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Delaney Diamond with Some Heartfelt Advice and a Giveaway!

Today we have author Delaney Diamond with some advice and a giveaway, so over to Delaney....

Think You Can Write a Romance Novel? 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't

1. There’s no money in it. The majority of writers have jobs. If they don't, they either have a trust fund somewhere or an understanding partner/spouse/parent who helps support them.

2. You won’t have creative control. Think you will? You'd be surprised. Even big names have to tweak their manuscripts at the behest of their editor. Unless you're self-publishing, fuh-gedda-bout-it (say this with an Italian-American accent). Once you turn in your lovely work of art, you run the risk of your editor telling you to make revisions. Feel free to throw your hands up in frustration and lament the changes which compromise the integrity of the piece. Then make the changes.

3. You hate selling. Shameless self-promotion is the name of the game. If you don’t do it, someone else will, and they’ll be the ones with the fat royalty checks. Avoid constant selling, which is a turn-off. Network with other authors and with readers on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and in Yahoo groups.

4. Not anybody can do it. Contrary to popular belief, writing romance novels is not easy. There is no magic formula, although there are certain elements that are inherent, much like there are elements inherent in any other type of writing.

Take mysteries, for example. In a mystery, a crime is committed, clues unfold, the crime is solved. In a romance, boy meets girl (or boy meets boy), they have problems, they solve said problems, they live happily ever after. The basic idea is the same, but it’s up to you as an author to create a story around that idea that speaks to your audience and doesn’t sound like the same old story.

5. You can’t take criticism. No matter how many hours you spent getting the words just right, no matter how many years your editor has been in the industry and knows what she’s talking about, and no matter how many review sites rave about your stellar piece, someone isn’t going to like it. If you can’t take a negative critique, don’t put your work out there.

If I haven’t turned you off romance writing, then you’ve been bitten by the writing bug, and you’re as bad as the rest of us, which means:

  • You have stories to tell and you can’t hold them in anymore. If you do, you run the risk of developing a multiple personality disorder and men in white coats will come to take you away.
  • You’re willing to work hard on rewrites, burn the midnight oil to meet a deadline, and research to make sure your paranormal romance about shape-shifting werelizards from the planet Zargon who must have sex with a human female exactly 50 times per day (no more, no less) to keep their species alive doesn’t sound anything like the last planet Zargon romance you read with a similar plot.
  • You’re willing to wait for the money, and even if it doesn’t come, you’re happy that anybody reads your work and finds it as interesting and entertaning as you, your best friend, and your Aunt Gertrude.
  • You’re fine with self-promotion, and you’re just happy there are no cameras and nudity involved.

Welcome to the club! So, what are you waiting for? Get to writing.

Delaney Diamond writes sweet and sensual African-American and interracial romance novels. She’s so happy that she and her best friend are not the only ones who enjoy her stories. In fact, her short story Subordinate Position is an Amazon Bestseller. Her first release in the Hot Latin Men series, The Arrangement, is an All Romance Ebooks bestseller.

Don't miss the second book in the series, Fight for Love, an All Romance Ebooks and Amazon bestseller. 


Blurb:
Science teacher Rebekah Jamison lives a quiet life in the suburbs of Atlanta. Devastated by a tabloid scandal nine years ago, she ended her marriage to the man her parents never approved of.

Rafael Lopez, former professional wrestler and “Sexiest Athlete Alive,” regrets the lapse in judgment that caused him to lose his wife. He shows up unannounced one day with some startling news, but he gets a surprise of his own. He finds out he’s a father. To get to know his son, he whisks him and Rebekah off to his home in the Hollywood Hills for the summer.

Excerpt:
“Rafe,” she warned. She tried to ease out of his embrace, but found her efforts thwarted by his brute strength. “All right, you’ve proven your point. You’re stronger than me. You can let me go now.”

“Maybe I’m not done proving my point, ángel,” he drawled. The sensuous sound of his voice tugged at her heartstrings.

He lowered his head in one swift motion and took her mouth, startling and arousing her at the same time. He cradled the back of her head in his palm, and her anger dissipated like morning fog in the first rays of sunlight. Her fingers curled into his powerful arms as he bent her over his arm. Teasing teeth tugged the sensitive flesh of her lower lip until she could no longer bear it and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck to urge a fuller exploration.

His expert tongue delved between her lips, stroking the sensitive cavern of her mouth to elicit a moan of burgeoning desire from the back of her throat. The taste of him was intoxicating, flooding her taste buds with a flavor that far surpassed the memories she’d tucked away in the deep recesses of her mind.

When Rafael slipped his hand over the curve of her breast and shaped the soft flesh, a shudder coursed through her. In the back of her mind, she knew she should be stronger than this, but she’d always been weak for him. Nothing had changed.


Buy link at Amazon                 Buy link at All Romance Ebooks 

Are you a reader, a writer, or both? Leave a comment with your email address for Delaney, and tell her why you enjoy reading and/or writing romance novels for a chance to win a copy of The Arrangement, the first book in her Hot Latin Men series. 

Deadline for entry is 72 hours, after which she'll let random.org choose a winner. 

44 comments:

  1. Reading romance is a great escape, but I don't think I could write it. My agent signed me on my women's fiction novel, but I've changed gears completely and am writing middle grade. Guess my mind is too immature to write hot, steamy romance! Glad there are those who can.

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  2. When my mom was recuperating from kidney failure back when I was a teen, we used to buy sacksful of romance books at the local used book store. Mom turned to mysteries and romance to help her escape. I always thought it would be wonderful to be able to create that kind of magic for someone, but it takes a special author to write romance.

    Nas, I've left a response to your comment on Laura Barnes' blog, http://laurabwriter.blogspot.com/2011/08/saturday-savvy-sensation-michelle.html.

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  3. Hi Kris, I also am glad there are authors who are able to write hot steamy romances to cater to all types of readers. Thanks for coming by!

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  4. Hi Michelle,

    With all your experiences, I think very soon you'll be creating that special magic and thanks for letting me know of the comment at Laura's Blog.

    Thanks for coming along.

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  5. Hi Nas! Thank you for having me! I'm looking forward to reading all the comments so I can giveaway a copy of my first release.

    Kris, if we all wrote romance, what would the kids read? LOL. Good luck with your novel.

    Michelle, I enjoy reading and writing romance. Like you pointed out, reading it is a great escape, and I love traveling to different settings and reading about how love can overcome any problem. Thanks for stopping in.

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  6. I can't write romance either! But kudos to those who write it and write it well, like you Delaney!

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  7. Hi Delaney,

    Welcome to my home on the web! I hope you have fun chatting with all my friends!

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  8. Hello Lydia, thanks for coming by!

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  9. Hi Delaney, Hello Nas,

    I love reading romance novels, i don't know exactly why but i have been reading them since i was in my early teens and i guess they just provide a great means of escape for me. Given a choice between reading a romance novel and a novel of any other genre, i have always chosen romance.

    Wishing you all the best for your latest release.

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  10. LOL - Your post made me laugh. I'm a reader and a writer. I have to admit that I love working my own hours and making stuff up. When I say "I'm away with the fairies," it could be true!

    Good luck with your book. I do love a reunion plot.

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  11. Hi Delaney, I absolutely loved your post. I'm a novice romance writer and a veteran romance reader. I love to write because it gives the voices in my head a reason to be there. I have exactly 4 fans and only one of them has actually read my work, isn't that great? :) I look forward to adding you to my TBR list. Thanks for sharing.

    PS: Hi Nas!! *waving*

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  12. I not writer only a big fan of reading ! Reading lets me escape to a whole new world where anything is possible and can be magical !

    Great post Nas and Delaney,thank you for the chance to win !

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  13. I am reader and I read to escape and visit places you can only see your mind. I do not write but am dabbling with a children's book for scholastic. Probably nothing will come of it but who knows. debby236 at gmail dot com

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  14. Great post, Delaney! I'm an avid reader and a published-romance-writer-wanna be. :) I value your thoughts, suggestions...and warnings!

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  15. Truer words were never spoken! Great forthright advice.

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  16. Thanks for all the well wishes on my last release, everybody!

    Lydia, writers love readers, so we appreciate you!

    Sonali, I started at age 11. I checked out romance novels at the library, and I've been hooked ever since.

    Shelley, I love working my own hours, too. I'm so spoiled!

    Thanks, Juanita! Keep building that fan base. It's a slow process, but you'll soon see the fruits of your labor.

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  17. Glad you stopped in, Desere. If it weren't for readers, writers wouldn't have a job.

    Debby, I love the escape reading offers too. Most authors are avid reads. Good luck with your writing.

    Good luck, Sharon! I wish you the best, and I'm glad my post helped.

    Thanks, Talli! Honesty is the best policy. :)

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  18. Thanks for telling it like it is, Delaney. Romance writing is hard work, lots of angst and promoting!For those of us who do write it, it's the only thing we want to do! Great post.

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  19. I read and write… anything and everything. But it's love that really drives my passion. Love sends us out in a storm just for the touch of a hand, thinks that piece of cheesecake looks sexy on our waistline, and believes our day can't start without a morning kiss.

    Congratulations on the release, and I wish you much success. dakentnerATgosgiDOTcom

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  20. Thanks, Jean! And you're so right--I'm loving what I do.

    DA, you're so right. That's romance!

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  21. Delaney, I tick too many of those boxes for it to be funny! I'm feeling like a naughty kid at the moment, trying to avoid writing my latest wip. My characters are rebelling, my scenarios shallow and uninspiring...and I'm going through the angst that seems to take me over every new book.
    Sigh. Why do I think I love writing romance? Remind me again?

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  22. Good morning Delaney!
    I'm a reader through and through. I just don't have what it takes to be a writer, and I feel that writing books is perhaps the hardest art there is today. I love the stories that have brought me so many hours of enjoyment that keeps my mind bright, young, alive and my imagination burning. I love to laugh, cry, and love getting an emotional connection to the characters in the stories. To me it brings more than just a satisfying read, but just plain makes me feel good inside. I've loved getting to know the authors online, and you all are the nicest group of people ever...*S*
    Thank you for the stories you write, and just for making a book so much more than just a book..but an event....*S*

    Darcy

    pommawolf @hotmail.com

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  23. Sally, sounds like you need a recharge. Something that really gets my creative juices flowing: reading a book! Or maybe you need a longer break. Take a week off from writing. I know that goes against standard advice, but it's never hurt me to take a break from writing.

    I hope you get out of your funk. Remind yourself of what it feels like when a reader contacts you and tells you how much they love your work. I don't know about you, but I love it--it's a great motivator. And besides, do you really want the men in white coats to come take you away?

    Darcy, you're always so supportive! Like you, I love getting caught up in all the emotions the characters experience. I get attached to the characters I write about as well as the characters I read about in other books. Sometimes it's hard to let go.

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  24. Im definitely a reader. Ive tried writing and im so horrible at it. I love reading romance. Its my escape from reality. The way a writer weaves words and creates worlds...*sigh* I love it all!
    shadow_kohler(at)att(dot)net

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  25. Writers appreciate readers, Shadow! Thanks for stopping by.

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  26. Hi Delaney, Great to meet you here!

    Thanks for sharing the hard reality with us! And yeah, the ones bitten by the writing bug just cannot escape ;)

    Thanks for bringing Delaney into the spotlight, Nas!

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  27. My parents are my first real life romantic heroes! I watched them openly show love throughout my growing up years. It's an inspiration.
    I read and write romance novels. I've read romance novels since I was a teen. I soak in the conflict, I look forward and enjoy the way the characters waffle through the conflict to resolve it. I laugh and I cry with the characters. I'm thrilled because I get to 'travel abroad' to all the places different authors write about. And most importantly, I'm assured of a happy ever after. I won't have it any other way!
    I write romance because I'm deeply passionate about bringing blossoming love, affection, warmth wrapped in dramatic conflicts and prejudices plus a living happily ever to my readers. It's a lovely, thrilling escape for my readers from the stress and hassle of daily living.

    flirty.feisty@gmail.com
    http://www.flirtyandfeistyromancenovel.co.uk

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  28. I don't care, I don't care! Even though self promotion scares me. I must write romance! :-)

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  29. Hey, Ju! *waves* Good to see ya.

    Stella, what a great example you had in your parents, and ditto on everything else you said about reading and writing romance. It's nice to know that in the end, they will end up together, no matter the winding path we take them on.

    LOL, Deniz! Believe me, I understand.

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  30. Hi Nas and Delaney! This was a great post. I'm a reader and a writer. I *have* to write. I told myself when I started writing that whether or not I got published didn't matter, because I was doing something I truly enjoyed (and the characters in my head were starting to take up way too much brain space). :) Thanks for these honest and funny reasons to write!

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  31. You're welcome, Robin. I'm so glad you found an outlet for the characters/voices in your head. :)

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  32. I absolutely agree with you.Your 5 reasons are right on and all the reasons that would stop me from writing a romance story and has also stopped me from writing (This is in real-life, folks!) short stories about my life (a la David Sedaris). Than there's always the fear and self judgment!
    I think any writer, but I think romance writers even more so, are amazingly brave people again for the reasons you listed. I would put the fear of rejection, as well as the fear that it won't sell once it is written in the top 2 spots for why I haven't written in many years. So, I've taken to writing long comments on blogs as cleverly as possible in hopes that someone reads it and gets a giggle out of it.
    Mara
    marajbrandon AT gmail DOT com

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  33. Hey Nas and Delaney! Great points. Especially the first and last. I have the writing BUG! And I love it.

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  34. I've never understood people who think writing romance is easy! My books aren't romances, but there are elements of romance in there, and boy, do I work hard at those sections. I take my hat off to anyone who can write it for a living!

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  35. Being a writer is such hard work. It is a shame about #1.

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  36. Thanks for giving me more insight into what it takes to write, publish, and promote romance novels.

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  37. Uh! Just lost my comment to a disruption.
    Delaney, your books sound interesting. I wrote about number 5 on your list today. We definitely need to know how to suck up bad reviews quietly. Anything else can spell disaster.

    To get back on track, I write romance because after all the heartache, my character do get to happily ever after.

    Gonna check out your books!

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  38. Mara, when I started writing, I also worried about fear of rejection, and #5--the dreaded criticism. I can tell you, it's gotten easier. No one's work will appeal to everyone, and understanding that has helped a lot.

    Thanks for stopping in, Donna. Good to meet another writing addict.

    Amie, I think writing fiction in general is hard, and it's so satisfying when someone appreciates all the hard work.

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  39. So true, Florida Girl.

    You're welcome, Theresa.

    J.L., I agree. As writers, we have to learn not to let one negative comment outweigh the many positive ones we receive. Difficult to do at first, but definitely possible, and never, ever attack a reviewer. I've seen it, and you're right, it spells disaster. I hope you enjoy my books!

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  40. The list randomizer has spoken, and the winner of a copy of The Arrangement is....Mara!!

    Congratulations!

    Thanks to everyone who stopped by and thank you for all the comments. I had a ball.

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  41. Congratulations Mara!

    Thank you to all my lovely friends for coming along and commenting.

    And thank you, Delaney, for giving us this time and chatting with all of us here at Romance Book Paradise!

    All the best for your upcoming release!

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  42. Wow, late to the part on this one. I have no idea how I missed it.

    That said, I'm more a reader of romance than a writer of it. I tried, but it didn't really pan out in the long run. But I like to dabble in it occasionally.

    I loved the little checklists, by the way, and the excerpt. Helpful and very sensual. I'll let you figure out which adjective goes with which. (;

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  43. Hi Marlena and *^_^*

    Thanks for coming by!

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