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Peter Simon

Master the Art of Romance & Fiction

Are you ready to transform your writing and craft a novel that truly captivates? Whether you're an aspiring novelist or a seasoned wordsmith eager to refine your craft, this course is your ultimate guide to creating compelling narratives that spark emotion, ignite passion, and leave your readers breathless.

What You'll Learn:

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Master the Art of Romance & Fiction

Are you ready to transform your writing and craft a novel that truly captivates? Whether you're an aspiring novelist or a seasoned wordsmith eager to refine your craft, this course is your ultimate guide to creating compelling narratives that spark emotion, ignite passion, and leave your readers breathless.

What You'll Learn:

  • Foundational Storytelling Techniques:Delve into the core principles of narrative craft that go beyond romance. Learn how to structure your story, develop engaging plots, and master pacing—essential tools that apply to all fiction genres.

  • World-Building and Setting:Create immersive, vivid settings that transport your readers to entirely new worlds. From designing atmospheric backdrops to weaving subtle details that enrich your narrative, you'll learn how to make every scene feel real and alive.

  • Dynamic Character Development:Discover how to build multi-dimensional characters with rich backstories, authentic dialogue, and evolving relationships. Learn strategies for revealing your characters' inner conflicts, motivations, and growth, ensuring they resonate deeply with your audience.

  • Dialogue Craft and Voice:Master the art of dialogue that not only advances the plot but also reveals character and emotion. Explore techniques for writing natural conversations, managing subtext, and balancing dialogue with narrative description to create memorable interactions.

  • Romantic Dynamics & Intimacy:Explore every facet of romance—from the spark of a first meeting to the delicate build-up of sexual tension and the transformative power of a well-placed kiss. Learn how to navigate love triangles, backstory integration, and the art of withholding declarations like “I love you” to sustain suspense and intrigue.

  • Advanced Narrative Techniques:Gain insights into the effective use of flashbacks, point of view, chapter beginnings and endings, and cliffhangers. Learn how to integrate backstory gradually without overwhelming your reader, and discover strategies to keep your narrative tension high from start to finish.

  • Psychology and Conflict in Romance:Dive into the science of love and conflict—how evolutionary psychology influences our relationships, and how to translate that understanding into your writing. From managing internal and external conflicts to balancing physical and emotional intimacy, you'll learn how to create stories that feel authentic and powerful.

Learn from a True Expert:

Your instructor is a seasoned storyteller with a Bachelor’s in English and Master’s degrees in Liberal Arts and Creative Writing. With years of practical experience and a deep passion for writing, he brings a blend of academic rigor and creative insight that will empower you to transform your ideas into a polished, market-ready novel.

Hear What Our Students Have to Say:

“I feel ready to start writing my first novel…” – Jane Sherwood“Hands down the best writing course I have ever taken... Exceeded my expectations.” – Candice M.“This course is a gem. The psychology part in romance was invaluable to me…” – Carmen A. Scheid

“Truly above expectations.” – Mahmut Akarsu

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“I loved this course. If you want to write a successful Romance Novel, this is it. First of all, I'd love to mention that this course must have taken him a long time to make because of all the visuals. He definitely took the time not only to produce a thorough, well-written course, but a very visual course too. If you do it, there is no doubt you will have the proper tools to gear you into writing a successful novel. Not only does he help you in plotting your novel, he goes into the psychology of it. I found that to be so, so beneficial. This course is a gem, I've done so many courses and this by far is my favorite.” – Carmen A. Scheid

“Absolutely Fabulous. This class is informative, efficient, and makes good use of instructional design practices so the students can understand the material and recall it later on. I've taken many fiction writing classes and this is one of the best I have experienced. In addition to what you need to know about the romance genre, Peter Simon teaches story structure in a comprehensive and applicable way. This course is really great for beginners and experienced writers alike.” – Andrea Pizzi

“Hands down the best writing course I have ever taken (and I've completed a few). Very detailed, and learned a lot - leaving me with the confidence to write my first romance novel (I've jumped genres and wasn't very confident, but now I am). Exceeded my expectations. Thank you. ” – Candice M

“So informative. I wish I had taken this course before I started my manuscript. So much of what I have learned I had not even considered when writing my first draft. I am looking forward to how these lessons will bring my book to life.” – Mallory Silva

“This was a fantastic course. I learned so much and feel ready to start writing my first novel. I would recommend this course to everyone starting out with romance novel writing.” – Jane Sherwood

“Exceptional course. Very rich in suggestions and techniques, useful not only for romance novels, but also for writing fiction in general. The frequent quizzes help focus on the key points of the lessons. Very good value for the time and money spent.” – Stefano Murolo

“This is a great course, filled with concrete teaching and examples, presented in a logical, easy-to-understand format. I highly recommend. ” – Linda Speck

Discover why students love the course.

Who Should Enroll?

  • The Emerging Romantic: New novelists eager to dive into the art of romance writing.

  • The Literary Veteran: Experienced writers seeking to polish and elevate their narratives.

  • The Dreamer: Anyone with a story waiting to be told—transform your ideas into a masterpiece.

Your Story Deserves to Shine. Embark on a transformative journey that will empower you to create stories that captivate, resonate, and inspire. Transform your ideas into a polished, market-ready romance novel—one word at a time.

Enroll today and start crafting your unforgettable love story.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to write a romance novel
  • How to write fiction

Syllabus

Introduction
Understand why it's a good idea to learn how to write romance novels
Why Write Romance Novels
Understand the role setting plays in fiction
Read more

understand the role setting plays in the story

Setting part 2
Setting Quiz
Understand the world rules as they pertain to the romance genre
Romance World Rules
Romance World Rules quiz
Understand the role conflict plays in the story & how to generate conflict
Conflict in general
Romance Novel Conflict
Conflict in general & Romance Novel Conflict part 1 quiz
Romance Novel Conflict part 2
Romance Novel Conflict part 2 quiz
External Conflict - romance part 1
External Conflict - romance part 1 quiz
External Conflict - romance part 2
External Conflict - romance part 2 quiz
External Conflict - romance part 3
External Conflict - romance part 3 quiz
Internal Conflict - romance part 1
Internal Conflict - romance part 1 quiz
Internal Conflict- romance part 2
Internal Conflict - romance part 2 quiz
Internal Conflict - romance part 3
Internal Conflict - romance part 3 quiz
Internal Conflict - romance part 4
Internal Conflict - romance part 4 quiz
Internal Conflict - romance part 5
Internal Conflict - romance part 5 quiz
Suspense Tension
Suspense Tension quiz
Seven Ways to Raise the Stakes in Your Novel
Seven Ways to Raise the Stakes in Your Novel quiz
Conflict Resolution
Conflict Resolution quiz
understand how and why to put emphasis on the emotional aspects of the story when writing romance
Emotional Conflict versus Intellectual Conflict
Emotional Conflict versus Intellectual Conflict quiz
How to Build a Story with an Emphasis on Emotion
How to Build a Story with an Emphasis on Emotion quiz
Love Scene
How and why to make the hero and heroine complement each other
Characters Fulfill the Other's Needs
Characters Fulfill the Other's Needs quiz
Complementary Strengths - romance
Complementary Strengths - romance quiz
Shining But Not Out-Shining
Shining But Not Out-Shining quiz
Understand Hypergamy and how to integrate it into the story
Hypergamy
Understand the Who, What, Where, Why of the Hero
Hero Characteristics part 1
Hero Characteristics part 1 quiz
Hero Characteristics part 2
Hero Characteristics part 2 quiz
Hero Characteristics part 3
Hero Characteristics part 3 quiz
Hero Characteristics part 4
Hero Characteristics part 4 quiz
Hero Characteristics part 5
Hero Characteristics part 5 quiz
Hero Characteristics part 6
Hero Characteristics part 6 quiz
Hero Characteristics part 7
Hero Characteristics part 7 quiz
Hero Characteristics part 8
Hero Characteristics part 8 quiz
Hero - interaction with Heroine part 1
Hero - interaction with the Heroine part 1 quiz
Hero - interaction with Heroine part 2
Hero - interaction with the Heroine part 2 quiz
Hero - interaction with Heroine part 3
Hero - interaction with the Heroine part 3 quiz
Hero - interaction with Heroine part 4
Hero - interaction with the Heroine part 4 quiz
Hero - Motivation
Hero - Motivation quiz
Hero Stats
Hero Stats quiz
Understand the Who, What, Where, Why of the Heroine
Heroine Characteristics part 1
Heroine Characteristics part 1 quiz
Heroine Characteristics part 2
Heroine Characteristics part 2 quiz
Heroine Characteristics part 3
Heroine Characteristics part 3 quiz
Heroine Characteristics part 4
Heroine Characteristics part 4 quiz
Heroine Characteristics part 5
Heroine Characteristics part 5 quiz
Heroine Characteristics part 6
Heroine Characteristics part 6 quiz
Heroine Characteristics part 7
Heroine Characteristics part 7 quiz
Heroine Characteristics part 8
Heroine Characteristics part 8 quiz

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Write a Romance Novel (Fiction Writing Mastery) with these activities:
Review 'Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels'
Provides a solid foundation in romance novel structure, which is essential for success in this course.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Romancing the Beat'.
  • Read the book, taking notes on key concepts.
  • Identify how the beat sheet can be applied to your own romance novel ideas.
Review Basic Story Structure
Refreshes your understanding of basic story structure principles, which are foundational to writing any novel, including romance.
Browse courses on Story Structure
Show steps
  • Review notes from previous writing courses or workshops.
  • Read articles or watch videos on plot structure, character arcs, and conflict.
  • Outline a familiar story to practice identifying key structural elements.
Develop Character Profiles for Your Protagonists
Helps you create well-developed and compelling characters, which is crucial for writing a successful romance novel.
Show steps
  • Brainstorm ideas for your hero and heroine, considering their backgrounds, motivations, and flaws.
  • Create detailed character profiles, including physical descriptions, personality traits, and backstories.
  • Explore the potential conflicts and challenges that your characters might face.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Write a Scene Focusing on Emotional Conflict
Provides practice in writing scenes that emphasize emotional conflict, a key element in romance novels.
Show steps
  • Choose a scenario where your hero and heroine experience a significant emotional conflict.
  • Write a scene that explores their feelings, motivations, and reactions to the conflict.
  • Focus on showing, not telling, the characters' emotions through their actions and dialogue.
Review 'The Emotional Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression'
Enhances your ability to describe emotions effectively, leading to more compelling and believable characters.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Emotional Thesaurus'.
  • Familiarize yourself with the book's organization and content.
  • Use the thesaurus to find alternative ways to describe emotions in your writing.
Analyze Successful Romance Novels
Deepens your understanding of the romance genre by analyzing successful examples and identifying key elements.
Show steps
  • Choose three popular romance novels from different subgenres.
  • Analyze each novel's plot structure, character development, and emotional themes.
  • Identify the elements that make each novel successful and appealing to readers.
  • Write a report summarizing your findings and insights.
Participate in a Romance Writing Critique Group
Provides valuable feedback on your writing and helps you learn from other writers in the romance genre.
Show steps
  • Find a local or online writing group that focuses on romance novels.
  • Share your work with the group and provide constructive feedback on others' writing.
  • Attend regular meetings and actively participate in discussions.

Career center

Learners who complete How to Write a Romance Novel (Fiction Writing Mastery) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Romance Novelist
A romance novelist crafts compelling love stories that resonate with readers. The ability to develop engaging plots, create vivid settings, and build multi-dimensional characters is essential for success. This course, *How to Write a Romance Novel (Fiction Writing Mastery)*, helps romance novelists by providing the foundational storytelling techniques that are needed to create romance novels. The course covers crafting dialogue, developing characters, and understanding romantic dynamics. With its focus on creating immersive settings and managing conflict, the course is particularly useful for aspiring romance novelists.
Ghostwriter
Ghostwriters write books, articles, or other content on behalf of someone else, without receiving credit for their work. They work closely with clients to capture their voice and vision, crafting narratives that meet their specific needs. This course, *How to Write a Romance Novel (Fiction Writing Mastery)*, helps ghostwriters in particular who are writing romance. The course helps hone character development skills, build and structure plots, and craft realistic and compelling dialogue. Lessons in immersive storytelling techniques will also be appreciated.
Fiction Writer
Fiction writers create stories across various genres, captivating audiences with their imagination and storytelling prowess. They develop plots, characters, and settings to build immersive narratives. With its focus on foundational storytelling techniques, dynamic character development, and dialogue, this course, *How to Write a Romance Novel (Fiction Writing Mastery)*, is helpful for fiction writers. Also, the course helps with worldbuilding and setting, which are useful for writers in any genre. The lessons about flashbacks and cliffhangers are also good skills for fiction writers to have.
Literary Agent
Literary agents represent authors and sell their manuscripts to publishers. They evaluate submissions, provide editorial feedback, and negotiate contracts on behalf of their clients. This course, *How to Write a Romance Novel (Fiction Writing Mastery)*, helps literary agents better understand the romance genre. With its focus on character development, plot structure, and romantic dynamics, the course helps literary agents evaluate and represent romance novelists. The course also aids agents in identifying manuscripts with strong narrative tension and compelling characters.
Editor
Editors review and refine written content to ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency. They work closely with authors to improve their manuscripts, providing feedback on plot, character development, and style. This course, *How to Write a Romance Novel (Fiction Writing Mastery)*, helps editors who wish to evaluate manuscripts for plot, character development, and style. The course is also useful for editors who work specifically with fiction and romance novels. The course can sharpen an editor's eye for narrative tension, character arcs, and compelling dialogue.
Screenwriter
Screenwriters craft stories for film and television, translating ideas into scripts that bring characters and worlds to life on screen. They focus on dialogue, plot development, and pacing to create compelling narratives. This course, *How to Write a Romance Novel (Fiction Writing Mastery)*, helps screenwriters build a foundation for their work. Screenwriters focus on dialogue, character development, and plot which are all discussed in the course. Screenwriters particularly benefit from the course's section on conflict.
Creative Writing Professor
Creative writing professors teach and mentor aspiring writers in various aspects of the craft, including fiction, poetry, and screenwriting. They design curricula, provide feedback on student work, and foster a supportive learning environment. This course, *How to Write a Romance Novel (Fiction Writing Mastery)*, may serve as a useful supplement for creative writing professors. The course provides insights into storytelling techniques, character development, and dialogue. A creative writing professor teaching a romance course may find the material particularly useful.
Playwright
Playwrights write scripts for theater productions, crafting dialogue, stage directions, and narratives that engage live audiences. As storytellers, playwrights must engage in dynamic character development and world-building in order to create compelling narratives. This course, *How to Write a Romance Novel (Fiction Writing Mastery)*, may be useful for aspiring playwrights. With its focus on dialogue and character development, the course may help playwrights build a foundation for their work. The course also has much to say about immersive storytelling techniques.
Content Writer
Content writers create engaging and informative written material for various platforms, including websites, blogs, and marketing campaigns. They must have strong storytelling abilities to capture the audience's attention and convey the desired message effectively. This course, *How to Write a Romance Novel (Fiction Writing Mastery)*, may be useful for content writers who would like to improve their narratives and storytelling to become better content writers. The course teaches how to manage subtext, craft dialogue, and balance dialogue with narrative description. Lessons on suspense may also be helpful.
Blogger
Bloggers create and publish content on personal or professional websites, sharing their expertise, experiences, and opinions with an online audience. They write articles, reviews, and opinion pieces on various topics. This course, *How to Write a Romance Novel (Fiction Writing Mastery)*, may be useful for bloggers. The course may provide important skills for writing engaging blog content. The blogger may consider focusing on romance stories and plot development.
Social Media Manager
Social media managers oversee an organization's online presence, creating and curating content, engaging with followers, and analyzing performance metrics. They must have strong storytelling skills. This course, *How to Write a Romance Novel (Fiction Writing Mastery)*, may be useful for social media managers. The course's emphasis on dialogue and character development is helpful in creating content that resonates with audiences on a personal level. A social media manager learns how to create better content.
Copywriter
Copywriters create persuasive and engaging content for advertising and marketing materials. They write headlines, taglines, and body copy that capture the audience's attention and promote products or services. This course, *How to Write a Romance Novel (Fiction Writing Mastery)*, may be useful for copywriters. The lessons on writing effective dialogue and building characters may be helpful in coming up with innovative advertisement strategies. Ultimately, the creative strategies of a copywriter will be aided.
Public Relations Specialist
Public relations specialists manage an organization's reputation and communications, crafting press releases, coordinating media events, and building relationships with journalists and influencers. Although it may not seem related, good storytelling skills can improve a public relations specialist's ability to communicate. This course, *How to Write a Romance Novel (Fiction Writing Mastery)*, may be helpful for public relations specialists. The course helps develop character development and plot skills.
Technical Writer
Technical writers create clear and concise documentation for complex products or systems, such as software, hardware, or engineering processes. While technical writing emphasizes clarity and accuracy, storytelling skills can enhance engagement. This course, *How to Write a Romance Novel (Fiction Writing Mastery)*, may be useful for technical writers by providing insights into structuring information, creating compelling narratives, and understanding audience engagement. Technical writers may find value in lessons that emphasize clarity and structure.
Journalist
Journalists investigate, research, and report news stories for newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and online media. While journalism is a profession emphasizing objectivity, storytelling skills are still appreciated. This course, *How to Write a Romance Novel (Fiction Writing Mastery)*, may be useful for journalists by building a foundation in narrative structuring. While it is not directly related, the course teaches how to build suspense to keep readers engaged.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to Write a Romance Novel (Fiction Writing Mastery).
Provides a clear and concise guide to structuring a romance novel using the 'beat sheet' method. It breaks down the essential plot points and emotional beats that are crucial for a satisfying romance narrative. Reading this book before the course will give you a solid framework for understanding how to build a compelling romance story. It is highly recommended for understanding the structural elements discussed in the course.
Provides writers with a comprehensive list of emotions and their corresponding physical signals, internal sensations, and thought patterns. It's an invaluable resource for showing, not telling, emotions in your writing. Using this book as a reference will help you create more realistic and emotionally resonant characters. It is especially useful for the sections of the course that deal with emotional conflict and character development.

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