Rural romance - or chook lit - is one of the most sought after genres of popular fiction at the moment.

Inspiration for your next money-spinning novel could lie in the heart of your own backyard.

Romance writers Fiona Lowe and Ebony McKenna, of Victoria, and Tasmanian Melanie Milburne were in Launceston on Saturday for romance writing workshops organised by Romance Writers of Australia.

Lowe's novels often fall into the rural romance category, with her website stating a belief that small towns have big hearts.

She said one of her recent books, Boomerang Bride, followed an Australian heroine in a town in the US state of Wisconsin.

``Small towns, whether they be in Australia or the US, share very similar things,'' Lowe said.

``I think (readers) think life in the country is simple at times. We are one of the most urbanised countries, however we have this mythical love for the outback - it is really part of the Australian psyche.''

Milburne attributed the rural romance trend to a growing desire for the return of small-town values.

All three writers joined 30 attendees at the workshop, sharing their tips on how to write well.

Former journalist Ebony McKenna said she wanted to encourage other writers.

``It's this contagious encouragement,'' McKenna said.

``You just want to share what you discovered along the way. You have incredible epiphanies - `that works so well, I want everyone to know how good it is.' ''

McKenna said becoming a romance writer was not a choice.

``I think it was one of those things, that you do what you love. I love romance - so it chose me.''