Writing what you know

Okay so my novel has been put on the back burner while i work on a story for the Harlequin competition. The dilemma i now have is writing what i don't know. All the experts say you should write what you know, but what if i don't know that much?

In particular my characters are going to go somewhere for a weekend. The somewhere i have chosen i have never been so don't really know about it. Do you think it would matter that i haven't experienced it but do tonnes of research?

I guess as long as it comes across as new and exciting and beleivable in the story it shouldn't matter. It would make it easier if i had been there though, i wonder if all writers have this problem, surely we can't all have gone everywhere we want our characters to go?

So researching is my new vein, and working on a great plot. Hopefully this will all come together and next week (should have my glasses by then and can get into some serious computer work!) i can get stuck into writing my first draft of my first chapter.

My aim is to have the chapter and synopsis ready by end of August so then i can just polish polish polish and then send it all in for November 2.

Harlequin Presents Writing Competition

Wow! I can't believe Harlequin Mills and Boon are holding a writing competition only for first chapter and a synopsis! Just the chance i have been waiting for!
After reading the guidelines i am sure i can come up with a story, just fingers crossed they like mine and i win an editor for a year!

If you are interested too, the deadline is November 2 2009 go here:

http://www.iheartpresents.com/2009/07/the-harlequin-presents-writing-competition-2009-is-now-open/

Good luck and i hope you get inspired before the deadline!

Submission

I have just sent a letter and first three chapters of Secrets & Lies to HarperCollins New Zealand. I know as an unsolicitated manuscript i have little hope of getting to the top of their pile - but we are free to dream. I will waiting the expected 6-10 weeks until i hear a reply by hopefully starting another novel.
Perhaps it will be a sequel or another one entirely. I do know i have a short story i am dying to write so perhaps that will be the next one. I've been searching the net for writing competitions to enter but they are hard to find and there are many sites advising not to enter due to scams and i don't want to get trapped in one of those! Especially after my close call with the Writer's Literary Agency. If any one knows of a reputable competition can you let me know? i'm dying to get my stories out to all and every avenue i can find.