This top post of 2016 was first published on June 9th. Image from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen/Illustrator: Charles E. Brock (Macmillan & Co, 1895) I picked the wrong protagonist. It took 20 versions and 100 pages of my historical novel-in-progress for me to admit fellow work-shoppers were right. I value feedback from writers I respect, but I do take care to avoid group-think. In this case, colleagues simply called to my attention what my manuscript was already screaming: “You have to rewrite me from a different point of view!” The problem was that I had chosen to write a story revolving around a girl who was only three years old at the start of the tale. I thought she would turn thirteen within a couple of chapters. She didn’t. I had one other point-of-view character to play with, but he was already playing the role of antagonist. Many great adult novels have child protagonists— To Kill A Mockingbird , A Tree Grows in Brooklyn , and The Secret Life of Bees to ...

Romance novels were, and still are, in some circles referred to as "bodice rippers." Early romances often depicted pirates, or other invaders capturing unsuspecting females, and taking liberties with them. Despite their obvious mistreatment, for some odd reason, the captives fell in love with their captors. Governesses were swept off their feet, and readily succumbed to the advances of the Lords of the Manor. In those days, dark, brooding Alpha heroes dominated the romance scene, and the poor weak heroines didn't stand a chance against their animal magnetism. Along with the growth of women's rights, romance novels underwent a change. Spunky, clever heroines are now in, no matter what their stations in life. Vapid, helpless ones somewhere along the line evolve into strong, thinking women. Those who are inept in some ways often possess special talents to compensate for their flaws. A case in point is Zoe, my heroine in Her Handyman . She's a klutz in som...