Romance Writing

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
278 Students

Whether you're a new or experienced writer, this course will teach you the skills you need to write a romance novel that will make readers swoon.

Romance is the #1 selling genre in mass-market fiction with readers clamoring for more! To pen a novel romance readers love, you'll need to understand how to meet and exceed their expectationsâ€”exactly what this class will focus on. Whether you're a new or experienced writer, this course will help you broaden your skills and understand exactly what makes a romance reader finish a book with that ""Ahh"" of satisfaction.

You'll start by learning about the genre of romance and exploring why you fell in love with your favorite romance novels. Then we'll build on these insights. You'll explore how to craft three-dimensional characters your readers will love and how to weave a plot so your story grabs the reader's interest from page one. And of course, you'll gain valuable techniquesâ€”your ""romance writer's toolbox""â€”to apply to your own manuscript.

But good writing is good writing, whether you're drafting a romance, a sci-fi adventure, or a thriller. With that in mind, we'll also spend a couple lessons looking at and practicing elements important for any writer to master: setting, pacing, point of view, dialogue, research, mood, and tone. You'll take on fun assignments that will help you hone your craft.

By the time you finish, you'll be able to pick up a book and figure out what makes it a best seller, or why it's been called a classic, or why it appealed to you as a reader. Even better, you'll have mastered tools and techniques so you can add those same elements to your own writing.

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

In the first lesson, you'll learn a simple definition for a romance and discover the hallmark element of all romance novels. (Think it's just a love story? Think again!) We'll talk about why fulfilling reader expectations is so important, and you'll get an overview of the subgenres found in romance to see where your idea might fit. Finally, you'll take a look at the romances that have really resonated with you—the ones you read over and over again—to discover what makes a "great" book "great."

Next, we'll explore what's needed to create a romance that readers will come to again and again. We'll start by outlining a short list of romance classics that are as popular today as when they were first written. Then we'll pull one classic book off the class Keeper Shelf and use it to demonstrate the eight essential and three optional elements all romance novels should have in order to meet reader expectations.

Our third lesson introduces you to the heart of the romance novel—the characters. In this lesson, we'll talk about what readers expect from your heroine and hero, as well as your options for making your hero and heroine uniquely your own. We'll also explore how to use secondary characters to support your central story, and examine examples drawn from some favorite romances and romantic-comedy movies.

Here, we go deeper into characterization. You'll learn to use tools that will help you get to know your characters on a deeper level. Knowing your characters inside and out will help you make them come alive on the page and better reach the high level of reader satisfaction you want your romance to deliver.

This lesson covers three concepts that serve as the bridge between character and plot development: goal, motivation, and conflict. Throughout the lesson, we'll create a character's GMC chart, noting story goals, the character's motivation, and the internal and external conflicts he or she faces. You'll see how developing the GMC chart provides information that will help you create plots that challenge your characters and satisfy your readers.

Now we're going to get to the meat of your romance: the plot. We'll discuss the difference between story plot and romantic plot, then take a look at the different kinds of romance plots that are common in the genre. Ultimately, we'll see how identifying your basic plot pattern can help as you're writing your romance.

Today, we continue the discussion on plotting. Here, you'll explore the main components of a plotline and examine how to weave in subplots to enhance your main plot. You'll also see how you can organize your plot according to the Three Act Structure to ensure readers are eager to stick with it all the way to your HEA ending. Finally, you'll learn about some typical beginner's mistakes you'll want to avoid as you're developing your plot.

There's still more to be said about plotting! Here, you'll explore how the elements you use to build your plot form the basic structure we looked at last time. You'll start by examining how you'll use cause and effect to create believable events that draw the reader in. Then we'll look at the building blocks of plot, scene, and sequel, and see how you can use them to structure the ebb and flow of your story.

Evoking emotion in readers is a key element in romance. Today, we'll discuss two tenets of romance writing along with various tools that will help you write emotionally packed scenes. Finally, we'll discuss the all-important topic of writing a sex scene—whether or not your story even needs one, and how you can ensure the scene moves your reader along with your characters.

Good writing is good writing, whether you're drafting a romance, a sci-fi adventure, or a thriller. In this lesson, we'll begin to look at the elements of a writer's craft that you'll need to master on your way to penning your romance. We'll cover three crucial elements that are central to all fiction: dialogue, pacing, and point of view. We'll examine examples of each in depth so that by the end of the lesson, you'll be ready to start applying what you learn to your own romance.

In this lesson, we'll continue our exploration of important elements of writing fiction: research, setting, mood, and tone. You'll learn why research is so important, how setting can reflect and even impact your characters, and how mood and tone contribute to the overall impact of your romance.

After all your hard work, you'll finally be able to write "The End." But you're still not done! In this lesson, we'll discuss the steps writers need to take after they've finished the first draft of their manuscript. We'll learn about the need for revisions and editing, discuss the importance of critique groups and partners, and wrap the class up with tips on submitting your manuscript for publication.

Priscilla Kissinger

Priscilla A. Kissinger has a Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She's a long-time active member of Romance Writers of America, a three-time Golden Heart finalist, and a multiple contest winner who writes con... Read more

Read Priscilla Kissinger's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

What people are saying about our courses

It was a terrific course. I will be sure to recommend Ms. Kissinger to anyone who is looking to get into the romance writing genre like I was!

Verified Student

This is the first course of this kind that I have taken, and it has been a very good experience. The lessons were put together professionally and showed both an understanding of the subject matter as well as an understanding of the needs of learners.

Verified Student

The instructor was more than knowledgeable and was helpful and responsive. I appreciate her attention and expertise. I have already recommended this course to several other people and plan to take more writing courses in the near future. Thank you!

Verified Student

See More Reviews

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Romance Writing you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

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Romance Writing

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$389AUD

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Manufacturing Applications

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$389

AUD

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$599 AUD

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
483 Students

Increase efficiencies and productivity by learning to apply the principles and concepts of manufacturing.

Learn to apply the principles and concepts of manufacturing. Discover the nature of strategy and learn how it leads to the development of manufacturing strategy. Understand the purpose of customer demand forecasting and find out what forecasting methods are suitable for which situations. Explore the nature of planning and learn how to effectively use Gantt charts and the precedence diagram method. Determine how purchasing, production and inventory control, and logistics support a manufacturing operation. Discover the basics of lean manufacturing and see how capacity management converts production plans into concrete products. Learn why manufacturing, industrial, and quality engineering are so essential to any firm. Understand the true meaning of productivity and how to improve it.

In this self-paced online course, you will learn how successful organisations effectively use master production scheduling (MPS), production activity control (PAC), material requirements planning (MRP), and inventory management. You'll also discover how the application of Six Sigma, and statistical process control (SPC) increase customer satisfaction, and you'll learn about the elements of a logistics system, including warehousing and receiving.

We'll begin our first lesson by exploring the essential area of manufacturing strategy. We'll consider a firm as a system, look at a few key strategic terms, and talk about market analysis. Then, we'll review the background of manufacturing strategy and discuss its foundation. And finally, we'll finish up by identifying what's involved in developing and implementing a manufacturing strategy and investigating strategic choices.

If there's one area that's caused problems for manufacturers over the years, it's forecasting. Today, we'll start with the characteristics of forecasting and see how you can use a qualitative, quantitative, or a hybrid approach that follows certain types of rules. Then, we'll discuss the requirements for developing and implementing a sound forecast, exploring how to forecast new products. We'll finish by examining various ways to control your forecasts.

Now that you have a good understanding of manufacturing strategy and demand forecasting, you need to perform manufacturing planning. Planning is a pervasive activity. It gives rise to just about everything. Today we'll talk about how planning and control work together, discuss the nature of manufacturing planning, and explore a few planning techniques, including Gantt charts and the network diagram scheduling method.

Purchasing employees contribute greatly to the success of manufacturing organizations. Every dollar saved by purchasing equals a dollar of profit. It's too bad that many firms don't realize the value of purchasing. They view it as a clerical function—simply a matter of sending purchase orders to suppliers. In this lesson, we'll take a whirlwind tour through the world of purchasing. We'll briefly discuss the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), look at the way for purchasing to be proactive instead of reactive, and explore the seven steps of the purchasing cycle.

Today, we'll discuss lean manufacturing. This topic has an interesting history. It originally came from Henry Ford's operations in the United States in the early 1900s. Japanese industry popularized it in the 1970s, and it was later introduced in the Western world as just-in-time (JIT) during the early 1980s. By the early 1990s, the terms lean production or lean manufacturing began to appear. Few firms use the JIT label these days. So, lean manufacturing it is. We'll discuss its benefits and the various elements of it, starting with good housekeeping (5S) and concluding with quality at the source. After that, we'll close with a discussion on how to implement lean manufacturing.

Someone once called production and inventory control (P & IC) "organized foresight plus corrective hindsight." It begins with receipt of a sales order and ends with delivery to the customer. It requires knowledge of what should happen and what did happen. For many years, P & IC personnel have played a valuable role in completing manufacturing schedules and satisfying customers. So, today, we'll examine the primary duties of P & IC: master production scheduling, shop floor scheduling, production activity control, material requirements planning, and inventory management.

Of all the concepts we've discussed so far, none is more important than capacity. After all, if you don't have sufficient capacity, you won't manufacture much! In this lesson, we'll start out with an overview of capacity and define a few terms, including design and effective capacity, and actual output. We'll explore how rough-cut capacity planning and capacity requirements planning (CRP) help measure available capacity. Then, we'll move on and examine a few capacity-use strategies as they relate to customer demand, technology, and other variables. And we'll finish up by discussing three essential tools to help with capacity management: break-even analysis, decision trees, and decision theory.

Today, we'll begin our three-part discussion on how engineering and manufacturing work together. Manufacturing engineering brings a certain level of sophistication to a production environment. We'll take a tour through the manufacturing engineering function, starting with its history, its relationship with other departments, and its major functions. Then, we'll explore the essential activity of process planning and review the various elements. We'll also examine key manufacturing engineering focus areas including computer-aided process planning (CAPP), value analysis, design for manufacturability (DFM), concurrent engineering (CE), rapid prototyping, and expert systems.

Since we spent the entire last lesson discussing manufacturing engineering, I think it's only fair that we give equal time to our friends in industrial engineering (IE). IE joins people, machines, materials, and information to bring efficiency and effectiveness to a production operation. IE views human beings as a vital component of a system. Today, we'll start out with a brief overview and history of industrial engineering. Next, we'll discuss work measurement and explore ways to develop work standards. We'll determine how earned value performance measurement helps you control costs and performance. Then, we'll wrap things up by looking at flowcharts and examining their benefits.

In this lesson, we'll finish up our trilogy on engineering by tackling quality engineering. Quality engineers are responsible for assuring a high performing, quality system. To achieve this, they need a good understanding of quality costs, Six Sigma, and statistical process control (SPC), including its main components, which are run charts, control charts, and process capability. Today we'll discuss each of these topics.

Manufacturing companies must know the ins and outs of physical transportation (otherwise known as traffic or logistics). Since your company either directly or indirectly pays for transportation, you need a good command of the basics. We'll start out today with an overview of the logistics system and briefly review each element. Then, we'll move on to discuss warehousing and examine many transportation concepts such as tracing, carrier modes and types, and the receiving process.

Our topic for this last lesson is productivity. Quality and productivity form a potent one-two punch for manufacturers. When both are present to the right degree, your chances for success are high. Like quality, the journey for productivity improvement is never-ending. We'll begin with an overview of productivity. We'll look at the basic productivity calculation, talk about historical global productivity trends, and examine the experience curve. Next, we'll look at measurements of productivity and review how quality and human effort affect productivity. Finally, we'll explore the various productivity factors and discuss the elements of a productivity improvement system.

Tony Swaim

Tony Swaim has helped many clients, colleagues, and students reach their professional and personal goals. He has been an online instructor since 1998 and has taught at colleges and universities across the United States since 1981. His focus areas ... Read more

Read Tony Swaim's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Manufacturing Applications you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Ready to get started?

Enrol Now