• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
Women's Fiction Writers Banner
  • Home
  • About Amy Sue Nathan
  • About WFW
  • Amy’s Books
    • The Glass Wives
    • The Good Neighbor
    • Left To Chance
  • Amy the Writing Coach & Editor
You are here: Home / Opinion / The Three P's of Writing Women's Fiction

The Three P's of Writing Women's Fiction

July 25, 2011 Leave a Comment

Sunday night I watched The Glee Project with my daughter. In the show, talented twenty-somethings compete for seven guest spots on GLEE.  In each episode a regular cast member gives the contestants advice and a challenge.

In this episode, the cast member, Max Adler, who plays Kurofsky, told the hopefuls they needed three things to make it in this (show) business.

Passion. Persistence. Patience.

I said, “OOOH, I’m writing that down.”  And I did.  (Who says television isn’t a teaching tool?) And then I thought about how those three P’s apply not to writing in general, not to the pursuit of publishing, but specifically to the writing of women’s fiction as I see it, and as we’ve discussed on Women’s Fiction Writers.

Sometimes it’s the little reminders — a word here, a phrase there, a Post-It note — that make the biggest impact because they take up the least amount of physical and mental space.  (I like to leave as much room as possible for my characters to breathe and grow and dance around. Did I just write that and post it? Yes. Yes, I did.)

PASSION

In women’s fiction the main character’s passion for her personal journey must supersede her passion for discovering or keeping a romantic partner. The passion is for making it on her own — with others perhaps along side, but not always.

As a women’s fiction writer, my passion is stories where women are champions of their own lives, and to show readers how my characters get to that point. For me, there’s also a passion for writing what some women might be uncomfortable admitting is true for them or someone they know.  Imperfect parenting, snarky retorts, occasional selfishness, ignored red flags, big secrets. Occasional wardrobe lapses.

PERSISTENCE

In women’s fiction the main character may not always be persistent — her journey may take a detour — but someone in the story persists, or the antagonist persists or the situation persists and spurs the main character to action.  This hearkens back to the fact that in every bit of your writing the character must want something — even if it’s a glass of water.  She must persist to make it to The End.

As a women’s fiction writer I’m persistent.  As I dip into my reserve of clichés, I stick to my guns and I dig in my heels and I don’t budge an inch when someone rolls his or her eyes at the genre.  I just keep writing women’s fiction.  Even more so, I keep reading women’s fiction, buying books, doing interviews, joining groups, promoting the cause.  I also persist in communicating what women’s fiction is — and what it is not.

PATIENCE

As a women’s fiction writer I’ve learned to have a lot of patience, not only in the writing, querying and publishing processes but in learning that being part of a women’s fiction community can be an uphill battle.  It’s not this, it’s not that, we like you, we don’t, we want you here, now get away. Sometimes I only realize I’m at the top of the the hill when I stop and look around.  And by “at the top” I don’t mean with a book deal or bestseller, I just mean — I’m at the best part of my writing career for me at this particular moment.  I am where I need to be.  I can’t be further along because, well, I’m just not farther along. I can’t go backwards because, well, that’s plain ridiculous.  I’m patient because the alternative is not to be patient, which accomplishes nothing.  I don’t twiddle my thumbs.  I write and revise my novels. I read, read, read. I learn about craft.  I communicate with my agent.  I write and publish short stories.  I do not get perturbed or panicked too often.  I’ve also learned patience when it comes to fielding questions from folks who want to ask “Why choose patience when you can choose self-publishing?”  I’m patient as I watch the industry change and as I figure out how it all impacts the books I want to write.

And I believe that because of this patience, I can be even more persistent when focusing on my own passion — my journey as a women’s fiction author.

Are you passionate, persistent and patient? How does it relate to your women’s fiction writing? 

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Filed Under: Opinion, Women's Fiction, Writing

Previous Post: « Author Claire Cook Talks About Ignoring Negativity and Living in Her Books
Next Post: Guest Post by Author Wendy Wax: "Women's Fiction is Packed with Facts" »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anne R. Allen says

    July 26, 2011 at 12:25 am

    Great description of Women’s Fiction . Will RT!

    Reply
    • Women's Fiction Writer says

      July 26, 2011 at 6:48 am

      Thanks, Anne! 🙂

      Reply
  2. April says

    July 26, 2011 at 6:16 am

    TV is definitely a learning tool. The more I read, and the more I write, the more I can watch a television show and not appreciate it just superficially. I look past the possible bad (or good) acting, the physical characteristics of the actors, and even the script and deeper into the themes. I wonder about the mind of the creator and admire how the writers can pull together a long story and string it out over a series of mini-stories that still captivate the audience.

    But okay, your post is about passion, persistance and patience. Those are heavy words but so true to women’s fiction. Not only to the characters about which we write but to us as women’s fiction authors. Great post!

    PS – I am a Gleek myself. *turns red*

    Reply
    • Women's Fiction Writer says

      July 26, 2011 at 6:50 am

      Hi fellow Gleek — I mean, April…

      I definitely agree that watched the right way, we can learn a lot more from TV than just Broadway tunes!! You’re right!!

      🙂
      Amy

      Reply
  3. dlwebb says

    July 26, 2011 at 6:54 am

    Great minds and all that. I wrote something over a year ago about “The 3 P’s of Publishing.” Mine were “patience,” “perseverance” and “perspective.” “Passion” is a great addition to the list. And I now think that patience, perseverance and perspective are only possible if you have passion about what you do. And a dash of OCD tendencies when it comes to language doesn’t hurt either.

    And about TV? i have a notebook next to me on the sofa at all times. You never know when television characters are going to dispense golden nuggets.

    Another good one, Amy.

    Reply
    • Women's Fiction Writer says

      July 26, 2011 at 9:09 am

      I like the addition of “perspective”, Densie.

      I was also thinking that “persnickety” could be added as well!!

      🙂
      Amy

      Reply
  4. Nicole Basaraba says

    July 26, 2011 at 8:11 am

    Great post! I’m happy to know I’ve got passion and persistence. Might have too work on the patience. Having a full-time job and then feeling guilty if I don’t write after a long day shouldn’t be the case. If I miss a day its ok as long as I get back to it the next day or don’t miss too many days in between. I should be more patient and not try to rush to finish my first manuscript.

    Reply
    • Women's Fiction Writer says

      July 26, 2011 at 9:10 am

      Hi Nicole,

      Depending on how you approach it, I think it could be ok to rush through a first draft. What you never want to rush through are revisions!! (you know, the second, third, fourth and fifth draft!)

      🙂
      Amy

      Reply
  5. PJ Kaiser says

    July 26, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    Great post, Amy – I love your perspective on this. I’m struggling a bit with patience but I’ve got the other 2 in spades 😉 it comes back to forcing myself to be patient with myself … I can’t learn everything and do everything overnight but I certainly want to. That makes for some frustration. Is there a “womensfic” hashtag on twitter? Well, there is now because I just used it 😉

    Reply
    • Women's Fiction Writer says

      July 26, 2011 at 2:30 pm

      Love the hastag, PJ!

      Reply
  6. Tina Forkner says

    July 26, 2011 at 4:42 pm

    Like Nicole, I might have to work on the patience part, but i have the other two for sure. Love this explanation of what we need to write Women’s Fiction. All true, Amy!

    Reply
    • Women's Fiction Writer says

      July 26, 2011 at 8:01 pm

      Hi Tina,
      Sometimes I think I just don’t have the energy to be impatient. Does that makes sense? I do wonder, at times, if I’m complacent – but that would mean not caring and that’s not it at all. I guess I’m just good at waiting. I have done quite a bit of it in my life!!

      Hugs,
      Amy

      Reply
  7. Patricia Yager Delagrange says

    July 26, 2011 at 8:50 pm

    Passion – yep. Persistence – yep. Patience – yep. I can really relate to what you’re saying. I have only been in this game for two years now, but I’ve already learned those three things. I LOVE to write. I refuse to give up although I could paper my whole house with my rejection letters. And I’m willing to wait for however long it takes until my books get published (in whatever form that is). Thanks for a great post.
    Patti

    Reply
    • Women's Fiction Writer says

      July 26, 2011 at 8:57 pm

      Quite the checklist, right Patti?

      I think persistence and passion go together like pb & j. The patience is like the bread. You don’t need it, but it makes the whole thing a little easier to swallow.

      🙂
      Amy

      Reply
  8. Sheila Seabrook says

    July 27, 2011 at 9:41 am

    I’ve found persistence is the P most often missing from my writing life. It’s easy to be complacent, as you said in the above comment. It’s far more difficult to be persistent. Hanging out at places like the WF-RWA loop or on blogs like yours are great for strengthening my persistence.

    Thanks for a great blog, Amy!

    Reply
    • Women's Fiction Writer says

      July 27, 2011 at 6:47 pm

      Persistence slips, that’s for sure. Just don’t let it go for too long!!!

      🙂
      Amy

      Reply
  9. sharlalovelace says

    July 27, 2011 at 11:10 am

    Excellent insight, Amy!

    And so true. Those of us who have plugging along in this business for years on the unpubbed, unagented side of the door fight these P’s daily. It’s a struggle, and it’s only the love of the craft that get us through. My ultimate payoff only came 5 months ago…I’ve been writing seriously since 2001 (10 yrs!)and just this year in February did I finally hit the prize. And that came from the patience of researching the true agent I wanted, after months of querying and then sitting down with the passion and persistence P’s and revising heartily. Then I targeted just her. And it worked. After querying for years, I did it right, and got an agent within five days of the query. And because I’d been so passionate with the revisions…I got the book deal with a major house exactly 2 months later. Those three P’s work if you wrap your heart and soul around them. Never give up, ladies…don’t sell yourself out. Believe in your passion and it will return the favor.

    Reply
    • Women's Fiction Writer says

      July 27, 2011 at 6:47 pm

      You’re the proof, Sharla! (yet another “P”)

      🙂
      Amy

      Reply
  10. Julia Munroe Martin says

    July 27, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    I LOVE the three P’s! I don’t watch Glee (in fact I don’t watch TV, we got rid of cable) so I never would have heard of them, so thank you! I’m definitely passionate and patient…. it’s the persistence I really need to work on. Do you think re-subscribing to cable would help me find out how to become more persistent?

    Reply
    • Women's Fiction Writer says

      July 27, 2011 at 6:46 pm

      GLEE is on Fox, Julia. Any ol’ TV at all. Or Hulu, I think.

      😉
      Amy

      Reply
  11. Pam Asberry says

    August 2, 2011 at 3:53 pm

    I needed this blog post today, Elizabeth. I have been steered off the path of writing women’s fiction by agents who have prodded me to change my story to a romance, but thank goodness I am back on track. You explained very clearly the difference. Thank you.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to dlwebb Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Get Updates by Email

Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email.

Award-winning 2015-2018

Search for a post

Posts by Topic

Secondary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

My Novels





Copyright © 2021 · Women's Fiction Writers Blog

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.