May 25, 2010

Being A Tagalog Romance Writer

Some people think that being a Tagalog romance writer is easy.

Unfortunately, I used to be one of them. When I first tried to write a Tagalog romance novel, I thought: "How hard can it be? Two people fall in love and live happily ever after. The end."

As I plodded along on the first chapter of my romance novel, I realized that writing a Tagalog romance novel is actually VERY DIFFICULT. It's hard to make two characters fall in love, especially if they don't want to. You have to force them to be together and the catch? The characters actually have to like each other or have some sort of connection before they're able to say the three magic words.

Yes, readers expect a happy ending but the characters have to work hard for it. If the characters' conflict wasn't resolved or there was no conflict at all, readers will most likely feel cheated.

Also, there's a long way to go between the first word of your novel and "The End." Aside from the characters, the plot, the conflict, and the ending, finishing your manuscript is the main thing you should worry about. According to Nora Roberts, a bad page is easier to fix than a blank page. I completely agree with her. The same can be said with a rough draft and an unfinished manuscript.

Basically, don't sweat the small stuff. Your manuscript won't be perfect but you can fix it later. It took me eight months to finish my first Tagalog romance novel. It sucked but I was glad it was finished.

I've written more novels, and I think I've improved. At least, I hope so. What are you waiting for? Grab a pen or open a new word document. Get started now.

5 comments :

Anonymous said...

I tried writing romance before you're right the most difficult part is how to make the two characters end up with each other especially if they don't like each other. I haven't tried sending my stories to a publisher but deep down I've experienced what it's like to have a writer's block by just trying to do that part. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you too. I have wrote a novel before which was published by PSICOM Publishing.

It's pretty hard to move two characters together to the peak of this mountain we called "LOVE".

Well, is bookware still publishing novels? I have some here which I wanted to publish again.

Anonymous said...

Tsaka kang bakla ka...inglesera ka pero Tagalog ang nobela mo...kainis ka!!!

Unknown said...

ang problema ko naman ay kung pa'no managalog ng maayos. yung patok sa mga babasa, bisaya man gud ko :). yeah, and the part when you need to piece all the scenes together..yung tipong they'll compliment each other.. heto, nagba-browse na naman to find inspiration.. nauubusan na ako ng kuwento. got any ideas?

Jessica said...

Ako rin maraming problema, 1. grammar, second writer's block pero kapag inspired hala todo bira!!