Kate, the way I am SEATED any time you take us deep into syntax and the art of writing romance. So much of my writing is instinctual and allowing myself to "unlearn" the rules about how sentences "should" be constructed. One of the things I love about writing romance is how many different ways you can write your way to the emotional truth of a story.
I cannot wait for THE PARIS MATCH. It combines my two favorite things: Paris and your beautiful prose.
You are one of my favorite romance writers, and this post highlights all the reasons why. You’re intentional, you care, and you infuse your prose with so much warmth. Can’t wait for the new book!
I love your craft posts so much! Because you are a writer who thinks so carefully about the HOW of what you are writing, its such a treat to get a peek behind the curtain like this.
A whole post about syntax?! I’m in heaven. Accumulation as romantic and interpersonal, instead of material? OH HO HOOOOOOO. I’m dancing. I’m doing a jig. Shingles are falling off local rooftops as a result of my giddy tapping.
Kate, I thought that this post was fantastic in its clarity about details and knowledge, about writing and its impact. Keep writing, both romance and explications on writing.
I am an automatic buyer and can't wait for The Paris Match.
I love this. Your writing embodies your thoughtful approach to language so well. I marvel while I reading, but I don't know how you do it. This gives me some insight! Would love more grammar and syntax along these lines.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and perspective with us. I studied journalism in college and as I transitioned to fiction writing, it was a whole new beast. I love learning from the pros like you. Saving to come back to when I need some added inspo.
Absolutely agree that romance is not only a genre where craft can be appreciated—and not just in “literary fiction” where sometimes it feels like the author is so focused on making the prose beautiful that they lose me on the storytelling—but it’s the perfect space for intentional craft choices like this to highlight the goal of the novel. Love the way you broke this down!
I adore this deep dive into syntax! The craft of writing is something I love learning about, and the precision of your craft is also what draws me so deeply into your own works, so this was lovely to read!
As someone who is also deeply entrenched in non-commodified fandom/fan fic spaces and is....quite exhausted with the constant commodification of every source of creativity in our lives and aspect of our lives, this was particularly resonant:
"In the romances that mean the most to me as a reader, accumulation is a human process, not a market process: it honors what should certainly be the truest and most rewarding project of our lives, and that is to know and love each other, fully and well. Wouldn't it be something revolutionary, if we all thought of accumulation like this?"
Kate, the way I am SEATED any time you take us deep into syntax and the art of writing romance. So much of my writing is instinctual and allowing myself to "unlearn" the rules about how sentences "should" be constructed. One of the things I love about writing romance is how many different ways you can write your way to the emotional truth of a story.
I cannot wait for THE PARIS MATCH. It combines my two favorite things: Paris and your beautiful prose.
Same! Such valuable information and so selfless to share with us.
You are one of my favorite romance writers, and this post highlights all the reasons why. You’re intentional, you care, and you infuse your prose with so much warmth. Can’t wait for the new book!
I was riveted, fascinated and charmed by this analysis. Word nerds unite! Thank you for this, and can’t wait for the new book!
I love your craft posts so much! Because you are a writer who thinks so carefully about the HOW of what you are writing, its such a treat to get a peek behind the curtain like this.
A whole post about syntax?! I’m in heaven. Accumulation as romantic and interpersonal, instead of material? OH HO HOOOOOOO. I’m dancing. I’m doing a jig. Shingles are falling off local rooftops as a result of my giddy tapping.
Kate, I thought that this post was fantastic in its clarity about details and knowledge, about writing and its impact. Keep writing, both romance and explications on writing.
I am an automatic buyer and can't wait for The Paris Match.
I love this. Your writing embodies your thoughtful approach to language so well. I marvel while I reading, but I don't know how you do it. This gives me some insight! Would love more grammar and syntax along these lines.
Wow! Excellent analysis.
Thank you for this! Absolutely obsessed with this breakdown and now thinking about cumulative sentences EVERYWHERE.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and perspective with us. I studied journalism in college and as I transitioned to fiction writing, it was a whole new beast. I love learning from the pros like you. Saving to come back to when I need some added inspo.
I love your close reading of romance mission 💕💕💕💕
Absolutely agree that romance is not only a genre where craft can be appreciated—and not just in “literary fiction” where sometimes it feels like the author is so focused on making the prose beautiful that they lose me on the storytelling—but it’s the perfect space for intentional craft choices like this to highlight the goal of the novel. Love the way you broke this down!
This is just so good! Not me adding cumulative fragments to my manuscript 🧾🧾
I adore this deep dive into syntax! The craft of writing is something I love learning about, and the precision of your craft is also what draws me so deeply into your own works, so this was lovely to read!
As someone who is also deeply entrenched in non-commodified fandom/fan fic spaces and is....quite exhausted with the constant commodification of every source of creativity in our lives and aspect of our lives, this was particularly resonant:
"In the romances that mean the most to me as a reader, accumulation is a human process, not a market process: it honors what should certainly be the truest and most rewarding project of our lives, and that is to know and love each other, fully and well. Wouldn't it be something revolutionary, if we all thought of accumulation like this?"
I absolutely loved this deep dive into sentence structure. I'm amazed at the difference a comma can make!
What a wonderful post. What a wonderful analysis! Thank you so much ❤️