How are invisible misogyny and involuntary patriarchy woven into popular narratives? This introductory workshop explores the concept of the male gaze and its subtle yet powerful influence on storytelling. Examine how the unconscious normalization of patriarchal viewpoints shapes the way we portray gender, and introduce the female gaze—not as a binary inverse, but as a more encompassing practical, transformative alternative. Explore examples of popular narratives that have been able to break away from patriarchal norms, by crafting more nuanced and even unlikable female characters, portray positive masculinity, and develop stories that are authentic, inclusive, and reflective of a wider range of human experience. This workshop will help writers start thinking more critically about gender depictions in media, empowering participants to craft stories that challenge entrenched norms and embrace more inclusive, authentic perspectives.

Join us for the GSRW Writer Book Club! We’ll be discussing "Dear Writer, You Need to Quit" by Becca Syme.

No need to worry if you can’t read the whole book beforehand — or any of it (life does get busy) — come join the Writer Book Club discussion anyway, so you can listen in and ask questions.

And remember to check your local library and that you can request books not already in their catalog.

Why do you really want publicity for your book? Is it to sell books or to be read? Or maybe something else? Coverage from something like "The Today Show" may sound great, but sometimes being in the local paper can sell more copies. PR — like any form of marketing — should come down to goals. So what's yours? For self-published or small press authors, sometimes publicity needs to attract an agent for the next book. Everybody's reasons are different, so their approaches to PR should be too. Together we'll help you articulate the reasons you want to promote your title and pinpoint easy steps to take accordingly.

Just as characters need a goal to drive their story forward, us writers need a plan to focus our creative efforts. From drafting and revision to publication and beyond, writing is complex and setting realistic targets can be complicated and highly personal. A good writing goal isn't just S.M.A.R.T., it's tailored to your specific process so you're less likely to get overwhelmed or discouraged. From motivational tracking tools to long-term project planning, this Zoom workshop will cover strategies not only for getting through your current project, but also building your writing career book by book. 

Writing Like a Poet and Flash Fiction Writer” is a workshop designed to help participants see creation and revision through the eyes of shorter form writers. Techniques that poets and flash fiction writers use to generate new work can help people who write longer forms to develop their work as well, especially when you’re stuck in a paragraph or the middle of the chapter. The revision of shorter forms create their own magic as well. This presentation will help you to resee the entire creation and revision process.

Join us for a presentation by Nadia Salem on the heroine’s journey.

Join us for a holiday lunch and write-in. Members and non-members alike are welcome!

Join us for our virtual Writer Book Club. We’ll be discussing Tiffany Yates Martin’s Intuitive Editing.

Join us for an online panel with current and past members about their various paths to getting published.

Join us in Half Moon Bay on September 20th for an all-day workshop retreat with Jen Graybeal.

Detailed agenda and presentation descriptions to come.

Optional Friday dinner with our presenter.

POV/Multiple Narrative Structures for Romance: Want to infuse your romance novel with more emotions, surprises, and fresh storytelling? This craft-focused session dives into how point of view and narrative structure (dual POV, alternating chapters, or even unexpected voices) can deepen emotional stakes, build tension, and take your love story to the next level. The session will summarize the pros and cons of first-person vs. third-person, the enticement of dual POVs, a romance reader favorite, and how formats like alternating timelines can add extra spark. Whether you're writing a swoony slow burn or a high-stakes second-chance romance, the goal is to give you some fresh insights to telling your story in the most powerful way.

Join us for the GSRW Writer Book Club! It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a romance writer must be in want of a fresh twist on their story’s tropes — to that end, we’ll be discussing The Trope Thesaurus: Romance by Jennifer Hilt, part of her Trope Thesaurus series of books for writers.
With “over sixty romance tropes definitions, examples, and suggestions for using tropes” and some deeper dives into ten of the most popular romance sub-genres, The Trope Thesaurus: Romance is sure to provide plenty of insights for discussion!
No need to worry if you can’t read the whole book beforehand — or any of it (life does get busy) — come join the Writer Book Club discussion anyway, so you can listen in and ask questions.
And remember to check your local library, and that you can request books not already in their catalogue.

Millennials are the largest generation in the US. Find out how they’re defined and insights that can help you write Millennial characters. This session is for you if you’ve ever wondered what events have shaped this cohort, how they’re affected by the weight of college debt, how they’re the most technologically-dependent and diverse generation, and how they’re still fighting the “me, me, me” stereotype. Come to this hands-on workshop to discover insights to help you write authentic characters from this important generation.

Kishōtenketsu is a 4-act no-conflict necessary story structure commonly used in East Asian storytelling. It is often associated with stories where "nothing happens." However, this is a misconception, as its focus lies on development and change rather than external conflict.

Come learn why Kishōtenketsu is compelling even though it breaks many of the “rules” we’re told stories must have. You’ll also learn how to create a commercially viable story in today’s romance genre using kishōtenketsu.

This is guaranteed to be another fascinating presentation by the knowledgeable Amy Z. Chan! Be sure to join us!

Do you feel like you have too much to do, and not enough time? Do you wonder how you’re going to manage writing, and marketing, and all the other things (family, job, etc.) that need attention? Are you feeling stressed, stuck, or overwhelmed?
As a neurodivergent writer, routines are hard to stick with, but they’re also the only thing that keeps me on track and moving forward. If you’ve found yourself stuck, if you’d like to be more productive, or have a more sustainable, balanced writing life, this workshop can help you explore:
• how you work
• what actually works for you
• and how to create systems/processes that are simple and effective!

In this presentation, Jenna breaks down how to craft romantic chemistry between your characters as well as the appropriate plot beats necessary for getting readers invested in the “ship."

Jenna Moreci is a bestselling dark fantasy romance and writing craft author as well as a YouTube sensation with hundreds of thousands of subscribers. Her first installment in The Savior’s Series, The Savior’s Champion, was voted one of the Best Books of All Time by Book Depository.

Born and raised in Silicon Valley, Jenna spends her free time snuggling up with her charming husband and their tiny dog, Buttercup.

Join us in January to set your 2025 writing goals, and get the new year off to the “write” start!

Join your fellow romance writers on GSRW’s Discord Channel for our online holiday party!

We’ll meet on Friday, December 13th from 6:30-8:00PM. Drop in anytime!

Here are some tips for setting up your Discord account:

Click here for information on how to get started on Discord

Click here for information on how to join a Discord server.

Have questions? Contact our President at president.gsrw@gmail.com or our Programs VP at programs.gsrw@gmail.com

Join us for a Holiday lunch on Saturday, December 7.

Celebrate the close of the year and the coming new one with your fellow romance writers (And if you’re not feeling celebratory, that’s ok. The bah-humbug spirit is welcome too.)

We’ll meet at Urban Plates in Sunnyvale at 12:30.

If you’d like to have a writing session after lunch, bring your laptops and headphones and we’ll get down to work one last time in 2024.

This lunch will be in place of our regular monthly meeting.

DETAILS:

Urban Plates

300 W McKinley Ave

Sunnyvale, CA 94086

There’s a parking garage attached at the back of the building.

This month, GSRW is hosting our first Writers Book Club! We’ll be discussing our thoughts and insights gleaned from Lisa Cron’s Wired for Story. This is one of the most-recommended craft books for writers, on how the human brain is hardwired for story — and how we, as authors, can tap into these “cognitive secrets” to write unputdownable stories! Written in an authoritative but conversational tone, Wired for Story is both well-researched and easy to read. Truly one of the best craft books for writers!

No worries if you can’t read the whole book beforehand, you’ll still have plenty to contribute to the conversation. And if you can’t manage to read it at all (November is rather busy), then come anyway so you can ask us questions. Remember you can check your local library, and if they don’t have the book you want, you can request it.

Being a writer can be scary, but sharing our fears, talking about them, helps make them less daunting. This month, a panel of GSRW members will talk about what parts of writing and being a writer scares them, and how they deal with those fears.

Here’s something no one tells you: survival (and also success) as a writer has little to do with talent or technique, it’s all about mindset and attitude. The most effective way to up your game is to understand yourself more fully, both in relation to your work and within the context of your real life. Whether you want to pursue a career in writing or you just want to strengthen your creative muscles, the key is honoring both your creative heart and your creative mind.

In this talk, Gabriela debunks some major myths about creativity, shares key mindset shifts that will help you get past blocks and get back to writing, and walks you through an essential technique that will change your creative process forever. You’ll leave this session energized and inspired, but also with the tools and techniques you can apply to your creative work right away.

Stepping into the realm of professional speaking can significantly enhance an author's career. It opens up new avenues for direct and indirect income and allows you to forge deeper connections with your audience. It's also a chance to network with peers and contribute to the collective growth of the author community. To excel as an author speaker, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of your own objectives and the expectations of event organizers. Whether you're delivering presentations, participating in panels, leading workshops, or doing readings, each format requires a specific approach and an understanding of best practices. By the end of the session with Matty, you'll have a solid foundation and a practical action plan to confidently embark on your journey as an author speaker, equipped to inspire, engage, and connect with your audience in meaningful ways.

Step into the spotlight with confidence and finesse! Introducing “Media Maven: Book TV, Podcast, and Media Interviews to Expand Your Author Brand” – the workshop designed for authors ready to expand beyond social media to explore TV, podcasts and more.

Are you an author interested in sharing your story, insights, and expertise with a wider audience? Consider the power of TV, radio, magazines and podcasts to reach your audience. Led by a marketing professional, this workshop provides you with the practical knowledge and tools to build your media presence.

In this immersive workshop, you’ll learn how to craft compelling pitches that captivate producers and hosts, and prepare for your on-camera presence. You’ll be empowered to shine brightly in any media spotlight!

But the Media Maven workshop goes beyond just landing interviews – it’s about building a lasting brand. Dive into strategies for leveraging media appearances to grow your audience and awareness, and live your brand.

Our very own Golden State Romance Writers President will share the ins and outs of self-publishing your romance novel.

Starting your querying journey can feel daunting, but I will share tips and tricks to create a strong, concise query that will engage an agent's attention over others in their inbox. This presentation will cover content including what to know before you query, how to write an effective query, and what mistakes to avoid when querying.

Photo of presenter is by Justine Cooper

Join indie author turned website designer Pauline Wiles for this discussion of how your author website can earn its keep as the cornerstone of your online marketing, including working hard for you while you’re busy writing, resting, or simply living your life. In this technology-independent session, you will learn practical tips for: ~ Why the best author websites start with clarity on your goals ~ The most important things to place on your author website, and where ~ Avoiding pitfalls: common website mistakes that authors make ~ Whether or not blogging is dead! ~ Easy design hacks to make your website - and books - look amazing

Is there anything more thrilling for the creative soul than starting a shiny new story? That sexy little minx seduces you effortlessly, promising you a dazzling future, and in the heady flush of new love it feels as if this perfect communion between you will never end. And then comes the middle of the book. But when things get tough, that doesn’t mean the story isn’t worth fighting for. Figuring out the problem and propping up the sag can often add even more depth and dimension. When a manuscript loses its momentum, generally the issue is one of several culprits: · The plot has lost its cohesion · The characters aren’t progressing on their arcs · The story stakes have deflated · Tension and suspense have lagged This presentation and workshop will show authors how to spot what may be derailing their story, and specific, actionable ways to get things back on track.

The people who populate your stories have a past, and that past dictates, or at the very least informs, their actions. Sharing backstory is tricky, though. Share too much information, or share it before readers care about your characters, and your readers will likely lose interest. To write a page-turner, every sentence must propel the story forward via incident or character interactions, and backstory takes us out of the action, slowing the pace. To reveal backstory effectively, you need to first assess which aspects should be revealed. Then you need to determine how best to share that information.You’ll hear plenty of examples so that you will leave the webinar with actionable ideas your can put to work immediately in your own writing.

The people who populate your stories have a past, and that past dictates, or at the very least informs, their actions. Sharing backstory is tricky, though. Share too much information, or share it before readers care about your characters, and your readers will likely lose interest. To write a page-turner, every sentence must propel the story forward via incident or character interactions, and backstory takes us out of the action, slowing the pace. To reveal backstory effectively, you need to first assess which aspects should be revealed. Then you need to determine how best to share that information.You’ll hear plenty of examples so that you will leave the webinar with actionable ideas your can put to work immediately in your own writing.