It’s almost time! We only have ONE day to go until the Harlequin Presents Blitz is open for submissions! We’ll be accepting your submissions from May 15th – June 2nd, so don’t delay – get writing!
But, if you’re still struggling to get started, here’s the Harlequin Presents team’s guide to…
How to Make Your Idea a Reality!
- Start writing… OK, so it’s easier said than done. But, when you’re struggling to get started, there’s nothing worse than staring at a blank page. So, even if you’re certain that it’s the worst thing you’ve ever written – we promise you, it’s not! – don’t worry. Why? Because you’ve just crossed the first hurdle. You’ve started writing! Now, the real story can begin. It’s time to make your idea a reality!
- Captivate us from the first page… You’ve only got one chapter to grab the editor’s attention, so make it count! Think… what’s going to pull a reader in? Explosive chemistry? Tick! A gripping storyline? Tick! A unique spin on a popular Presents theme? Tick! We’re looking for a story that’s impossible to put down. So, show us what you’ve got!
- Conflict is key… Without emotional conflict, your story has nowhere to go. This has to be your focus. So, use it is as your starting point. Your plot should be dictated by where your hero and heroine’s emotional conflict takes them. So, we need to see, in your synopsis, how each scene is a reaction to the last. Consider… Does this scene have a purpose? How is it changing the story? And, importantly, does it take your hero and heroine one step closer to their Happily Ever After?
- Trial and error… We know there’s nothing worse than realising that your story has hit a roadblock, but this can be a good thing! If you’re stuck, it’s usually because something in your story isn’t quite working. So, take a step back and ask yourself, is this best way to tell my hero and heroine’s story? It’s only when you do this, that your story will fall into place.
- Write what you love… Our best piece of advice? Write what you love! Harlequin Presents is all about passion and escape. So, create a world that you – and your reader – can get lost in! Do you find yourself longing for a particular story to be put on the shelves, but can’t find it anywhere? Well, write it yourself! It’s only when we realise that you’re in love with your characters, and their world, that we can fall in love with them ourselves!
We hope this advice has given you that final push to start writing. But, before we go…
You can find the Presents team, on Wednesday May 15th at 10am EDT, on the Harlequin Writing Community Facebook page. We’ll be there to answer any burning questions you might have about writing the perfect Presents and offering that final bit of inspiration to get started!
All that’s left to say is…
Good Luck!
The Harlequin Presents Team
2 replies on “Harlequin Presents Blitz: The Final Countdown”
Gotta believe if Michael Buble is encouraging us! 🙂
He’s such a hottie and I love his classic voice and choice of songs.
I just saw Michael Buble and Julio Iglesias Jr in concert. Julio knelt in front of me and held my hand to sing to me A great experience to get in the mood for Harlequin Presents
Comments ( 7 )
I spent the entire shutdown working. Had no time to wind down. I didn’t see my son much when school shutdown. My one co worker was told to stay home for 3 weeks so I picked up her hours. This year has been really crappy.
Ugh, Janell. Here’s hoping the rest of your summer is better.
Thanks for the info, Carol! Everyone is different in how they deal with the shutdown! I stay at home all the time since I don’t work so I haven’t been too effected but my shopping and errands sure have been effected!
Valri, I’ve been doing most of my shopping online. My local Target is still low on some items – mostly cleaning supplies. Grocery store is pretty much back to normal. Most of the dining in our town is outdoor. I can’t imagine have school-age kids!
Wow–getting your creative process on track must have been daunting–especially with “extra-large dog” glad to have you home. You don’t like coffee–I love coffee and have enjoyed my fortifying 2 cups in the morning even more than usual! How as COVID affected your story lines and characterizations? Best Wishes for all releases!
Interesting question, Virginia. You’ll have to tell me if the tone of my “COVID” books changed any! LOL
Life has changed so much! My dad passed Feb 2. The assisted living facility my folks were at went into hardcore lockdown the beginning of March. Mom couldn’t leave her apartment for 4 months! She was on the third floor, Will be 89 in two months & doesn’t use the phone. My husband and I remodeled the lower level completely and moved her in with us July 1. What a life change and difficult transition for the 3 of us! But we’re working thru it!