Our new segment for 2022 is for new authors/writers and written by published authors, titled – Writing Tips. These posts will be shared with you every Wednesday. Our latest post is from author Sarah Rodi on the subject ‘Ten Writing Commandments’. This post contains affiliate links.

Ten Writing Commandments

Last year, I got the call, I was offered a two-book deal with Harlequin/Mills & Boon Historical. With a second two-book deal now in place and my latest romance out this month, I am revealing my top tips for writing success, or because Easter has just past us by, let’s call them – Ten Writing Commandments…

1. Make time for you

If you want to be a writer, you have to write, right? I’m a mum to two girls and have a busy full-time job, but I finally decided that if I was going to make my dream happen and be an author, I would have to be selfish and allow myself some ‘me time’ to write. Get up early when the house is quiet, or take an hour for yourself at the end of the day. Snatch moments here and there – while in the carpark waiting to pick up your children, when a thought pops into your head in the middle of the night, or while you’re washing up. Always have a notebook and pen to hand for when inspiration strikes.

Don’t be scared of the blank page. Fill it with anything – a conversation you overheard, scribbles and random thoughts, whatever comes to mind. Challenge yourself to write a set number of words a day… I aim for 2,500. Sometimes I’ll achieve 500, other days 5,000, but anything is better than nothing. Once you’ve got something on the page, you’ve got words to come back to later, meaning the fear of the blank page is removed and you can get going.

2. Book a writing course

I’ve been on various writing courses over the years, and each one helped me get closer to achieving my goal. Whether it’s the author friend you meet, getting the tutor’s feedback on your work, or simply finding out about other courses and organisations, they’re invaluable. I opted to go on courses run by other Mills & Boon writers, such as Sharon Kendrick and Kate Walker, to help hone my craft, and I also attended the annual Fishguard Writers’ Retreat, which I can highly recommend. If I hadn’t been to Fishguard, I wouldn’t have found out about the RNA conference (see No7 below).

3. Buy some self-help writing books

If you’re anything like me, you probably have a stack of these piled up on your desk. Two have been incredibly useful to me – Kate Walker’s 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance and The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression by Becca Puglisi and Angela Ackerman. Spend some money on yourself, you deserve it.

4. Read and research

Read what you love, write what you love… Founded in 1908, Mills & Boon is the UK’s number one publisher of romantic fiction. It’s always been my goal to write for them. Every 10 seconds there is a new Mills & Boon book sold within the UK. Mills & Boon accept unagented submissions from authors, which allows you to try submitting over and again, and to various lines. The different series appeal depending on what kind of setting or hero/heroine you want to write about. But I think the best thing you can do is to read the guidelines on their website, and research and read books in the series you’re aiming for, to make sure you’re on the right track.

5. Visit and research

I’m a huge history fan. We live in Cookham, a village on the Thames in Berkshire. In the 8th century, the river here divided the territories of Mercia and Wessex. Cookham was built around a Saxon monastery and many names in the area are still linked to the Vikings, after they rowed up the river in 870. I love all this.

Much of my inspiration for the settings in my books come from being a journalist on magazines for 20 years, and I currently work full time for the county Life magazines, often learning about the history of the areas. It made sense to me to use this knowledge to bring a touch of history to my romance writing.

My first book, The Viking’s Stolen Princess, is set in the 9th century, and Saxon princess Lady Anne of Termarth is stolen for revenge – and a ransom. But her fierce yet fascinating Viking captor, Brand the Barbarian, soon discovers it is her heart, not gold, that he desires…

In book two, out this month, Brand’s sister, Viking shield maiden Svea, would far rather face Saxon warriors in battle than be on the run with Lord Ashford Stanton, protector to the Saxon king. Reaching Ash’s fortress, Svea must swap her chainmail for life as a lady. She can wield a sword like an expert, but no training has prepared her for craving the touch of her greatest enemy…

It’s great to do research to help embellish your writing, and why not throw in a few trips or holidays to inspire you? I love visiting Sutton Hoo in Suffolk and Viking Bay in Kent. We’ve just come back from a trip to Lindisfarne, where the Vikings first invaded England. And Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland inspired me to come up with Kald fortress in my stories…

6. Join the RNA and their NWS

If you want to write romance, join the Romantic Novelist’s’ Association – you’ll be enlightened. And sign up for their annual New Writers’ Scheme, where you can send your manuscript off to get feedback. Receiving a critique from an editor is so useful, helping you to improve your writing.

7. Go to the RNA Conference

This is a game-changer. I attended their annual conference, where you can listen to talks and go to workshops by other authors, meet other writers, and you can pitch to editors and agents. I’m unsure if I would be where I am now without having done that. It is the best thing I did. At conference, you can also..

8. Find your tribe

It feels so good to connect with other writers, they just get you, like no one else does. They are willing to talk with you about things other people aren’t, like the pitfalls in your plot, or what’s wrong with your hero… They will share the highs and lows of writing with you. If I hadn’t been to Conference, I wouldn’t have met some of my fellow Historical authors and writers, and they have kept me going through some tricky times.

9. Keep going

Remember if it wasn’t hard, it wouldn’t be worth it. I’d been trying to write for Mills & Boon for years and years, but out of the100 submissions they acquire per year for their Historical line, they only take on five new authors. Yes, it’s tough, but don’t give up. With every rejection comes more feedback to help you get better. Persevere. Believe you’re getting better all the time and closer to your goal.

10. Have fun

It’s not always about the end goal of having that book in your hand, it’s about the pleasure you gained from getting there – the adventure you went on with your characters and the lessons you learned along the way. Chances are, if you enjoyed writing your book, people will enjoy reading it.

Sarah Rodi has always been a hopeless romantic. She grew up watching old, romantic movies recommended by her grandad, or devouring love stories from the local library. Sarah lives in the village of Cookham in Berkshire, where she enjoys walking along the River Thames with her husband, her two daughters and their dog. She has been a magazine journalist for over 20 years, but it has been her lifelong dream to write romance for Mills & Boon. Sarah believes everyone deserves to find their happy ever after.

Her tempting enemy

Is a chink in her armor!

Viking shield maiden, Svea Ivarsson, would far rather face Saxon warriors than be on the run with the fiercely captivating Lord Ashford Stanton, protector to the Saxon King. Reaching Ash’s family castle, Svea must swap her chainmail for life as a Lady. She can wield a sword like an expert, but no training has prepared her for craving the touch of her greatest enemy…