Writing for Harlequin Mills & Boon

LuckyLucy11

I've started writing mine and it's shaping up to be a Historical Romance featuring a Captain of a ship and his crew, looks like I'll have to do a bit of research but I won't get too bogged down in it.

I don't know how to work the love interest in though unless she is kidnapped by Pirates or something.

I've bought a writing journal and I'm just analyzing existing novels/writing ALOT at this point, even the TV stays off now in the evenings and throughout the day I've got my note book so I never forget an idea.

I've been looking around for Creative Writing groups to keep me motivated but apart from college courses there doesn't seem to be any local ones, at least not for a substantial fee.

Anglea

Hi all

LuckyLucy, I did a number of correspondence writing courses which suited me far better than attending classes. That was when I was much younger and I still keep in touch with the tutor.

I did try a writers group but had to give up because the people were so peculiar, they were having full scale rows each session and one man became obsessive with me.

Pirate story - I don't know if I just dreamt up this idea or seen it already somewhere but imagine if she came from an aristocratic family and used to sneak out of the house dressed as a boy and was captured by pirates looking for extra crew.

If you're wondering about locations, Bristol is a good place, home of one of the most famous pirates. There is a virtual pirate tour you can follow. Now my mind is spinning with possibilities

Amara, I hope you start getting some ideas.

Ginger I'm glad you have found a way to keep your writing disciplined. I usually start in longhand in an A4 lined pad, gel pens.

LuckyLucy11

Pirate story - I don't know if I just dreamt up this idea or seen it already somewhere but imagine if she came from an aristocratic family and used to sneak out of the house dressed as a boy and was captured by pirates looking for extra crew

That's a brilliant idea Anglea, that's my plot in a nutshell done thanks to your input!

I was trying to think of ways to describe a beautiful leading woman or words which convey passion but now I can 'see' her based on her actions.

I agree some writers groups can be unproductive or lack focus. I know the basic template now, including which city to research-:T

Anglea

Glad I could be of some use LL. Years back I used to go into Bristol to the General Hospital for weekly appointments and walk past all the pirate hangouts, so if you don't know Bristol at all I could give you some help.

In a different part of Bristol, there is a set of stone steps in a churchyard which lead to a type of secret passage that goes to Blaise Castle. The entrance is in the graveyard at Henbury church and open all the time (well it was years back when I went there).

LuckyLucy11

I borrowed a book called 'Mistress Below Deck' which is quite similar in plot, I have to admit they are pretty naff and they all read alike whereas I want to produce something of a good reading standard.

I'm still keeping the pirate theme cos I intend to write several novels and can be researching that in the mean time but I'm now starting an Aztec Queen & the shipwrecked Captain lover scenario, with the Anthony & Cleopatra-like power-plays, magic and passion in the jungle. I've started getting into it and I'm enjoying the writing process now but it's going to take a while still.

Thanks for your help Anglea

Anglea

That's interesting LL. Did you come up with the idea in the past and are now beginning writing the actual novel or are you just working it all out?

On the subject of pirates once again there's a documentary on CH 5 next week, just spotted it in the tv guide I bought today.

I've been doing book research this week and looking through all the Silhouette and MB in the library and charity shops that I could find. They've changed a lot since the last time I embarked on writing them.

heretolearn_2

For any one interested in a course, the OU has a couple of terrific creative writing courses (plus a few short creative writing intro courses) and as long as you don't already have a degree and are on a low (ish) income you can get funded for them. I've just finished the 2nd one and learned so much.

Mrs_Ryan

Hi everyone! :hello:
I've just sat and read through this thread and I must say its very interesting! Will these companies actually accept stories from unpublished writers?? I have an exceedingly overactive imagination and have written fan-type fiction since I was a teenager as well as other short stories here and there and would love to turn my hand to something like this. It would more than likely be semi-autobiographical as I have quite an interesting life *cough* and also work in the medical profession which I know throws up a lot of Mills and Boon stuff... would that work? What do you lot think? Opinions would be good.

Anglea

Hi Mrs R,

You don't have to be a published author, so you can start coming up with ideas this weekend for your medical memoirs, sorry I mean fiction

Amara

SlopingBird wrote: »

On Wednesday I become what I've always dreamed of being - a full-time writer. And you know what, it absolutely terrifies me!

Why don't we all vow to produce one chapter of M&B - or any other novel - by the end of June? I'm good at deadlines (used to be a reporter on a daily newspaper) but absolutely hopeless otherwise.

Who's going to join me?

SlopingBird, good luck with your new career! Well done!
I'll join you. I'll write something by the end of June. I haven't written for years, so propably will be hard at first, but hey, have a go:)