What would you like to tell readers about yourself?
* Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America, and was selected to mentor the Superromance finalist of So You Think You Can Write 2014 contest. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.
* She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!
Today Rachel Brimble will be talking about the best and worst pieces of writing advice she ever received.
* Best – “Give yourself permission to write a ‘crappy’ first draft.”
* This simple piece of advice changed my entire prospective and output as a novelist.
* It’s a huge achievement for anyone to finish a full-length novel…but for some writers this can take years. If you want to give up the day job, pursue your life’s calling or write for the rest of your life, the fact is you have to write as quickly as you possibly can for that to happen and be able to eat and pay your rent/mortgage.
* When you’ve beaten the writer’s odds and become a household name, there’s every chance your publisher will be more than happy for you to turn in a 100,000 word novel every year, maybe even every two years. Why? Because the chances are your name alone will give them the return they are looking for.
* However, between now and then, you have to work well and hard.
* For me, that possibility came with this advice – once I understood and took it onboard, I sat down and planned as much of my novel as I felt I needed to write the entire first draft without looking back. The result? My average daily output jumped from 500 words a day to 2,000. Admittedly, I am lucky enough to be a stay-at-home mum and able to write around my children, BUT if your WEEKLY output is 500 words and becomes 2,000, isn’t that a huge difference too?
* Of course, there is more work to come when you have to beat your words into shape, but won’t it be easier to alter, delete and improve a page full of words than battling with a first chapter over and over again?
* Worst advice – “Give up now…you’ll never be published.” Anonymous contest judge circa 2005
* Hmm, I could let this one go by without comment but I will say a few words.
* Most importantly, this advice had the exact opposite affect on me than the judge most probably intended.
* For some people, this might mean they never pick up a pen or put their fingers to a keyboard again. For me, it made me more determined than ever to prove him/her wrong. It angered me, made me more passionate about my dreams and gave me the boost to carry on.
* In 2007 my first novel was published…today, I have fifteen full-length novels published, another due for release in March 2016, another being shopped out by my agent and half way through novel number eighteen (which is the first part of a three-book contract I recently signed).
* I write romantic suspense and mainstream romance for Harlequin Superromance and Victorian romance for eKensington, two of the biggest romance publishers in the US.
* Bad advice? Yes. A great motivator? Absolutely!
* Write on!
* Scott Walker doesn't have time for a relationship. The sexy mechanic has career ambitions, not to mention a mother and three sisters to take care of. The last thing he needs is Carrie Jameson, the beauty he never forgot, arriving in Templeton Cove over the holidays with some unexpected news.
* Scott still finds Carrie irresistible, and he's not one to shirk responsibility. Scott's issues with his own dad make the prospect of parenthood a minefield. But if he and Carrie can overcome their fears, this Christmas could bring them the best gift of all.
* The soft whisper of his exhalation drifted over her folded hands on the table. “That’s great. It’s more than great. Thank you.”
* She swallowed, wanting the words she needed to say out of her body as soon as possible. “You have your life, and I have mine.” She opened her eyes. “Neither of us has to change our plans because I’ve told you about Belle. You can still do what you want to do.”
* His eyes ever so slightly darkened. “If I’m a father, it changes everything.”
* Be strong, Carrie. Lay down the ground rules. “I disagree.” She straightened her spine. “I get it, Scott. Truly. I understand you think knowing about Belle means you have to change your entire life, but that’s not true.”
* “That’s not what I’m––”
* “Let me just say this, please.”
* He closed his eyes and she took that as permission to continue. She inhaled a deep breath. “I like, and appreciate, you thinking what you should to do and how to do it, but I’m not asking you to change your plans overnight. This is going to take time. I want it to take time. Belle doesn’t need to know about you yet. You can go on with your life and when the time’s right, I’ll tell her about you.”
* Silence.
* Carrie swallowed against the dryness in her throat. When she’d been standing outside the holiday park, the decision to see her mission through to the end burning like a flame inside her, she’d thought her words would be strong and clear, delivered with a reverence he couldn’t argue with. Yet now, her stomach trembled with nerves and her hands longed to take his.
* Why did he make her feel so torn and her reasoning unfair? Belle was hers. He had no obligation to her unless he wanted one. “I’m not saying that to be cruel, you know.” She sighed. “I’ve looked after her the last year without a partner beside me. She’ll be okay…whatever you decide.”
* His continuing silence raised the hairs at the back of her neck, made her fear she drove a bigger wedge between them, but she wouldn’t falter. She had come to Templeton and achieved what she came to do––the gates were open and Scott could step through them whenever he was ready. As long as he realized the hinges wouldn’t creak back and forth on a whim.
ANNOUNCEMENT! Rachel Brimble will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour! So be sure to leave a comment AND use the Rafflecopter below. Also, visit the other tour stops for a greater chance of winning!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
13 comments:
Thanks for having me here today! I'm looking forward to chatting with your visitors :D
Thanks for hosting!
Sounds interesting.
I liked the excerpt, thank you.
Sounds like a terrific read, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by, ladies & thanks for following me on my tour! Means a lot... ����
Loved the excerpt.
Great post - thanks for sharing the excerpt!
Great interview, thank you!
I'm thrilled you enjoyed the excerpt & interview! Hope you like Carrie & Scott's story :D
thx u for hosting :)
Sounds like a great read, thanks for sharing!
Hi Nurmawati & Dario!
Thanks for stopping by & good luck in the contest :)
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