As I continue with my 'dirty draft' (this is another term for first draft. It allows us writers to give ourselves permission to just write, without worrying too much about the quality of what we are producing. The dirty draft is so that we have a bulk of words to edit and work with rather than just blank screens) I am beginning to realise...

This is NOT a romance I am writing, it's a love story. 

The difference was pointed out to me by one of my SCBWI writing friends, Kitty Kettle. With a romance we only ever hear from our protagonist. This allows the reader to fall in love at the same time the protagonist does. Think Judy Bloom. With a love story the reader is invested in the romance of the relationship itself. Think Eleanor & Park, or Indigo Donut.

Make sense? Well it does to me. 

Anyway, ploughing on with For The Love Of Lambs. I'm about three quarters the way through - the finish line (for the dirty draft) is in sight. 

These books don't just magically appear you know - blood, sweat and tears - that's what it takes. Onwards!

I'm quiet because I'm busy writing. I'm about a third the way into my first draft Shhhhhh please everyone!