About RWA® Online Chapter Workshops

RWA® Online conducts all workshops via a message board system located on this website.  However, access to the site is restricted by login and password to ensure that the workshop is only available to those that are authorized to attend.  Please read the instructions below to understand our process:

1.  You must register for the workshop using the registration links above.  This is the only way to get the information on how to access the workshop site.

2.  All workshop participants must be registered on the website message boards located under the News and Members Only tab above.  NON-CHAPTER MEMBERS:  Follow the instructions on the page you get AFTER your workshop registration.  Both login and payment information is available there.  If you forget and need to go back to those instructions, click here.

3. A couple of days before the workshop, you will be emailed reminders on the workshop and where to find it.  If you forget, click here to take you to the workshop discussion boards or use the WORKSHOP FORUM ACCESS link above.  If you are NOT a registered user of our bulletin boards, all you will see is our GUEST LOUNGE and NEWS forums.  Once your login is approved, you will also see a WORKSHOP CHECK-IN forum.  The actual workshop forum will not open until the day prior to the workshop start date.

4.  The workshop presenter will post discussion and lecture information, as appropriate, on the first day of the workshop.  Participants are encouraged to respond to the discussion topics.

5.  Because the workshop is a professional activity designed to further participants writing skills, we request that social chit-chat be kept to a minimum. 

6.  Postings deemed inappropriate in content will be deleted without warning to the message author.

7.  Otherwise, we hope everyone who participates in the workshop has fun and learns a lot.  Please remember to thank our guest presenters who take time out of their schedules to provide their wisdom and guidance.

8. If you have any questions, please email If you have questions, feel free to contact us     for more information. 


Registration for this class is from July 21, 2008 - August 10, 2008.