Comments on: Editor Suzanne Clarke Shares Most Common Writing Problems

By: mulberry

mulberry — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:37:37 +0000

Hi merbet- I’m Australian based in the UK too. I hoped to join the RNA’s New Writer scheme this year, as it certainly would have motivated me to get one story edited properly, but I missed out. The places fill early, so if you do want to go for it next year, aim to apply by the end of January (you don’t have to send the story in until August). I am hoping to go to the RNA Conference this year (I’m skipping lunch or taking a cheap packed lunch from home rather than buying yummy but expensive M&S sandwiches to get the fee together- maybe I’ll lose some weight too!). Kate Walker’s blog is another site worth checking- she is UK based, writes for Presents, and teaches Romance Writing workshops- she has a new Guide to Romance Wrting out now too (I’m still impatiently waiting for Amazon to sned my copy). She is very generous with loads of excellent writing advice on her blog.

By: clarisa

clarisa — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:48:49 +0000

Thanks Chris. I’ll check out the site. I’m still learning so I need all the tips and info I can get my hands on!

By: merbet

merbet — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:44:50 +0000

Thanks to everyone for the inspirational advice. You gals are brilliant. *ehugs*

Susieq: You and I must be redressing the balance here. I’m based in England (though I’m Australian).

The main problem with the RNA’s new writer’s scheme is that it requires a complete MS, and at the moment, I need advice on my first forays into the writing world. I’m just not ready yet for that big a leap.

Particularly now that I have read Dani’s comments on why her book is not really Presents material. I have realised that I totally need to rethink my ideas about my own writing style, and the line for which it is best suited.

However, I will look around and join anything I can.

If there are any other UK-based gals out there who would like to consider a face-to-face group, perhaps we can work something out?

By: susieq

susieq — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:47:18 +0000

Merbert,

Since the competition I have joined three associations that all have great support for new writers and major competitions! I’m based in Australia (though I’m English) and I have joined:

Romance Writers of Australia (Annual Valerie Parv award offering mentorship and a MS read by an editor)

Romance Novelist Association in the UK (Runs a great New Writer Scheme where you submit a full MS. Closed for this year but will open at the end of the year. They take 250 new writers a year)

and of course RWA in America.

I too think a critique partner may be my next step. Maybe she would have picked up the typo, that I am mortified to say was in my email header!!!!!!!

Good luck everyone…..these boards are so friendly and helpful…it’s great.

Susieq

By: mulberry

mulberry — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:47:38 +0000

I would like to second Chris- I joined th e-Harlequin community- and it is brilliant- so supportive and welcoming!
Once I have bashed (oops, did I say bashed, I meant lovingly nurtured of course) my current story into a bit more shape, I will be heading to the right section there to find a critique partner.

By: ChrisM

ChrisM — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:46:05 +0000

Hi Clarisa, Thanks.

The wed site is the US Harlequin site. It’s a great place to hang out and learn. They have the Submission care board, Struggling writer’s etc. Just go to the Forums and click on The Write Stuff for sub care, and Simply Series tab for the Presents board.

Don’t be too hard on yourself. We’ve all been there I find fault every time I re read something.

Chris.

By: clarisa

clarisa — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:26:48 +0000

Hi Chris, is the board on the UK Mills and Boon site or the US Harlequin site?
Also just wanted to say congrats on getting some feedback from the editor – at least you know you are on the right track now. I re-read my 1st chapter and cringed (I think I was probably in the slush pile) – so many typos and just nonsense in general! But you live and learn so I take it as a useful lesson and say onwards and upwards!!

By: ChrisM

ChrisM — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:31:30 +0000

Thanks Madeline. It was/is exciting to have feedback on my entry. I’ve put it aside as it needs an extra layer of conflict. Sometimes I find it easier to start a new story keeping in mind the editor’s advice. I think once I know what I’m doing right I’ll be able to re-visit that story and perhaps re-write with that extra layer that it needs.

Good luck with your submission and congratulations on sending it off.

Thanks Merbet. Yes it was the highlight of my year

Over on the HM&B website there’s a board where you can look for a critique partner. I don’t know if you’ve visited the site yet. There is also a Presents thread where a few of the Presents authors pop in. They are always so helpful with answering questions, offering support and advice. It’s a great place to hang out and learn about the line too. You can find it under the Simply Series tab.

Chris.

By: clarisa

clarisa — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:19:13 +0000

Thanks for that Suzanne. I can’t wait to see the Modern Heat comments.

By: emerald

emerald — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:46:29 +0000

Hi Merbet,

if you can’t find a critique group locally don’t despair. Here in Aust (in conjunction with RW New Zealand) we have a critique partner register. You’d need to join our RWA, but critiquing experience isn’t necessary and (apparently– I haven’t gone this route as I’m lucky enough to be part of a face to face group) all you need to do is fill out a registration form and they’ll match you with several people for a test run to see who you click with.

I’m sure there are other similar schemes elsewhere, perhaps even in the UK. Emailing really does help to shrink the world down to a friendly size, so distance doesn’t have to be a drawback.

Good luck finding some writing support.

Robyn