Category: Romance

Ready, Set, Delete

8/20/2014

The editor asked for revisions. I had limited time to do them. Very limited. Less than weeks. Days. I worked almost every waking moment. I finished—and saved my changes. Then, before attaching the file to the email, I pushed the delete button.

Luckily, I knew how to go to the recycle bin. And luckily I was able to remember it existed, and how to quickly retrieve the document.

But what makes a person work really hard, and then press delete? I don't know, but I have enough of it to spare.

My husband calls me the Lucille Ball of electronics.

Reading Again and Again...

8/16/2014

When my novel went on Amazon, I put a mini-bio on their website. I'd rather write ten thousand words of fiction than 75 words of bio.

I went back to the bio page recently to check it--which put me back on my book's Amazon page. And then I discovered I could buy a used copy of Safe In The Earl's Arms.

They say what goes around...you know, haunts you. I've bought my share of used books. I think twenty was the most I ever bought at once, and it was a terrible mistake. The lady had more books than that and I didn't get all of them. I started reading the novels, and I realized this was her "keeper" books. Each book was a tremendous story. Among others, I read Flowers in the Storm by Laura Kinsale and Once a Knight by Christina Dodd. Dodd's knight has sobriety issues--and the Kinsale book, well, after reading it four times, I don't know if I'll read it again. I'm not going to tell you what the hero's problem is. And the back of the book blurb doesn't mention it. It's one you have to read to understand in my opinion, and Laura Kinsale did an amazing job.

Once though—before Kindle—after reading a few free books by an author, I had to go to the bookstore (which had new books) and try to find another book by her. While in the bookstore, I noticed she had three more books on the shelves, but I only purchased one.

After I finished the new book, I had to go back for one more. I came out of the store with both her other books--not even discounted. I enjoyed the Bridgerton series. Historical Romance fans will probably know exactly which author wrote that one.

ALSO:
The bio I struggled with is at: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=liz+tyner
NOTE: The yarn hanging from the books below is planned. I have two skeins and a pair of scissors handy. When a piece of the fuzzy brown yarn is put in a book I've finished--it's the same as a five star rating and I know I might need to read that book again.

Writing to Keep From Writing

8/10/2014

My computer has a half written story that is not going away until it's finished.

But tonight, that half written story is sitting there with a deadline lurking in the shadows. Imagine a jack-o-lantern smile on a dark hooded shape, and that's what the deadline is in my imagination. I have to keep on top of the story so that little grinning face is tiny enough it won't overpower me.

So, I checked to see if I have any emails, and started a blog post. I like to write. So, often my form of procrastination is to sit at the keyboard and write--something--anything--other than my next book.

The photo to the left is what I see when I am in my room and raise my eyes from the keyboard and look straight ahead. I might need to replace it with a poster that says Think Deadline.

So I sit here imagining how I'd make a poster that says Think Deadline. Or maybe I should make one that says Procrastination Expert. But perhaps I should put that off for a bit.

"Hummingbird"

8/7/2014

Someone asked me my favorite romance novel, and I have a lot of them. But I realized I have three copies of one book, Hummingbird. The first copy I bought new after a recommendation. The copy got tattered, so I needed a replacement. And then I saw another one at a used bookstore.

I have two copies another book that I enjoyed. After I'd read the story, I met the author at a book signing. and asked her to sign a new copy for me. I told her I would give my first copy away--(I haven't yet), and then I told her I had read the story twice. She looked shocked. "It's a good book," I told her.

It is a good book, and I'm watching for her at conferences. If I meet her again, I hope I have a chance to explain to her how well the author did.

Glass Slippers or Red Socks

8/2/2014

The Romance Writer's Association has approximately ten thousand members, and an annual conference. Sometimes at the annual event, it's easy to feel like Cinderella, and the clock doesn't strike midnight until you get on the plane to go home.

At a lot of conferences, a business pays the attendee's conference fee, travel and hotel expense. At RWA, the writers pay their own costs. That's how much they want to be there.

Attendees take the workshops seriously. After all, income depends on improving job performance. Plus there's a certain amount of pride involved. You want to write a story people enjoy.

RWA is a serious conference, with infectious enthusiasm and lots of books. Books. The other chocolate. If they haven't done a study on how reading a good book changes serotonin levels in the brain, then perhaps they should.

And at the end of one conference event, my party favor was a pair of red socks. Bright red socks. I put them on before I left the party. They matched perfectly with my silvery shirt, black pants and black shoes. Red socks. I prefer them over glass slippers. Much more practical.

Regency Romance Novel Travels: Author............Reads About It

7/23/2014

To check my novel sales, the publisher allows me access to an online area where the information is automatically updated. The site also shows my scheduled release dates and how many books are contracted. It's almost like having an in-home casino. I key in the magic password, and watch to see what the numbers are. Some days I win. Some days I don't.

In the area where the releases are listed, I can see the book name and the type of release. Digital, paperback, large print, etc. Each form gets a section of its own.

Last night, I noticed an extra section, and a new word. Italy. The novel is scheduled to be released in Italy. This information is subject to change, but still. Italy... Italy.

My characters are going to be speaking a foreign language. I'm almost jealous.

The Historical Novel Goes Out Into the World

7/9/2014

Now I have a book, and it's precious to me. I spent a long time working on it, and almost a lifetime wanting to hold my own novel in my hand.

First, I wanted to sign one. I had a special pen reserved--an old style calligraphy pen that I believed would help me write legibly since I can't always read my own writing.

So, I signed one. My first signature on my first book and to a friend who'd encouraged me when I felt the most discouraged. The ink bled.

I have to use a regular pen... Fine. I'll write slowly.

Next, I decided to hand-deliver a few books. The first place I intended to leave my novel, I arrived after my friend had closed her business for the day. The second place, she was on vacation. The third...nope.

Finally, I was able to catch my friend at her business. I stayed between her and the door and she was going to get that book.

It was worth it. Her smile was a big as mine.

Roadrunner Interrupts Historical Novel WIP

7/5/2014

I was concentrating on my latest Work In Progress, and was outside with my laptop when a roadrunner walked through the yard. Then, he flew onto a stack of firewood behind me.

If he was trying to read over my shoulder, he didn't succeed, because I immediately stopped working to watch him.

Reading My Historical Novel Hard Copy

7/2/2014

Seeing the first physical copy of my book was different than I'd expected. Opening the box of them was wonderful. But it felt a bit odd. For years, whenever I'd looked at a book I'd written it was in manuscript form. A file in my computer or words printed on 8 1/2" by 11" paper—usually ending up with editing notes written on it.

Now it's in book form. Copyright notice in my name. Bound pages. Cover. Just like every other book I'd read by—someone else. This stack of books didn't feel like my story.

Finally, I did what I always do when I get a new book. I picked it up and started reading. But this time I searched for specific parts. I looked for Chapter Twenty-four. It was fun to write. And when I saw the words rat face I remembered how I'd wondered whether the editor would leave those words in the story. She did.

Then the novel started to feel like my book. And now it was back in my hands. It's as if the characters have returned home, but they're standing on their own now.