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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/6042-The-Romantic-Formula.html
Romance/Love: December 11, 2013 Issue [#6042]

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Romance/Love


 This week: The Romantic Formula
  Edited by: StephBee Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

A banner for the Romance/Love newsletter.


Happy Holidays to all! There's something in the air that just imbues the holidays with romance. Maybe because it's the nature of the holidays – all of them inspire hope and good will. What is it about the holidays that make them special for you? Write in and let me know.



Word from our sponsor

ASIN: 1542722411
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99


Letter from the editor

The Formula

Romantics have heard the basic formula before: boy meets girl. Boy gets girl. Boy messes up and wants girl back or boy must brave many challenges to get girl back. Boy wins girl's heart. Boy meeting girl is easy. Boy winning girl's heart is easy. It's the middle of the story which can prove challenging.

That's where using outer conflict to drive inner conflict comes in.

Boy and girl have to "bond" over a mutually shared conflict or problem. Maybe the antagonist stole something the girl wants back and the boy promises to help. Outer conflict, that problem they both must solve, has to bring them together and foster/build mutual trust/respect and honesty.

Inner conflict is what cements the attraction. Girl may find boy a little crass and overbearing and is internally conflicted about her attraction to the boy. Boy may be used to being alone and the surprise of enjoying girl's company may cause internal conflict. Should he give in and kiss her or push her away? The conflict needs to feel real and authentic to the reader.

I'd like to think December is one of the most romantic times of the year. As I mentioned earlier, they imbue hope and good will, and those emotions are contagious. They're infectious. Just thinking that the gift you're getting someone will make him or her smile brightens your heart. That's the magic of the holiday.

Question for you: What's your favorite holiday movie and why?


ASIN: 1456304372
ID #110792
Product Type: Book
Reviewer: StephBee Author Icon
Review Rated: 13+
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Amazon's Price: Price N/A


Editor's Picks

 Three Days Before Christmas Open in new Window. (E)
Something special can happen at Christmas, it is the most wonderful time of the year!
#1834494 by Ms.Writeaway Author IconMail Icon


Unexpected Gift Open in new Window. (13+)
Two friends discover something on Christmas Eve. (1st, Holiday 09 Paradise Cove Challenge)
#1625261 by Morgan Adam Internet Problems! Author IconMail Icon


 The Christmas Present Open in new Window. (13+)
A romantic piece to warm your holidays up! :)
#1050006 by bAbydragon Author IconMail Icon


 Winter Memories Open in new Window. (E)
Christmas celebrations bring back memories of a loved one.
#1041876 by Raine Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#790748 by Not Available.


Mr. Christmas Elf Open in new Window. (E)
Julie gets an elf for Christmas!
#1627117 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon

 
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ASIN: B0CJKJMTPD
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Ask & Answer

Here's some feedback from my 13 NOV 2013 Romance/NL Newsletter:

Elle - on hiatus Author IconMail Icon
Your newsletter spoke about doing research for military romance writing. The "Roots & Wings Group" is happy to help anyone who is trying to research the military history of veterans in their family, and any information about spouses or other romantic interests they might have had. We're not professionals, but we are helpful. *Smile* It's all about sharing knowledge, so if we can help you research what you need to write the romance story of a veteran in your family, just let us know. If you have already written a military romance featuring a veteran from your family, why not enter it into the "Roots & Wings Historical Fiction Contest" ?

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GROUP
Roots & Wings Group Open in new Window. (E)
MB ATTACHED TO THIS GROUP. For those interested in writing their family history/memoir.
#1962411 by 🐕GeminiGem🎁 Author IconMail Icon


Thanks for the head's up. This is a great resource.

SkyHawk - Into The Music Author IconMail Icon
My fav military shows? TV Comedy - M*A*S*H // TV Drama - M*A*S*H later seasons, Battlestar Galactica (SciFi Channel version, not late 70's ABC) // Miniseries - The Winds Of War and War and Remembrance (great books, too) // Movies - Tora! Tora! Tora! (Pearl Harbor attack seen from both sides), Midway, A Soldier's Story, The Great Escape, Run Silent Run Deep, The Longest Day, Saving Private Ryan, A Bridge Too Far, The Battle Of The Bulge, M*A*S*H, The Hunt For Red October, Crimson Tide, Top Gun, Gardens Of Stone (Home front during Vietnam), Men of Honor, Courage Under Fire, The Final Countdown, and I'm sure there are a few others I'm not thinking of at the moment!

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
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#1716253 by Not Available.


I loved M*A*S*H as a young girl and I loved Sci-Fi Channel's Battlestar Galactica. Well written. Winds of War is a personal favorite of mine. Thanks so much for sharing!

jim1184 Author IconMail Icon
Outstanding news letter. This is a topic I a can relate to. I am not a romance writer but I have struggled with most of these issues at one time or another. Thanks for bringing them to light.

You're welcome.

Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
Hunt for Red October is my classic favorite. The movie K-19 is one I can't watch. I saw it in the theater and literally sobbed for over half the movie. If I hadn't been in the top row in the middle I would have left. I just covered my eyes and cried in my popcorn smudged napkins. I felt the pain, the sacrifice and even now I have tears. I can't even make anger outweigh the intense sadness I feel about the situation and the loss of those lives so unnecessary. I also love Guns of Navarrone, Great Escape, Dirty Dozen and Kelly's Heros. My husband loves war movies so I've had to sit through many. Now he likes chick flic's who knew?

Hunt for Red October is one of my favorite movies, too.

Jacqueline Author IconMail Icon
A Officer and a Gentleman

A classic!

Pepper Author IconMail Icon
Favorite war movies? I loved The North and the South, but my all-time favorite is Courage Under Fire. Now, if we are considering military shows in general, I am a huge fan of NCIS—though I have yet to forgive Ziva for leaving!

North and South was one of my favorite mini series. I loved Patrick Swayze in that series. He played a very romantic character.

Momma Lady Author IconMail Icon
I loved Shining Through with Michael Douglas, Melanie Griffith and Liam Neeson. Very romantic and suspenseful. If you don't remember, He was an officer in World War II and she was a secretary with a Jewish heritage who offered to go into Nazi Germany as a spy. It was told as flash backs when they were old, but you still weren't sure how it would all turn out. LOVED IT!

I need to look for it. It sounds like a great movie. I'll check Netflix.

Sum1's In Seattle Author IconMail Icon
There are two war movies that I remember from early childhood. Yes, I saw these at the tender age of 10 or so. "The Sands Of Iwo Jima", and "To Hell And Back." You might guess that early on, and even throughout most of my life, I've idolized John Wayne and Audie Murphy a little bit. (I know you may think I idolize them a log, but it's not that much really, but those two movies made me appreciate them and what they stood for, both in the movies and real life). TV Shows/Mini Series? I'd have to say M*A*S*H. I've always loved a good comedy, and that series helped bring a light-heartedness to something no one should have to experience. A couple of recent movies come to mind, and these really helped me to see how insane a war zone must be. "We Were Soldiers", and "Searching For Private Ryan".

I saw Private Ryan and I enjoyed it very much. I thought they did a great job portraying the setting.

ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy Author IconMail Icon
Thank you for this wonderful newsletter. I too have written a military love story; lgbt service personnel have too many hurdles to jump through, even now in Southern States where their love is hated and hurdles are placed in their ability to have their federal rights granted. Their stories must be told as well. ANN

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#1920526 by Not Available.


A pic of me taken 2 years ago.

StephBee Author IconMail Icon is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. Her last release is "Dark Shadow" a sci-fi romance available as an ebook set in the distant future. Can Helios save the Borealis from a dangerous biological weapon and win Vivian's heart?

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