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Original poster

Hi! Anyone writing romance?

40 replies

LilyWrites · 19/10/2024 00:14

Hi. Used to be on Mumsnet yearssssss ago when my son was small, but forgotten all log-ins so started afresh. I'm keen to chat with anyone else who is writing, but fellow romance writers would be particularly great. I've been writing for years, currently on my fourth novel. It's always been a hobby but I've just started to query, sent a few out this week. Let me know if anyone is in a similar boat? :-)

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Original poster
LilyWrites · 03/11/2024 17:40

@AScoundrel that sounds pretty good value, actually. It's a fair amount, but it sounds like it was worth it. What period do you write?
I have to say, I am nearly deaded with jealousy at having two or three months just to write - sounds like heaven! Enjoy!

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waterhorse123 · 03/11/2024 19:10

AScoundrel · 03/11/2024 15:05

Thanks for the warm welcome @LilyWrites

I loved the class but I know it was an absolute match for me and the type of books I love to read and wish to write. I think it cost the equivalent of £150. This is not an insignificant amount of money to me but I feel it was well worth it and I am pleased I went for it.

Sarah was very generous in answering questions for a month and gave really helpful resources for writing and historical research.

I’m glad to hear contemporary romance is working out well for you. It’s something I enjoy reading but, for some unknown reason, feel awkward writing.

I’ve also signed up to the notification for the NWS. What an opportunity!

I finish a fixed term work contract next month and will have 2-3 months to dedicate to writing and I’m determined to complete the manuscript for the first book completed and have the series plotted by then. I realise I am likely very naive! 😊

If you have two or three months clear you should be able to get a chapter or two done a day. My advice to you is to not look back. Just sit there and write until you get to the end of the whole book. If you think of anything you want to add in or change, don't do it then or you'll never get finished. Instead, keep a document with 'chapter notes' in it - and add your changes to that. Then, when you go through on your first edit, use those notes and update your chapters. That's what works for me. Good luck with it.

Original poster
LilyWrites · 03/11/2024 19:51

waterhorse123 · 03/11/2024 19:10

If you have two or three months clear you should be able to get a chapter or two done a day. My advice to you is to not look back. Just sit there and write until you get to the end of the whole book. If you think of anything you want to add in or change, don't do it then or you'll never get finished. Instead, keep a document with 'chapter notes' in it - and add your changes to that. Then, when you go through on your first edit, use those notes and update your chapters. That's what works for me. Good luck with it.

Show quote history

Oo, I love the idea of a 'chapter notes' document. I've not done that before. Pinching that tip!
I'm averaging a chapter a night at the moment. No, I don't have a life outside work and writing 😆
I've just thrown a huge unexpected life-bomb in between my two main characters! I hate it! I can't wait until I can get them properly together. I hate 'stakes' 😂

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AScoundrel · 03/11/2024 21:18

@LilyWrites thanks, I know I’m very lucky to have a good amount of time coming up, I’m determined to make the most of it. I’m working such long hours right now but it will be worth it. Period wise it will be late 1700s, a little bit pre-strict Regency. What’s your favourite period to read and write? Writing a chapter a night is amazing!

@waterhorse123 thanks for the excellent advice. That makes a lot of sense and sounds manageable. I am using Scrivener which I think should make doing those chapter notes straightforward. I wouldn’t have thought of doing that so huge thank you.

waterhorse123 · 03/11/2024 21:28

AScoundrel · 03/11/2024 21:18

@LilyWrites thanks, I know I’m very lucky to have a good amount of time coming up, I’m determined to make the most of it. I’m working such long hours right now but it will be worth it. Period wise it will be late 1700s, a little bit pre-strict Regency. What’s your favourite period to read and write? Writing a chapter a night is amazing!

@waterhorse123 thanks for the excellent advice. That makes a lot of sense and sounds manageable. I am using Scrivener which I think should make doing those chapter notes straightforward. I wouldn’t have thought of doing that so huge thank you.

I write just before Regency and Regency.

Original poster
LilyWrites · 03/11/2024 23:43

AScoundrel · 03/11/2024 21:18

@LilyWrites thanks, I know I’m very lucky to have a good amount of time coming up, I’m determined to make the most of it. I’m working such long hours right now but it will be worth it. Period wise it will be late 1700s, a little bit pre-strict Regency. What’s your favourite period to read and write? Writing a chapter a night is amazing!

@waterhorse123 thanks for the excellent advice. That makes a lot of sense and sounds manageable. I am using Scrivener which I think should make doing those chapter notes straightforward. I wouldn’t have thought of doing that so huge thank you.

Love the sound of late 1700s. I adore regency but my three historicals are all set in the 1890s.

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AScoundrel · 04/11/2024 08:08

I’m so pleased I found this thread, I am a member of 3 book groups and nobody else reads historical romance!

waterhorse123 · 04/11/2024 12:39

AScoundrel · 04/11/2024 08:08

I’m so pleased I found this thread, I am a member of 3 book groups and nobody else reads historical romance!

There are lots of historical romance groups on facebook. Loads of my friends on there either write them or read them - or both.

AScoundrel · 04/11/2024 18:48

@waterhorse123 I haven’t joined a virtual book group before but it’s something I ought to do, thanks 😊

waterhorse123 · 19/11/2024 14:29

I am a member of the RNA which supports its New Writers Scheme (NWS) and just received this which I thought some of you might be interested in.

https://romanticnovelistsassociation.org/join/access-grants

Access grants - Romantic Novelists' Association

https://romanticnovelistsassociation.org/join/access-grants

Original poster
LilyWrites · 22/11/2024 18:20

@waterhorse123 Thank you so much for sharing. Hopefully someone might come across it and find it useful!

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AScoundrel · 01/02/2025 08:51

@LilyWrites just a reminder about signing up to the RNA today if you haven’t already. I just signed up and there are around 80 places out of 250 left and I think it’s been open less than an hour!

@waterhorse123 thank for putting this on my radar last year. Now I just have to write the book!

LouisaMayAlcott · 01/02/2025 22:26

I'm a member of the RNA, I started in the NWS and through that I got a publication deal. And an agent from a 1-2-1 at the conference. The RNA are brilliant!

AScoundrel · 03/02/2025 16:45

@LouisaMayAlcott thanks for your encouraging post. Well done, what an achievement.

Original poster
LilyWrites · 03/02/2025 22:05

AScoundrel · 01/02/2025 08:51

@LilyWrites just a reminder about signing up to the RNA today if you haven’t already. I just signed up and there are around 80 places out of 250 left and I think it’s been open less than an hour!

@waterhorse123 thank for putting this on my radar last year. Now I just have to write the book!

Thank you so much - yes I signed up! I'm so excited to get my book in and get some feedback. Pleased to be part of it :-)

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