So I Did It!

I entered into the Mills and Boon New Voice competition.  My first chapter is here if you would like to read it.  I am a mix of emotions at the moment, I can't leave the site, looking for new updates, comments, and I want to contribute to others too.  It's all part of the fun!  I'm sort of scared and excited, and there is a thrill that someone has read my work - even close friends, who've never seen anything I've done before.  

   
 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

   

Teresa's favorite books »
 
 

There are 32 entries so far, and mine isn't fairing too badly (though this may change from day to day, but currently, date this blog is posted it's positioned 11th) and I've had some really useful and inspiring comments.  I thought there would be hundreds of entries, but it's early days I suppose.  The competition for the first chapter stage closes 22 September 2010. - After posting this... 58 entries now!  (I've got a lot of reading to do)

I don't think the votes will count, Mills and Boon will judge, but it might help with making their decisions, seeing what the readers like etc. 

There are four stories so far in the Warm and Cosy line, (which is Tender Romance/Cherish) and mine is top.  So dead chuffed about that!

I didn't sleep too well last night, I was too bloomin' excited - and more things about this story kept bombarding me.  But now I must get my second chapter up to scratch and get the rest of the story in to some sort of shape... just in case I do need a pivotal moment... though I won't my hold my breath that it will get that far.  I doubt I'll get asked for a second chapter.

So my Writer's Bureau coursework will just have to be held off till October, I think September is booked up finishing this story.  If it goes no where with Mills and Boon, it's definitely something I can sharpen up and hope to get published as a chick-lit or something.  None of this work will be wasted, and I'm doing what I enjoy most - writing.

Ramblings About Romance

I am currently reading Kate Walker's 12 Point Guide To Writing Romance.  Probably a little late as I'm going to enter the Mills and Boon New Voice competition - starts 6th September!  I got talked into it by my writing buddy, and I had a story idea that could be adapted, so that's what I've done.  (My Writer's Bureau coursework - assignment 6 -  is on hold for the time being). 

I suppose, like the lottery, you've got to be in it to win it.  There is no point dreaming about publishing and prizes if you don't enter. 

I've put off reading a non-fiction book, just because I know I can be slower at reading these.  But now as I only have 9 books to go to my 40 target and with writing a romance I thought I'd take it off my shelf (as it's no good there) and start. 

I'm going to try and read a chapter a day (which reminds me I need to get today's in) to allow each chapter to sink in and maybe, if I can juggle two books, read a Mills and Boon, too.  (I was supposed to do that this morning, but real life took over and I found myself engrossed in housework.  Funnily enough it's a Kate Walker novel - Their Baby Secret). 

The 12 Point Guide has exercises at the end of each chapter, which I've flagged and will go back to.  I don't think I have enough time on my hands to do those too, although I do read and think about them.  

People may scoff at a Mills and Boon romance, but I agree with Kate Walker.  They may seem formulaic but it doesn't mean they're easy to write.  Apart from one book, where I felt there was a lot of telling and not a lot of showing, and I didn't really feel for the characters, I've usually read these books in a couple of days. 1) because they are quite short (200 odd pages/50,000 words) and 2) because I can't put them down.  They do take over.  I want to be the heroine and I want the hero to sweep me off my feet.  

You know they're going to be happy ever after at the end, but it's how they get there that's the fun part.  And the tension, emotion and sensuality that drips off the page.  And if it's a saucier version, like Blaze, gosh they're sexy!

Kate Walker talks about emotion.  And so that's what I've really got to try and get into my story.  I've decided I'm going to write it now, whatever the outcome with the competition - I'm not holding my breath that it will go past first stage if I'm honest.  And while reading this guide book, hopefully I can apply to it what I learn.  Right?

It's possibly safe to say that I will be a romance writer, if and when I am successful to get something published.  I have a lot of story ideas buzzing around my head, and all of them contain romance.  Even with my fanfiction I naturally strayed into romance with my characters.  That's what I enjoyed writing.  That's what I want to explore.  Whether all my 'bunnies' will be suitable for a Mills and Boon novel is another thing.  Some have more complicated plot lines that I just don't think 50,000 words would do it justice.  I just hope I can do them justice - one day.

Best get back to my reading...

Book Review: The Soldier by Rhonda Nelson

The Soldier by Rhonda Nelson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was very different to the Mills and Boon I've usually read.  Very sexy, a few hot sex romps and I actually liked that a lot of it was from the hero's point of view.



Interesting flaw with the hero.  Adam's been injured in Iraq and is recovering, dealing with one leg just below the knee having been amputated.  He's stuck on his career mission, doubting his worth to Winnie, who gave him the kick out of bed he needed.



He's suffering with insecurities about him being 'whole' and wanting to prove himself as a soldier.



This book was sent to me by a friend... and she wants it back because of the cover.  Hmmm.... Nah, of course she can have it back  - after I've drooled over it a few times.



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Book Review: Three Times A Bridesmaid by Nicola Marsh

30th book down, only 10 more to go!
Three Times A Bridesmaid... by Nicola Marsh

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed this book.  It's the kind of complicated romance I like. A girl needed a pretend date to hide behind and get her friends off her back... And then the flirting happens, and she's thinking is he acting or is he genuine? 

I love it!  It's a little close to something I've been writing myself, so it was interesting to see how this author did it.

Again, as a tender romance, it still had its moments of hotness, without actually making it to the bedroom.  And sometimes the playing hard to get is so much more fun to read than when they eventually get there. 

Bryce is a wonderful, charming and funny hero, knowing exactly how to push Eve's buttons.

My only teeny tiny criticism about this story, was sometimes it got confusing who was speaking.  The author could have done with clearer speech tags at times, (she tended to not use any) but it didn't spoil it.  The sexual tension it oozed made up for it! 







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All This Writing Mullarkey

Upon reading this blog by Sue Moorcroft, author of All This Mullarkey among others, I'm not sure whether to feel scared or inspired.

Following the links, I also read  this blog written by Sue Moorcroft, which is about her working life as a writer.  I was grateful for the honesty of it actually.  The reality of being a writer and what I would like to achieve.  I'm not sure I'm capable of achieving what Sue has, but my goal is to earn enough from writing I can give up my 'day' job (9 hours a week at my local shop). So a regular £300 a month would be nice!

I believe I have the right attitude to writing. My betas (and friends) gained from my fanfiction writing have nurtured me into that easily enough, and to be honest, I enjoy writing so much it really isn't hard to give up things such as TV.  Not when it's only Big Brother or X-Factor to contend with.  I'll have film night with hubby, which we usually do on a Saturday with a good bottle of wine, (I do need to give him some of my time after all!) and if something like Heroes or Dr Who starts up, I'll watch those.  I haven't even finished watching Desperate Housewives, and I know John Barrowman is in it! (Might have to ask for boxset for birthday/Christmas me thinks).  But I just don't have time to watch TV and I'm not actually bothered by it.

I'm reading more. I set myself 40 books for the year and so far I am reading my 30th.  They've ranged from romance (Mills and Boons & Chick-lit) to vampires and a thriller.  All here if you want to know what I thought of them.

    
 

     

     

     

     

     

   

Teresa's favorite books »
 
 

Since having children, I've wanted something that would work around them. I seriously believe you can't have kids and then not let them change your life, or rule it to some extent.  If I didn't feel like that, I might as well not have had them.  So, yes, even the days where they drive me completely crazy, I had them, I have to deal with it. They come first. So I wanted something that fitted around them, making sure I was here when they come home from school.  I've looked at selling cards, make-up and even kitchen equipment but knew I'd be useless, and not motivated enough to actually make money out of it.  Plus that would be evenings working and that's when I write!  I started writing as a hobby in 2006 and have always loved it, never looked back.  In fact I wish I'd found it years ago.... all those afternoons bored in an office when I had no work to do, I could have been planning a story....  Last year I decided to join The Writer's Bureau to see if I would try to make writing pay.  It hasn't yet, it's still early days, but I've had one piece published in the local paper, and two 'tips' in Practical Parenting.

As both of my children will eventually be at school, then yes I will gain more time, but until then (and I don't want to wish it away) I have to work my writing around the little time that I get.  Starting the social networking now can't be a bad thing, it could be seen as sewing the seeds, or slowing spreading my roots.  Look at the advice I've already received, even today with Sue's advice about short stories.  These are definitely more doable with two children to contend with, than maybe trying to fit in writing a novel.  And if or when they get printed, they'll put me in good stead for my novel(s).

So the scary bit.  Where does Sue find her time? She tells me sleep is for wimps (honest she tweeted me!).  But I want to also concentrate on my running so that I stay fit.  Will I begrudge myself going out for that hour when I should be writing?  Rapidly approaching forty, and my body shot to bits from having two rather large babies, I'm fighting to regain my figure.  I need to exercise, especially if I'm choosing to sit in front of my pc the good majority of my day.  Maybe you think that's vain, but I can't be walking along the red carpet when one of my novels makes it as a Hollywood movie, facing Bradley Cooper as my hero, and Sandra Bullock my heroine, looking like a beached whale!

Okay - I know that's not going to happen, but I'm a writer. I want to prove I have an imagination, plus Sandra and Bradley have already done a film together - not that I've seen it (yet).  And, healthy body = healthy mind, right? It will help with my writing.  Besides, it could take twenty years for me to get published... so I need to make sure I live that long!


Then there's the housework.  I'm not untidy, but I'm probably not the best cleaner in the world either.  Do writers earn enough to pay someone to do it for them? (Because dear God, that is my dream).  Is housework for wimps too?  Maybe as the boys get older I'll get them doing the chores... they already like doing the vacuuming... I suppose they've got to earn their pocket money some how.

And then there's my baking... 

So I sit here inspired that it can be done, and that there is hard work ahead of me.  Even if a day job could be easier, I'm not interested.  I know it already bores the hell out of me and I get frustrated with the incompetences of it all.

But I'm also scared, too.  How am I to fit it all in?