There are a few reasons that writers often hesitate to write emotion. For one, it limits the reader’s ability to project their own emotions onto the character’s experience. Another reason is that many writers fear thoughts and circumstances that bring about feelings of hate, shame, guilt, terror, deep sadness, and dread. And a third reason is that many writers do not want to cross the line from emotional expression into melodrama. There is a common confusion that strong emoti

“Good characters are why most people read, I think.” -Joe Bunting, best-selling American writer What is a character arc? A character arc is different from a story arc, which is the framework of a story. A character arc is a series of events that build that character. Through these events, readers glimpse the character’s inner battles and witness the growth those challenges inspire. The character goes through a journey—physical, emotional, or spiritual—and grows through it. Wh

Any Girl But You  by Dana Hawkins is a meet-cute sapphic romance set during the holiday season in a small town in Minnesota. The story follows Quinn Lee, a New York executive assistant who decides to sink her life savings into her family’s failing Christmas tree farm, and Zoey, a soft-hearted baker who is unprepared for the opinionated Quinn when they encounter one another in Zoey’s shop. As their respective businesses face challenges as the holidays approach, the two women f

As a lesbian, sapphic stories hold a special place in my heart. I want to read stories that represent my experiences as a woman who loves other women. It is important for these experiences to be depicted with authenticity. When I say authenticity, I don’t mean perfection or rigid representation. I mean stories that resonate with emotional truth and feature characters that are realistic and believable. Sapphic romance has evolved. Readers now crave layered, lived-in portrayals

Understanding the Role of a Beta Reader As a beta reader, my role is crucial. I provide insights that help authors refine their stories. This process is essential for creating a book that resonates with its audience. My feedback focuses on emotional connections, character development, and plot coherence. Mistake 1: Inconsistent Characterization When characters act outside of their established traits, this raises red flags in readers. Why? Readers need to believe in the charac

Continuity is vital in most narratives, but it holds particular significance in love stories. Readers expect that details from one scene carry over to the next. This consistency allows for a seamless flow of events that often goes unnoticed. However, sudden changes—like a character's eye color or an unexpected shift in the love interest's location—can disrupt the reader's experience. Such hiccups can harm the believability of the love story. What is Continuity in a Romance No

Whether I’m proofreading a novel between a heterosexual couple or beta reading a manuscript that features women loving women, I’m always...

Authentic Representation of Queer Characters Are the sapphic characters written with depth and individuality? Do they have their own...

I enjoy dissecting a story, exploring the characters, and discussing what happened. That's why I became a beta reader. So, I also write...

Book Lovers by T.B Markinson and Miranda MacLeod is a sapphic friends-to-lovers romance that started off a little slow but eventually...

I enjoy dissecting a story, exploring the characters, and discussing what happened. That's why I became a beta reader. So, I also write...

I recently revisited The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in audiobook format, and the production quality elevated an already gripping...

What is Conflict? Merriam-Webster defines conflict as clash, competition, or mutual interference of opposing or incompatible forces or...

Archetypes are templates or prototypes that can be used to design a character. They can be used as a base from which to build a...

One of the most vital elements of any romantasy story is its setting. Fantasy readers crave worlds that are rich, immersive, and full of...

What’s the difference between editing and proofreading? I’m here to shine a little light on the subject! What is Editing? Merriam-Webster...

You may be asking yourself, “What’s the difference between a beta reader and an editor?” Well, I’m here to explain the distinction. What...

What is an ARC Reader? ARC stands for Advanced Review Copy, and ARC readers are unpaid contributors who affect the reputation of a book....

Pretend to Be My Cowboy by Sophia Quinn   is a sweet/clean romance with Christian undertones. Emma O’Sullivan is a kindergarten teacher...

Not a Sparrow Falls  by Lynnette Bonner is a historic Christian romance novel. When Charlotte gets her heart broken, she responds to an...