Writing for Harlequin Mills & Boon

glowgirl_2

cazmanian_minx wrote: »

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

this must be you now, and this should be you later

Well done :T thats brilliant:T

Mrs_Ryan

Thanks so much Anglea - thats brilliant. :j
Back at work tomorrow but I'm on a training course this week on my own so can maybe scribble some ideas down when on break etc.
Will report back when I'm further forward.

JennyJewell

Morning all
First of all to introduce myself I used to love writing as a child but life sort of takes over as you get older, lol. I'm not a great writer and better at short story - writing, it keeps my interest but I've always wanted to write a novel. The problem I have is that I seem to slip into the realms of what has been written before and end up scrapping it. I can work out a story plan for myself - I like to plan the plot and characters on paper to keep my direction and focus. I'd like to have a go and see what happens though
Just before I go - massive congrats Caz :j what a fantastic feeling that must be
Jen

SlopingBird

Caz, what fantastic news - well done! I hope you cracked open a bottle to celebrate. It's hard enough to get published - being paid as well is a brilliant achievement.

All this talk of success and developing plots is really inspiring. My real ambition is to be a scriptwriter, though I also enjoy short-story writing and would like to have another go at M&B.

I've almost finished writing a 60-minute script to send to the BBC Writers' Room (but prevarication is my middle name!). Check it out, it's a brilliant resource for writers and there are always competitions, e.g. a good current one is scripts for CBeebies.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/

My 'vet' M&B is also lurking in the background - I've now found the first 500 words in another file so, while they definitely need rewriting, they will get me past that first page block. It also shows what amazing things we all find when we have a good sort out.

Re plots. I've always found that even when I try to work out the plot in detail at the outset, it'll change (a lot) when I start writing For example, in the initial outline the script above had the three main characters as strangers who all visited the same delicatessan, however the plot has evolved beyond all recognition and now there is one main character with a sister (and no delicatessan in sight). The basic idea is still the same but the first set of characters didn't seem to work on the page - it felt too contrived, having them popping out for olives and hummous all the time!.

Likewise, I am starting to feel that the errant mum in my vet story might work better as an older sister. I'll have to think about that one.

Re-ordering scenes also seems to help get the creative juices flowing. Instead of getting stuck because the next scene is hard to write, why not try fast forwarding to the scenes that are easier to write. I've started doing this in an attempt to keep writing and it seems to work.

Anyway, back to the script - all I'm doing is prevaricating (so far today it's been sanding walls - in a cupboard! - running, laundry and now browsing this forum).

This is a great link, BTW. Keep those fingers typing.
SB

pennyshahin_2

Hi, mind if I join you, I am currently writing a novel, I've had vanity poems published before, my novel is about a young teenager who gets taken on at an academy, gets a girlfriend and eventually after many trials and tribulations becomes a superstar-I'm hoping that will last over 3 books-it's a David Beckham type story, I wouldn't mind doing short stories, with what I've told you and the sort of writing that I do-can you suggest some addresses or websites best suited to what I write please.
I've written about 40 pages of my book and that came quite easily now I find just writing half page takes alot out of me and I want to stop.

pennyshahin_2

I've written a couple of chapters, would anybody on here be prepared to read it for me if I sent them a pm and give me an honest opinion, I've never written anything before apart from a few poems.

SlopingBird

Welcome Pennyshahin

It sounds like you have the details of your plot really well worked out and that's half the battle. Just stick at it and you'll get there in the end.

I don't know lots of writing websites (other than the BBC Writers Room but that's mainly for screenwriters), however one website I really like is:
http://womagwriter.blogspot.com/

If you scroll down on the homepage there's a good piece about how the writer is going about editing the first draft of her finished novel.

Another great site that someone on here mentioned and I've now registered for is http://absolutewrite.com/

If you are looking for a publisher it might also be worth investing in one of these yearbooks:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Childrens-Writers-Artists-Yearbook-2011/dp/1408128594/ref=pd_sim_b_3

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Writers-Artists-Yearbook-2011-Black/dp/1408124939

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Writers-Handbook-2011-Publishers-Broadcasters/dp/0230207294/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_c

Keep us up to date with your progress, yes? Have to go now as OH has already disappeared upstairs and I'm supposed to be catching up with Corrie in bed (I am absolutely hooked on that programme:D). SB

SlopingBird

pennyshahin wrote: »

I've written a couple of chapters, would anybody on here be prepared to read it for me if I sent them a pm and give me an honest opinion, I've never written anything before apart from a few poems.

I don't mind having a quick read through - I used to be a journalist but you'd have to remember that I'm not a professional fiction editor so I could only give a lay-person's opinion.

I am going away for the weekend so wouldn't be able to do it for a few days - would that be okay?

I think you have to send me a private message, BTW. Then I can respond with my email address.

pennyshahin_2

my novel is about a young teenager whose Dad dies when he is about 14, who gets taken on at an academy, gets a girlfriend and eventually after many trials and tribulations becomes a superstar-I'm hoping that will last over 3 books-it's a David Beckham type story
I'm trying to come up with a name without giving the plot away, how about these
Journey of a Superstar-would give the plot away
Making Dad proud
Living the Dream
Shooting for Glory-don't like that

JennyJewell

Dad's Pride?
Good luck with it hunny (I'm going to look out for it in the shops )
Jen x

pennyshahin wrote: »

my novel is about a young teenager whose Dad dies when he is about 14, who gets taken on at an academy, gets a girlfriend and eventually after many trials and tribulations becomes a superstar-I'm hoping that will last over 3 books-it's a David Beckham type story
I'm trying to come up with a name without giving the plot away, how about these
Journey of a Superstar-would give the plot away
Making Dad proud
Living the Dream
Shooting for Glory-don't like that