Unpredictability

It's the latest buzz word at Romance HQ and everyone's talking about it: unpredictability.

Lorraine Minx brought this to our attention last week, and Maisey Yates has also added further sights, but it was really brought home to me just how important it is for aspiring writers to be fresh and innovative when I got a rejection last week from an editor at Romance HQ for exactly that - my conflict was too predictable.

It's a fine line we need to tread between fulfilling the promise of the line we're targeting and yet still bringing something original to the party. I have no deep insights, but I thought I'd share with you a little example that struck me this weekend.

I re-watched 27 Dresses on Saturday. This is the perfect example of a fresh spin on an old story. Katherine Heigl is the modern day Cinderella, who spends her life working to make everyone else happy. She watches all her friends, and her baby sister, get to be the belles of the ball while she sits on the sidelines. It takes the right prince to show her that she's worth putting herself first.

I have yet to meet anyone who doesn't love this movie. It's an old story, and we know exactly how it will end, but it feels fresh and original.

Sadly, this story has already been done (very well!) by India Grey in her Powerful Italian, Penniless Housekeeper, so you're going to have to come up with your own fresh spin!

How fast do you write?

Thanks to my daughter, I've recently become hooked on this test. For a minute of your time, it will reveal your typing speed.

When I put my mind to it, I can reach a fairly consistent and comfortable typing speed of 70 words per minute - which puts me some way off the top score, but also a long way from the bottom. So I'm happy.

This means, in an hour of typing (allowing for a ten minute break - I don't want to risk a repetitive strain injury), I should be able to write 3,500 words. So I should, in theory, be able to manage the first draft of a 50,000 word romance in a little over two working days.

I'm sure I don't need to tell you I can't write a first draft anywhere near this quickly. In fact, my output on the writing front can be pretty dismal: I missed my 35,000 word target in our Minxy April Word Count Challenge. And I failed the 50,000 word requirement of Nano a couple of years back, which is shocking when you think that, going by my theory, if I'd written for 7 hours every day for 30 days I should have produced an impressive 735,000 words. Honestly - I've double checked - 70 words a minute x 50 minutes out of every hour x 7 hours in every day x 30 days in November is equal to 735,000 words.

Of course, I have a day job. But, if I maximised output every writing hour, the Minxy Challenge and Nano should have posed no problem.

So, why can't I write a faster first draft? The best I've ever managed is 1,200 words in 55 minutes - a long way off what should be my personal best.

I know you have to factor in thinking time, but surely I should be able to think faster than I can type? And generally the idea is fully formed by the time I sit down at my keyboard, so those words should surely fly onto the screen. Perhaps if I didn't waste so much time on novelty websites I might be able to get more work done.

Did I tempt you to check up on your typing speed? Let us know how you got on. And, how quickly can you write a first draft?

PS: Last week's spotlighted author, Wendy Marcus, has announced her contest winner as Jennifer Probst. Jennifer please contact Wendy through her blog.

Author Spotlight - Cat Schield

Today, we have a debut Harlequin Desire author joining us in the spotlight.

Please welcome Cat Schield!

1. Where were you in your writing career 5 years ago?

In February, 2006 I had written a travel article about sailing in the British Virgin Islands that was being published by International Yacht Charters Magazine. Seeing my name in print gave me the confidence to write a book aimed at publication.

2. Where did you get the idea from for this particular book?

The original idea was for two strangers to meet at a party and get overwhelmed by passion only to discover the next morning that they had a connection neither expected. The fun was in how they dealt with the complication of that one night.

3. Where do you hope to be in 5 years time?

Writing full time. Hitting a couple bestsellers lists would be amazing.

4. Which was the last book you read that you wish you'd written?

There’s a YA author I love by the name of Tamora Pierce. Her Bloodhound book is the sort of thing I’d love to try my hand at.

5. Was there any particular author or book that made you want to be a writer?

I’ve been writing since I was in high school and at the time I was a huge fan of Janet Daily’s Harlequin Presents and Phyllis Whitney’s mysteries.

6. Do you find writing love scenes giggle-worthy or cringe-worthy?

I’m giggling as I type this. My editor tells me I’m on the higher end of Desire’s sensuality scale and he regularly has to tell me to tone things down so I’m definitely in the giggle-worthy category.

7. What's the most romantic moment of your life so far?

Since I’m not married, I don’t have a lot to draw from. But there was a guy I dated that drove through a snow storm so we could spend Christmas Eve together. That was pretty amazing.

8. What do you wish you'd known about being an author before you were pubbed?

Promotion is a huge time suck. I knew that, but I didn’t KNOW that. Write like crazy before you sell. Even if it’s not perfect, having books under the bed that you can pull out and polish will make your life easier.

9. What's the best writing advice you've ever been given?

Learn to love revisions. You need to believe in your writing, but you also must be willing to make changes. Sounds easier than it is, and I know a lot of people who struggle to let in someone else’s opinions on their book.

10. Tell us about your latest release.

No Man’s Bargaining Chip

Emma Montgomery wouldn’t be manipulated into marriage as part of Daddy’s business deal—even if he cut off access to her trust fund until she complied. The talented jewelry designer would just make her own way. Or go down trying. Too bad her intended groom--maverick businessman and former crush Nathan Case--made her stubborn stance so difficult. The heat of his touch had her nearly betraying herself at every turn. Resisting Nathan and regaining her money were the name of the game—but meddling with this millionaire might land her right back in his arms!

 11. What’s next for you?

My second book for Harlequin Desire--A Win-Win Proposition--comes out in October 2011. In between writing short contemporaries, my agent has encouraged me to try my hand at single title. I’m busy writing one set on a fictional island in southwest Florida.

To celebrate my debut I wrote a novella that ties into Meddling With A Millionaire. Her Secret Millionaire is the story of how Emma’s brother and Nathan’s best friend, Cody, meets the girl of his dreams and journeys to his happily ever after. It’s available as a free read on my website.

I'd like to offer a copy of Meddling With A Millionaire to one commenter. My heroine designs fine jewelry. Which do you wear more often, yellow or white gold?

Cat Schield lives in Minnesota with her daughter and their Burmese cat. Winner of the Romance Writers of America 2010 Golden Heart® for series contemporary romance, when she’s not writing sexy, romantic stories for Harlequin Desire, she can be found sailing with friends on the St. Croix River or more exotic locales like the Caribbean and Europe.

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You can purchase Cat's debut Desire, Meddling With A Millionaire, right here.

Man of the Month Poll: The Policeman Hotties!

I've no idea how I managed to snag a Man of the Month poll again but I'm definitely not complaining! All those hours of totally selfless research to bring you the Minxes choices :-)

First up is Chris O'Donnell who, I'll freely admit, did absolutely nothing for me as Robin in Batman or as the vet in Grey's Anatomy. However as the wonderfully tortured Callen in NCIS: LA I'm in love :-) Maybe it's the buzz cut, but I'm thinking I just love a tortured hero!

Above right is Eddie Cahill who I am reliably informed is a Detective in CSI: NY. Again, as the floppy haired and pink cheeked Tag in Friends he most definitely did not float my boat. But with a hair cut ... oooh yes!

Next is one of my personal faves, Eddie Cibrian. As Jesse Cardoza in CSI: Miami he's wonderful but in real life? Not so hot.

Over on the right, am sooo glad Minx Lorraine reminded me of the shoot Jamie Bamber did ... because he took some clothes off :-) He plays a clean cut English policeman in Law & Order: UK but I love it when he takes crime personally. Mmmm.

Next is the other half of the crime fighting NCIS: LA duo, LL Cool J. Anyone else have the words to the song "I Need Love" in their head any time they see him? LOL. Again, another man who is so much hotter as a more mature specimen. Or maybe it's because he's lost all of that bling?!

Over on the right is Minx favourite Michael Weatherly from the original NCIS programme. Another hero with an amazing smile that probably helps him get away with way more than he should!!


On the left here is Rupert Penry-Jones who I am told qualifies for this poll in his role in the TV show Spooks. I missed that show, but loved him in Silks where he was a fabulous bad boy!

Next is Simon Baker, star of The Mentalist. This is another programme that I have been meaning to watch and not quite got around to. It's on my list--I promise!

And, last but not least, and because we somehow seem to have started a trend of having a hottie for the more mature lady we have William Shatner in arguably his most famous role (and the only one in uniform!!) as TJ Hooker.

The poll is on the right, ladies, you know what to do!!

I should also annouce the winner of last month's poll which, perhaps surprisingly (given he beat glorious George!!), was Jesse Williams who plays Avery Jackson in Grey's Anatomy.

Competitions!

Here's a roundup of some recent competitions we've found - just the thing to get everyone ready for summer! Click on the titles to see more...

1. Brava's Writing with the Stars Competition.
This year, we’re looking for original romance novellas of 15,000 – 20,000 words rather than full-length books. Submissions in any sub- genre will be accepted, providing they’ve never been published in print or ebook form and have a sensuality level suitable for our Brava imprint. (You know just how hot that is, because you’re our most loyal readers.) So that means historical romance, contemporary, paranormal or romantic suspense. We need your submission by midnight of August 15, 2011 – plenty of time for you to write the winning novella or polish up one you’ve already begun.

Once again, Brava authors and editors will narrow down the entries to our top eight contestants, and each of the writers selected will be given a Brava mentor to help her navigate the four challenges ahead. Romantic Times readers will be voting each month to narrow the field, and the winner will be announced at the awards ceremony of the RT convention in April, 2012. Here’s your chance to work with professional writers, publicize your story and win a contract with a New York publisher.
This one is for unpublished authors only, and 15,000-20,000 is pretty do-able by mid-August, do keep us posted if you enter!

2. The Fish Short Story Prize.
This prestigious Irish competition is open from 1st August. Here's the details:
The Fish Short Story Prize welcomes stories on any theme written in English, with a maximum of 5,000 words. The Anthology will be launched during the West Cork Literary Festival, July 2011.
The winner and nine runners-up will be published in the 2012 Fish Anthology.

First Prize - €3,000 - (of which €1,000 is for travel expenses to the launch of the Anthology.)
Second Prize - a week at the Anam Cara Writers' & Artists' Retreat in West Cork's Beara Peninsula, with €300 traveling expenses.
Third Prize - €300. All those who are published in the Anthology will receive five complementary copies.

3. Stephie Smith's Contest List - lots for romance!
Check out this link for lots of romance competitions, mostly in the US, but many open internationally.

4. Mslexia 2011 Women's Novel Competition
The competition is open to unpublished women novelists writing in any genre for adults, including literary fiction, women’s fiction, young adult fiction, science fiction, fantasy, chick-lit, crime fiction, thriller, historical fiction... but not nonfiction or fiction for under 13s. To constitute a novel, your book must total at least 50,000 words.

Closing date: 30 September - Entry fee: £25
Send up to 5,000 words – which must be the first 5,000 words of your novel. Please make sure you have finished the novel before you send your entry.
Who is the competition aimed at?
•Women with an unfinished manuscript languishing in a bottom drawer. (Could this be the impetus you need to finish it?)
•Women who took up the write-a-novel-in-a-month challenge with NaNoWriMo and have a rough first draft. (Why not polish it up and send it to Mslexia?)
•Women who’ve submitted their completed novels over and over, and have despaired of finding an agent. (If you reach our shortlist, they’ll all sit up and take notice.)
•Women who’ve always wanted to write a novel, but could never find the time.
Get your book noticed
Because publishers specialise in different genres, we cannot guarantee a publishing contract at this stage. But we can guarantee that agents and editors will be falling over themselves for a first read of the winning manuscript. And the prize is £5,000!

There are plenty more out there, if anyone knows of a great competition we've missed, do share it in the comments box! Good luck!