Go for it!

Nobody is born published. Not even the Nobel prize winners!

I usually start with my characters. They need physical descriptions, mannerisms, quirks, and backstory. You need to know about their childhood, their family, their sexual history, their career history, their beliefs and values. They need traits, goals, and a flaw. Goals, whether they be conscious goals or subconscious goals are extremely important.

It's best if their flaw is not such a problem in their lives at the end of your story as it was in the beginning. In other words, it is best, if your character learns something through what happens in the story that causes him to grow as a human being. It helps if your hero and heroine can be the embodiment of the other's worst fear.

Oh, and you'll need a premise. Many writers begin here instead of with characters.

As far as structure, goes, you need a beginning, an inciting incident, at least three turning points (or big moments), the last of which is the black moment when all seems lost. But it won't be lost because during the journey of your story, your hero has learned something that produces a vital change in him that enables him to win instead of lose. Then you write the happy ending. What the hero learns has to do with the theme of your story.

Many writers write a synopsis before they begin the actual novel. Write your story in present tense in five to twenty pages, depending on the length of your novel. Next write the first chapters. Do not be horrified if the writing is inferior. All first drafts disappoint. But at some point, something magic should happen. The characters start talking and changing all your well-made plans. What they do and say totally confuses you. Keep writing. Adjust your synopsis.

Think of this as play. Don't listen to negative voices saying you can't, especially if one or more of them is your own negative self-doubting critic who is trying to destroy you. Personally I have a head full of demons that spend lots of energy trying to cripple me.

Write. When all else fails, write. Surround yourself with positive people who believe in your dreams, and they will have a better change of coming true.

Good luck!

Ann Major

Nora Roberts has described her work thusly: "Engaging characters, stories that thrill and delight, shivering suspense and captivating romance." Sandra Brown says, "Her name on the cover instantly identifies the book as a good read." It will come as no surprise to readers of women's fiction that both these authors are speaking about Ann Major.

However, it may surprise her peers to know that writing does not always come easily to Ann. "I love being a romance writer even though writing is very hard work for me, as I am not the kind of writer who lives to write. I love my life-my kids, grandchildren, my cats, my hobbies-just the little rituals of everyday life. These precious experiences give me the energy and the material so that I can write."

These should come not only as words of encouragement to those of us who share this struggle, but also as an indicator as to the heights that can be scaled when an individual is as focused and driven as Ann.

A native of Texas, Ann's postsecondary education is as varied and far-reaching as the woman herself. Ann attended Del Mar College, the University of the Americas in Mexico City and the University of Texas in Austin from which she received a B.A. in English and Spanish. She holds an M.A. in English and Spanish from Texas A & M University in Kingsville, Texas. She has taught both on the secondary and college level and is an experienced speaker.

A model of perseverance, Ann began writing when her first child was born and sold her first novel six years later. "I taught myself how to write without the aid of other writers, writing books or writing courses. It was a very lonely and solitary pursuit." Yet Ann never once considered giving up and, as a testament to her dedication, she has written over 55 books to date for Silhouette Romance, Special Edition, Intimate Moments, Mira, and Desire, and consistently tops bestseller lists.



A founding member of the Romance Writers of America, Ann is also the coauthor of the article "The Contemporary Light Romance" which has been collected in the book Writing and Selling the Romance Novel.

In addition to her career as a novelist, Ann plays the piano, sails, kayaks, and travels. Ann currently resides in south Texas with her husband.

www.AnneMajor.com

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