The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Erotic Romance Paperback – September 5, 2006

I tend to take notes when I'm reading a book like this, on the craft of writing. I can refer back to my notes quickly when I need reminding or have a question. Because of this I tend to read these "How To" books a little differently than a casual reader. During this process (the reading and note taking) I have fought the urge to hit my head on a wall repeatedly. The author repeats the same assertions again and again in six different ways without shining any new light on the subjects. What's worse, the subjects are repeated in six different chapters, and again, nothing new is said. There's a section on the basics of how to write fiction. Which should have been left to a book on beginners fiction writing and not something I feel is beyond the basics. This is a book on how to think about having your characters think of safe sex. I was disappointed that there are no discussions on the stages of romance, or how a couple can get from first sight to intimacy. Nothing along those lines, except a referral to another book. Grrr. I realize its an entry level book to the topic. All "Complete Idiot..." books are. But this entry level is to the level of banality. I would not buy this book again. I'd rent it from a library, borrow it from a friend, or more realistically I'd skip it all together. There's nothing here that you couldn't find online or figure out yourself using common sense. Unfortunate really.

If you are truly an idiot about writing in general and romance in particular, this book is for you. In it, you will find lots and lots of generalized statements about writing, all of which are true, but none of which are specific, detail-driven, or anything you can't find for free on the internet. More than half of the book is about either basic fiction writing skills or basic romance writing skills. Very little is specific to erotic romance, and what little there is, is frustratingly vague.You can get everything you need to know about what Kent is saying from the headings, because though she blathers on in prose for a paragraph or two beneath each, she always concludes with, "Well, you could do this or you could do that, whatever works for you!" In a guide to writing, I expect specific examples and steps to complete a task. I have the option, as a reader, not to follow the writer's advice, but I paid to get advice, and I'd like some, please.Overall, Kent is really just writing "about" erotic romance, not telling one "how to write" erotic romance. She makes generalizations and goes into various descriptions, but doesn't break down anything step by step. If you'd like good, solid, specific advice on that, I'd recommend Morgan Hawke's website or Emma Holly's. (That was galling too. She kept pointing you to other books and resources to check out, but never telling you ANYTHING specific about what to do.)In the end, not worth the $14, but I can't say it was money wasted if it helps to support Kent's writing career. I hope she's getting some good royalty payments for this. Anything an author can do to keep herself making a living is something I'm all for! (But, Ms. Kent, may I recommend you stick to writing fiction, as teaching is not your forte.)

This manual is great and likely different from some of the other how-to manuals on the subject of romance fiction that you might have already read.Kent spends a great deal of time dissecting what makes erotic romance fiction different from romance fiction. Detailing the distinction between genres/subgenres is what makes this guide different. I also really appreciate the insightful guidance about how to write in Deep Third Person Point of View. Also, Kent solicits and includes relevant and helpful feedback and advice from many prominent authors in the erotic romance genre.This is a great book for beginning writers but I have read a great many published books whose authors should pick up a copy too.

Does exactly what it says on the cover. I wasn't sure if writing romance was for me, so I bought this, figuring I would help me work out whether I could manage this or not. Haven't read any other books on the subject. But after reading this I feel like I have a decent enough grasp of the requirements to at least make a start. Probably I'll want more information later, if I go on. But that's what an idiot's guide is, i suppose. A primer. At least as far as that goes, this is a good introduction to writing erotic romance.

This book could have been better but it was good. I read it in one night and then looked over it a few times. It never talks about e publishing nor self publishing. And sometimes the chapters seem in the wrong order. It has good information. Sometimes it seems like she is saying the same thing over and over again.. It talk also about how to handle people who dislike erotic. Good book.. all together

Solid, clear discussion of what it takes to get readers involved in your story, chopped up in easy-to-digest bites of writing wisdom. Dozens of clear ideas on how to make your story characters jump off the page and into the mind along with a plot that keeps you tagging along way past your bedtime.. A good deal more than merely "Hot tips for writing in this sexy new subgenre!" But on-the-money with that, too.

This was and still is very helpful in my writing. It has tons of great advice and helpful hints. It will just be up to you to implement them. The only thing i found it lacking is how to get published section, but i guess that will be another book. Good Luck to those who are seeking this endeavor :)

This book goes beyond erotic romance and is, I think, a gem for anyone who wants to write romance of any sort. The exercises are great. Most of the topics worth thinking about even if your stories never gets beyond the bedroom door. It's all about the TENSION.I got a lot out of it, but I wish this book had been around a few years ago when I was a newbie writer.

Are you a budding Author in Romance, maybe even Erotic Romance? Then this is the book for you, and before you think it, no-one's saying you're a complete idiot, no-one's saying you're an idiot-full stop. This is one of those gems you should add to your book collection, in the climb to perfecting your desired genre.