Not Just "Kissing Books": Writing Romance with Emma Lea

Learn to write Romance with heat, heart, and happy ever afters.

More than just ‘kissing books’, romance novels explore the complex emotional rollercoaster of falling in love, overcoming obstacles, and learning how to love yourself before you can love anyone else (with kissing!). But how do you craft a story with swoony, vulnerable characters, heartfelt emotional narratives, and the all-important and satisfying ‘happily ever after’?

With a blend of practical advice, a touch of fun, and a customisable plan (that even pantsers can use), Emma will guide you through her method for creating a story that captivates readers and gets you to the finish line, all without losing your creative spark.

Learning outcomes

As part of this workshop, you will learn to:

• Understand the core of romance stories

• Use and subvert well-loved romance tropes

• Create characters that feel alive and relatable

• Craft a narrative that weaves heart and humour to take readers on a journey

• Finish with a bang

Format

This is an in-person workshop with a focus on writing craft; it will be held at State Library of Queensland. This workshop is suitable for romance writers of all levels and backgrounds.

About Emma (Michelle Birrell)

Michelle Birrell is an independently published contemporary romance author. Writing under the pen names Emma Lea and Avery Glass, she has published more than 60 books since beginning her career in 2014. She was a finalist for the Romantic Book of the Year in 2020 and 2022 and a finalist for the Romance Writers of Australia short story competition in 2018. Michelle has a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and English and is currently doing a master's degree in creative arts. She lives on the Sunshine Coast with her husband, and in her spare time she binge-watches K-dramas.

For more information about Queensland Writers Centre’s Program of Events and answers to FAQs, please visit: www.queenslandwriters.org.au/program-info