August 3, 2008


Up All Night...
Well, today was the last day of the Romance Writers of America conference, in San Francisco which started on Wednesday. Whew, it was crazy fun! Let's see... on the first day, me and some close friends had a Girl's Nite Out at the spa to treat ourselves, and for the first time in ages, I got a pedicure .... while listening to soft music, snuggling up to the warm towels they put on my shoulders, sipping some melon water and feeling like a princess. Lord, that was tooooooo good for words! I should post a picture of my toes, it was that good!

Next, we picked up our registration materials and had a look around. There were workshops on everything from how to write, to spotlights on the publishers, so the business of writing. It was amazing to see so many familiar faces again. The last time I attended a conference was in Atlanta (or should I say Hotlanta) and that was absolutely fabulous. I only wish I would've been able to see more of the city and linger more with my fans. But I digress, San Francisco had some beautiful weather that I got to enjoy a bit, but I was mostly indoors. I did get to briefly visit with Brenda Jackson, Francis Ray and Kayla Perrin at the St. Martin's book signing, (where I was also signing). Mrs. Jackson was busy talking with someone else, so I tried not to interrupt. Kayla is quick to flash a grin and wink, and she's a very funny person! Francis Ray was such a darling! She came over to talk to me for about ten minutes, bringing Monica Monkou with her. I know! I was temporarily speechless, too.

And the book signing was fantastic. I had fans that had come all the way from Australia and New Zealand and even Japan! I swear, at moments like that I seriously pinch myself to make sure that I'm not dreaming! Oh, as luck would have it, I sat next to Rochelle Alers during one of the luncheons. What a lovely lady! I mean, there were authors left and right, and I know what you're thinking, it's a writer's conference, duh! But, no! It's totally different to see and talk with them in real life. Some were quirky, and funny, and others serious and all generous and kind. Can you tell I still feel like there is pixie dust on me? I did so much walking (and of course, just had to take shoes that were not completely broken in ) that my feet hurt like hell. And the parties, you ask? Well, there were certainly lots of them, but I only went to a few. I attended one for my agent (the Knight Agency) at a swanky little restaurant called First Crush. It was wonderful (although the floors were a bit slippery - no, it wasn't the wine I was drinking!), and it gave me a chance to mingle and meet with other familiar faces as well. The next part I attended was the St. Martin's Press cocktail party, at the E & O Trading Company. That was also a very swank joint, and their food was out of this world! Especially their corn fritters. And egg rolls. And mushroom kabobs. Yes, I spent time at the food table, but I also got the chance to mingle and meet (among other authors) Lisa Kleypas and Joan Johnston. They were all so very nice!

I'm laughing at myself by now, because I realized that I've been name-dropping, but seriously, it's only because I was in awe of them, and I'll bet only a few of those women would remember who I am. Maybe. :) Anyway, I'm going to soak my feet in some nice hot water, and then sort through the boxes of books that I brought back with me. You know what? Despite the aching feet, I could get used to this kind of life... :)


July, 2008


Up All Night...
Go get it! The book is out, so whatcha waiting for? (LOL!)
I feel like I've been holding my breath, waiting for this book to come out. And here it is, so I can now breathe ... whew ...
I hope you all enjoy it.

I've had several emails asking about my writing life, so here's my shpiel for all aspriring authors that seek my advice.
There are several milestones in a writer's life. First comes the story, sprouting in your head from some unexpected seed, growing roots and leaves and then the amazing bud of crumpled petals that unfolds into this amazing flower that's ALL yours.
It's wonderful when you realize you and your muse can enjoy that private story, but then comes the critical part of actually writing it. This part is what makes or breaks a writer. You start by stealing an hour here or there to write your story, and pretty soon, the characters won't shut up and you have to dedicate more time to them. If you can. Sometimes you feel guilty, because, heck, you're also a mom, or a sister, lover, co-worker ... whatever ... and people need your time, too.
But if you don't get the story down fast enough, your characters mutiny on you (ungrateful, leeching @#$@!!) so you really have no choice but to try to coax them into revealing the story at their miserly pace (okay, maybe that's just my process). Next, comes the precious milestone when an editor reads your work and enjoys it enough to champion it, pushing for it to be published. Halleluah! Validation of the highest kind! Because thus far, your friends (lovely, beautiful souls that they are) may have liked your book, but it's not the same as hearing the approval from your editor.
And then, the golden day arrives, when you've revised, re-edited, and reviewed per your editor's request until the book is (gasp) ready. Suddenly your book gets a real, honest-to-goodness cover, and you cry with joy like you've just set eyes on your brank-spanking newborn (okay, again, maybe that's just me). ... So, you can see how this moment, knowing "Up All Night" is the first of a trilogy, is like having triplets (without the labor pains, yay!).
But believe me, folks, the road here was not easy. It took me YEARS! I've had my share of rejections that I have kept to remind myself not to quit. I also discovered I had some amazing friends that encouraged me (I can't stress how important they are to me). Join Romance Writers of America (www.rwanationa.org) and find a local chapter that will keep encouraging you to succeed. It's been a priceless resource for me.
Seriously, if you have a story in your heart, and a muse that keeps bothering you to write it do, do so! I have a friend who wrote a book just for herself (just to see if she could) and doesn't want to get it published. Remember that it's *your* story, so if you decide to publish it, you may get some rejections. Now, listen closely, because this is not only important, but true. A rejection from a publisher does not mean there is necessarily anything wrong with your story. It could be that there is no market for it (example: if the editor/agent wants a pirate story, not even the finest western will suffice) or it could be that the market is oversaturated with similar types of stories and yours would suffer if they tried to publish it now (as well as not make you much money.) There could be a number of inexplicable reasons that your books gets rejected, and, yes, sometimes, the kindest thing they can do is send you a generic, Xerox-copied excuse because they can't explain why, but by no means should you take your manuscript to the shredder or set it in the grill, douse it with lighter fluid and flambe. No, no. Take a deep breath, tap into your supply of woe-is-me goodies that we all have stashed somewhere (wine, chocolate truffles, BBQ ribs and, hell, throw in some deviled potato salad, and end it with some good pistacho ice cream ... all in moderation, of course. sigh) then call or email your friend who will console you and convince you that you're the greatest.
The next day, after working off the excessive calories your overdid with your moping, get back on track. Sit down, promise yourself you're going to send the manuscript out again, and research until you are sure your story will be a fit, both for the editor as well as the writing house. If that thought makes you crave more chocolate or half a rack of pork ribs with a good slathering of Louisiana hickory sauce, simply push those evil thoughts aside and start on a new book.
See? Easy! Piece of cake. (yes, I'm laughing my butt off, hee hee)
But in all seriousness, in the end, all you can do is write the best book you possibly can, then send it out. The rest is part of this mysterious serendipity of fate, in which you can never predict how your book will end up being chosen. Most dreams don't come true with wishful thinking. There's room enough on the book shelves for all of us, so come on, join us. :)
And on that note, I still have a chunk of writing to do, so, I'd better get cracking.
Good luck, my friend. :)