Tags
Contemporary Romance, Debut author, Dundee, Ella Hayes, Highlands, Kinross, Mills and Boon, New book, Romance, Scotland, TThe Brooding Scottish Heir
Ella Hayes
Dundee rocks! I got my first degree (history) at Manchester Uni in 1984, but 2017-2018 I did a Master’s degree in Writing Practice and Study at Dundee Uni! It was hard, but that’s because I did it in one year whilst running my photography business AND writing my debut romance for Mills & Boon – so it was a heavy load to carry. The course was great though – took me into reading and writing territory that was new and exciting. I particularly enjoyed the lyrical/creative essay form and poetry.
Ella Hayes – Okay, this is sort of tied up with question 3 – path to publication etc. I’d been writing for a while. I wrote a romantic suspense novel, then a coming of age story set in Scotland but getting an agent, getting published seemed so hard. I wanted feedback on my writing, so that’s why I applied to do the M.Litt at Dundee Uni.
At about the same time a friend of mine sent me the link to a Mills and Boon competition in Prima magazine, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure about it… but then I had a story idea, and thought, why not? So I wrote the first chapter and an outline (that was what the competition was asking for) and sent it in. I didn’t give it much thought until I got an email telling me I’d been shortlisted! I was really surprised. Of course, once you know you’re on the shortlist you can’t help wondering about how it would feel to win. Anyway, about three weeks later I got the call! I’d won! I nearly dropped the phone. So, the deal was that I then had to write the rest of the book, working with an editor from M&B. It was a real education, learning the ropes of the romance genre, but it was great. Because the degree was so demanding, I could only work on it during holiday time, so I’d hand in my end of term assignments, take a deep breath and switch into romance mode. I didn’t draw breath for a year.
Ella Hayes. Well… it’s about an artist called Milla O’Brien who’s been jilted by her fiancé – she flees to an off-grid artist’s residence in the wilds of Scotland to lick her wounds and focus on her work but on the way she gets a flat tyre and is helped at the roadside by enigmatic laird’s son, Cormac Buchanan. He’s a troubled hero, a Royal Engineer who’s lost his best friend in a traumatic skirmish in Afghanistan. He’s grief-stricken, weighed down with survivor guilt. He’s only come back to the family estate because his sister is getting married. Neither Milla nor Cormac is looking for love but fate has other ideas…
Ella Hayes.- Being a brand new author myself, I feel unqualified to advise other writers, but what I would say is that it’s important to network and find support in the writing community – writers understand other writers better than anyone. Oh, and I suppose after the experience I’ve had, I would encourage aspiring writers to enter competitions! You’ve got to be in it to win it!
Ella Hayes– I actually live in the countryside a couple of miles out of Kinross, but it’s a lovely little town –
we’ve got Loch Leven and the brilliant Heritage Trail that you can walk, run or cycle around.
There are some decent eating places, some quirky little shops and it’s right on the M90 so easy for getting anywhere. It’s a friendly place, with a good community spirit.
Ella Hayes- At the moment I’m writing another romance for Mills and Boon and there will be another book after that. I also want to push forward with my Scottish coming of age story. It’s a love story rather than a romance, and the writing style is very different. I’ve had really good feedback on the story and the initial part of the manuscript (I submitted that as my degree dissertation) so the plan is to keep revising and polishing the first draft, then I’ll be looking for an agent/publisher!!
Twitter: @EllaHayesAuthor
Facebook EllaHayesAuthor
Instagram @ellahayesauthor
A kiss under the Northern Lights…
Running from her broken engagement artist Milla O’Brien retreats to the Scottish Highlands. Only to arrive during a lavish wedding on the estate!
She finds the bride’s brother and brooding heir, Cormac Buchanan. Could they heal each other’s hearts?
Her Brooding Scottish Heir (Harlequin Mills & Boon) is published on 27th December and can be pre-ordered on Amazon:
You can also buy from from Mills and Boon:
Happy New Year Shehanne.
Happy New Year, the very best to you and yours in coming months xxxxxxxxxxxx
Happy New Year, the very best to you and yours in coming months xxxxxx(((((*L*))))))xxxxxx
The very best to you and all of yours too. Make the skies blaze and keep up the good work xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Absolutely wonderful interview! Good luck Ella!
I did say to her, cos you being a Scots lassie, at heart we worry re these things… ( I don’t say we’re shy ) (aye right) I thought it was an excellent interview. happy new Year Lesley, to you and Studly x
Happy New Year to you! And since you’ll be in 2019 afore me, smooth the way for us, please!
Do me best xxx
Thank you – eek, just realised I’m replying with my real name!! Ah well, Ella/Tracy – one and the same!!
Ocht, just new author hiccups. xxxxx
It’s a terrific pseudonym, but Tracy is nice, as well!
Happy New Year to you, I wish you all the best.
Happy new year and the best of it to you and yours. Keep up your great posts xx
Thank you.
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Happy New Year Shehanne…..when it comes! xx. And continued success in all you do.
Lots of love to you and yours today and always x
A Happy New Year to you Ms. S & hamsters, and of course to Ella. Best of luck to one and all.
Happy New Year Mr S to you and Shirl and Lord George, Hope it’s a good ‘un x
Happy New Year to you too! Ella’s going to be busy in 2019 and will need all the luck she can get!!
You will be just fine x
Then I shall ‘follow’ you and spread the news far and wide come the right time, Ella by any other name. You must understand I am a time-traveller and as such will ensure your success by way of changing said time to suit your literary needs…I should add, I am often…unfairly in my view…referred to as ‘barking mad’. Best wishes and notable success.
You, Mike? Barking? Never. Happy new Year x
Phew, relieved that the dudes are getting off the island for New Year! I wish you great success, Ella – keep those words flowing. Happy New Year to you, Shey, and thanks for all the laughter you’ve given us throughout 2018. xxx
Kate, Happy New Year. Enjoy your night out. The helicopter is flying to fetch the dudes as we speak, such lovely presents did they give one another… (did they hell) Thank you for all your support xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thanks Kate! Words flowing is what we’re all wishing for in 2019 I’m sure!! Happy New Year when it comes. x
Thanks Shy for throwing me to the hamsters. It was great fun and I have to say, they ask very searching questions!! I don’t have web page for Ella Hayes yet (on the “to do” list for 2019) but you can find Ella on Twitter/Facebook and Instagram and you can find TracyGowWrites on Twitter and on my ThisWriter blog. I would love to connect with other writers/readers in any of those spaces and finally, I’d like to wish you all a very happy Hogmanay/New Year, wherever you are. I’m wondering if the hamsters have any plans…
Folks, lets all get connected with this lovely author who did brilliantly with the dudes. I think their plan is to set about me soon as but they will have to catch me first. Hope you have plenty plans for tonight xxxx
Reblogged this on This Writer and commented:
A most unusual interview with my alter ego, Ella Hayes…
xxxxxx Tracy
Happy New year, wish you lots of happiness and success in 2019.💖😇 Regards Anjali
May you and your beautiful family have a wonderful year x
😇💐🥂💖
Great interview, Shey. Hope you and the Dudes have a wonderful New Year.
You too, Cath. The very best to you x
Cheers to you all!!

And many more may we see
Happy New Year to you and yours. as we say here in Scotland….lang may yir lum reek xx
Happy New Year dudes. Promise that you will be nice to Shey in 2019, okay ? (Some hope !) ❤
e sends thit hilicoptir to take is home we are going to bite her throat
love
the dudes….
Happy New Year to you Shey and the Dudes too. Auld Lang Syne and all that xo
Happy New Year Pauline xxxxxx
💥🥂💥🧡💥HAPPY NEW YEAR SHEHANNE! 💥🥂💥🧡💥
Happy New Year Resa, many art gowns to you xxxx(lol)
Best of luck with your book, Ella! Happy New Year to all! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Happy New Year Inese xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Just promise me you will keep taking these breath stealing pics xxxx
Thank you! I’m pleased with the way it’s going so far.
It is always great to hear about writers’ journeys. Happy New year to you both
I do think it is fascinating to hear how folks got out there. Happy new Year Paul. x
Thanks Paul. My journey was unexpected, but it’s been a blast!!
Bravo ✌️ Great work 🎄 keep smiling! Keep blogging my friend 💐 Have an amazing New Year 💖🍰💖🍰 cheers 🥂
Ravindra, Happy New Year to you and yours. May it be full to the brim of wonderful things and much joy. I have been smiling plenty the last few days, been dancing and partying too. This is Scotland after all. I would be failing in my duty if I didn’t. Keep up all your own amazing work x
Wow! Party n dance! Sounds great👌 Enjoy and Have a great time🎄🌹🍀🌿💖🌿🍀🍀🌹🌹🌿💖🎂🍰🎄🎶🎶🎄🌹🍰🎶🎶🎄🎄🎄🍀🌿💖🌿🎂🎶🍰🎂🎂🎂🌹🌹💖🌿🌹🍰💖💖💖
I hope you had a wonderful day xxxx
Happy New Year to you and your Hammies. All the best! ❤
Carol, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx to you and xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx to yours. x
Happy New Year dudes and to you Shehanne and all the family. ❤ ❤ ❤
Adele, here’s to POVs under control xxxxxxxxx
Yes, please, please, get under control POVs, they are slowly getting into line. lol xxxxxxxx
Take your time and dinnae stress. xxxxx
Happy New Year, Lady Shey! May it be filled with all the best things. oxoxo
You too Pam my darlink xxxx
❤️
happy new year 2019 to you and yours !
Happy new Year and [;ease keep up your wonderful posts x
🙂
My best wishes for an explendid New Year !
OOh Edinburgh.. The best to you. I hope you enjoyed your day xxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I hope that is a yes x
Many successes to you for the new year. Cheers!!
To you and all of yours too ccccccccccccccccccccccccccc
A lovely interview! The little dudes were quite well-behaved, too, all things concerned. xxxxx
Yes…that is cos their bolshieness over the peace and goodwill got them nowhere and shortly they will be having another guest. Their number one fav Cat Cavendish… What more can I say?
Hee hee! Let some 2019 mayhem commence! 🙂
I think it might. xxx
I thought the dudes were gentle with me!!
Mills and Boone, I haven’t read one for years but I used to be addicted to them. Lovely to meet Ella. I hope you all have a fabulous new year.
You too Robbie xxx
Thanks Robbie! To be honest I hadn’t read one for years when I entered the comp, and only read one when I was part way through writing, to make sure I was on the right track. They’ve changed a bit, moved on. I’ve got a couple of the sexy “Dare” ones to read when I have a moment!!
My darling, see when you are writing… getting a moment is pretty well impossible…
The hamstahs are back in action 😉 Humble pie yummm haha. I wish you and family a beautiful 2019, Shey. Love seeing your FB photos and our chats online xo
Listen my friend, I am over the moon about your news. So happy for you and so happy to see you so happy. The very best to you in the coming months. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx to you and all of yours. Yeah …the dudes and humble pie? Aye right… x They will be fighting it out for ever xxx
Happy new year
Happy New Year to you too. To you and all of yours xx
Bonjour mon amie SHEHANNE

C’est l’heure pour moi de passer.
Dans ton bel univers déposer un petit
Commentaire d’amitié te dire que je ne t’oublie pas
Malgré mon absence ou si peu sur le net
Si chacune de mes pensées
Se transformeraient en fleurs
Chaque jour un bouquet
Viendrait embellir ta demeure
C’ est toute la douceur de leurs parfums
Que je t’envoie!!!! rien qu’à toi.
gros bisous.Bernard
Bonjour Bernard, tout mon amour pour toi et les tiens et tous les voeux pour cette année. Que votre maison soit heureuse et lumineuse.xx