How to write for Modern Romance

by Rhoda Akinpelu on April 6th, 2009, 12:51pm

Welcome to the Write Stuff and the Mills & Boon community. It’s very exciting to be here! I’m Jenny Hutton and I’m editor for Modern Romance. Over the next few weeks I will come on and post our Modern Master Class, so if you think you have what it takes to write a Modern Romance novel this is your chance!

The editors are on the lookout for talented new authors… Regular readers of Modern Romance will know that the hallmarks of all our stories are pace, passion and intensity – and that they expect to see them stamped on our novels from the very first page. So, do you harbour a burning ambition to become a writer for Modern Romance? If the answers yes then we want to hear from you!

Send three chapters and a synopsis to: Editorial Department, Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1SR.

Or email submissions@hmb.co.uk

But, before you lick the stamp on the envelope, or hit the send button take our Modern Romance Master Class…

Other editors and I will pop on over the coming weeks to answer any questions you may have about writing for Mills & Boon.

Best wishes

Jenny

This week we’ll start with the Modern Romance favourite – the sexy, gorgeous, devilishly handsome alpha male!

1) Living with and Loving the Alpha Male!

What would we Modern Romance readers do without our Alpha heroes? We all have our personal all-time favourites, the memorable men who’ve made us go weak at the knees from the moment we’ve met them.

But how, as a writer, do you create a successful Alpha hero? We editors read many manuscripts in our search for new talent to publish in Modern Romance and too many times we meet heroes who just aren’t Alpha enough! They just don’t live up to their heroic status and they certainly don’t engage our emotions and our imaginations.

We realise that in these days it’s not always easy to create an Alpha hero. We live in an age where equality is (quite rightly) the aim and male strength can be seen as oppressive. Our cultural male heroes are more likely peacemakers, environmentalists and family men. But the success of Modern Romance proves that many women still fantasize about strong men – not macho brutes, I hasten to add, but guys who use their power for good.

So let’s go to the heart of the Modern Romance male and analyze what makes him tick:

The Alpha Male does two crucial things: He takes control and drives the story; he has the power to make things happen!He is the key driver of the romance – he is the aspiration of the story’s heroine (and the reader) The Alpha Male is a celebration of strength!

How do you create a successful alpha-hero?

Recognise that he is the ultimate nurturer and build his character around this trait. He acts for the welfare of others and he is the one who recognises the heroine’s true goodness and worth.

Build a list of his strengths and reveal them as his character develops in your story.

Keep him focused. This is what he has done to become such a success in his life, so he will always follow through to the end – unless he sees the sense of changing course.

Show his passion - for his work, his life and in the bedroom!

Know his flaws and have the heroine, and the storyline, challenge them – so that he has to contemplate changing himself and his behaviour. Though changing will always remain his choice!

Be clear about the heroine’s emotional and sexual needs. It is through her journey of fulfilment via the hero that the reader gains insight into his character.

Use writing technique to create a more complex rendering of his character, such as male point of view, and semi-climax when crisis occurs as a result of the hero’s flaws.

Be sure that by the last chapter our hero has experienced his own emotional journey ad he’s ready to settle down to a happy ending.

Above all, remember that he is the man whom every woman wants. If you are in love with your hero, then the reader will be too!

Hi Anushka

Posted on December 18th, 2009, 3:13pm by Gemma Jackson

Welcome to the site, when you have time why don't you pop over and fill out your profile page? Its great to be able to find out a little about the people you're talking to.

Great name. Hope I've spelt it right. With a name like Moore are you Irish?

Good luck Anushka

Posted on December 18th, 2009, 1:59pm by mulberry

Happy writing!

http://waitingforthecall.wordpress.com/

Thank you

Posted on December 18th, 2009, 12:04pm by Anushka Moore

As I am setting out with great trepidation and much excitement to write my first Mills& Boon, it is fabulous to find a positive place like the Write Stuff. Thank you all for the posts. They have pointed me roughly in the right direction :) Best wishes

You're welcome.

Posted on November 3rd, 2009, 9:48pm by Hilary Mackelden

I know how I feel when someone tells me they like my work. Which is why I always say if I've liked someone else's.

Hilary--oh, you just put the

Posted on November 3rd, 2009, 6:44pm by Michelle Willingham

Hilary--oh, you just put the biggest smile on my face. Thank you so much for saying you liked HWS. Yay! :) I'm in the midst of wrestling with Trahern's book right now, and that's the kind of note that keeps an author going. Thank you!!

Michelle Willingham
www.michellewillingham.com
An Accidental Seduction - Historical Undone - February 2010
The Accidental Countess - Mills and Boon Historicals January 2010

Thank you

Posted on November 2nd, 2009, 1:31am by Hilary Mackelden

Thank you for the answers to my questions. I am aware that I must focus on the hero and heroine of the book and not spend too much time on the secondary characters, and I haven't. Just enough to let you know they are there, waiting in the wings. The romance is the be all, but there is a linked back story that I'd like to see go over the four books, which was why i asked.

I have to say as a reader, I love the books that are linked, such as Michelle's MacEgan brothers or BJ Daniels' Whitehorse series, or Joanna Wayne's Collingsworths. I get to know a little about the characters from their cameo appearances in book one and then I want to see them in book two, as well as saying hi to the hero and heroine from book one when they pop up in book two. I actively look out for the next book in the series.

But I do get tremendously frustrated with series that are written by more than one author - there was a great series based around a group who played Texas Hold Em last year. The five books were written by five different authors, and the trouble was, there was no way of knowing which authors were writing for the series or which titles to look out for. I nearly missed two of the books and found them by chance in a charity shop, months after their release dates. It might have helped if, at the beginning of the book there was a list of other titles in this series, but there usually isn't. If they're by an author I've enjoyed, I notice the name and look carefully for more. If they're by a different author, how am I supposed to know?

Michelle, I have read all your MacEgan books. In fact, I usually reserve Sunday afternoons for reading, and only today i read "Her Warrior Slave" and loved every single page of it.

Hi Hilary, I'm delighted

Posted on October 30th, 2009, 11:10am by Jenny Hutton

Hi Hilary,

I'm delighted that you are enjoying your writing so much, and that so many characters are springing up in your mind! Sounds like they are going to be keeping you busy.

Mulberry gave a great response. She's right when she says it's all about focusing on the current story and making sure it's the strongest book it can be. In short series romance there isn't much space on the page for a whole host of other characters, because you need the time to explore the depth of conflict between your central couple. This is where we'd encourage you to direct your focus and be completely sure that the book stands up on its own.�

Of course those other characters will be jumping up and down to have their story told, and there is certainly no harm in letting us know that you have other books in mind when you send in your submission.�

Good luck!

Jenny

I sold my first book and it

Posted on October 30th, 2009, 11:01am by Michelle Willingham

I sold my first book and it was part of a series of brothers. However, each book was its own entity and could stand alone. That's the key--you're not guaranteed that you'll sell all of them, so just be careful with it. But it can be done. ;)

Also, mine were historical, not Modern. The thing is, each book is judged independently. There's no harm in writing brothers' books, though. I probably wouldn't mention it though. Let them fall in love with that first book and tell them AFTER you've sold it.

Michelle Willingham
www.michellewillingham.com
An Accidental Seduction - Historical Undone - February 2010
The Accidental Countess - Mills and Boon Historicals January 2010

Secondary characters

Posted on October 29th, 2009, 9:42pm by mulberry

Hilary, I know one of the editors answered a very similar question on one of the Harlequin /Mills and Boon forums, but I wasn't able to find it!

I'm just an "unpublished but working on it" writer like you, but I think we need to be very careful of this. It's important to just write the best story we can without thinking of linked stories! The editors tend to commission the linked stories from established writers.

The focus needs to be kept very tightly on the hero and heroine. Too many secondary characters or secondary characters who become more important than they should can get in the way of the emotional intensity that staying with the two main characters can give. Also, there's a danger with lots of other characters of having their actions drive the story (external conflict) rather than the hero and heroine's feelings and relationship issues (internal conflict).

Of course, no reason your hero should not have four single and equally gorgeous younger brothers

But they better wait in line for their turn in the spotlight.

http://waitingforthecall.wordpress.com/

writing a mini series

Posted on October 29th, 2009, 6:33pm by Hilary Mackelden

Hello. Not sure if this is the place to put this, but I have a question. I am writing my first Mills and Boon story, and enjoying it very much, though it's one of the hardest things I've ever done. As I was writing the first story, I realised that there were a number of other characters whose stories also want to be told, and I'd like to write them one after the other, in a mini series of four books, in the way writers like Joanna Wayne have done. What I'd like to know is, do Mills and Boon like first time authors to do this? And if it is acceptable, do i say this is book one of four when I send it for consideration?

You're welcome Natalie . . .

Posted on September 12th, 2009, 2:41pm by Kate Walker

I'm glad the alpha blog is helping

But no Modern and Modern Heat are not the same - I've often seen the Modern Heat described as Modern Romance/Presents 'younger sister' but that doesnt quite do it for me.

I did discuss that on my blog too - try here and if you look at the guidelines on this site you'll see very distinct differences betwen Modern and Modern Heat. Over on new author Lynn Raye Harris's blog theres's a Mod Heat author (Kimberly Lang) describing why a MH hero isn't a Modern Romance hero - but the best way is to read the books, you'll soon see the differences then.

You don't say which line you are aiming to write for but my best advice is to make sure you know which one you're aiming for so that you don't fall between two stools

Kate

web site: http://www.kate-walker.com
blog: http://kate-walker.blogspot.com
Cordero's Forced Bride Modern March 2009
Kept For her Baby Modern August 2009
The Konstantos Marriage Demand January 2010

12 Point Guide to Writing Romance

Thanks Kate

Posted on September 12th, 2009, 12:59pm by Natalie Tipton

Thanks for the advice Kate, currently reading through you blog and am almost overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things I'm learning :)

Also, and I don't want to sound daft here but theres a part in the blog that basically describes the different Alpha's in each genre. I was just wondering and you'll have to excuse me for being a little clueless here, but what is the difference between 'Modern Heat' and 'Modern Romance'? I thought they were pretty much the same...

Thanks

Natalie�

Hi Natalie

Posted on September 12th, 2009, 7:17am by Kate Walker

And welcome to the community - you'll get lots of help and advice here.

About Alphas - as well as the information from the editors on this thread, I ran a long discussion on the alph hero on my blog back in April/May - just go to my blog and put All About Alphas into the search - that should get it.

Lots of people wrote to me to say they enjoyed it. Hope you do too

Kate

web site: http://www.kate-walker.com
blog: http://kate-walker.blogspot.com
Cordero's Forced Bride Modern March 2009
Kept For her Baby Modern August 2009
The Konstantos Marriage Demand January 2010

12 Point Guide to Writing Romance

Alpha Heroes

Posted on September 12th, 2009, 12:02am by Natalie Tipton

Hi!

I'm new to the community so *waves at everyone*. I've actually just set about planning my own story and was just hoping if there was anywhere I could get more information on creating the 'Alpha Hero'. I don't want to go ahead with creating him then realise he's completely unrealistic :)

So any help you guys could give me would be great. Thanks�

Natalie

xxx

Thank you, Donna

Posted on September 10th, 2009, 6:27pm by Rosie Montrose

I shall rush over there and peruse it, forthwith!

I love your blog, by the way.

Romance

Posted on September 9th, 2009, 8:49pm by Donna Alward

Romy and Rosie:

There is a thread for the Romance line: http://community.millsandboon.co.uk/forums/cafe-social/simply-series/romance

You are very welcome to ask any and all questions there - several of the authors hang out and I know they'd do their best. Maybe not the equivalent of a master class by our lovely editors, but we'd definitely have a go at answering your questions on what makes a Romance a...Romance! :-)

Donna

ONE DANCE WITH THE COWBOY - Romance, Jan 2010
HER LONE COWBOY - Romance, March 2010, April UK
Hired: The Italian's Bride in MEDITERRANEAN MEN & MARRIAGE, July 2010 UK
www.donnaalward.com
www.donnaalward.blogspot.com

I second Rosie's Request

Posted on September 3rd, 2009, 11:56am by Romy Sommer

Please can we have a discussion focussed more towards Mills&Boon Romance?

http://romysommer.blogspot.com
http://saromancewriters.blogspot.com

Writing for the Romance line

Posted on August 30th, 2009, 11:15am by Rosie Montrose

Sorry if this question is in the wrong place, but I'm not sure where else to put it.

I've now read a great deal about writing for the Modern line and am mulling it all (and writing stuff) - that is, IHP and about the alpha hero and various blogs etc as well as here - but I'd like to read the equivalent for the Romance line.

I can't seem to find the equivalent, though. I'm sure I must be searching incorrectly or something. Pointers in the right direction would be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.

Thank you very much!

Posted on August 7th, 2009, 1:12pm by Rosie Montrose

Thank you, Janet and mulberry!

They were both most helpful suggestions. I hadn't even seen the search box, and didn't know about the list of words. I obviously have a lot to learn...

Anyway, I am now reading the first chapters, comments and synopses. It's fascinating and most useful.

using tags

Posted on August 6th, 2009, 8:09pm by mulberry

Rosie, the method Janet suggested works well, especially if you want something specific. The other way I use a lot when I want to find those posts is to choose the category "writing contest" from the list in the right hand column. That brings up all the posts related to the three writing contests they've hosted on I Hearts. There's a lot of information there!

http://waitingforthecall.wordpress.com/

There's a search box on the

Posted on August 6th, 2009, 7:54pm by Janet

Hi Rosie,

There's a search box on the iheartpresents site--if you put a few keywords into that it should lead you to the competition winners' stories/synopsis/editors' comments/first chapter

Finding the previous contest entries...

Posted on August 6th, 2009, 9:45am by Rosie Montrose

Good Morning - I'm new here and am having difficulty finding my way around. Following Jackie's suggestion, I went to the I Heart Presents site, but faced with loads of archive dates I haven't the faintest idea how to find the contest entries.

I'd be grateful if you could tell me how to find them. I don't have enough life left to simply work my way through everything... - although I know I would find it fascinating if I did...

I'm sure there's something simple that I'm missing. Maybe I don't have enough caffeine in my system yet...

Jackie wrote:

For anyone who is going to be entering the new Modern/Modern Heat contest, I would recommend reading the entries from previous contests, plus the editorial feedback that was posted about them. These should be available in the I Heart Presents archives.

Hello everyone, As usual I'm

Posted on July 27th, 2009, 8:13pm by Tamelia Tumlin

Hello everyone,

As usual I'm a day late and a dollar short. I did not find out about this WONDERFUL blog until a week or so ago when one of the lovely ladies over at e-harlequin pointed it out. Thank you so much for that! I've been reading through the post and finding these so helpful. This is great! I'm workig on a MH right now and there are some great checklist on here to use.

Good luck everyone. I've got to get back to my alpha hero.

Do not be scared

Posted on July 27th, 2009, 6:41am by Michelle Styles

The editors are all lovely business women but sometimes they are human and a response goes missing or get delayed.

You do need to follow up with the eeditors email if you have not received a response within 20 weeks. The vast majority of responses are sent out before that time. Include your reference number, title of ms and date sent. Keep it short and business like, you simply want to check on status. It is not the time to pitch another ms or talk about your dog.

It is what an agent would do for you if an agent had submitted on your behalf. Without an agent, you must be your own.

And I see a number of comments about Jenny posting more parts. There are quite a number of parts to the masterclass contained in this thread, but I believe the class has finished.

FWIW

Michelle S

Mills & Boon Historical author
website: www.michellestyles.co.uk

Ally, better to know than to

Posted on July 25th, 2009, 2:03am by Jackie Ashenden

Ally, better to know than to spend months and months wondering. If it's a no, then you can get on to sending in something else and if it's a yes then you can get on to celebrating! :-) Crossing fingers for good news.

http://jackieashenden.blogspot.com/

positive thinking!

Posted on July 22nd, 2009, 11:05pm by Claire

positive thinking Ally! I really hope you'll be sharing your good news with us soon...it's so nerve-wracking isn't it?

jackie and

Posted on July 22nd, 2009, 12:10am by Ally F

jackie and clare

thanks for the advice and good wishes. I am almost too scared to write and ask in case it comes back as a no!

here's hoping...�

Thanks4 the tip

Posted on July 21st, 2009, 2:13pm by Kathleen Kerr

hi Jenny

Thanks for the tip on writing the alpha male as i find it difficult to create a worthy male, its easy to create a good female but the male.

i'll try writing down what his character etc and see what happens. Can't wait to read your next piece of advice.

fingers crossed

Posted on July 21st, 2009, 2:01pm by Claire

Ally, you have been so patient! Hope you hear something soon. I'm guessing that means I'm waiting for another few months! We just need to hope that no news is good news, huh?

Ally, the best thing to do

Posted on July 20th, 2009, 10:11pm by Jackie Ashenden

Ally, the best thing to do is to email the editors using the generic email address. Give your name and the reference number you should have got with your confirmation letter. It may take them a week or two, but you should get a response.

http://jackieashenden.blogspot.com/

submissions

Posted on July 20th, 2009, 4:52pm by Ally F

Dear Jenny

I sent in my 3 chapters of my modern romance last year around October and I still havent heard anything back from M&B. I did get a letter to say that the chapters had been received.

Is it a case of no news is good news and I should just continue to keep my fingers crossed? Or more a case of give up now!

I have finished the manuscript now - it is the first in a series of three should I just keep writing and start the second book now?

I know you are inundated with submissions so I am happy to wait in the meantime!

Best

Ally�

Thanks Jackie and Mulberry

Posted on July 19th, 2009, 11:02pm by Claire

18 weeks and counting! eek...I'm going to focus on my competition entry for now to take my mind off the lack of response...I've been reading both your blogs, so entertaining and insightful!

Claire, just to echo

Posted on July 15th, 2009, 9:11pm by Jackie Ashenden

Claire, just to echo Mulberry, make sure you've got the letter acknowledging your submission. After that the standard time to wait is about 3 months, but it can be up to 20 weeks depending on how busy they are.

Waiting is a bind but that's what Subcare is for!

http://jackieashenden.blogspot.com/

Good luck Claire!

Posted on July 15th, 2009, 8:34pm by mulberry

Well done on sending off that partial- fingers crossed for you! I'm no expert, just another hopeful, but I gather response times can vary- anything from two weeks to quite a few months! The main thing is to make sure you get an email or letter saying they have received the submission- that usually comes through with a week or two. If you don't get that, you may want to email just to check it arrived safely.

http://waitingforthecall.wordpress.com/

this is all so helpful!

Posted on July 15th, 2009, 1:17pm by Claire

I've been reading what feels like hundreds of your posts over the past month and they have been so useful to me as an aspiring MB Modern Romance writer. It's reassuring to know that there are so many of us out there! I recently submitted 3 chapters and synopsis and I'm switching between finishing that MS and working on my second. I wanted to ask you all who have received feedback on your 3 chapters submissions how long it was before you heard back? Every time the post comes my heart is racing and then inevitably sinks as I pick up a mixture of bills and junk mail!

Funny Stuff

Posted on July 9th, 2009, 10:06am by Lorraine Wilson

I'm getting blank pages too Mulberry! Just hit the back button and have faith it's happened rather than refreshing :-)

http://lorraine-wilson.blogspot.com/

Goodness me!

Posted on July 8th, 2009, 9:44pm by mulberry

This is getting ridiculous! Just ignore me now! Yet another duplicate post that I can't delete!

I'm not really going for a new record number of posts, honest!

http://waitingforthecall.wordpress.com/

ARRGGHH!

Posted on July 8th, 2009, 9:38pm by mulberry

Yes, I know I am shouting! This site is driving me mad tonight! Sorry about all the duplicate posts. When I try to post, I just get a blank page. For a very long time. I left it at least five minutes at one stage. Then I go back in, and the post isn't there, so I try again. And again! Then suddenly a whole string of duplicate posts appear.

http://waitingforthecall.wordpress.com/

Found it!

Posted on July 8th, 2009, 9:30pm by mulberry

Here's the link to the Modern/ Modern Heat thread!

http://community.millsandboon.co.uk/forums/cafe-social/simply-series/modern-modern-heat

http://waitingforthecall.wordpress.com/

Contest

Posted on July 8th, 2009, 9:43pm by mulberry

That's a good suggestion- they are fun to read anyway, and the editors comments are sooooooo helpful! For anyone targeting Presents /Modern, the Instant Seduction contest from earlier last year is worth a look too. Plus there's loads of good advice from the editors and published writers.

I'm sure there should be a specific Modern thread somewhere where we can discuss the contest, but I couldn't find it!

http://waitingforthecall.wordpress.com/

For anyone who is going to

Posted on July 8th, 2009, 10:48am by Jackie Ashenden

It will give you an idea about what the editors liked and what they thought needed work.My entry for the Feel the Heat contest is there, plus the feedback, and I can honestly say that receiving this was a HUGE step forward in my writing.�

Anyway, just my two cents.

http://jackieashenden.blogspot.com/

Write Stuff

Posted on June 26th, 2009, 6:44pm by Annamarie McHugh

Hello Jenny,

Could you let me know if there are going to be any more tips for writing. I enjoyed 'Living with and loving the Alpha Male' and wondered when the next installment can be expected.

Regards

Annamarie

great

Posted on June 18th, 2009, 12:25am by Sofia Meaden

Thanks for the tip, mulberry. I'll go have a look! :)

Submission email

Posted on June 17th, 2009, 5:38pm by mulberry

Sofia, it's for all the lines edited in Richmond, as far as I know, which includes Historical. At the bottom of the page there are some links, and under the "Aspiring Authors" one, there is more information on how to submit manuscripts.

You might want to visit the Subcare thread on forums here too. A couple of the fab historical writers post there regularly and it's a great place for information and support!

http://waitingforthecall.wordpress.com/

Thank you

Posted on June 17th, 2009, 1:42pm by Sofia Meaden

Thank you so much for some wonderful writing advice! :) Got hooked on M&B after a friend convinced me to read books in the Historical series.

I have a question... Is the submissions email only for Modern Romance or for all of the different series? (Meaning, can I use it to submit a Historical novel, for instance?)

Thank you!

I, too, echo...

Posted on June 9th, 2009, 8:30pm by Nancy Holroyd

what others have said. Thank you Jenny!

Jenny.....I'll echo everyone above.....

Posted on June 9th, 2009, 8:18pm by Mavis

I'll echo everyone above and say a very big thank you, both to editors and authors, for taking the time and interest in those of us who have not yet submitted. �

Hopefully you shall hear from some of us soon.

Would love to see more masterclasses like this one for the other lines.

Mavis

Jenny--I love the

Posted on June 9th, 2009, 12:30pm by Michelle Willingham

Jenny--I love the comparison of an author/editor relationship to a marriage of convenience. LOL on promiscuity across the lines. That's too funny.

At some point, it would be neat to see a behind-the-scenes look at the editorial side of M&B. I'd love to hear about what it's like from the editors' perspective--a day in the life of an editor, for example. And how DO you all know exactly how to pinpoint a plot problem? Do you get training from other editors when you first start out? �

Just some suggestions, if you ever do another master class. Thanks for sharing all of your expertise!

Michelle Willingham
www.michellewillingham.com
An Accidental Seduction - Historical Undone - February 2010
The Accidental Countess - Mills and Boon Historicals January 2010