Lucy Ashford - Book of the Month Blog (Mar-10)
by Susan W on March 1st, 2010, 4:50pm
‘Magical Moments’
There must have been over a hundred of us, all queuing patiently in the rain to get into the Palace Hotel in Buxton, at the heart of the Peak District. Why were we there, on that cold wet day some years ago? To learn how to write a Mills & Boon romance, that was why! This was a magical moment - our chance to listen to top authors, and even perhaps meet those truly awesome creatures the editors. My friend Julia and I had notebooks in our hot little hands, and our heads full of handsome heroes and brave heroines of long ago; because we wanted to write Historicals.
I finally got totell one of the editors there my idea for a story – I remember it had a medieval setting. She nodded, and said, ‘Interesting. Send me more.’ I actually did more than that; I entered the first three chapters in a Mills & Boon competition and was a runner-up – but life and work intervened, and I never got round to finishing it. Probably as well: the heroine had the unfortunate habit of fainting away nearly every time the hero came near!
But my longing to create a love story set in the past never went away. I’d studied English Literature at university – highbrow stuff, of course - but from childhood I’d always been sneaking off to read Rosemary Sutcliff, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Georgette Heyer. And once I discovered Mills & Boon historicals, Iabsolutely devoured them, and carried on writing, writing, writing, in my sparetime. (Just ask my long-suffering husband. Dust gathers, supper gets burned,ironing awaits or he does it, because I just can’t possibly stop mid-chapter…)
I actually hadsome success writing historical thrillers. But when I mentioned to my agent that I had a historical romance that I’d written but not shown to anyone, he asked to see it straight away. This romance was to become The Major and the Pickpocket and the initial inspiration for the story came when I realised,on reading about the late eighteenth century, just how widespread gambling was,and how women like Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, were as addicted to it as men, risking fortunes on the turn of a card.
My heroine Tassie isn’t a duchess - far from it, she’s had to survive all the perils of London’s underworld. But she has one great talent – she’s an amazing gambler, and knows every trick. And gets away with it. Until, that is, she meets the rather formidable figure of my hero, Major Marcus Forrester, who decides to recruit her for his own purposes, but rapidly discovers he’s got more than he bargained for...
So here I am at last, with The Major and the Pickpocket a published novel. For me,Marcus and Tassie were the couple to hit that magical ‘Yes!’ for Mills &Boon – Tassie is defiant yet vulnerable, Major Marcus Forrester is tough and sometimes bitter at what life’s thrown athim, and yet Tassie – despite annoying him unspeakably at times! - is the one to unlock all the love in his heart.
Sometimes I’m asked for advice about writing, and my first question is always, ‘Do you really need to write? Are you driven to write?’ If they say, ‘Not particularly,I just thought it would be fun to do when I’ve got a bit more time some day,’ I warn them that they might find it harder than they think. Any kind of writing can be exhausting work. And writing a romance – an entire novel centred on the two main characters – is far from easy. You have to be with your hero and heroine on every page, sharing all their emotions, all their ordeals, until that final magical moment when they are happily together at last.
I am just learning the craft. I am in awe of the skill shown by the top Mills & Boon authors. But I do remember the day that I felt that The Major and the Pickpocket was actually starting to work. It was the parrot, of course. Edward the parrot flew into the narrative quite unexpectedly some time during the second draft – and the story sprang into life. A magical moment.
Thanks to all at Mills & Boon for their skilled guidance and support.
And, by the way, just love that cover…
Lucy Ashford
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I am not an Historical
I am not an Historical reader but it is great to see Lucy now has 3 books on the M&B shop floor, including one in the recent Royal Wedding Collection. Has anyone read her debut novel or the newest ones? It would be good to get the thread going again and wrestle it back from MAPS-ers
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thanks for posting :-]
I fit inwith your conclusions and will thirstily look forward to your forthcoming updates.Saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the tremendous lucidity in your writing. mineral oil for constipation
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Thanks for the wonderful
Thanks for the wonderful article Lucy, tremendously enjoyed reading every bit of it.
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nice read
Glad you enjoyed my piece about writing for Mills & Boon Historicals, Alex! Have a great Xmas, you and your children, won't you?
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I feel kinda lucky today!!!! XAMS is coming and I can't wait to give the presents to my children! They are so exited! :)
Merry Christmas everyone!
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Hi redordead
Good to hear from you.
You should check out the Mills & Boon historicals some time. The heroines are feisty and the heroes are gorgeous. I got hooked on them years ago! Glad people like the gambling theme in 'The Major and the Pickpocket'
Best
Lucy
Congratulations
Hi Lucy,
I understand exactly what you mean about wanting to write and although I've never read a historical romance book I do like the idea of a female who is good at gambling - sort of like a female hustler!
Congratulations on having your book published, it must have been one of the best momets in your life to watch all that hard work apear on paper bound between covers!
Good luck with your next one of which I am sure you must have started already
Sarah
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Congrats Lucy
It is great that you are here Lucy! The book is on my tbr pile.
It looks to be doing well in the Hexham area.
Michelle S
Mills & Boon Historical author
website: www.michellestyles.co.uk
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations!!!
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www.michellewillingham.com
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Congrats, Lucy!! It is a
Congrats, Lucy!! It is a wonderful cover!! And I love the idea of a heroine who loves to gamble. What a great idea!