Lynn Raye Harris

I’ve noticed that I’m getting a lot of traffic lately from the posts over at I Heart Presents about the writing competition. I thank you all for visiting me! Maybe as you gear up for the latest contest, you’re looking for wisdom, the secret, etc. Or maybe you just want to know how to write a Harlequin Presents.

So I’m going to share what I know with you. Bear in mind that no two writers are alike. Bear in mind that my way is not the only way or the correct way, etc. But my way does come from experience. Not a ton of experience, but enough. I’ve now written three books for the line, and I’m working on my fourth.

Ready? Here we go with lesson one:

First, ask yourself why you’re trying to write a Presents. Is it because you love reading them? Because you love the alpha male, the glamor and passion of the exotic settings, the seduction of two people falling in love in spite of chasms of issues between them? Do you love the emotional pull of these intense stories?

Or do you want to write them because they are short and surely must be quick to write? Because you’ve heard the editors are buying? Because you want to be published and think this line is as good as any? Because how hard is it to write a jerk and the doormat that lets him stomp all over her?

If your answer is more in line with the first set of questions, awesome! If it’s the second, you probably need to go back to the drawing board. You need to start reading these books and see why they are beloved by women around the world. If you can’t see it, you probably can’t write it. You must love the line, or at least understand why it works, to write it. MUST.

Secondly, if you’re still here, you need compelling characters. Characters with deep issues, with conflicts that drive them. (There are posts by the editors over at IHP explaining all of this.) The story is not about the plot, it’s about the characters. Believe me, I have trouble with this in the planning stages. Because I start with a scenario and then I start trying to figure out the how and why of the scenario. I’ve finally discovered that I really don’t need to bother with a synopsis (other than the one my editor will want). I won’t follow it and it doesn’t matter. WHO the characters are is what matters.

What they want, what they fear, what they desire, and what it is about all of this that makes them both the best person and the worst for the other one. That’s what you need to know.

Your assignment, should you choose to complete it, is to figure out what is driving your characters. That will feed into their motivation, which is another important facet of writing for HP. Learn their fears. Know them inside and out. Know their emotions.

Another tip, and this one is self-serving I admit, is to read not only the usual Harlequin Presents authors you love and are familiar with, but to read the ones who’ve been brought into the line recently. Sabrina Phillips, Janette Kenny, and I all have releases available in stores now. Read us, see what it is about our voices that clicked for the editors.

Next week, I’ll talk about the nuts and bolts of crafting that first chapter.

A friend sent me an email that basically said, “Hey, why aren’t you blogging?” Well, I am blogging, but I’ve had so many guest blogs recently (and another one coming on Saturday at the Pink Heart Society!) that I’ve not put up too many new posts. And yet, I’m also betting there’s a tiny bit of confusion with the contest post being at the top of the page. People see it and think there’s nothing new — but it’s a sticky post, meaning it stays at the top until I change it. And I don’t want to change it because I want people to easily find the contest. (Scroll down, my lovelies, scroll down!)

Perhaps I need to work with my web designer on a static contest page. It’s something I’m considering, but first we’ll see how this contest goes. Thanks for everyone who has entered thus far! I hope you enjoy the excerpt and the potential goodies you could win.

So what else am I up to? Well, I’m working on two books at once. Since I’m waiting to hear back from my editor on the proposal for Book 4, I decided to work on my idea for Book 5. I’ve written the first scene, and it was a blast! But I can’t tell you what any of it is about just in case my editor doesn’t like any of it. I’ll just say that #4 is set in Buenes Aires. I have ordered Argentina guidebooks and I’ve been having a marvelous time reading them! And now I want to go to Argentina. Who wouldn’t want to learn how to tango or eat beef so tender you can cut it with a spoon?

What is your fantasy travel destination at the moment? Where would you like to be if you could go anywhere?

That’s what deadlines do, apparently! They make you disappear while you figure out the intricacies of emotion, plot, and resolutions to all problems so you can have the HEA. I’m coming down to the wire (and The End) and working pretty steadily. I also have to make time for a little bit of a personal life. In fact, the hubby and I watched a program on the Travel Channel the other day about the best hot dogs in the US. Oh dear. I’m not much of a hot dog eater normally, but I’ve had such a craving the last few days. And my local grocery store sells Nathan’s hot dogs, which are Coney Island dogs and were featured on the show. We had them last night — and OMG, heavenly!

There is also, apparently, a seriously cool place in Atlanta called The Varsity which has been selling hot dogs for decades. Now I want to make a quick run to Atlanta for a hot dog. Is that crazy?

Aside from craving hot dogs, I’ve also found time to mail out books — so if you won a copy of SPANISH MAGNATE, RED-HOT REVENGE from me, it’s on the way!! I hope you’ll let me know what you think.

I did promise to pick a winner from last week’s giveaway! Without further ado, my scientifically approved method has drawn Mari from the comments.

Mari, please email me your contact info and I’ll get a signed copy in the mail to you!

Who likes hot dogs? What do you like on them? I’m a mustard and relish gal, but I’ve had a Chicago dog before and loved all that stuff they cram on top of the dog. My favorite kinds of hot dogs, btw, are all beef in casings (like Nathan’s). Not much of an Oscar Meyer/Ballpark/etc fan. What about you?

I’m working on Book 3, getting deep into character and motivation, and generally having fun exploring the relationship between these two volatile people. And when I ran across this picture, the light bulb went off — this is my hero. Cristiano is strong, sexy, and tortured by the past. And he’s absolutely determined to get what he wants from the heroine — and to leave her with nothing when he’s done.

Oh be still my heart! Wounded heroes are so sexy to write.

Yeah, I love this job.

In other news, the website is inching closer to reveal day! I’m so excited about it, and can’t wait to share it with you all! There will be a new website, blog, and newsletter. And when it goes live, I’ll give away some goodies.

One last thing — my book is up for pre-order on Amazon, but now it has a cover — and that makes me delighted to share the link with you!

I’m working on Book 3 and I could tell something was missing. As much as I loved the characters, and the situation I’d gotten them into (oh it is delicious, but I cannot tell you!), there was some niggling little thing bugging me. Something wasn’t right.

Fortunately, my editor saw it too. And after a conversation with her yesterday, I now have new direction. What I was missing, apparently, was some deeper angst. In a short category novel, those backgrounds are key. What happened to these people in the past to make them who they are now? What about their pasts prevents them from being together or from seeing they are right for each other? What must they help each other to realize before they can live happily ever after?

It seems straightforward enough, but it rarely is. My characters are real to me, and until I know what their problems truly are, it’s impossible to just make a bunch of stuff up that doesn’t fit. Seriously. I guess that sounds silly, but it’s true.

My editor hit on something perfect that fit the hero so well I wondered how I hadn’t realized it about him before. Combine that with some other things I learned about him, and with the heroine’s background, and we’ve got one dark book. But I’m up for the challenge! I’m looking forward to the revisions to the first three chapters, and what will happen as I move forward from there. I’m excited about it again, and not worried that something is missing. It’s a great feeling.

And, once again, there’s a deadline staring me in the face. So time to get busy!

How do you know when you have all your elements in place? Do character backgrounds take you a while to learn? Or do you know everything right away?

I’ll be wrestling the characters of the newest book this week, so may not be around too much. I’ve got them in a pickle, but the trouble is they are still hiding information from me so I don’t quite know what they’re going to do. This situation cannot continue. I, as the writer, MUST know what’s what. Until I do, they aren’t getting out of the difficult place I’ve stuck them in. I’m pretty sure I’m going to win, though not sure how long it’ll take….

Don’t forget to comment on the one year anniversary post below for a chance to win a prize!

Okay, so I can’t believe it’s Monday already. Probably because I blogged on Saturday (see post immediately beneath this one for link). And I have nothing new to talk about! I’m still so excited about my fab cover, and yes I will be putting it in the sidebar very soon and on my website.

I could just stare at it all day! I love my Alejandro. So sexy. Ahem, where was I? Oh yes, nothing to talk about. The weekend raced by. Hubby and I went out to do errands on Saturday, then went to my parents’ house for dinner yesterday. Suddenly, it’s Monday. Hubby is back at work and I’m staring at the WIP. Characters are stuck in a house together, alone, and sparks are flying. I suppose I should really be listening in and typing, come to think of it.

One of my friends went to Costa Rica to finish her book before deadline. I’m wishing I could do that. Instead, I’ll have to pretend. *sigh* Time to whip out the tropical poster and play island music, I guess…..

If you could go anywhere to finish your book, where would it be? Or where have you gone that was good for the muse? (When I lived in Hawaii, I didn’t write nearly as much as I should have — found the beaches and lifestyle distracting, in fact. LOL!)

Today is the one year anniversary of the call that I’d won the Harlequin Presents Instant Seduction contest. Much has changed in the past year! Come on one over to I Heart Presents and see what I have to say about the journey. (And get the inside scoop on the genesis of my second book.)

Leave me a comment here and I’ll put you in for a drawing. Not sure what I’m giving away yet, but I promise it will be good! Perhaps I will let the winner choose…. $10 gift card to bookstore of choice? Scrumptious bath set? A trio of brand new Harlequin Presents? What would you like? (No, not a winning lottery ticket!)

You have until Monday at midnight CDT to enter.

Breaking News: my RED-HOT cover is up over at IHP!!!! In celebration, I’ll pick TWO winners instead of one.

A recent incident shocked me enough to realize that I need to remind any aspiring authors reading this to make SURE you vet the information you’re getting before launching into a plan of action for conferences and/or submissions. Sometimes we accept the advice of well-meaning but misinformed people without knowing they are misinformed. It always pays to check for yourself.

While you’d think it wouldn’t need to be said, here are some things you do NOT want to do:

1. Do NOT stalk editors and/or agents. Planning your time so you can “bump” into someone, and then refusing to go away, is not the correct course of action. Of course you need to be prepared, because there will be those elevator meetings sometimes, but don’t haunt the restroom door in the hopes of running into someone. Or the buffet line.

2. Do NOT misspell names on your query. Names are kind of unforgivable since you should be able to check and double check the correct spelling — especially if you’ve gotten a business card from the individual. I once got a letter from a utility company that referred to me as Mrs. Barris. Jarring. And if you want to compare yourself to another author, use caution — don’t say J.R. Rawling when you mean J.K. Rowling.

(Seriously, this should be obvious, but you’d be surprised.)

3. Do NOT take as gospel every word said by the woman sitting next to you at your RWA chapter meeting — even if she does seem to know a lot. If you’re a PRO member, download those PRO booklets and read, read, read. Then ask questions of published authors (or experienced PROs) you TRUST to give you good advice. Check and double check, because if someone tells you to stand outside the restroom door or linger in the buffet line looking for a publishing professional, it’s probably not the best advice.

(I did once listen to something someone told me when I was very green, even though my gut told me otherwise. The result was a rejection, of course. This was a long time ago, and believe me I learned.)

4. Do NOT send the same query for the same book to the same agent who just rejected it. Rework the query or submit somewhere else. Wish I could find the link, but I read a post last week about someone who kept submitting a query for an adult novel (not that kind of adult!) to a children’s book agent. She finally got frustrated and wrote back telling him to stop because she didn’t represent that type of book, which she had politely tried to tell him over the last several months. His reply? That she was an agent and therefore he would keep querying her because it was his job to query agents about his book. Talk about clueless! And, oh yeah, agents know each other. You can bet his name is now making a viral loop through Agentland as we speak. And not in a positive way.

5. Do NOT think you know it all. I’ve met these people and it’s frustrating as heck. I know I don’t know everything, but I’m pretty sure this stuff I just said is true. But you be sure and double check it before listening to me, you hear?

What kind of crazy advice have you ever gotten? Good advice? What sort of horrible hi-jinks have you seen at conferences? We’ve all heard the manuscript under the door story, but have you ever seen its equivalent? Thankfully, I haven’t, but I know at least one person who I think would do it. Sadly, some people don’t listen.

I can’t think of a single thing to post today. I’ve not been doing much, just reading for friends, thinking about where my story is going, cleaning out the refrigerator, grocery shopping — you know, mundane stuff. I think I need to be going 90 miles a minute to have any focus, you know? Isn’t that weird?

But I think it’s true. I always do my best work under the metaphorical gun. Give me pressure, and I’m off to the races. Tell me I have all the time in the world, and I’m lollygagging along on a pleasure cruise. I need deadlines and structure to succeed. I think many of us do.

So, yeah, I have some tasks that need done, but I also need to set myself a deadline while I wait for my editor to tell me if my latest proposal would be better served as firestarter. Best to work forward steadily and maybe get more accomplished than all this thumb twiddling is doing.

But, good news, my chapter meeting is the weekend! That always motivates me.

What motivates you? Do you need pressure? Or do you accomplish just as much when you have a lot of leisure time?