Tag: writing-tips

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An open notebook on a desk. A pen, highlighters and post sticks around the notebook.
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Staying within Series Parameters without Losing the Creative Spark

By Editor Natalia Castano There are three main components in the recipe for a perfect Harlequin romance: establishing the characters’ […]

Posted on: March 20, 2024
Red and yellow text on white background reads Romance Glossary On Query Letters
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A Romance Glossary Deep Dive: Query Letters

By Deirdre McCluskey Query Letter “A letter accompanying a manuscript submission to a publisher. The query (or cover) letter should […]

Posted on: March 18, 2024
A pink and purple graphic with alternating harlequin series covers. The right side of the image reads Harlequin Author Spotlight
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What’s In A Scene? Harlequin Authors Explain

We asked Harlequin authors to tell us about a favorite scene in their new release. They explained what the action says about the characters, how certain scenes propel the story forward, and why they were fun to write.

Posted on: December 21, 2023
A selection of festive items on a table, including a Christmas jumper, a candy cane, a book, pine cones, a glass of eggnog and some holly leaves.
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‘Tis the Season: How to Incorporate the Holidays into Your Story

By Editor Jenny Macey There’s something so magical about the festive season; twinkly lights strung up everywhere you look, the […]

Posted on: December 15, 2023
A two-tone purple graphic with Trope Spotlight: Forced Proximity written on the left. A photo of two people hugging is on the right
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Trope Spotlight: Forced Proximity

By Editor Jenny Macey The much-loved forced proximity trope is all about giving two people the chance to fall in […]

Posted on: September 27, 2023
Banner image of two cats fighting next to two cats snuggling. The text in the top left corner reads Trope Spotlight: Enemies to Lovers
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Trope Spotlight: Enemies to Lovers

By Editor Emma Cole Romeo and Juliet. Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Tracy Lord and C.K. Dexter Haven (from one of […]

Posted on: August 30, 2023
A dark purple graphic reads The Roadmap to Writing Romance with a pink and yellow illustrated sign post to the left.
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The Roadmap to Writing Romance: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting Your Romance Novel

By Deirdre McCluskey You have the perfect idea for a romance novel and you’re dying to make your characters’ Happily […]

Posted on: August 16, 2023
Two chili peppers intertwined on a black background. There are flames rising from the bottom. The text in the lower right reads How Spicy Is Your Story?
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Heat Levels: How Spicy Is Your Romance?

By Editor Emma Cole It’s usually simple to decide where you should place your story with Harlequin. If you’ve written […]

Posted on: June 14, 2023
A red apple stacked on a small pile of books with the words Writing Advice beside in white.
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Pacing in High-Stakes Stories: How to Sustain Suspense without Losing Romance

By Editor Emma Cole Every plot needs to move at a good pace to keep readers interested. But in suspenseful […]

Posted on: May 10, 2023
A man is sitting in a chair with a notebook in his lap and is petting a white dog
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Spotlight on K9s: Writing about Dogs

By Editor Emma Cole As you may have noticed, dogs are a very popular element in many of our Harlequin […]

Posted on: April 5, 2023