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Sara Wilkinson

@swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social

390 followers 350 following 160 posts

Contemporary romance writer, baker, lover of rugby and all things chocolate.

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Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · 20h

#amquerying my 85,000 word contemporary romance Love on the Vine. While working at the winery she recently inherited with her newfound half-brother, Becca rescues an actor hiding from an oversized role from rabid fans

🍷Dual POV
🍷Strangers-to-Lovers
🍷Found family

#writingcommunity #agentsguide

Love on the Vine
Agent Guide

Pitch:
Becca Hopewell has trouble letting people in. She blames the death of her mom during childbirth and her father’s subsequent abandonment of her to a cold aunt. When she’s left part owner of a winery with her newfound half-brother she must decide if she’s willing to risk being rejected again. Not only by him, but by Ian Baker, the demi-god portraying, disillusioned actor she rescues from rabid fans while manning the winery’s Christmas market booth.

*85,000 Word Contemporary Romance
*Tropes:
Different Worlds, Strangers-to-Lovers, Found Family

Comps:

Romantic Comedy-Curtis Sittenfeld
Under Your Spell-Laura Wood
Waiting for Tom Hanks-Kerry Winfrey
We All Live Here-Jojo Moyes
Notting Hill

Quote:
“You’re right. Better make it three. You’re too good a saleswoman. Even without the cheat sheet. Which begs the question: How does someone who professes not to know wine work for a winery?”
“That’s a long, complicated story. Too long for a few sips of wine. Or coffee. Hell, I’m not even sure a three-course meal would suffice.” Becca froze. Eyes wide as her hands hovered over bottles. “That wasn’t me begging for an invitation or anything. Not that you thought such a silly thing. Or would ever think…” Becca snapped her lips shut. Avoided his twinkling eyes by assessing the progress of the three women. Now closer than she liked. With more make-up and hands that flattened flyaway strands. Their hungry look reminiscent of the wolf at grandma’s house.
“And if I did?”
“What?”
The man followed Becca’s frantic glance. His head snapped forward. His body straightened and angled more towards Becca and away from the women’s eager glances. The openness, the calmness disappeared like wine at an awkward Christmas party.

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · 20h

#amquerying my 85,000 word contemporary romance Love on the Vine. While working at the winery she recently inherited with her newfound half-brother, Becca rescues an actor hiding from an oversized role from rabid fans

🍷Dual POV
🍷Strangers-to-Lovers
🍷Found family

#writingcommunity #agentsguide

Love on the Vine
Agent Guide

Pitch:
Becca Hopewell has trouble letting people in. She blames the death of her mom during childbirth and her father’s subsequent abandonment of her to a cold aunt. When she’s left part owner of a winery with her newfound half-brother she must decide if she’s willing to risk being rejected again. Not only by him, but by Ian Baker, the demi-god portraying, disillusioned actor she rescues from rabid fans while manning the winery’s Christmas market booth.

*85,000 Word Contemporary Romance
*Tropes:
Different Worlds, Strangers-to-Lovers, Found Family

Comps:

Romantic Comedy-Curtis Sittenfeld
Under Your Spell-Laura Wood
Waiting for Tom Hanks-Kerry Winfrey
We All Live Here-Jojo Moyes
Notting Hill

Quote:
“You’re right. Better make it three. You’re too good a saleswoman. Even without the cheat sheet. Which begs the question: How does someone who professes not to know wine work for a winery?”
“That’s a long, complicated story. Too long for a few sips of wine. Or coffee. Hell, I’m not even sure a three-course meal would suffice.” Becca froze. Eyes wide as her hands hovered over bottles. “That wasn’t me begging for an invitation or anything. Not that you thought such a silly thing. Or would ever think…” Becca snapped her lips shut. Avoided his twinkling eyes by assessing the progress of the three women. Now closer than she liked. With more make-up and hands that flattened flyaway strands. Their hungry look reminiscent of the wolf at grandma’s house.
“And if I did?”
“What?”
The man followed Becca’s frantic glance. His head snapped forward. His body straightened and angled more towards Becca and away from the women’s eager glances. The openness, the calmness disappeared like wine at an awkward Christmas party.

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · 1d

'Prize' - Stubborn Dreams...
#WIPSnips

Not a chance, Natalie. Don’t invite trouble. Keep those eyes on the prize. The dazzling, shiny prize growing bigger in the window with each goal kicked, with each win. A prize that glowed bright like the Holy Grail beacon in that stupidly funny Monty Python movie her mom rewatched whenever she needed a laugh.

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · 4d

'Safe' or how Nat feels now that she's no longer trapped in a room with two idiots.

#WIPSnips -Stubborn Dreams/Bottled Love

“Takes one to know one.” The man looked down, seemingly reading her mind again. “I get if you’re worried about a stranger knowing where you live, but you’ve just endured a sticky situation, and I’d feel better knowing you were safely home. Safe enough.” He added as if he noticed her doubt that home equaled safety. “I’ll follow until you can see your windows. Deal?”

“Fine. I can see my windows.”

“Shenanigans. We’re surrounded by trees. Unless you live in Beaumont Tower with the carillon.”

“Call me Quasimodo.”

“Then I’d be, who, Esmeralda? Because I’m sure as hell not Frollo.”

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · 5d

'Miss' times three.
#WIPSnips -Stubborn Dreams/Bottled Love

And yet, he still couldn’t take his eyes off her. He missed his sister’s entrance. Missed the other bridesmaids. Missed the bride’s entrance for **** sake. Before he knew it, Georgie was asking for the ring, and Matt had to pat down his jacket to find it. Earning him a soft giggle from Nat’s side of the aisle.

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · 8d

No 'hibernate' but many 'sleep'
#WIPSnips - Stubborn Dreams/Bottled Kisses

“Seriously,” Jared added. “I haven’t met someone as smart or as dedicated…well, one person might have you beat. She’s probably asleep on your bed by now.”

“She wanted to be the first to ask about your interview,” Devin said.

“So, lie and say we didn’t care enough to ask or were already asleep.”

“I’d hate to see her mean side,” Jared mock shuddered. “Not after what she did to your nose.”

The two cackled like Macbeth’s witches until Matt perfectly tossed the pillow at Jared’s head where it bounced into Devin’s cheek. Chuckling, Matt waved goodnight and slipped into his room where he found Nat curled in a ball atop his comforter.

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · 9d

Didn't think I had 'salmon' today. But...surprise.

Nat trying not to give into her roommates peer pressure by focusing on dinner.

#WIPSnips -Stubborn Dreams and Bottled Love

“Because that’s worked so well for me in the past.” Nat threw open the fridge and debated her dinner options. Tuna atop a salad, frozen salmon over rice, or lemon chicken with spinach and orzo. The last would take longer, but it sounded amazing.

“It’s not our fault your last one-night stand ballooned into him wanting to bring you home to mother after two weeks.”

Nat dropped her head against the freezer door and groaned. Her appetite shifted from something healthy to something not. A juicy cheeseburger with onion rings. Good, giant, greasy rings like she and her mom always ordered at that old-fashioned place Phyllis frequented as a teenager. Burger something or something Burger. They hadn’t been in years.

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · 11d

First snip from a new WIP: Stubborn Dreams and Bottled Kisses (working title-always open to suggestions)

#WIPSnips 'Bear'ings

As the band started the final chorus, Matt shifted his body. Nat’s head snapped back, her eyes popped open and glanced around as the last note vibrated. Catching Matt’s eye as she swept the room for her friends or to gather her bearings or both.
Matt couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “Good nap?”
“I wasn’t asleep,” Nat said, cute in her cheekiness.
“I’m more impressed you could in this noise.”
“Years of bus rides for away…” Nat’s eyes widened as she realized her self-incrimination.

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · 17d

Word of the day: 'leave' #WIPSnips

“Hey, stranger. Where have you been hiding?” Joel smiled as he poured a Guinness without asking.
“Right here. Where’ve you been?”
Joel shrugged as he waited for the stout to settle before adding more. “Needed a few weeks away from your drama.”
“Should’ve taken a few more.” Fiona waved Joel’s questioning look away. “Forget I said anything. It will only make you leave again.”
“I see you took my advice. How’s the friendship with Paul working out?”
Fiona ignored his dimpled smile and focused on a discarded bar menu.
“Don’t tell me that’s part of the drama. Do I get to witness my first duel?”

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · 18d

'Skills'- Finding Fiona
#WIPSnips

“Um, sure.” Fiona couldn’t say no given the hope in Tiana’s voice and the brightness of her eyes despite Fiona’s complete lack of crafting skills. Her mom tried teaching her photography and scrapbooking, but the lessons dried up as the cancer ate away her energy. If Fiona remembered correctly, the photos came out okay, but the scrapbooks were a mess of glue and glitter and uneven borders.

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · 19d

#WIPSnips 'Flurry' from Finding Fiona

Fiona scoffed at the lame consolation prize after she shared so much about her evening with Paul and Jackson and the rest of the crew. Before Fiona settled in her office the previous morning, Kay barreled in with a flurry of questions falling from her lips. In fairness, she came bearing coffee and donuts from their favorite shop. A welcome bribe despite Fiona’s diet.

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · 23d

'Red' #WIPSnips

In truth, the dating app was a red herring. Their tempers had simmered just below the surface all that weekend. The exact details escaped her, but she’d bet her dad’s lucky jersey that ELF and Jonathon’s recent hectic schedule figured into it somehow.

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · 24d

#WIPSnips 'difference'

Near the bottom, Fiona spotted a familiar picture. Not trusting her senses, she closed her eyes against the possible mirage. Only opening one eye after convincing herself she imagined the postcard and being pleasantly surprised when the invitation remained in the stack on her lap. The only difference between her invitation and Tiana’s was the lack of a handwritten note. No special request in Paul’s scrawl requested her particular presence.
No matter.

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · 29d

"Worst"
#WIPSnips

Luckily, she recovered quickly. By lying. About being a home baker no less. Despite Fiona being the worst baker, the worst cook in the greater Detroit area, if not the entire state of Michigan. The result of being raised half her life by a jock dad who specialized in simple fare. If it could be grilled, he cooked it. Breakfast was the exception to the rule. Pancakes, French toast, biscuits and gravy were regular dinner foods as much as breakfast fare in the Ivanov household.

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · Sep 10

'Outside'- Finding Fiona
#WIPSnips

Fiona stepped closer. Examining the ones in the front before flipping to others farther back. At first blush, she guessed thirty odd paintings sat against the far wall. Each more breathtaking than the last with their exquisite colors. The scenes depicted real enough that Fiona swore she stepped from the industrial building onto the top of a sand dune with the endlessly blue Lake Michigan laid out her feet and the wind lashing her hair over her jaw or stood along the shore of a rumbling waterfall breaking through ice in the Upper Peninsula or outside a bistro beside a spindly legged table holding an artful latte beside a flaky croissant. Fiona wasn’t an art expert by any stretch of imagination, but even she recognized Paul’s talent. These were good. Expertly good.

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · Sep 9

Little late today. Was under "pressure" to work on another WIP I hope to share from soon.
#WIPSnips

“This helps me relieve stress. I thought it might help you too regardless of Joel’s doubt as to your softball abilities.” Paul smiled at Fiona’s gaped mouth as he slipped off her coat and helped her slip on a paint smeared lab coat two sizes too big. “It also helps dispose of excess paint while creating trippy art.”
The first throw of a jiggly, paint filled balloon relaxed Fiona’s shoulder and gave her a sense of distance and force. The next released pressure from her chest. She found a rhythm with the third.

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · Sep 8

'Ability' from Finding Fiona
#WIPSnips

Fiona watched Kay leave a few hours later with a sinking stomach. Not only at her fading cackle, sending chills and goose bumps over Fiona’s already frozen arms from the office being one giant icebox, but at Kay’s ability to go where Fiona feared to tread. She joined the group over age old trepidations and now she ended up right back where she started—unable to watch a game for fear of memories resurfacing.

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · Sep 5

'Event'-Finding Fiona
#WIPSnips

“Please.”

Damn she hated that word. So polite but so demanding. So hard to resist for fear of offending the requestor. That stupid word was responsible for many a Saturday spent volunteering at some work event or buying boxes upon boxes of Girl Scout cookies from multiple coworkers. Two boxes of Thin Mints still chilled in her freezer waiting for a chink in her self-control armor.

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · Sep 4

So many options for 'coffee' today I had a hard time choosing one.
#WIPSnips

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · Sep 2

'Tired' from WIP Finding Fiona
#WIPSnips

Fiona threw her phone onto the cushy chair across from the coffee table. Too tired to stay downstairs with her thoughts any longer, she snatched the phone and headed upstairs a minute later. She needed sleep. Restful sleep she doubted she’d find. Her brain was too busy processing Paul’s innocent question, Jonathon’s not so innocent accusations.

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · Aug 13

#WIPSnips 'Cheap'

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · Aug 11

'Real' #WIPSnips

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · Aug 10

'Flowers' times two. #WIPSnips

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · Aug 9

'Brushed' #WIPSnips

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · Aug 8

'Update' #WIPSnips

Sara Wilkinson @swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social · Aug 6

'Compete' #WIPSnips