A Writers' Lunch in Cardiff

Yesterday I traveled to Cardiff to meet with writers from the area. It was a lovely sunny day and a chance to catch up with friends and meet new ones. We dined on Italian food and toasted my new career with Mills and Boon. It was a lovely day!

It was also a chance to thank Liz Fielding, who writes for  Mills and Boon Modern Tempted. Her latest book, For His Eyes Only is available now - and well worth a read.

I first met Liz when she visited my local writing group about eight years ago. Listening to her rekindled my desire to write for Mills and Boon.

For that talk, Liz had brought with her a book which changed everything. That book was Kate Walker's 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance. It is now one of my most read books and is always to hand!

I went home enthused by all that Liz had said and began reading the 12 Point Guide. Imagine my delight when I saw that Kate was teaching romance writing at Writer's Holiday in Fishguard - just a few weeks later. I promptly signed up and the rest as they say, is history!

The 12 Point Guide is now available as an e-book and more information can be found on Kate's blog.

My Main Character

Thank you Judith Arnopp for tagging me in Meeting My Main Character blog hop. You can read Judiths' leading lady here.

What is the name of my main character? Is she real or fictitious?
Georgina Henshaw is the heroine in my debut Harlequin Presents book. She is fictitious, although now, she feels quite real to me! She came to life in my So You Think You Can Write entry last September as a feisty lady, determined to achieve what she wanted.

When and where is the story set?

The story, set in the present day, opens in London as she visits the hero, Santos Ramirez at his London office. This is the first time they have ever met and sparks really fly!

Despite the story starting in London, the majority of the book is set in the glitz of Puerto Banus, Spain. Here Georgina experiences the sunshine and glamours lifestyle of Sanots's home.

What should we know about her?

Georgina has been married and widowed. It was a marriage not based on love, but one which would give both herself and Emma, then still at school, the security that has been absent all through their childhood. Having seen and lost too much as a child, she has no intention of ever falling in love, preferring instead to hide behind a facade of indifference.

What is the main conflict? What messes up her life?

Santos is her main conflict. As far as she is concerned he is standing in the way of her sister's happiness and she will do anything to prevent that. It is also Santos who messes up her life, with his sexy good looks and confident charm she soon finds herself falling for him - something she never wanted to do.

What is Georgina's goal?

Her goal is to ensure Emma has what she has been denying herself. A loving marriage and happy ever after. She will do anything for her younger sister, Emma. All she wants is for her to be happy and to be able to marry the man of her dreams. This is something she herself doesn't believe in after the hardships she's shielded Emma from as they've grown up.

What is the book's title?

The book is called A Deal Before The Altar.

When will the book be out?

A Deal Before The Altar will be published in October 2014.

Soon to introduce their main characters is

Marie Dry

Kate Blackadder

Anne Stenhouse

Off on a Stationery Crawl

Today I'm blogging on The Write Romantics about my love of stationery. Do stop by and tell us what you find irresistible about stationery.

My Writing Process

Thank you to Marie Dry for inviting me to join The Blog Tour. Her debut novel, Alien Mine, will be available soon. Find out more about Marie at www.mariedry.com

Also, thanks to Judith Arnopp, who invited me last month, when I was deep in the writing cave! Her latest release, The kiss of the Concubine, is available now. Find out more about Judith at www.juditharnopp.com


My Writing Process

What am I working on?

I have almost finished my second book, which will submitted next week to my editor.

How does my story differ from others of its genre?

Over the last seven years, as I've chased my dream of publication, one bit of advice has stuck. To write my story. By using my voice and telling the story my way is how it differs.

Why do I write?

This is a question I asked myself after my last rejection. And the answer - I write because I have to. I can't imagine a life where I don't write and how else am I going to deal with those characters who fill my head, clamouring to tell me their story?

How does my writing process work?

I have always had to fit writing in around a family and life on a busy farm. Basically I write when I can. I'd prefer to write first thing in the morning, but will always grasp every opportunity. I'm also lucky that I have a lovely room in which to write. Often I have the company of my dog, Tara.


My debut book, A Deal Before the Altar, will be available later this year. More information can be found on my website: www.rachaelthomas.co.uk

Next week, the following authors will be participating.
Julie Heslington, a fellow member of The Write Romantics and member of RNA. Visit Julie's blog.

Sue Moules, a poet and fellow member of my local writing group. Her latest book The Moth Box is available now. Visit Sue's blog.

Joanne Dannon, a member of Romance Writers of Australia. We met online when we became critique partners. Visit Joanne's blog.

Beginnings and Endings

Today I will be working on the final chapter of my first draft and I am looking forward to writing 'the end'. Of course it's not the end. It's really only just the beginning, because next it will be time to read through the story, edit and polish.

But first I will take a break, step back from the story and as it's Shrove Tuesday what better way to start than a few pancakes? That of course gives me a new dilemma. What topping?

 

 

Happy Pancake Day!

Valentines' Day

It's Valentine's Day. A day of hearts and flowers and a day for love and romance.

It's also my birthday! So what better day to share the fabulous new title for my first book.

My So You Think You Can Write entry, Behind the Scandalous Façade, which sold just three weeks ago to Harlequin Mills and Boon now has a sparkling new title.

A Deal Before The Altar

 

I love it and can't wait to see the cover! The release date is still to be confirmed but as soon as I can I will post details here.

The only thing left to say, is that I wish you all a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Getting 'The Call'

I've wanted to make this post for so long, but finally I can say  .... I got 'The Call'  I am now a Harlequin Mills and Boon author!

It's a moment I've dreamt of for many years and one I've worked hard towards too, stubbornly never giving up.

I received revision for my So You Think You Can Write entry just before Christmas and submitted the revisions early in the New Year, then crossed just about everything I could.

On Thursday last week I travelled to Aberystwyth to meet a writing friend for lunch. A cold winter wind was funnelling off the sea and down the street. So when my phone rang I hid in the doorway of a closed shop to shelter from the wind and it's there I received the momentous news that I had sold my first book to Harlequin Mills and Boon. Not only that, I was offered a two book contract.

When I met with Kate, my writing friend we were both so excited we could hardly order lunch and it was so nice to be able to share that moment with someone who is also hoping for such a call.

By the time I returned home, my phone needed charging and I had so many messages I could hardly keep up. Naturally, later that evening I popped the cork on a bottle of champagne I'd discovered lurking in the back of the cupboard over Christmas. Sleep that night was practically impossible as I floated around on cloud nine.

It's been a wonderful journey but finally I have reached my destination. Now I have a brand new journey to embark on, that of a Harlequin Presents author!!!

Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way and for all those congratulations.