Mini Blog Blitz #GuestPost by @HanaSoChic ~ Doubt, the Writer’s Menace #Romance #Giveaway @rararesources

I’m delighted to welcome Hana Sheik with a guest post for the Mini Blog Blitz, organised by Rachel’s Random Resources.

Over to you, Hana…

Doubt, the Writer’s Menace

Today I wanted to share a quick story about how I got my debut Harlequin Romance/Mills & Boon True Love, Second Chance to Wear His Ring published from first chapter to full manuscript and several revisions. I’m going to take you on the emotional rollercoaster ride I’d been on, so strap in and enjoy.

I have wanted to write for Harlequin/Mills & Boon ever since I discovered the books in my library at age eleven. By the time I was twelve, I was sneaking them out with my own library card because I couldn’t let my parents know I was reading romance that young.

Eventually, I wanted to write for Harlequin and that led me through many false starts of completing a manuscript I felt wasn’t worthy enough for editors to review. I had rejections on the stories that didn’t work, and I had promising results with a couple requests, but it wasn’t until 2018 when I submitted to the Harlequin Romance Blitz that I got my first full request.

After a few rounds of revisions, I reached a point where I wasn’t sure if I was making the book better or worse. Luckily my brilliant editor saw something in my story, and she connected with it enough to offer publication.

There were so many times I wanted to give up on myself, my dream to be a published Harlequin author, and the book of my heart.

When I wrote that first chapter, I was so sure that it wouldn’t fit with the lushly glamorous settings in Harlequin Romance. My Somaliland and Ethiopia-set novel felt out of place, but I loved the story and I sent it in.

Then I doubted my writing ability to finish a full manuscript, even though I’d finished nearly a dozen by the time I was drafting Second Chance to Wear His Ring.

Finally, on my last round of revision to my editor, I began to wonder if I could do this for real. I started worrying about what would happen if I did succeed and I got the coveted call from my dream publisher. What if I couldn’t produce a second book? Or what if my first book didn’t sell well?

I was able to fend off the doubt crows then, but I know that the self-doubt is a part of the journey.

Some of the highs that I have experienced so far make up for the rare lows. I’ve since had the chance to “meet” a lot of Harlequin authors I idolize (it still counts if they meet you online, especially these days with lockdowns and social distancing ^__^). I love working with my editor, and nothing beats watching a book come together through drafting and then revising. Most of all, I thrilled that readers can now read the book that started this journey for me.

Second Chance to Wear His Ring is available now. I hope readers fall in love with Manny and Amal as much as I’ve loved spending time with them these past few years.

Thank you for having me on BetweenTheLines!

You’re very welcome, Hana.

A forgotten past…

Could pave the way to forever!

When millionaire Mansur Ali is called urgently home to Somaliland, he’s shocked to find that the woman who broke his heart needs his help. After an accident, Amal has lost many memories…including Manny’s marriage proposal and her rejection! Manny will help her seek treatment in Addis Ababa, but he’s resolved to keep his heart firmly off-limits. A promise that is tested when their journey brings them closer than ever before…

Purchase Links ~ Amazon UK | Amazon (US) | Harlequin

Hana Sheik falls in love every day reading her favourite romances and writing her own happy-ever-afters. She’s worked as a data entry operator, customer service rep, telemarketer, and ghostwriter—but being a romance author is without a doubt the best job ever! Born in Somalia, she moved to the beautiful capital of Canada as a toddler, and still lives there happily with her family.

Social Media Links – Twitter (@HanaSoChic), Facebook (@HanaSheikAuthor)

Giveaway

Enter to Win 2 x PB copies of Second Chance to Wear His Ring (Open INT) by clicking the Rafflecopter link

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.