Sarah Rodi has been a magazine journalist for over 20 years, but it was her lifelong dream to write romance for Mills & Boon. She now writes Viking romance for them!

Sarah Rodi

Sarah is also the volunteer coordinator of the RNA New Writers’ Scheme. She can be contacted via @sarahrodiedits or sarahrodiedits@gmail.com. Or visit her website at sarahrodi.com.

How do you discipline/motivate yourself to write and do you set daily targets?

I’m usually motivated by a deadline! If I see one is looming, I divide the number of words I need to do by the number of days I have to write the book in, which usually sends me into a panic and motivates me to sit down and get it done. Staring at that first blank page is the hardest thing, but once you get going, you have something to work with and edit, and then it starts to flow. I struggle to write every day, but I aim for about 10,000 words a week, in between working and juggling family life. I have been known to write 20,000 words in a weekend when I’m up against it, but I wouldn’t recommend it, and steady, daily targets are definitely the best way to go.

What are the most important qualities required by a writer? Do you have them?

Passion to write and publish books. You need a spark of an idea, a way with words, the dedication to sit down and get those words down on the page, despite a busy schedule and friends inviting you out, and being committed to getting it written. Focus on the end result, but most of all, make sure you’re enjoying yourself while you’re writing. I believe if you are loving your characters and what you’re writing, your readers will enjoy your writing too. I certainly have a passion for writing and a need to share my characters with the world. I have the commitment, even if I never have enough time. But you have to create those opportunities for yourself to write. Make your writing a priority.

How do you market yourself and your books?

I often do a Blog Tour around the publication day of my latest release to drum up some excitement. I also write monthly blogs and newsletters from my website, offer giveaways, and create posts and videos on my Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok pages. I also volunteer with the RNA to make friends and help other writers. It’s not an easy thing to promote yourself, so I tend to focus on my books rather than myself. Last Christmas I ran a book review advent calendar where I created little videos about other authors and their books each day. That was fun and forced me to post something every day.

Which writing resources have you found useful, e.g., books, courses, organisations, websites etc.?

I studied English at university and then a postgraduate degree in journalism. My full-time job is as a magazine journalist, so I have always worked with words. I used to go on a lot of creative writing courses – in Fishguard, and on those run by Mills & Boon authors Sharon Kendrick and Kate Walker. These were incredibly useful. But it was when I joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association that I really started to make some progress with my writing. I submitted to their New Writers’ Scheme each year to get a critique on my manuscript. This was invaluable in honing my craft. The RNA also hosts a Conference where you can pitch your novel to an agent or publisher. This is how I pitched my first novel to Mills & Boon. I would not be where I am today without the RNA, which is why I now volunteer as their New Writers’ Scheme coordinator to give something back.
Best book that’s helped me? The Emotion Thesaurus.

A top tip for other writers?

Keep going. Believe in yourself. If you’re writing a romance and need help, join the RNA.

About Her Secret Vows With The Viking – published August 29th 2024

All my stories begin with a tiny spark of an idea, and this one was no different. A Viking boy, wounded and left for dead. A Saxon girl, who rescues him. I do love a forbidden romance! And so Her Secret Vows with the Viking began.
Knowing her father would never allow her to marry a Dane, my heroine, Ædwen, and hero, Stefan, say their vows in secret. But when Stefan’s memories return and he remembers who he is and what happened the day he arrived on these shores, he cannot forgive Ædwen for hiding the truth from him, so he leaves.
My story starts almost two winters later, when Ædwen is distraught to be marrying the hateful Lord Werian. Her father has convinced her that her previous, clandestine union was invalid. Even though Stefan abandoned her, there has not been a day gone by that she hasn’t thought of him.
Anger has kept Stefan away these past years, and he has made a name for himself as King Canute’s right-hand man. But upon hearing about Ædwen’s impending wedding, his unsatiated vengeance and desire burns. He is determined to take his revenge on Ædwen and her father. He interrupts the wedding ceremony, announcing to the congregation that Ædwen is already married – to him – and he has returned to claim his wife…
I hope you enjoy it.

Her Secret Vows with the Viking is available from Amazon.