Article: Hey Mom, What's Steaming Kisses...

Hey Mom, What's Steaming Kisses Mean?

If you’re a parent who spends a lot of time in playgrounds pushing swings or in lobbies of dance academies retying tap shoes (again), have I got an idea for you: write a romance novel.

Sound crazy? The fact is, when your children are small it is the perfect time to start a writing career in one of the highest-selling genres out there (50% of all paperbacks sold are romance novels). And that’s not just because they can’t read the sex scenes yet. Here’s why you should consider writing a romance:

You’re really, really, really bored.
Face it, if you have to sit through another babygroup talking about the merits of $400 strollers you’re going to tear out your hair. But when you start writing, the most important thing you’re going to do is join a writing group. Now. Immediately. Even before you put one word on the page. These groups will consist of women who may or may not have kids. It won’t matter. Because you’re not going to talk about them (imagine!). You’re going to talk about writing. You can even make your own group out of the cool moms you know—just mention your plan and you won’t believe how many women feel they have a novel inside them struggling to get out. (Don’t worry, it’s way easier than childbirth, believe me.)

You have exactly the right amount of time to write. Really.
Most fiction writers write for only two to three hours a day. Much more than that makes even the most intrepid writers loopy. So if you have an infant who naps, or a dance class you sit outside of, or two hours of pre-school free time, you’re golden. Most of the effort of writing has to do with thinking. What should happen? How should I describe his eyes? What is wrong with this scene? Wouldn’t you like something to think about when you’re driving the carpool besides what to make for dinner?

Maybe you’re looking for a way to work and stay home
Writers work from home. It’s that simple. I worked in advertising for fifteen years before I had my kids, and I was sure I’d go right back as soon as they were in school. Until I wasn’t sure any more. I wanted a way to stay home and make money. Writing is it. Granted, it takes time to sell a novel. And even more time to actually make decent money at it, but when you do, you have a job most moms would kill for.

Romance is the genre that is perfect for harried mothers
You may be the next Ernest Hemingway, but believe me, Ernest didn’t write Old Man and the Sea while spending ten hours a day with small children. Leave the literary stuff for when your kids are grown and you have the braincells to sweat the grand themes. Now, you need a little fun. I only had two rules when I started writing: there wouldn’t be any kids in my books, and the heroines wouldn’t have barf stains on their shoulders that they didn’t know about. Ah, the fantasy.

So, how do you get started?

First, write. Promise yourself you’ll write 100 words a day. You don’t have to know what you’re doing. Just get the juices flowing. Words on a page. Write on a yellow legal pad in the sandbox. On your laptop at Starbucks while your kid disgorges the napkin dispenser. Just get it done.

Second, read. Figure out what you like and study those books closely. Also, read writing books. Steven King’s On Writing is amazing. Ann Lamott’s Bird by Bird is a personal favorite. Deb Dixon’s Goal, Motivation, Conflict is a romance writer’s classic and the most important book you’ll ever read on writing.

Third, join writing groups. Get on the web and search “RWA.” That’s Romance Writers of America. They have chapters in every state in the country, and most will let you sit in on a few free meetings until you get your bearings. These women are incredibly talented, they love their genre, and they want to help. Why? Because they’re women (yes, they’re mostly women) who have been where you are now. Go to your local library and check the bulletin boards for writing groups. Ask your friends. If you’re serious about getting published, this will be the most important thing you’ll do.

Fourth, have fun. Remember, that writing a romance novel should be fun. Whether you’re writing a “sweet” novel (no sex), and “inspirational” (really, no sex!), or a steamy “romantica” you should do it because you like to do it. After all, you do enough stuff for other people. This should be for you.

Copyright © Diane Holquist, 2006