Writing for Harlequin Mills & Boon

cazmanian_minx

Anglea wrote: »

Hi erine welcome to the thread :j

Cazmanian minx how are you getting on with your writing?

Um........:o

That said, I'm waiting to hear if a short story has been accepted for Lucy Felthouse's latest anthology, so fingers crossed - submitted in April and she said she'd try and get back to me by the end of May, so I'm hoping that I'm still in the running because I haven't had a 'no' yet.

Anglea

Good Luck, I wonder how many other entries there were.

Mrs_Ryan

I think I've got an idea but the problem is how I'm going to word it! Have decided to go for the 'Modern' series and am keeping with the semi-autobiographical theme definitely - now I just have to get started! More difficult than it sounds I think. I've only seen one book vaguely similar in the range which is good but by the same token it means I have no idea how to word it!! Grrr...

Anglea

Mrs R can we help you out?

Mrs_Ryan

Thank you Anglea, you're a star basically I have gathered that the 'modern' range seems to be about the 'alpha male' which is usually either royalty or a tycoon. The book I've seen was about a racing driver. I really want to build on that idea and involve either some sort of sportsman or a famous singer (I've had encounters with both!) I had a feeling to base the central female character on myself as then I could truly write from the heart and then I would really feel the passion of the characters!
I can see how it would be easy to build up a powerful character (unfortunately, or maybe fortunately!) neither the sportsmen nor the singer I've had encounters with are particularly like this so I thought I could channel the feelings and emotions and the power that I felt without feeling the character was based too much on one person if you see what I mean?
The circumstances in which I met the singer would be absolutely perfect for the story, not so much the circumstances in which I met the sportsmen though although clearly dependant on which character I finally went for I could adjust them to suit.
I dont want to just tell my story, I do want to fictionalise some or most of it as some of it would be difficult to recount. I've gathered that the general theme of most of the books in this range seem to be about secret/shocking pregnancies, oh yes I could do that alright - (I havent been there but I could fictionalise that) but by the same token I wouldnt mind doing something a little bit different?
Can you see why now I have no idea??? Any help/ideas would be much appreciated - anything at all. Like I say, I'm still at the drawing board stage so anything goes!!
Thanks so much! Andrea

Anglea

Mrs R,

You could use both the singer and the sportsman eg one could be your fiance and the other one you either dislike on first sight or secretly fancy -and he's the one you eventually end up with after dealing with whatever conflict you set up.

Conflict inspiration - celebrity gossip, novels, relationship advice.
Write down lots of possible ideas then experiment using a few of them with your main characters.

Then pick a timeframe (some of the most intense books I've read were set in a 24 hr period) - cold shower needed afterwards :rotfl:

I'd also research the books to see how the woman is portrayed - does she have a job in the same area as the men - can she be much older etc.

Also if you choose the sportsman and the singer in the same book, is that ok for whatever publication you are choosing or do they prefer to only have one profession. It might be you need to choose a different imprint.

I've heard writers say that it's easier to write especially for a specific imprint rather than write your book then look around for one, but I suppose it depends on how disciplined you are and if your characters take over.

Amara

I just wrote first page. Beginning is the hardest. I already have an idea for my work. However, I don't think is for Harlequinn Mills&Boon, too much crime and a romance just somewhere in a background.

cazmanian_minx

cazmanian_minx wrote: »

Um........:o

That said, I'm waiting to hear if a short story has been accepted for Lucy Felthouse's latest anthology, so fingers crossed - submitted in April and she said she'd try and get back to me by the end of May, so I'm hoping that I'm still in the running because I haven't had a 'no' yet.

Thank you for sending your story for consideration for the mythology anthology.

I'm delighted to tell you that your story was selected for inclusion. I will be sending out contracts and edits within the next few weeks. I don't yet have a date for release, but I will keep you informed.


Thanks again for allowing me to read your story, and congratulations!


:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j





That's my first ever sale to a market which pays royalties instead of a flat fee

mithras

Well done, that's brilliant CM! You must be really excited

And well done Amara on cracking that first page - I always find getting started a hurdle and I'm a dreadful procrastinator

Sorry, just delurking - I've been following this thread since it started up again recently and I'm really impressed with every one's motivation. I haven't written much at all since giving up fanfiction last year so am reading this in an attempt inspire myself

Amara

Well done, CM!!! Brillliant news!