The local chapter of the Romance Writers of America met to network and discuss the romantic fiction industry. The group welcomes writers of all genres and provides support and industry connections to help members advance their careers. At a recent meeting, the group hosted Karen Rose, an internationally known suspense writer who discussed creating memorable villains. Rose has found success as a novelist after years of other careers, showing writing can be pursued full-time later in life. The Romance Writers of America group aims to mentor writers and provide educational workshops and conventions.

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ffi&Locol oroup of writers mee-t to network ond--iJ[t-o6oirt
tM romonlic fiction industry
By AMANDA WATKINS-BRETZ
fi .*-r.ri<inrohr+i)2(ir)iiwrip(.1r.]ilr5.{*ff '!
6WA" members of the local chapter of the
///V//go^ance Writers of America agree that the
U U (Vgroup is about networking. not just romantic
liciioi, and writers ol'all gcnres arc welcome.
"Anyorre can join our group," said Joyce
Henderson, member of the southwest Florida chapter
of Romance Writers of America. In addition to her
fictional work, Henderson also was published as a
journalist before she quit to be a full-time novelist,
Phoro b.,- AMANI)A WATKINS'BRETZ
Above. suspense author Karen Rose signs copies of her lat-
est refease, "You Can't Hide." Rose is an internationally
[nLwn wriier who has won the Romance Writers of America
i{f[iwaro for her fiction' Top right, Sharon Yanish, Linnea
Sinctiiiano Joyce Henderson, all members of the southwest
il^rirra ahanfainf ihA Elomance Writers of America.
and she is one of the founding
members of the group.
Henderson said she writes
Native American romance.
"I used to own horses and
I'm from Texas, so it's Part of
my heritage," Henderson said
of her interest in the genre.
With many distinguished
regardless of their particular genre.
'A lot of peoPle join us to get
into the loop. We have a lot of indus-
try connections and we provide sup-
oort tbr each other.
' "We have a lot of talent and vari-
ety in the grouP and everYone who
has been published tries to mentor
those who aren't," Henderson said.
The grouP gets together one
Saturdav a month to discuss whatev-
.r
"uo"nt
writing projects they may
be working on, and manY times the
meetings center around specific top-
ics or workshops and feature a noted
guest sPeaker. The grouP has an
6vents iommittee. and their goal is
to get two or more workshoPs and
conventions per Year.
A,qz4r ozza/aa/ Ar the *'ort ,"..nt meeting, the
group hosted Karen Rose. an inter-
nationally known suspense wrlter.
Rose has won the Romance Writers
of America RITA award for her fic-
tion. The award is the national soci-
ety's highest honor for excellence in
the romance fiction genre.
The subject of Rose's lecture was ,
creatins memorable and believable
villains'in a work ol fiction.
Rose, like many other novelists,
did not start out her career as a
writer. Rose's background is in
chemical engineering, and she said
she used to do product develoPment
for Proctor and Gamble in Chicago
for many years. Afier working as- a
high school chemistry teacher- for
several years, Rose retired from
teaching to pursuc her writing career
full time.
The move has Paid off, as Rose
just recently finished her seventh book
to be published in four Years.
Th-e writer said most books take
about nine months to write from start to
finish.
"They seem to go in nine month
cycles, iis like having a baby," Rose said
of the creative process.
"l usually just go into my hole and write.
and my family kndrvs not to disturb me during
that time."
Rose said she had just begun making a lot of
suest aDDearances in the last six months or so.
" Fo.^rno.. information or to join the southwest
Florida chapter of the Romance Writers of America,
visit www.swfrw.org or contact Joyce Henderson at
jhenderson2 @ comcast.[et'
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