TABLE OF CONTENTS
First Things First: Calling All Writers
To Trust A Stranger: Or, If You’d Rather Not, A Little About Us
Long Time Coming: Why Virna Wanted To Write This Book
How To Use This Book (And Why It’s Structured The Way It Is)
Chapter 1: Does She Dare? More To The Point, Should You?
PART I: DOING THE WORK TO WRITE AND GET PUBLISHED
Chapter 2: A Treasure Worth Seeking: Writing The Best Book You Can
Best Kept Secrets: Ten Things You Can Do To Succeed At Writing
Chapter 3: Set Realistic Goals
Chapter 4: Read, Experiment And Familiarize Yourself With The “10 For 10”
The “10 For 10” Triangle/Diagram
Chapter 5: Theme
Chapter 6: Story Question
Chapter 7: Character
Chapter 8: Conflict
Chapter 9: Plot (Conflict Between Protagonist And Antagonist Forces Action)
Chapter 10: Breaking Down Plot With The Three Act Structure
Chapter 11: Turning Points
Chapter 12: Raised Stakes & Diminished Options Lead To Transformation/Character Arc
Chapter 13: Raising The Stakes In Every Scene With Scene And Sequel
Chapter 14: Answering The Story Question Of Whether The Protagonist Achieved/Earned His Goal/Happy Ending:
Chapter 15: Brainstorm Character, Back Story And Plot Points
Brainstorming A Big, High Concept, Same But Different Story
Chapter 16: Confirm Your Story Fits The Subgenre/Line You’re Targeting
Chapter 17: Expand Upon Your Story’s Theme; Brainstorm Motif And Symbolism
Chapter 18: Create A Log Line, A Story Premise, And High Concept Pitch If Possible
Chapter 19: Brainstorm Scenes
Chapter 20: Write A Synopsis
Chapter 21: Write And Revise
Chapter 22: Submit, Survive & Start Again
Feedback: So…What Do You Think?
PART II: SEEING HOW IT’S DONE
Chapter 23: Deconstructing A Published Plot--You Only Love Twice By Lori Wilde
PART III: THE CHALLENGES AHEAD
Chapter 24: As Far As Getting Published, Think Good, Bad, And Subject To Interpretation
Reality Chick: The Truth About Who Wants To Write, Who Really Writes, Who Gets Published, And Who
Reads Published Books
Chapter 25: Rocky Road: One Writer’s Journey
PART IV: IT’S YOURS FOR THE TAKING
Chapter 26: A Little Magic: Despite The Difficulties, It Can Happen
Networking: Building Bridges
Achieving Your Writing Goals By Nurturing Your Entire Being
Conclusion
APPENDIX
Forms You May Find Useful
A Great And Terrible Beauty: Honest Answers To FAQs (And Some Questions We Wish We’d Asked
Earlier)
Glossary
100 Things Every Romance Writer Should Know Or Consider
The Details Of Virna’s Journey
Recommended Reading
