Words to Keep You Going

Today I'm over at Through Heart-Shaped Glasses revealing things that keep me going.

Stop by and tell me what keeps you going for chance to win cool swag!

Through Heart-Shaped Glasses, Our Group Blog Opens Today!

I'm excited to announce the debut of a group blog that's been in the works for some time. Eleven spectacular authors, and you-know-who, have come together to share our writer's world with you.

Today is the first post of our brand new blog:

Through Heart-Shaped Glasses

From suspense to sweet or sinfully erotic, or in the past, present or future...we write to entertain our readers. From aspiring to multi-published, we are romance authors, seeing life through our own heart-shaped glasses. Enjoy the view!

Everything from romance, novels, life and family and writing will be shared through our eyes...yes, we're romance writers...we look at life through our very own pairs of heart-shaped glasses.

I'll still be blogging regularly here so don't worry. My day at THSG will always be on the 19th. And we'll be taking guest bloggers on the 1st and the 15th of every month.

The theme for May is "Firsts" and with 12 ladies...you never know what you're going to get...from first dates to first contracts to that first time at a conference, you're bound to find someone to connect with, laugh with or cry with.

Let's not forget, there's Blog Swag to be had. Every month one of our authors will be sponsoring our blog swag gift. Any comments during the entire month are entered to win a $10 amazon e-card - chosen at random on June 1st.

Come on over and welcome us to the blog world!

Causing Conflict

As writer’s we hear pretty much from day one that our stories must have strong conflict. The better the conflict the more engaging the story will be, and so on.

I read a thought provoking post a few days ago in a newsletter I received from Holly Lisle about pissing people off. Many of you are probably familiar with her, if not, you are missing out.

It was about conflict, and it really made me stop and think about my writing. I didn't quote it here because I'm guessing she wouldn't appreciate me spouting something she sent in a newsletter. That being said, we all still need conflict. Don't we?

Having great conflict in your story is one thing, but what about creating conflict with your story. Are you willing to go that far?

We all have things we believe in or don’t. Sometimes passionately. Usually there are as many people who believe the same things you do, as there are people who believe just the opposite and swear you’re the fool.

This is a new avenue for me, because I've always very carefully avoided expressing my opinions about certain issues. And I still believe people aren't that interested in what I think personally. BUT. That being said, if you felt passionately about something, and you let a little of that show through in your story, wouldn't it rock? Or would you rather not alienate anyone and take the safer route.

This is one of those times where I'm not sure there's a right or wrong answer. Would you dare to let this show through in your stories? Are you afraid of the conflict, or do you invite it?

Merry Christmas

Thinking of all my readers, and writer friends. My world is a brighter place because you are in it. Wishing everyone a a healthy, happy holiday!

 

 

 

Love, Sutton

Happy Thanksgiving

To all of my friends here in America, I am thankful. Thankful for your friendship and support through this crazy journey called life. I'm truly blessed to have found my passion in the written word, and my world just wouldn't be the same without all the readers and writers connected to it.

Wishing everyone health, happiness, and the best of days.

Still Around

Yep. I'm still here. Lurking about in the background. Perhaps you'll notice the new look of the blog. Not sure it's the final design, I just couldn't stand the black another day so I went with what we've got up to this point.

I'm making a sincere effort to lighten up. Not sure how that will go, or how long it will last but going from black to navy is the best I've got. I tried pink. I really did.

The font is a little different, but it suits me. A little swirly and girly, bold and strong, and still...a mess. LOL!

There are lots of changes happening with my writing over the next couple months. My website is being revamped, my series is being reworked, I'll have a new publisher, and my work should appear on a more timely release schedule. This last is no reflection on my previous publishers, they were very good to me. I just needed a change.

Some people just want things the way they want them. And for right now, I fall into that category. We'll just have to see where it takes me. And I'd love for you to make the journey with me. That's all I've got for now, but soon there should be new covers, and lots more news!

Compliment, Criticism or Just Plain Confusion

This is a strange topic to blog about, but I’ve got to start again somewhere. Since becoming published several years ago, there are a lot of standard questions or comments I hear from readers or other authors. They’re not always bad or good, sometimes just food for thought. Things like, ‘Where do you get your ideas?’ or ‘Are your characters people you know?’

The answer to the first one – ideas come from everywhere. Today I opened up my browser and the first two headlines I read were something about a Granny drug kingpin being arrested in Oklahoma, and brides using feeding tubes to lose weight for their weddings. It’s not a tough search for ideas these days.

The answer to the second one – absolutely not. Ever. Mostly because I can never get real people to behave in ways that would suit my plots on a consistent basis.

My personal favorite, which I heard again this weekend is, ‘Well if you can get published…I’ve got an idea for a book. Maybe I should write one too.’

Never quite sure how to take this one. Does that mean they think I’m a blithering idiot, and if I can do it anyone can? Or maybe it’s meant to be complimentary, and if I can find time in my harried schedule to write, they can too. Most likely, I should just take it with a grain of salt. And perhaps slice of lime…

This Year In Writing

I've spent the last couple days seriously considering my writing goals. Realistically, given my schedule, er, okay, I said no excuses this year didn't I. Darn, that didn't take long did it?

The first stop will be to finish my current WIP. Then I'd really like to write a novella. That would be a new challenge. And lastly, to complete another novel length work.

There we go. It's out in the open. Now I've got to go hunt up some of those word tracker thingies to post on my blog. Just so you can follow along.

Yep, that's it. Sounds simple doesn't it?

Happy New Year!

I love this time of year. The after Christmas part. It makes me feel energized. Well, truthfully, this year, we’re having people over for New Year’s Eve. So guests equal cleaning. That’s not a complaint, but you know how we get. Sorta omg, is everything just right? Again. Didn’t we just do that last week?

Right now I’m thinking about 2011, what I was able to accomplish, and what I wasn’t. One of the things I didn’t do was set hard and fast concrete goals. Especially for my writing. Thus I watched the days and weeks blow by while doing something else. Something that was just as important I’m sure, as keeping my dream alive.

Really? Where’s that little ‘I call bullshit’ icon when you need it. I’ve been reading a lot lately about how goals should just be generalized because we shouldn’t be too hard on ourselves. Well, there’s hard, and then there’s HARD.

Hard (meaning difficult, uncomfortable, or just what you really don’t want to do) is when you give up your favorite television show to write that fourth chapter whose beginning just escapes you because can’t figure out where to start it. Hard is when you get up early, or stay up late to write, because it’s necessary to your happy existence. Hard is when you spend your lunch hour writing, instead of going out for burgers or shopping.

And then there’s HARD. Really, truly, gut wrenching, life-changing HARD. HARD is when your spouse serves in the military, and you have to serve right along with them because they have a dangerous job, and you keep the home fires burning without them, every day. HARD is not having enough food to eat. HARD is losing a loved one. HARD is being homeless. Really homeless, like living on the street, or in your car.

See the difference?

I’m not really a resolutions kind of gal, but this coming year I will set goals. And the first one is not to whine about how ‘Hard’ my life is. I know people in all of those situations who’ve got it HARD. There are times when my life has been HARD. And I’m incredibly grateful that my life isn’t that way right now.

We’re all crazy busy most of the time. Yet we manage to make time for things that are important to us. And we’ll happily or maybe not so much, let the rest slide. I’m going to spend the weekend thinking about my concrete goals for 2012.

Once I get them on paper, I’ll let you know what they are. And you can follow along and see if I do better with concrete goals than rather nebulous ones. At this point I have to say that I truly do admire people who can use nebulous goals and be successful. That must be awesome. Truly. It just doesn’t work for me. Thankfully, we can always change our strategy.

It’s with that thought in mind, that I’ll raise a glass of bubbly over the weekend, and be thankful for all of my writing friends and fans, who inspire me to be a better person. I didn’t say a softer one, but truly, a better one.

Wishing each of you a Happy New Year. And may it be the best one ever!!

Christmas Traditions at Ericka Scott’s House

Don't you just love Christmas traditions? I do. Without further ado, here's fabulous author, Ericka Scott to talk about hers.

Around the Scott household, the weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas all seem to be jam-packed with Christmas parties and family get-togethers. Some years, we have too many to fit into two short days. Over the last couple of years, I’ve let activities crowd out some of our most memorable traditions. Not this year.

This year, we’re having a real tree which we’ll decorate to the strains of NSync’s Christmas album (it’s tradition, you know). Then, we’ll gather around the fireplace to light our Yule log and eat sugar cookies we made to distribute to the neighbors as gifts.

These cookies are, in our eyes, masterpieces. No, they aren’t those gorgeous things you see in bakery windows, but have the quirks that our family is known by. We decorate Christmas fish, only one of which is given three eyes and made especially for our friend, Jon. There are some traditional shapes, stars and Santas, but you are just as likely to find rocket ships amongst the Christmas trees, a T-Rex waiting to devour the red and green bunnies, and there is always a haunted church cookie -- complete with sugar black bats in the belfry.

Given the oddities of our family, I guess it’s no surprise to find that my holiday tales aren’t full of Christmas cheer, instead they tout titles like A Christmas Curse, which can be found in the ‘Twas a Dark and Delicious Christmas Anthology (http://www.erickascott.com/books/cursed-for-christmas-in-twas-a-dark-and-delicious-christmas-anthology/) and my latest, Tidings of Fear (http://www.erickascott.com/books/tidingsoffear/). I guess I enjoy making readers shiver from more than just the cold.

TIDINGS OF FEAR
A psychic, a skeptic, and a serial killer…

Psychic Lia Morgan sees portents all around her. Although estranged from her family, she joins the search for her missing sister. A simple case gets complicated fast when she discovers her sister’s plethora of secrets includes a son.

Professor Jared Trimble’s world has no room for paranormal mumbo-jumbo. When asked to consult on a case involving a series of crossword puzzles, he’s conflicted. Is he a suspect, or an investigator?

While Lia uses her physic gift and follows signs, Jared uses his wits and experience. When the two collide, passions flare and the final clue brings them both into the bull’s-eye of a serial killer’s target.


********

 Excerpt

“Hello?” she called. A creak sounded from above and a trickle of discomfort slid down her spine. She pulled out her key chain, from which hung a small canister of mace. Another creak made her jump.

“Hello?” she called again. Taking a deep breath, she strode purposefully into the house and found herself in a small living room. Lia glimpsed a small alcove off to the side and expected to find a small dining area, or perhaps an attached office.

Her breath caught in her throat as she walked into another large living room and straight into the past. Positioned under the window were the couch and loveseat she remembered from growing up. A recliner sat in the corner, a newspaper already opened to the comics on the seat.

She shivered. A tall enclosed bookcase, the one that had resided in Lia’s bedroom, stood next to the window. If she stepped closer, she knew she’d recognize every title on its shelves.

A small wooden rocking chair sat next to the recliner. A Raggedy Ann doll vied for seat space with her twin, Raggedy Andy.

“Oh, God,” Lia said. The memorial to her family should have been macabre. Instead, it brought tears to her eyes. Even the antique desk her sister, Sylvie, had thrown a fit to own and then despised when computers became popular and her father wouldn’t let her buy a more functional desk had a place in the room. A smile tugged at the corner of Lia’s mouth.

She could almost hear Sylvie’s famous whine, “But, Dad…”

As memories flooded her mind, she had to blink back a sudden rush of tears. She took a step back, turned and nearly ran back to the hallway. A light dimmed and brightened in another room. Lia didn’t need to count the pulses to know there would be eight.

A short walk found her in the kitchen. The stainless steel appliances sparkled and even the floor seemed to have been freshly waxed. She wished her kitchen looked this good. A towering pile of newspapers indicated they were sisters, after all. The stack teetered on the corner of the kitchen table. All of them were opened and folded to reveal the crossword puzzle.

Had Sylvie left these here? She couldn’t remember her sister having a penchant for crosswords, but she obviously didn’t know Sylvie as well as she’d thought.

Or had someone else brought these in and put them there?

Speaking of which, where was her sister?

She headed upstairs, calling as she went. Just as empty as downstairs. And just as neat. A small blue plastic item on the floor of her sister’s office appeared to be the only thing out of place.

Lia scooped it up. A thumb drive. She went to put it on the desk when a loud creak sounded behind her. She shoved it into her pocket and fumbled for her keys.

Heavy footsteps approached up the stairs.

Lia turned as a shadow fell across the doorway.

*****

Check out the Free Reads Page on my website in December for our infamous sugar cookie recipe (it contains eggnog) and also one for a decadent chocolate Yule log (yum).

And yes, Virginia, there were once camels in California…

Ericka Scott is a multi-published, bestselling author of seductive suspense. She's written stories for as long as she can remember and reads anything under the sun (including the back of cereal boxes in a pinch). She got hooked on romantic suspense in her college days, when reading anything but a textbook was a guilty pleasure. Now, when she’s not chauffeuring children around, wishing she had a maid, or lurking at the library, she’s spinning her own web of fantasy and penning tales of seduction and suspense. She currently lives in Southern California with her husband and three children.

Get a behind the scenes look at her writing and zany family on her blog at http://erickascott.blogspot.com


She also loves friends, so come friend her at http://myspace.com/erickascott

She's also on Facebook at http://facebook.com/ericka.scott and Twitter @ErickaScott

You can find out more about her books at www.erickascott.com


Thanks for being with us today, Ericka. We wish you much success with your books!

What's A Wallbanger?

Most of us know what a wallbanger is. Or what it used to be. A book that was so terribly written, or that had such an unsatisfactory ending, that out of sheer frustration a reader would either literally or figuratively, throw it against the wall.

With the advent of ereaders, and tablet computers, I'm thinking we need a new term. I don't know about you, but I've come across a couple novels I would consider wallbangers recently. In light of the cost of my handy, dandy portable reading device, I practice restraint and don't toss it across the room.

But that doesn't negate the fact that there are still books that raise that emotion. So what do we call them now?

Is there a new phrase I'm not aware of? Or can we think of one?

What do we call the modern day wallbanger? Using a term that's acceptable in a PG13 situation, of course.

Looking for input here. Please feel free to comment. And after that, have yourself a great weekend!

If It's Monday It Must Be Murder

Welcome to the very first Fan Friday. I'm honored to have author Kathleen S. Allen to start things off. So let's get right to it, shall we?

1. You’ve been writing your entire life. As someone who started writing for publication later in life, I find this fascinating. Were you able to make a living at it right off, or did you have to have other jobs, on the side. If so, what did you do?

No, I’ve only been able to make some monies in the past year when I put my books up on Kindle. I would say that I’ve only been serious about trying to make a living from writing since 2004 when I decided to get a Master’s in English to improve my writing. I took all the creative writing classes they offered!

I’ve done a variety of jobs since I was eighteen. Waitress, factory worker, bookstore clerk, bakery clerk, office worker, document translator from French to English, costume shop manager, college professor, high school teacher, tutor, substitute teacher, nurse, actress, movie extra, editor. I probably forgot one or two! I am not yet at the point where I can quit my day job and just be a writer full-time. Right now I am teaching online as an income supplement. My dream job would be to teach creative writing at a college. BTW I have seven degrees, two bachelor degrees (education and nursing), four Master’s (education, social work, nursing and English) and one doctorate (in nursing). I recently started a MFA program and hope to complete that so I can find the teaching job I want.

2. At your level of experience, you can probably write anywhere, but what would make a writing day perfect for you? Do you prefer a specific place or atmosphere before you can write?

 I usually write at home on my laptop at the kitchen table. I have a great view of some trees (although I wish I was looking at the ocean or at least a lake). I like to write at cafes, too, especially during NaNoWriMo (more on this later in the interview) at the write-ins.

3. Over years, has writing gotten any easier? If so, how? Are there things you still struggle with?

I wouldn’t say easier, different and better. I started out writing poetry and progressed to short stories from there. When I first sat down to write a novel (at the age of 17-a gothic romance) I had no idea if I could do it. It seemed so daunting to put all those words down on paper!!! It took me a while, but I did it. Once I wrote that first novel I realized that determination is a big part of writing. Well, that and talent! LOL. I remember my seventh grade English teacher (Mrs. Mahoney—wherever you are, thank you) telling me I could be a writer. I never forgot that even when life circumstances got in the way of my writing. I’ve learned a lot about what not to do and that is valuable. I also learned that I like doing other parts of writing besides just the writing, making book trailers, designing covers, promoting and marketing my books are all things I enjoy doing. I started out as a theatre major as an undergraduate and have been in many plays so being on stage---so to speak---doesn’t faze me. Plus when you lecture in front of 200 students you get over stage fright pretty fast!

4. You have an awesome writing resume. I stand in awe. You write Young Adult fantasy, poetry, adult fiction, flash fiction, short stories and lyric essays. Is there anything at all that you haven’t written yet, that you’d like to write?

Thank you. I like to challenge myself so that’s why I try different genres. I haven’t written a hard-core Science Fiction novel yet. A couple of short stories but no novel. I’d love to do one and may yet. I haven’t done a biography or memoir either but have no interest in either of those.

5. When not writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Take care of two very high maintenance cats!!!! I read a lot and have my favourite TV shows. I am a huge Joss Whedon fan and love to watch anything he does or did. Firefly is still one of my favourite shows! And, of course, Buffy. Other faves include Blood Ties (Tanya Huff), Dark Angel, Wonderfalls and anything on BBC America. I’m also a Dr. Who fan (David Tennant is the “real” Doctor), Being Human (miss Aidan Turner-*sniff*), Torchwood (John Barrowman is my celebrity crush!!! He’s so awesome, he melts my heart every time I hear him sing). Here’s a link to my fave song by him I Owe it All to You:

YouTubeLink     It even has a photo montage!!! *swoons*

I am also a fan of Masterpiece Mystery and am watching the Inspector Lewis shows. I like the way BBC does Jane Austen and have all those to watch, over and over and over. Especially Persuasion.

6. Most authors are avid readers. Which author is at the top of your auto-buy list?

I read a novel every night before bed. I love to read cozy mysteries, especially those set in England. The latest ones I am reading are the Cotswold mysteries by Rebecca Tope. I just finished reading Laurie Halse Anderson’s YA novel, Fever 1793. I have a pile of books on my nightstand most of them are YA. I read the cozies on my iPhone with the Kindle app.

7. Would you tell us about your latest release? By the way, I love the title.

Thanks. Sure, since I read mysteries I wanted to try and write one. It took me two years to finish it and I put it away for a few months because I was stuck. I got it back out and was able to revise it so it was a much better book. Here’s the info on it:

Murder mystery from Gypsy Shadow Publishing!

Mel, a former cop shot in the back now lives in constant pain. When her best friend's daughter is missing, Mel is asked to help find her. When the girl is found dead at the bottom of a tall building, the cops believe she jumped. Did she? Or is it murder?

Watch the Book Trailer         Buy It From Gypsy Shadow

Buy It From Amazon             Get An Autographed Copy

8. What inspired this particular book?

I was inspired to write a mystery because I love reading the cop mysteries where the main character is a female detective or private investigator. I wanted to try my hand at one.

Excuse my interruption, Kathleen, but while we're on the subject of your current release, here's my review:

Being a cop is not only what you do, it’s who you are.

Because of her injuries, Mel is forced to give up her day job. But she still acts and thinks, like a cop. So when her best friend’s daughter turns up dead, it only seems natural for Cindy to ask Mel to look into things.

Although she’s not privy to the formal investigative details and still recovering from her own injuries, Mel manages to make things happen. Much to the dismay of her former partner, who is currently assigned by the police department to handle the enquiry into the matter of the young girl’s death.

Ms. Allen has crafted a tale ripe with twists, turns, and red-herrings that will keep you guessing. It’s filled with fully drawn characters woven into complex emotional situations they can’t just walk away from, but must deal with. And how they do it makes this story a very entertaining read. If you’re looking for a well written whodunit to add to your reading pleasure, this book is it.

Now let's continue our interrogation, er, interview.

9. What’s next for Kathleen S. Allen?

I am in the process of editing my faeries v. humans novel, LORE OF FEI that is being published by Muse It Up Publishing in April, 2012. I just finished the first edit and sent it off to the editor. As soon as I get a cover I’ll do a book trailer for it. I am getting ready for NaNoWriMo, this is the competition that has you write a 50,000 word novel for the month of November. I did it for the first time last year (LORE OF FEI) and loved it. I already have my outline for my book. In NaNoWriMo you are allowed to plot out your book ahead of time but not write it. Here’s my outline: 19th Century woman falls in love with a man who may or may not be a vampire. Ta Dah!

I am also working on a YA historical novel. I finished it but I have to edit it yet. I did another YA historical novel about the illegitimate son of Henry VIII of England called Fitzroy: The Boy Who Would be King and I enjoyed doing the research for it. It’s the first time I wrote from a male point of view and I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback on it. Here’s the link to it on Kindle along with the book trailer:

FITZROY: THE BOY WHO WOULD BE KING(210 pages)-YA historical.

The life and tragic death of the illegitimate son of Henry VIII of England.

Check out the book trailer here                Buy It Here

My agent is shopping around a contemporary novel for me. It’s about a high school senior girl who feels invisible and she tries to make herself more visible with humorous consequences! It’s the first time I’ve written “funny” and it turned out better than I hoped! Fingers crossed that an editor/publisher falls in love with it! Or at least wants to publish it!!!

10. Where can we find you?

My website is: www.gaelicfairie.webs.com which has all of my current news and books.
I am on Twitter as: @kathleea
I am on Facebook as: Witch Hunter https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Witch-Hunter/142372955812353
Guest blogger every Wednesday on www.downtownya.blogspot.com
Literary Agent: Nancy Knight of Sullivan Maxx Literary Agency

Thank you for the opportunity to be interviewed, it was fun!

And thank you for spending time with us today, Kathleen. We wish you much success with your books!

 

Talkin' Tuesday

I've been lucky enough to score an interview over at fabulous Rebecca Rose's blog for Talkin' Tuesday.

I'll be giving away a copy of Christmas Holly to get you started thinking about your Christmas list, and chatting about my next release, Christmas Knight.

And if you're the curious type, you might find out a thing or two you didn't know about me. So stop on by!

Do Multiple Genres Equal Multiple Pen Names?

This discussion goes on and on. I’ve seen it for years. And in the way of human beings, now it’s affecting me, so I’m requesting input.

I understand the difference between having a pen name for standard romance versus erotic romance, but I have to wonder, is that line blurring? Everybody knows who J.D. Robb is. And no, La Nora doesn't write erotica, but Eve can be quite the spicy character. J.R. Ward followers know she also writes under Jessica Bird and both names are on her website. Let’s not forget the fantabulous Sylvia Day, aka Livia Dare and S.J. Day.

Granted, I have nowhere near the following that these awesome authors have, for me it’s more a question of getting started on the right foot.

Now that I’ve been writing for a while, I find myself wanting to try my hand at other genres. But do I really need to have a selection of names, one for each?

If so, can I put them all on one web page? If a standard romance reader discovers I write erotica under another name or fantasy, paranormal or whatever, will they be put off?

I know some of my writer friends have more than one pen name. If you had it to do over again, would you still use more than one name?

Ultimately this will be my decision, but terrific people that you are, you’ve never steered me wrong yet. So speak up. Tell me what you think.

Some Days

If you are a writer, you probably do the same thing I do, which is follow lots of marketing blogs geared towards authors. Lately there have been a plethora of articles on how best to market one’s work. In other words, build the best possible platform to get others to notice your writing, and perhaps buy something you are selling.

Here’s what you need to do according to the pros:

1.   Get personal – people want to know what a writer’s life is really like.

2.   Be professional – you are a professional, keep things on a professional level, don’t whine on about your personal life.

3.   Get involved in social media. Make sure you are all over facebook, twitter, google+, tumblr, etc.

4.   Don’t depend on social media. What if the powers that be decide you’ve done something wrong and delete your page? Then where will you be.

5.   Be real. These days’ people want to be around people who are authentic.

6.   Don’t be too real. Nobody cares what you had for lunch. They want what they are having.

After reading all that, the only thing I want is an adult beverage. Now that things are clear as mud, the best thing you can do is work to build a balanced marketing platform. Don’t be scared off or intimidated by all the advice that’s out there. Use your common sense. No matter where you choose to place your efforts, building a following is an investment over time.

Hey, if I can do this, anybody can. :)

Sleepless Night

Usually I sleep pretty well. Working hard does that for me. But like anyone else, on occasion I don’t, because I have things on my mind. Except I don’t realize they are, until the damn middle of the night. Why couldn’t I lay awake in the beginning? Or wake up early thinking about stuff?

No. It’s got to be 2:30 in the frickin’ morning. Can you tell I’m grumpy today? So not one of those people who goes blithely about their day on four hours of sleep. I’m an eight hour girl, and if I don’t get it, shit happens. Usually to me, so you’ve got nothing to worry about.

The weird thing about this time though is it wasn’t the usual stuff that woke me. Not kids and their troubles, business matters, bills, the things we all worry about. This time, it was a story.

The plot line appeared fully formed, the hero and heroine showed up with personalities, jobs and everything. The title even came through clear as day. I was so surprised I actually laid there and thought it through again to make sure I got it right, and then spent time thinking about the research I’d need to do, etc.

I’ve started a file, and carefully written down all the information so I don’t lose it. And hopefully I’ll get it written over the next couple months. I guess I don’t have much choice. It’s not a type of story I’ve ever thought about writing, and during my waking hours this plot line wouldn’t occur to me. Which makes it even more interesting.

This has never, ever happened to me before. And it’s left me a little unsettled, to say the least. For the writers out there, does this happen to you too?

Winners Never Quit

By now, you’ve all heard that Trevor Bayne won the Daytona 500. Big deal. Don’t know him, don’t care. You’re probably thinking that only idiots drive around in circles anyway, and that’s fine. But it’s not the point.

The point is, he is only twenty years old. This was only his second NASCAR cup race. And to me, one of the highlights is that he was driving for a one car team, owned by the Wood brothers. He took advantage of the opportunity that was offered to him, and found himself in the right place, at the right time on the last lap of the race. And no one can ever take that accomplishment away from him, or the team.

His car isn’t owned by someone with the last name of Hendrick, Roush, or Childress with hundreds of employees and multiple teams to pull information from at his disposal. And his last name isn’t Earnhardt, Johnson, or Gordon, so he didn’t have multiple championship experience to draw upon. And yet, he still won what is considered one of the most important races of all time.

If he’d have spent a good portion of his time worrying about the competition, most likely, he would have quit a long time ago. Because the competition is much better funded, and simply has more of everything it takes to win available to them. But he didn’t. Did he quit because forty-three other guys going two hundred miles an hour wanted the spot he was in? Not just no, hell no. Because he had the passion, the drive to win, and most of all, he believed he could.

How much different is that from where we are as writers? Well, besides the going around in circles part.

Because of all the changes happening in the publishing industry, I’ve been seeing an inordinate amount of ‘woes me, the market is too tough, maybe I’ll quit writing’ posts. If you’ve got your sights set on the big six, you’re right. The market is tight. But not impenetrable. We’re still reading about new contracts every day.

However, it’s my personal opinion FWIW, that the market for writers hasn’t been this good since Nora published Irish Thoroughbred in 1981. And most of you know that history already.

I believe it’s the changes in the publishing industry that have made this possible. If your goal is to get your stories in front of readers, there are now more options than ever. Besides the big six, there are a plethora of Indie publishers, small ePresses, and let’s not forget that it’s never been easier to self-publish. Like it or not, ereaders are changing things.

It’s true most people don’t recognize opportunity because it usually does arrive disguised as hard work. And honestly, sometimes it is grueling. But if it were easy, you wouldn’t be reading this. You’d already be successful right? The window of opportunity won’t last forever. The market will become saturated and it will be much harder to get into any of these currently wide open venues.

If your writing career isn’t where you want it to be, maybe it’s time to take a moment and reassess your goals. Maybe they need to change, maybe not. Only you can answer that question.

Here are two things that Dale Earnhardt senior knew to be true. If you want to quit, quit. Nobody will kiss your ass and beg you to stay. There are a hundred or more people waiting to take your place, and they will step on you if they have to, to get where they are going. And the most important is this –

Winners Never Quit.

Ever. We can’t. It’s the only thing that separates us from the losers.

If you have the passion to write, the drive to be published, the belief in your work, you’ve got what it takes. Don’t let anyone tell you different. Now get out there, and win.

Writerly News

I’m very excited to announce that my short story entitled Christmas Holly, placed first runner-up in a writing prompt contest offered by Gypsy Shadow Publishing. Which means at some point, it will be published. There’s nothing like the thrill of being offered a contract. That just doesn’t get old.

Here's a big shout out to a terrific author, Aubrie Dionne. Thanks, woman!! If she hadn’t posted the notice on her blog, I’d never have known about the contest. And doesn't she have the most beautiful website? It's lovely.

Don’t know if I’ve mentioned it once, or a million times, but I love to read paranormal novels. Christmas Holly is my first attempt at actually writing one. It feels great to know that it turned out okay. I’m very excited to be able to share it with you. Once the details get worked out, they’ll be passed along so you’ll know what’s happening.

This is very inspiring. I must go write. Now.

Rude Authors

Have you ever met one? If you have, I bet you remember them, and the incident associated with them.

I saw one many years ago. Funny, it was at the very first writer’s convention I ever attended, you know, back when most of the roads were dirt and we traveled by horse and carriage.

She was a very fav author of mine. Top of my auto-buy list. I say I saw her, because I didn’t really meet her. We were both part of a group milling around the elevators, waiting for one to arrive. If you’ve ever been to a conference, you know the wait seems interminable.

Said author got tired of waiting, and of course by this point, other people with nothing to do were starting to ask for her autograph. She wasn’t rude to the people in question, but I happened to be close enough to hear a snarky comment she made to the woman who was with her, about having to stand there and ‘deal’ with ‘these people’. Needless to say, the two of them left in a huff. I think they must have taken the stairs.

I was so shocked and offended by her behavior, to this day, I’ve never read or purchased another book with her name on it. And no, I won’t tell you who it is, because believe me, she’s at such a level of success that it makes no difference whether I buy them or not.

The only reason I choose to bring this up, is because during the RT convention (which was fantastic btw) in Ohio recently, it seemed to be a common theme. While waiting in line for this or that, you tend to chat with your line-mates about whatever, or whoever crosses your path to pass the time.

One thing that came up over and over again, was that people would not, now, or ever, buy books from authors who were rude, snarky in person, or generally ill-mannered.

I have to confess, as an author, it made me think twice about my own behavior. Especially during those times when I thought it wouldn’t matter. Like waiting in line, holding the door for someone, answering a question for directions, or even waiting for the elevator. It once again reminded me that as a published author, I’m a professional, and people are watching.

Then I began to wonder if I wasn’t just becoming the teeniest bit paranoid.

What do you think? Does an author’s behavior in person affect whether or not you will buy their book?

Do You Write Romance Novels?

I saw this today, and just had to share.

I Write Romance Novels - So What?

It's a special by author Eileen Dreyer to CNN.

Well said.

Best of luck with the historicals, Eileen!