Mills and Boon is hosting medical fast track
in which you get rapid feedback in just two weeks! All you have to do is submit
the first chapter of your medical romance story. It ends 30th June '13. Here's the
link for details :
http://community.millsandboon.co.uk/content/medical-romance-fast-track-open-now
For those who are thinking of submitting, I'm sharing some writing advice here.
http://community.millsandboon.co.uk/content/medical-romance-fast-track-open-now
For those who are thinking of submitting, I'm sharing some writing advice here.
They say, well begun is half done. Or in other
words, well prepared is target secured.
Any contest is both difficult and rewarding. Difficult as it takes nerves to enter and rewarding because one always learns from experience. Writing contests are no different except that an aspiring writer contestant is especially sensitive to rejection. It's important when you enter a contest to first keep in mind that ANY outcome is possible. Second, to repeat to yourself, 'I'll give it my best shot.' Over and over. If you do, you'll have no reproach for yourself at least, however it ends...and who knows you may be next one shortlisted!
Any contest is both difficult and rewarding. Difficult as it takes nerves to enter and rewarding because one always learns from experience. Writing contests are no different except that an aspiring writer contestant is especially sensitive to rejection. It's important when you enter a contest to first keep in mind that ANY outcome is possible. Second, to repeat to yourself, 'I'll give it my best shot.' Over and over. If you do, you'll have no reproach for yourself at least, however it ends...and who knows you may be next one shortlisted!
From my experience of
entering writing contests, and winning two of them, I've compiled some tips.
Also I've included the input from all I learnt during the writing of the first
chapter of my first book, Bollywood Fiancé fora Day.
I've listed them in order of
what seems important to me:
Opening scene: The opening scene should draw the reader in. Right
into the world you have created. What is your character doing as the story
opens? What is she/he feeling? Is your character worried while driving? Does
she accidentally miss the turn signal of car in front? What happened then?
Create a situation where the readers (or your judges) can't help but read on to
find out what happens next.
Build a problem: Is your heroine (or hero) in trouble? Why? Who
could help her? Why wouldn't she take help from him? Always go deep into a
character's reasons. Why. That simple word leads to so many possibilities. The
late Penny Jordan, romance author extraordinaire once said, the most important
of the tips her editor gave her was: always ask why.
Interaction of characters: In romance you have two main characters.
Have them in the scene together as soon as possible. That sounds like a tall
order for a first chapter. You would say, what about explaining the setting,
the situation, the background? But just think, if you don't show them together
here, you may not get another chance! First chapter is all you have for putting
up in this contest. So have them interacting. Show what the heroine feels for
the hero and he for her. How do they happen to be there? Is it planned? Or
coincidence? Does she want to avoid him? Will she succeed? Build up the
curiosity factor.
Tension: Show the tension between the characters. Awareness. Attraction.
Conflict. Does she drop something in her confusion when near him? Most heroes
aren't bumbling but a little tug at his necktie would be endearing, don't you
think? Tension between Hero/heroine is a must in a Mills and Boon! :)
Sympathy for characters: Have the reader sympathize with your
character. If the hero turns heroine's troubled aunt out of her house, it's a
very strong conflict between the characters but would the reader sympathize
with someone like that? Would you? You'd most likely kick such an insensitive
brute. Always keep your character lovable.
For more on characters, go here.
Make it read-worthy: Last but not least the grammar. Spell check.
Read. Revise. Watch your tenses. Double check your verbs. Make your presentation the best it can be.
Also always follow the specifications given under the contest rules. For genre submission, it's important to follow the guidelines. For more guidelines to know how much 'medical' your story needs to be, click here.
Also always follow the specifications given under the contest rules. For genre submission, it's important to follow the guidelines. For more guidelines to know how much 'medical' your story needs to be, click here.
So do remember, begin with a strong opening scene, build a problem, have
your characters interact and show tension between them. Make your characters
lovable, always spell check and make your work presentable.
Hope I have been able to help. :)
Sharing your work can be scary. If you've submitted or made a decision to
submit your entry, you're already to be congratulated.
If you're reading this to
improve it, double congratulations, because you have decided to go after this
writing thing and you're already interested in making it better.
So are you trying your luck?
So are you trying your luck?
Good luck to all the entrants and remember, if you're pursuing your
dream, you're a winner!
Write with love,
Ruchi.
Great tips, Ruchita! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
DeleteGood tips!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked them!
DeleteGreat tips! Thank you. Made notes. x
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michaela. So happy you found them useful.
DeleteGreat tips!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteGreat tips! Definitely sharing this post with some friends who have been thinking about targeting this line!
ReplyDeleteWelcome here, Rechelle. Thanks for sharing :)Best wishes to your friends in their efforts.
DeleteWell, you've been there and done that! I'll be using this as a reference, thanks Ruchita.
ReplyDeleteYou're so welcome, Maria :)
DeleteGreat blog Ruchi!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jen :)
DeleteGreat tips, Ruchita!
ReplyDeleteNas
Hi Nas! Thanks.
Delete