Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing

Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing is an immersive ten-month collaborative learning experience where small groups work together in weekly online sessions with published authors guiding the way. This intensive, hands-on program grounds you in the craft of writing, so you can go from a story idea to first draft with confidence.

Please see the calendar for important Pen to Paper program dates

Please read all the information provided before you enroll. If you have questions about the program, please email [email protected] with your questions prior to enrolling.

Participants

Registration for this program is closed.

Pen to Paper is open to people who meet the following criteria:

• Unpublished in novel- or novella-length fiction in a commercial market.
• Not under contract or have an active pre-sale.
• Prepared to meet the participation requirements, writing commitment, and assignment due dates for the program.
• Agree to abide by the RWA Code of Ethics.

Can Non-members Participate?

Yes. Non-members can participate provided that they meet the criteria listed above. Non-member Participants agree to follow RWA's Code of Ethics for the duration of the program.

Non-members, we invite you to join RWA first, then register as a member at the lower rate once you receive an email that your membership is confirmed. RWA membership information may be found here. This is an opportunity to both save money and receive the benefits of being a RWA member.

How Are Participants Chosen?

Participants are chosen on a first-come, first-served basis, with the number of Participants contingent on the number of Guides available.

Participants must meet the qualifications listed above to participate. A wait-list will be established in case of additional availability during the first two weeks of the program.

What’s Expected of the Participants?

Participants who remain engaged and active will derive the most benefit from the Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing program. To ensure their success, Participants are expected to:

• Commit to the entire ten-month program.
• Meet minimum attendance requirements (75 percent, or at least three live, online Partner Circle meetings per month) and complete assignments as outlined in the syllabus in order to remain in the program.
• Commit to devoting approximately eight hours or more per week to the program, including:
• completing self-study assignments in preparation for Partner Circle meetings;
• participating in weekly Partner Circle meetings;
• meeting one-on-one with their Guides at least six times during the program,
• writing their manuscript; and
• critiquing peers’ work in progress.
• Learn from experts in the romance universe via articles, audio recordings, live events, and exclusive videos developed for this program.
• Engage weekly in Partner Circles led by two published author Guides. This writing group of no more than eight participants will stick together throughout the program, creating an inner circle of allies and writing partners that could last long after the program ends.
• Give and receive valuable critiques that enhance their knowledge and application of writing techniques to meet their reader’s expectations. All Participants are required to receive critiques on their manuscripts and to critique the work of other Participants.
• A Participant Liaison keeps in touch with Participants and helps them work through any challenges to ensure they get the most possible from the program. Participants will communicate issues or concerns to their Guide or Participant Liaison immediately.
• At the end of each course, Participants complete an evaluation to provide immediate feedback that facilitates continuous improvement in the program.

Paper to Polished: Editing for Success will be available separately at an additional fee beginning in autumn 2023.

By participating in the Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing program (“Program”), you agree to release, waive, and discharge the Romance Writers of America (“RWA”), including its directors, employees, and agents, from liability from any and all claims relating to your participation in the Program, including misappropriation or misuse of any intellectual property or breached expectations of confidentiality regarding your submitted works.

Scholarships

Scholarship applications open September 8 and close October 15, 2023.

• Tuition scholarships for the Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing Program are offered based on funds available as determined by the RWA Board of Directors.
• Scholarships are intended for individuals with low incomes.
• Scholarship applicants must meet all Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing Program criteria, as well as attest to financial need.
• Scholarship applicants do not need to be RWA members.
• Scholarship applicants must complete the Scholarship Application Form.
• The RWA Board, RWA staff, and Unpublished Member Benefits Committee members will work together to choose scholarship applicants.
• Scholarship recipients are expected to complete the entire Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing Program.

Guides

Thank you for your interest in being a Guide for Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing. Your generosity will stand as an example of how established writers give back to the romance community. Your contribution is greatly appreciated!

Check out these spotlights on some of our 2022–23 Guides:

• Patty Blount
• Kathy L Wheeler

Curious about being a Guide in the Pen to Paper program? Watch the recording of the Q&A session

Applications open September 1 and close September 16, 2023.

Apply Now

Courses and Lessons

The 2023–2024 Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing program consists of a four-week on-boarding (November–December) for Participants and three Courses.

Course 1: Creating Character-Driven Romances January – mid-March 2024

• Lesson 1: Knowing Your Reader and Subgenre
• Lesson 2: Articulating the Story Idea
• Lesson 3: Writing Interesting Characters in a Diverse World
• Lesson 4: Tapping into Characters’ Emotional Wounds
• Lesson 5: Analyzing Characters’ Goals, Motivation, and Conflict
• Lesson 6: Using Backstory to Fuel Conflict
• Lesson 7: Determining Story Structure for Your Genre and Subgenre
• Lesson 8: Using a Beat Sheet to Plot your Story as a Pantser or a Plotter

Course 2: Writing the First Draft, mid-March – mid-June 2024

• Lesson 1: Choosing Your Point of View
• Lesson 2: Twisting Tropes
• Lesson 3: Scene Goals, Settings, Hooks, Openings and Endings
• Lesson 4: Writing Descriptions that Suit the Setting, Mood, and Action
• Lesson 5: Writing Naturally Sounding Dialogue
• Lesson 6: Writing Exposition that Engages the Reader
• Lesson 7: Pacing Your Scene

Course 3: Writing Sexual Tension and the HEA mid-June to August 31, 2024

• Lesson 1: Increase Scene Conflict
• Lesson 2: Relating Characters’ Emotional Wounds to the All-Is-Lost Moment
• Lesson 3: Writing Sexual Tension, Part 1
• Lesson 4: Writing Sexual Tension, Part 2
• Lesson 5: Writing the Grand Gesture and Happily Ever After
• Lesson 6: Determining Theme in Your Novel

Important Program Dates

Please be aware of these Pen to Paper program dates.

• September 1, 2023: Guide applications open
• September 7, 2023: Guide Informational Webinar
• September 8, 2023:
• Participant enrollment opens (until full)
• Early bird tuition rate begins
• Scholarship applications open (until all awarded)
• September 10, 2023: Participant Informational Webinar
• September 16, 2023: Guide applications close
• September 18, 2023: Early bird tuition rate cutoff
• October 15, 2023: Participant enrollment closes
• October 21, 2023: Guide on-boarding begins
• November 11, 2023: Guide on-boarding ends
• November 18, 2023: Participant on-boarding begins
• December 9, 2023: Introductory one-on-one Guide/Participant meetings begin
• December 16, 2023: Participant on-boarding ends
• December 31, 2023: Finish introductory one-on-one Guide/Participant meetings
• January 8 - March 2024: Course 1 launch and technical refreshers
• March - June 2024: Course 2 period
• June - August 31, 2024: Course 3 start to program end

Partner Circles

Most writers wish for some combination of writing partners, critique circles, and accountability opportunities. The Partner Circles offer that, and more.

Each Partner Circle consists of six to eight program Participants plus two published authors to serve as Guides. On your own time, you’ll go through your assignments (reading articles and watching videos, plus working on your novel each week), and then you’ll get together with your Partner Circle to discuss what you’ve learned.

Partner Circles will also critique each other’s work. You’ll learn how to give and receive useful criticism, while treating your Partners’ with compassion and respect—as they’ll treat you and your work. Partner Circles offer the potential to create relationships that last beyond the ten months of Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing, and possibly offer you lifelong friendships with authors at the same stage you’re at.

Investment

Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing is an immersive, ten-month craft program. The goal of the program is to equip new romance writers with the skills and knowledge they need to go from the first idea to the first draft of their novel. It features published author Guides who facilitate the writing journey through weekly writer’s circles and six one-on-one meetings with each writer. The ratio of one Guide for every three to four participants provides exceptional personal attention. The program features exclusive content, writing sprints, genre gatherings, and other opportunities to invest in yourself and your romance-writing career.

Nonmembers, we invite you to join RWA first, then register as a member at the lower rate once you receive an email that your membership is confirmed. RWA membership information may be found here. This is an opportunity to both save money and receive the benefits of being a RWA member. Note: If you want to take advantage of the Early Bird rate, please be aware that it takes one business day to process new memberships / reinstatements. Please take this time into account if you're joining/reinstating and registering for Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing.

Apply for Scholarship

Refunds will be granted only within the first seven (7) days of the program, minus a cancellation fee of $100.

Refunds will be processed for registrants who provide documentation to prove they were unable to attend the Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing program due to circumstances beyond their control, such as serious illness or death of the registrant or the registrant’s immediate family member.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing?

Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing is a comprehensive ten-month writing program for unpublished romance writers. The focus of the program is on providing mutual support and building the skills and knowledge romance writers need to be successful in today's market.

The Participants work together in small groups called Partner Circles with experienced author Guides to go from their first idea to the first draft of their romance novel. The program provides a safe, supportive environment to build writing skills and nurture confidence.

Participants will learn through self-study assignments that include books, articles, exclusive audios and videos by experts, weekly group discussions in Partner Circles, writing assignments, and critiquing.

They have the opportunity to network with other Participants and Guides outside their Partner Circle through Groups.io, Zoom meetings, and other social learning avenues.

2. How does the program work?

This program uses a blended learning approach. The blend for Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing is to use a combination of:

• Workshops are delivered through on-demand learning materials, including exclusive videos, articles, books, online assignments, Q&A, and writer’s tools such as checklists and forms.
• Discussions to answer questions and explore application of key concepts.
• Live virtual sessions with small groups, called Partner Circles, to help apply concepts to the Participant’s ongoing manuscript work, collaborate on writing, and build a community of support for participants.
• Reference materials include RWA Conference videos and podcasts, external videos, websites, and podcasts, craft books, and articles for deeper study on workshops and related topics.

3. How often will the program run?

Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing runs annually. The 2023–2024 program begins with on-boarding in November 2023 and ends on August 31, 2024. (See Program Dates for details.)

4. Can non-members participate?

Yes. Non-members can participate, provided that they meet the criteria listed for Participants. Please see the note in the Investment section above that explains the advantages of joining RWA before enrolling in the program.

5. May I join RWA and then receive the discounted rate for the program?

Yes, you may join RWA, and then enroll in the program at the member rates.

6. How are Participants enrolled?

Participants are enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis, with the number of Participants contingent on the number of Guides available.

A wait-list will be established in case of additional availability during the first two weeks of the program.

7. Are scholarships available?

Some scholarships will be available. For more information and an application, visit the Scholarships page.

8. What do Participants get out of it?

The Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing program will guide Participants through the confusing maze of books and courses that exist for writers and give them a structure they can use to create not only their first novel but future books by providing:

• Access to experienced published authors who guide you through the writing process, answer your questions, and help you think through your novel.
• Access to top-notch study materials and the chance to learn the craft from published romance writers.
• The opportunity to complete a first draft of a novel if writing progress is made  weekly throughout the program.
• The opportunity to create mutual support networks with published and unpublished romance writers.
• Participants who successfully complete the program will receive a Certificate of Completion upon graduation.

9. What’s expected of the Participants?

• Participants commit to the entire ten-month program. Participants should be prepared to commit to the entire three Course program.
• Participants meet minimum attendance requirements (75%, or at least three live, online Partner Circle meetings per month) and complete assignments as outlined in the syllabus in order to remain in the program.
• Participants commit to devoting approximately 8 hours per week to the program, including::
• completing self-study assignments in preparation for Partner Circle meetings,
• participating in weekly Partner Circle meetings,
• meeting one-on-one with their Guides at least six times during the program,
• writing their manuscript, and
• critiquing peers’ work in progress.
• Participants learn from experts in the romance universe via articles, audio recordings, live events, and exclusive videos developed for this program.
• Participants will engage weekly in a six-to-eight person Partner Circles led by two published author Guides. This writing group will stick together throughout the program, creating an inner circle of allies and writing partners that could last long after the program ends.
• Participants give and receive valuable critiques that enhance their knowledge and application of writing techniques to meet their reader’s expectations. All Participants are required to receive critiques on their manuscripts and to critique the work of other Participants.
• A Participant Liaison keeps in touch with Participants and helps them work through any challenges to ensure they get the most possible from the program.
• At the end of each of the three Courses, Participants complete an evaluation to provide feedback. The feedback is immediately analyzed to identify continuous improvement opportunities.

Paper to Polished: Editing for Success will be available separately at an additional fee in October 2023.

10. Is there a refund policy?

Refunds will be processed for registrants who provide documentation to prove they were unable to attend the Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing program due to circumstances beyond their control, such as serious illness or death of the registrant or the registrant’s immediate family member.

Refunds will be granted only if requested within the first seven (7) days of the program, minus a cancellation fee of $100.

11. When does the enrollment/application period open?

The 2023–2024 enrollment period for Participants opens September 8, 2023, and closes October 15, 2023 (or when the program is full).

The 2023–2024 application period for Guides opens September 1, 2023, and closes September 16, 2023.
 
Please thoroughly read all the information provided to be sure the Pen to Paper: Guide to Romance Writing Program is right for you. If you have further questions, please email [email protected], and we will respond as soon as possible!