COMM70013
Writing Romance Fiction		 Sheridan
 
  I: Administrative Information   II: Course Details   III: Topical Outline(s)  Printable Version
 

Land Acknowledgement

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Section I: Administrative Information
  Total hours: 45.0
Credit Value: 3.0
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Fall 2017
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: N/A
Equivalents: N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: N/A

Program(s): Creative Writing
Program Coordinator(s): N/A
Course Leader or Contact: N/A
Version: 20170905_00
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: This is a Mohawk College course that is offered through Sheridan FCAPS. Students who register for the course through Sheridan will receive credit from Sheridan College only. Access to the course materials will be through OntarioLearn.com.
 
 
Section II: Course Details

Detailed Description
Are you a romantic at heart? Explore the art and craft of writing for the romance fiction market. Through examples and exercises, develop skills for creating plots, wonderful settings, real characters, and satisfying romances. Use structure and plot, setting, dialogue, scenes, pacing and emotions to hook your reader. Participants will be encouraged to prepare their work for publication in this unique and exciting field. Participate in individual and group projects, prepare a synopsis of a romance novel for evaluation, and make a presentation on a romance novel from a writer's point of view.

Program Context

 
Creative Writing Program Coordinator(s): N/A
N/A


Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

  Critical Performance:
N/A
 
Learning Outcomes:

To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Discuss the field of romance writing in broad terms as well as more specifically, including the many subgenres that now exist - students should have a good grasp of the possibilities.
  2. Develop an understanding of their readers through research - a look at the reading public for romance fiction.
  3. Research publishing opportunities to gain a better understanding of the market - look at some publishers that specialize in the field
  4. Identify the elements of romance fiction in broad terms
  5. Examine the plot, including a more detailed look at subgenres - to develop a better understanding of how to tailor their pieces of various markets
  6. Study character creation in general, then specifically the female & male leads to create the kinds of characters required in this field
  7. Examine subplots and peripheral characters to construct an engrossing, multi dimensional plot
  8. Create settings that add to the plot

Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

 Evaluation Plan: ONLINE
 Assignments50.0%
 Final Assignment40.0%
 Online log10.0%
Total100.0%

Evaluation Notes and Academic Missed Work Procedure:
N/A

Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Colleges and Universities requirements:

 

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) - Office of the Registrar
Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement of the course learning outcomes through previous relevant work/life experience, service, self-study and training on the job. This course is eligible for challenge through the following method(s):

  • Other
    Notes:  This course is delivered through OntarioLearn at ontariolearn.com and is hosted by (Mohawk College) MO-COMMLLT04.
 
 
Section III: Topical Outline
Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Instruction Mode: Online
Professor: Multiple Professors
Resource(s):
 TypeDescription
OptionalTextbookOn writing romance: How to Craft Novel that Sells, Leigh Michaels, Writers Digest Books, ISBN 9781582974361, (Suggested text Optional)

Applicable student group(s): All
Course Details:

Module 1: An overview of Romance Writing

  • Discuss some of the background, history, and variety of romance fiction and the opportunities it presents for writers


Module 2: The business of Romance Writing

  • Describe how to prepare a manuscript for submission to an editor.
  • Describe the business side of writing and publishing in the romance fiction field


Module 3: The importance of the synopsis

  • Describe the purpose of a Synopsis and how it is prepared. 
  • Write a Synopsis suitable for submission to a publisher


Module 4: The elements of Romance Writing

  • Discuss the unique requirements of plotting for Structure and Plot romance fiction.
  • Discuss the basic and complex structures of romance fiction.
  • Setting
  • Character
  • Describe how characters are created, developed, and allowed to grow and change.
  • Dialogue
  • Discuss the significance of setting in romance fiction.
  • Discuss dialogue in fiction and how to use it.
  • Scenes
  • Describe the structure of scenes and how the work to control and move the Story.
  • Write an effective scene.
  • Pacing and Emotions
  • Discuss how tension (sexual and non-sexual) works in developing the story and involving the reader.

Sheridan Policies

It is recommended that students read the following policies in relation to course outlines:

  • Academic Integrity
  • Copyright
  • Intellectual Property
  • Respectful Behaviour
  • Accessible Learning
All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.

Appropriate use of generative Artificial Intelligence tools: In alignment with Sheridan's Academic Integrity Policy, students should consult with their professors and/or refer to evaluation instructions regarding the appropriate use, or prohibition, of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for coursework. Turnitin AI detection software may be used by faculty members to screen assignment submissions or exams for unauthorized use of artificial intelligence.

Course Outline Changes: The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.
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