Ally Blake's Blog, page 19
March 18, 2012
Want to write for Harlequin Romance?
Exciting opportunity at Harlequin, the Romance line is, right this second, fast-tracking submission for whole month!Here's what they have to say: "...we'll be launching a fast track submission period! Anyone who sends us their first chapter and synopsis between 14th March and 23rd April will hear back from us less than ONE MONTH after the closing date, before the 18th May.The email address to send your submission to is romancefasttrack@hqnuk.co.uk. Please attach your first chapter and short synopsis to the email as well as a short query letter, letting us know how much of the manuscript is complete. Please note, we'll be looking at only one submission per person."
For more about the Romance line, and what the editors are looking for, head here.
And you can find my most recent Romance, MILLIONAIRE DAD'S SOS in paperback here, ebook here.
March 16, 2012
my favourite...quotes about writing :: ways to go about it
'I can't start writing until I have a closing line.'Joseph Heller
"You can fix a bad page, you can't fix a blank page."Nora Roberts
'When asked, "How do you write?" I invariably answer, "one word at a time."'
Stephen King:
'I think it's bad to talk about one's present work, for it spoils something at the root of the creative act. It discharges the tension.'Norman Mailer
'You can approach the act of writing with nervousness, excitement, hopefulness, or even despair - the sense that you can never completely put on the page what's in your mind and heart. You can come to the act with your fists clenched and your eyes narrowed, ready to kick ass and take down names. You can come to it because you want a girl to marry you or because you want to change the world. Come to it any way but lightly. Let me say it again: you must not come lightly to the blank page.'Stephen King
"You can fix a bad page, you can't fix a blank page."Nora Roberts
'When asked, "How do you write?" I invariably answer, "one word at a time."'
Stephen King:
'I think it's bad to talk about one's present work, for it spoils something at the root of the creative act. It discharges the tension.'Norman Mailer
'You can approach the act of writing with nervousness, excitement, hopefulness, or even despair - the sense that you can never completely put on the page what's in your mind and heart. You can come to the act with your fists clenched and your eyes narrowed, ready to kick ass and take down names. You can come to it because you want a girl to marry you or because you want to change the world. Come to it any way but lightly. Let me say it again: you must not come lightly to the blank page.'Stephen King
March 14, 2012
I'm reading...Anne Gracie
BRIDE BY MISTAKE
You simply can't go wrong with an Anne Gracie book. It's literally impossible. There aren't many authors I'd pre-order a hundred days in advance, but she is one of them. That way, when it turns up on my doorstep a few months later it's a blissful surprise!
Bride by Mistake is the 5th book in her Devil Riders series, but you could read them out of order no worries. (If you want to start at number one, grab The Stolen Princess here) This one's about Luke, the daredevil who came back from the war in Spain a changed man. A man with a secret wife as well! After saving Isabella on the roadside from the hands of terrible men, he married her in order to keep her from the clutches of her cousin who had every intention of marrying her himself in order to get his hands on her late mother's fortune. The chance of him surviving the war were so slim after all...
Yet he survived. And came back for her. And there the romance really begins.
Bride by Mistake
is shiny, gorgeous, and heartwarming, with loads of fabulous secondary characters and superb lashings of wonderful historical context - much like every book Anne Gracie has ever penned! I love love love her stuff. did I mention that already? If not, I'll say it again. LOVE! Now go buy every book she's ever written, take a month of sickies, live on your couch with a blankie and a hot chocolate and enjoy ;).
More about the author here. Buy Bride by Mistake here.
Next I'm reading...Shadow Kin by MJ Scott. What are you reading? Which book MUST I read this year? Find the other books I've enjoyed in my "I'm reading..." series this year here! Or join me at Goodreads.
You simply can't go wrong with an Anne Gracie book. It's literally impossible. There aren't many authors I'd pre-order a hundred days in advance, but she is one of them. That way, when it turns up on my doorstep a few months later it's a blissful surprise!
Bride by Mistake is the 5th book in her Devil Riders series, but you could read them out of order no worries. (If you want to start at number one, grab The Stolen Princess here) This one's about Luke, the daredevil who came back from the war in Spain a changed man. A man with a secret wife as well! After saving Isabella on the roadside from the hands of terrible men, he married her in order to keep her from the clutches of her cousin who had every intention of marrying her himself in order to get his hands on her late mother's fortune. The chance of him surviving the war were so slim after all...
Yet he survived. And came back for her. And there the romance really begins.
Bride by Mistake
is shiny, gorgeous, and heartwarming, with loads of fabulous secondary characters and superb lashings of wonderful historical context - much like every book Anne Gracie has ever penned! I love love love her stuff. did I mention that already? If not, I'll say it again. LOVE! Now go buy every book she's ever written, take a month of sickies, live on your couch with a blankie and a hot chocolate and enjoy ;).More about the author here. Buy Bride by Mistake here.
Next I'm reading...Shadow Kin by MJ Scott. What are you reading? Which book MUST I read this year? Find the other books I've enjoyed in my "I'm reading..." series this year here! Or join me at Goodreads.
March 13, 2012
ebook of the month :: the middle of the book panic
THE MAGNATE'S INDECENT PROPOSAL
Paperback
:: ebook
The middle of the book panic
SoI was about halfway through the writing of this book when I realized it justwasn't working. I liked the hero justfine, in fact Damien was perfectly dreamy! But the heroine was just all wrong. Too strong, almost, too forceful, too red (I'm a visual writer so thatmakes perfect sense to me ;)). They werefighting against one another instead of falling towards one another. And something had to be done.
SoI made the big – and scary! – decision to start again. With a whole new heroine. Was a big risk. But I reckon it paid off. My big scary heroine was replaced byChelsea, a serious girl with a plan and a past and the sparks just flew! Lucky girl. (And if you want to know what "colour" she is to me, come back next week for more!Til then, I give you – Chelsea and Damien.
The excerpt:
Chelseawatched as the fiftieth dark suit in eight minutes rounded the corner.But thisone was a half head taller. A couple ofinches broader. Dark hair gleamed underthe created lamplight. And the length ofhis strides meant that people simply got out of his way. She wasn't sure it was Damien, but at thesame time she just knew that it was.Heneared. He was even more beautiful thanshe remembered. More blessed by the godsof all things extraordinary. Through thenoisy crowd their eyes caught and held. Pacific blue, she thought with aninternal sigh, like the ocean at night.'HiDamien,' she said.'Chelsea,'he said as he stopped in front of her.She musthave swayed towards him, or maybe it was an optical illusion, but he suddenlyfelt closer. And then he was leaning intowards her. She instinctively liftedher cheek for a friendly peck, but instead his lips landed square uponhers. She blinked in shock for a goodsecond or two before his mouth began to move over hers.As hereyes flittered closed her hand fluttered up to land gently upon his chest. His arm slunk around her back to pull hercloser. And right there, in front of astreet full of bustling pedestrians, everything floated away, leaving only thetaste of him, the scent of him, the feel of his heavenly lips. Her hand curled into his shirt, and she hopedagainst hope that would be enough to keep her from collapsing in a puddle athis feet.
When thekiss broke her eyes opened. A smallsmile lit his, creases fanning out from the edges.'Well whatdo you know,' he said, his voice low, rumbling, pure sensuality.
Re-released as part of the PASSIONATE PLAYBOYS collection.
Paperback collection. Buy the eBook. Buy from iTunes. More about the book
The middle of the book panic
SoI was about halfway through the writing of this book when I realized it justwasn't working. I liked the hero justfine, in fact Damien was perfectly dreamy! But the heroine was just all wrong. Too strong, almost, too forceful, too red (I'm a visual writer so thatmakes perfect sense to me ;)). They werefighting against one another instead of falling towards one another. And something had to be done.
SoI made the big – and scary! – decision to start again. With a whole new heroine. Was a big risk. But I reckon it paid off. My big scary heroine was replaced byChelsea, a serious girl with a plan and a past and the sparks just flew! Lucky girl. (And if you want to know what "colour" she is to me, come back next week for more!Til then, I give you – Chelsea and Damien.The excerpt:
Chelseawatched as the fiftieth dark suit in eight minutes rounded the corner.But thisone was a half head taller. A couple ofinches broader. Dark hair gleamed underthe created lamplight. And the length ofhis strides meant that people simply got out of his way. She wasn't sure it was Damien, but at thesame time she just knew that it was.Heneared. He was even more beautiful thanshe remembered. More blessed by the godsof all things extraordinary. Through thenoisy crowd their eyes caught and held. Pacific blue, she thought with aninternal sigh, like the ocean at night.'HiDamien,' she said.'Chelsea,'he said as he stopped in front of her.She musthave swayed towards him, or maybe it was an optical illusion, but he suddenlyfelt closer. And then he was leaning intowards her. She instinctively liftedher cheek for a friendly peck, but instead his lips landed square uponhers. She blinked in shock for a goodsecond or two before his mouth began to move over hers.As hereyes flittered closed her hand fluttered up to land gently upon his chest. His arm slunk around her back to pull hercloser. And right there, in front of astreet full of bustling pedestrians, everything floated away, leaving only thetaste of him, the scent of him, the feel of his heavenly lips. Her hand curled into his shirt, and she hopedagainst hope that would be enough to keep her from collapsing in a puddle athis feet.
When thekiss broke her eyes opened. A smallsmile lit his, creases fanning out from the edges.'Well whatdo you know,' he said, his voice low, rumbling, pure sensuality.Re-released as part of the PASSIONATE PLAYBOYS collection.
Paperback collection. Buy the eBook. Buy from iTunes. More about the book
March 12, 2012
come say "hi"!
I'm over at the RWAus blog, chatting about my workshop at this year's Conference, Revisions: Rewriting, Editing, Proof-Reading...Oh My!
Here's a taste of what my workshop will be about... Inhis fantabulous book "On Writing", Stephen King likens writing a novelto digging for a fossil. He says, "digfor the bones and see what they look like. I think you may be quite surprisedand delighted with the results. Ready? Here we go.
Doesthat get you as excited as it gets me? To me that's the exact same buzz I get when I sit down to write a newbook; all that possibility shining back at me from the blank page.
Yet Ithink its important to temper that pressure by realising a story, a sentence, aword need not be perfect at the firstpass. Writing is preparation, broadstrokes, excavating your site with a digger. Revising is getting down on your hands and knees and carefully clearingthe debris from each single bone with a magnifying glass and a brush.
Myaim is to shine a light on the many and varied ways you can go about unearthingyour novel from the vault of your imagination with as little damage along theway as possible. To the story, and yoursanity ;).
For more, check out the
Romance Writers of Australia blog
today. The 2012 Romance Writers of Australia conference, Diamonds Are Forever, is to be held at what looks to be a super chic hotel QT Gold Coast
Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise.
Can't wait!
March 7, 2012
I"m reading...Victoria Dahl
GOOD GIRLS DON'T, BAD BOYS DO, and REAL MEN WILL
I first found Victoria Dahl on twitter. Don't let the sweet picture fool you. The girl's funny. And sharp. And raw. And I figured if she could give us all that in 140 characters I had to see what she could do with a whole book!
I started with Good Girls Don't , liking the fact there were two more books already out there in the world about the same family if I enjoyed the first. Needless to say I ordered the next two when I was about a chapter in!
All three books are warm, seriously sexy, and real, with great emotional tension and perfect dollops of levity. And of the three I most wish I'd written the middle story, Bad Boys Do .
Bartender Jamie is a scorching hero - my word can the man wear a kilt! - who also makes your heart just break. Whole Olivia, with her button up cardigans and stifled dreams is his perfect foil. I've read me a lot of romance novels but I had a point where I honestly thought they might not make it! That takes some story weaving skill.More about the author here. Buy Good Girls Don't here.
Bad Boys Do here. And Real Men Will here.
Next I'm reading...Bride by Mistake by Anne Gracie. What are you reading? Which book MUST I read this year? Find the other books I've enjoyed in my "I'm reading..." series this year here! Or join me at Goodreads.
March 5, 2012
ebook of the month...the magnate's indecent proposal
THE MAGNATE'S INDECENT PROPOSAL :: ebook
The book:
THE MAGNATE'S INDECENT PROPOSAL is out this month as a part of the gorgeous "Passionate Playboys" collection. I mean look at that. Or maybe I should be saying, "Look back over here!!!" This is also my magic book. Here's why:
WINNER BEST HARLEQUIN PRESENTS 2008Romantic Times BOOKClub Reviewers' Choice
WINNER BEST MODERN HEART 2008Cataromance Reviewers' Choice
DESERT ISLAND KEEPERAll About Romance
The excerpt: 'So what do you know ofanimal print dog collars?' the stranger on the phone asked.Damien's eyes flew backopen. 'Because...?''That's why I'm trying to trackdown Chelsea London. But I'm nowwondering if you're opinion might be just as valid.'He checked his watch. This day was fast slipping away formhim. 'Unfortunately my only experiencewith animal print anything has been with the underwear variety.''Yours?' she asked.'That I cannot say for fearI might incriminate myself.'She paused, and he sensedshe was searching for a way to keep him on the line. With a sigh she said, 'Alas I have otherphone calls to make, hopefully with as much fun but more success. Good day to you, Mr Halliburton.''Same to you.' He snapped the phone shut and stared at itfor a few seconds as the world continued to walk on by.Right. So in the past hour he'd had a woman fallinto his arms, one flash her g-string at him, another whisper a suggestion inhis ear that would have been more fitting for a key party, and yet anotherflirt him into intimating he was wearing zebra print undies beneath his HugoBoss trousers.
For all the female attentionhe was getting today it was like the women around him had some kind ofradar. Like the only time in his thirty-twoyears on this planet he wasn't seeking out any kind of co-edcompanionship, it took no kind of effort on his part to have it rolling towardshim in waves.Women... he thought. Can't live with them...
Re-released as part of the PASSIONATE PLAYBOYS collection.
Paperback collection. Buy the eBook. Buy from iTunes. More about the book
The book:
THE MAGNATE'S INDECENT PROPOSAL is out this month as a part of the gorgeous "Passionate Playboys" collection. I mean look at that. Or maybe I should be saying, "Look back over here!!!" This is also my magic book. Here's why:
WINNER BEST HARLEQUIN PRESENTS 2008Romantic Times BOOKClub Reviewers' Choice
WINNER BEST MODERN HEART 2008Cataromance Reviewers' Choice
DESERT ISLAND KEEPERAll About Romance
The excerpt: 'So what do you know ofanimal print dog collars?' the stranger on the phone asked.Damien's eyes flew backopen. 'Because...?''That's why I'm trying to trackdown Chelsea London. But I'm nowwondering if you're opinion might be just as valid.'He checked his watch. This day was fast slipping away formhim. 'Unfortunately my only experiencewith animal print anything has been with the underwear variety.''Yours?' she asked.'That I cannot say for fearI might incriminate myself.'She paused, and he sensedshe was searching for a way to keep him on the line. With a sigh she said, 'Alas I have otherphone calls to make, hopefully with as much fun but more success. Good day to you, Mr Halliburton.''Same to you.' He snapped the phone shut and stared at itfor a few seconds as the world continued to walk on by.Right. So in the past hour he'd had a woman fallinto his arms, one flash her g-string at him, another whisper a suggestion inhis ear that would have been more fitting for a key party, and yet anotherflirt him into intimating he was wearing zebra print undies beneath his HugoBoss trousers.
For all the female attentionhe was getting today it was like the women around him had some kind ofradar. Like the only time in his thirty-twoyears on this planet he wasn't seeking out any kind of co-edcompanionship, it took no kind of effort on his part to have it rolling towardshim in waves.Women... he thought. Can't live with them...Re-released as part of the PASSIONATE PLAYBOYS collection.
Paperback collection. Buy the eBook. Buy from iTunes. More about the book
March 4, 2012
March 2, 2012
I'm chatting... with Mandy Magro
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I've been chatting with the delightful Mandy Magro - bestselling author of outback fiction - over at her blog. She is highlighting a series of awesome Aussie authors over the next few weeks which I reckon is...awesome!!!
I share my favourite Aussie saying which is...well you'll have to come come on over to see!
I share my favourite Aussie saying which is...well you'll have to come come on over to see!
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