My Harlequin Moment: Michelle Willingham

I bo't a boatload of eBooks with a coupon yesterday, but since you're the only historical author I read, I didn't even think about historicals and I could have bo't (but not downloaded) your November release! I'm so bummed! My only comfort is that they will email me a coupon again sooner or later and I can use it then and my TBR is so high that I won't have time to read it for awhile, anyway. To be honest, all the books I bo't yesterday I don't think I'll have time to read till Thanksgiving (US) or Xmas. Several of them will have the honor of being in my home in both print and electronic format -- I'll read the electronic format when we go visiting family . . .

Your books always make me want to visit Ireland (well, yours and Trish's).

Penn

Penn--My bio is actually wrong.  I quit teaching in June, and now I'm writing full-time.  :)  Yay!  So technically, I am "at work" with my manuscript open right now. 

I'm really excited about Her Warrior Slave going on sale tomorrow.  And it has a companion story which will be part of the new Harlequin Historical Undone! line.  The name of it is "The Viking's Forbidden Love-Slave," and it's about the hero's sister Aisling.  I believe they're making those available to download in November.

Nice to see you here!

I remember your picture that you posted on the eHarlequin site when you got your hardcover books for the first time!  Being on the boards for a couple of years now, it is so refreshing to read stories of people who have sold and how happy it has made them achieving their dream! The encouragement that we have all received from others is wonderful! 

Michelle, a couple of questions:  Now that you have retired from teaching, do you find it harder managing your time with your children and home life to include your writing, so that you can accomplish as much as you want to each day?

Do you have the same editor that you originally had when you sold your first book?  If so, how has this continued relationship helped you as a published author?  Does she offer advice on how a particular manuscript can be improved or enhanced the overall story now that you're published, or are you expected to have the manuscript "ready to go" to print so to speak? 

I am so happy for you!  I wish you all the best with your future stories.  Take care, Jamie.

Great post Michelle!  I can totally relate to that feeling, of "wow...this is REAL!"    I'm so happy that you're able to quit the day job and pursue you dream full time!  It makes such a huge difference....my kids are both in shcool, so I write during the day, and I'm just really blessed to be able to do that...today it's raining, but I love fall, and I'm sitting in the dining room with my laptop, staring out at all the beautiful fall colours, and I'm writing......can't get any better than that!

Hey Michelle.  I can't wait til midnight so I can put my order in for Her Warrior Slave.(and a few others of course  )  I am happy for you that you decided to stay home and write full time.  I know there will be lots more great stories from you in the future. 

 Leanne

Julesq--it really is a blessing to be able to work and stay home with the kids.  Thank goodness for my husband!

Leanne--thanks so much!  I do hope you enjoy the book.  :)

Ks--I imagine within another few months, he'll give up the morning nap.  Usually my kids still did a 2 hour afternoon nap, so I'm hoping he'll do the same.  We'll work it out, one day at a time. 

Like a stalker, but not.

I thoroughly enjoyed Her Irish Warrior. I am further amazed that you managed to write it while having two small children and a teaching career at the same time. I want to be like you when I grow up. 

Your Harlequin moment is so encouraging!  Thank you for sharing it with those of us who have works in progress and hopes of sales.  It's so good to know that sometimes being willing to revise is all that stands between a writer and a sale! 

Hi flchen1,

More medievals?  Well, it all depends on what readers want.  I just turned in a Victorian manuscript, and that will be a new time period for me.  I like variety, so I imagine not only more medievals, but other time periods as well.

I know I have a sexy cowboy story somewhere in my little imagination...

But I would like to wrap up the MacEgans and then we'll see from there.  The Viking story was fun, so there's that possibility, too. 

Really, for me, it's all about the heroes.

I have to admit. I've been a long-time fan of historicals, but I'd gone through a dry spell before I read Her Irish Warrior. That book made me want to read them again. *I still have my autographed copy* And the fact you are fabulous is just icing on the cake.

 I'm just here to wish you the best of luck.

Hope--every single writer I know who has never given up, has eventually gotten published.  So many give up before they get there.  So keep going!

Flchen1--Aha...I know who you are now...one of my book winners.  Glad to hear you enjoyed the story!

Hi Melissa--thanks for your kind words and for stopping by!  It was great seeing you at the pj party at Nationals!

Hi Kathleen--yep, all of my stories so far are Irish.  Her Irish Warrior was my first book and it was followed by The Warrior's Touch and Her Warrior King.  Tomorrow Her Warrior Slave goes on sale here at eHarlequin.  :)  Thanks for stopping by!

Danie--hope you enjoy it! 

 Here's a question for anyone--what are some historical romances you've enjoyed lately?

Don't you just love Stacey's covers?  Those westerns are fantastic!  :)

I like Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series, and I love LaVyrle Spencer's old time romances.  Vows was one of my favorites, along with Morning Glory.

Diane Perkins is also the pen name of Diane Gaston.  She has a historical out right now called Scandalizing the Ton.  Looks good!  :)

Lula74--You don't need a specific writing program, per se, but you do need a word processing program like Microsoft Word or Word Perfect to type the novel.  Mills and Boon will now let you send electronic manuscripts, so you would just send an e-mail to the editorial address listed in the guidelines and then attach your three chapters and synopsis.  Hope this helps!

Love your story of getting that letter, Michelle! Your opening scene for that book is still my favorite out there. Looking forward to reading this next story just coming out!

Have a good one,

Cole

Thanks Penney and Nicole!  :)