Sorry to interrupt your usual Valentines Day festivities of flowers and chocolates, but this year I have something very different to post about. A few months back I took a dalliance into romance, the kind of romance that I’ve never allowed myself to be involved in before. Don’t get me wrong there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this style of romance it’s just something, well, if I’m honest, just something I didn’t think I was capable of, and yet …
Sure I’ve watched a multitude of romantic movies over the years. I’ve even read a Barbara Cartland novel and … yes … I admit it … I’ve read all three volumes of 50 Shades of Grey and seen the movie, purely for research purposes, writing research you understand. But never did I think I’d have a go at this.
Writing romance. For one thing what if my family and friends read it? But then two things happened.
First I saw a writing competition offering an intriguing premise. One of the organisers of the competition (Monique Mulligan from Serenity Press) would write the story of the main character Kate Peron, owner of Serenity Bridal Boutique, situated in a small West Australian town. Other characters already set in stone were Kate’s goth assistant and a gay designer. The rest was left to chance, a strict word limit and the occasional dips into the Facebook group to make sure we were all using the same basic elements e.g. cubicle curtains versus doors.
A few months prior I’d completed my third edit of my first novel. While I’d had a little bit of success with my first piece of short fiction, work commitments and the need to pay off the mortgage, saw me limit my writing to copious corporate reports.
Sure I’d written a couple of non-fiction books but fiction was different. Fiction was usually something I did for fun to entertain myself, and a handful of colleague who also worked late (in those days I’d fire off a silly piece to let off steam when we were doing all-nighters). Could I write a piece of short fiction, a romance? One of the characters from my novel seemed to think so. But then there was the other issue?
What if my family and friends read it? What would they think? Would they be able to look at me in the same way, and I them? Days went by and still the character belted the inside of my brain wanting to get out.
The deadline loomed.
I was reminded of the time when I started this blog. The same fears circled my potential keeping it in check. In terms of the blog experience has taught me that most of my family and friends are too busy with their lives to read the blog anyway. Besides they already know me and don’t need to read about what I get up to? And so on the last day of the competition I watched on as my finger pressed the mouse … SEND.
Months on I received an email saying that my piece had been included as one of the ten stories!! Elation, pride and panic merged to create a whole new emotion.
As I write this Bouquets of Love the novel from the competition is nearing completion. Thanks to Monique’s expert editing and guidance a good deal of my panic has subsided, replaced with excitement about what the other authors have written. The book blurb certainly has me intrigued ….
“Ten couples not looking for love find something unexpected when they visit Serendipity Bridal Boutique. Love is in the air and it’s about to blow into their lives, bringing fortunate accidents of the heartfelt variety to those lucky enough to walk through Serendipity’s doors.
A man comes to Eagle Point to stop a wedding. A magazine editor finds herself in a cheesy situation. A different kind of bride takes to the catwalk. Readers will be swept away by this bouquet of stories from ten Australian authors – stories of healing and second chances, of opening hearts and minds, of souls connecting and remembering, of temptation and desire. Life and love in Eagle Point has never been more challenging … or fun!
From cupcake wielding assassins to hilarious blind date set-ups, there’s something for everyone in this delightfully romantic collection that proves there can never be too much ado about love.”
I can’t wait to find out about the cupcake wielding assassins.
Bouquet of Love is scheduled to be released in April so watch this space or Serenity Press.
Now get back to your flowers and champagne everyone.
