Keeping It All Together

This past week has been challenging on several fronts. I'm despondent at not being able to go to Nationals, and have been glued to Facebook and the RWA site, trying to live vicariously. I elected not to go because my sister had major heart surgery scheduled this summer. It turned out to be more complicated than anticipated, and was touch and go for a time. She's on the mend now, and should come home next week.

Which leads me to my next challenge. My basement is filled with mold, and has resulted in a sick house. The previous owner decided to finish off half of the basement, and put up drywall and laid carpet without taking the first essential step and waterproofing what was being covered up. I've lived here for seven years now and it's taken this long for the mold to seep through to the point where I could see it. Now, the carpet and drywall will be ripped up and removed before the scrubbing of the mold can take place.

While all this chaos is going on in my life, I'm still trying to write something every day, even if it's only an outline of a story. And, of course, I'm coming up with all kinds of analogies between my life and writing. Such as: Sometimes a story veers off in a totally different direction than you thought it would go when you planned it out in your head and you make adjustments. Sometimes you can't quite put your finger on what's wrong with a story line until it smacks you in the face and you have to remove what's making your story suck.
Sometimes you should stop and write an outline instead of jumping in unprepared and throwing something together.

The mold will be removed next week, just in time for my sister's return from the hospital. All will get back to normal in my world, and I'll be able to sit at my desk and be creative. My second round of edits are due next week, too, which should settle me down and make me focus.  And I'll chat with my friends who did make the trek to San Diego and regale in the stories they'll bring home.

The remainder of the summer will be spent helping Sis out, like she did for me last year, finding an agent for my middle-grade historical, and getting my contemporary, in which I've left my h/h in a precarious situation, finished and polished up.

How about you? What's on your agenda for the rest of the summer?

Is It Better In Person?

Those of you who follow this blog know how disappointed I was when I had to cancel my plans to attend the RWA conference. I was set to meet up with my fellow Crimson authors at a dinner. I was going to pitch to Courtney Miller. I was going to make new friends and learn new things. I was going to wear new clothes in honor of the event.

None of that happened.



I could be bitter and sad. I was, for a time. Envious? Most definitely. But then, I realized I could pitch to any agent I wanted to via email, not just the one who had a time slot open. And the beauty of it is I can rework the email query as much as is needed. You don't get a second chance to impress during an 8-minute pitch. I could touch base with the Crimson authors via our special loop, any time I wanted. As a result of making new friends this past year, I'm going to take part in a Facebook party this coming week with my new friend, E. E. Burke. I've learned new things about craft by taking a Margie Lawson online workshop a few months ago. As for the new clothes–it's time to start purging my closet anyway, so the new duds will come in handy.

So, now I bet you're asking, if I can do all the above from the comfort of my computer, why would I even bother to attend the RWA Conference?

For the buzz. For the chance to rub shoulders with the likes of Nora Roberts, Jayne Anne Krentz, Christie Craig, Lisa Klepas, and Jill Shalvis. For the opportunity to meet a publisher, not at a pitch session, but over a glass of wine. For the chance to network with other authors, who are also avid readers. For the workshops, where I can learn how this industry is changing and how to be flexible enough to keep up.

For the camaraderie of being in a place with 2,000 other like-minded souls who don't mind if your head's in the clouds, and the floor isn't swept.

Yes, I got a lot of work done last week. And I got to sleep in my own bed. I didn't have to be shoehorned into an airline seat for hours, or sit on a tarmac waiting for a gate to open at LaGuardia. I got to watch the awards ceremony in my nightgown instead of a fancy dress.

But I would have traded it all for a chance to be at Nationals. Next year.

Look out, San Diego.

Getting Ready For Nationals

There's been a lot of chatter on various blog sites and loops about getting ready for Nationals–what to pack, what swag to take, how to pace yourself, what workshops to attend, what events to not miss. It's all very exciting and overwhelming, even if it's not your first rodeo.

But what about those of us who can't attend? Up until a month ago, I was an attendee. I had put together my wardrobe, ordered my swag, confirmed my airline reservations. Then, an ambulance ride and emergency surgery made all those plans evaporate, like morning dew. Now, as I watch the excitement build for those who will attend, I'm trying to temper my envy with a game plan of my own.

I think I'll call it Becky's Version Of Nationals. It goes something like this:

Tuesday–Instead of spending the day in transit, I'll write 1,000 words in my final book in the Cotillion Ball Series, which currently stands at 3700 words. It's going to feature the youngest girl in the family, Saffron, who was seven when the series started. This book begins during the height of the Civil War conflict and Saffron is fifteen, missing out on her Cotillion ball and resenting how the war has impacted her life. She's still young, and spunky, and she'll be fun to write. I'm looking forward to it.

Wednesday–Add another 1,000 words to the manuscript. Review my notes from the Margie Lawson workshop I recently took.

Thursday–Keeping my head down, I'll add another 1,000 words, and will begin to solicit for reviews for Book 8, A Widow's Salvation. I saw a sneak peek of the cover last week, and think it's my best yet. Can't wait to show everyone. And the book is a departure of sorts for me, since Pepper Brown is a thirty-one year-old war widow with three sons to contend with. Instead of showing her strength by being a vocal advocate of social causes, she has an inner strength that equals or exceeds that of her sisters. The book will be out in September.

Friday–It's my day on the History Imagined blog, and I'm talking about an often overlooked museum in Ohio–The National First Ladies' Library in Canton, OH, and their featured exhibit on Forgotten First Ladies. I'll drum up some traffic for this great blog site, and respond to comments throughout the day. Oh, and I'll add another 1,000 words to the WIP.

Saturday–Okay, I'll give in to the jitters today. Two of my chapter mates–AE Jones and Jane Lynne Daniels–are up for RITA awards, both in the Paranormal category. Who knew Cleveland could be so scary? And, AE's also up for Best First Book. My sister and I will settle in at the computer at 8 with a big bowl of popcorn, and watch the proceedings with our fingers crossed. No writing today, but hopefully, rejoicing, before it's all over.


Sunday–I'll finish out the Nationals experience by adding another 1,000 words to the manuscript, which will get me close to 10,000 words by the end of the week. Instead of spending my days in workshops and networking with fellow authors, I've kept my nose to the grindstone and my WIP on track, making my deadline a workable one.

But I'm still envious. And counting the days till the San Diego conference.

Dream Big

Okay, I'll confess it--I watch a lot of reality TV. I use the excuse that I only have eight stations at my disposal (six if you discount the Spanish and Russian stations), and I don't watch any crime or cop dramas, which annihilates most of the nightly lineup on every other station (Castle doesn't fall into this category, since he's an author).

But the fact of the matter is, I enjoy my reality shows. Not all of them, mind you. I draw the line at Miami, Shahs and Jersey. But everything else is fair game. I find some of the best lines for my contemporaries from watching these shows.

Recently, a new show started up that features a fashion blogger from Dallas. She made the comment that if your dreams don't scare you a little, you're not dreaming big enough. Sage advice from a fashion blogger, I thought. So, with the new year in sight, I'm offering up my dream list for 2014. They scare the crap out of me, so I think they're big enough.

1) Make it into the realm of "established" author. (10,000 sales, according to The Fussy Librarian)
2) Attend the RWA Conference in San Antonio.
3) Hit #1 on an Amazon list, at least for one day
4) Buy a new Mac to replace Old Faithful, who is now over ten years old.
5) Have one of my books be optioned for a TV movie. (Castle's daughter would be a great Ginger!)

So tell me, what are your dreams for 2014?

TRR's Blog Hop--Day 9--Nora Roberts

I began this blog series on favorite writers by talking about Ava Miller's book, Nora Roberts Land. So it only seems fair that I wrap things up with a tribute to the one and only herself. I don't need to tell you about Nora's legendary writing career. The fact that you're visiting here as part of TRR's blog hop tells me you already know her. What you may not know about the woman is what she gives back to the romance community. And to her hometown.

If you get a chance, stop in Boonsboro, MD sometime. There, you'll bear witness to how Nora breathed life into this sleepy little town, one enterprise at a time. There's, of course, the Turn The Page bookstore, where the legendary booksigning takes place every year and ladies have to take numbers and wait outside for their chance to enter. It's kind of like the lines for a new I-phone, or something. People travel from all over the east coast and midwest for this event.

Beyond the bookstore is Nora's pet project. It's the Inn, in the heart of the town, which was transformed from a run-down historic building into the inn which was featured in the Boonsboro trilogy. Even the pizza parlor in town, also featured in the books, is owned by one of her sons.

But all this largesse doesn't even begin to describe how much she gives back to RWA and to romance writers everywhere. When you meet her, she's always willing to pose for a picture. And she will answer your questions, which were probably asked of her hundreds of times already. Here's a picture of my friend, Barb, with Nora at the RWA Conference in Atlanta. They both look happy.

If you sign up for my newsletter, you are automatically entered to win an e-copy of my latest book, The Tempestuous Debutante. Today's the final day for the contest!

TRR's Blog Hop--Day 2--Sara MacLean

Of course, I was aware of Sarah MacLean prior to this year's RWA Conference in Atlanta. She writes sassy Regency romances, which I devour daily. But when she sat at the table with three of my chapter mates at the Awards presentation, they were entertained by her wit and charm.  And when she capped off the night by winning the RITA for best historical, I decided it was time to get to know her again.

A Rogue By Any Other Name is a perfect place to begin getting reacquainted. It's the first of the Scoundrels books (and you know I love a good scoundrel). Michael Bourne gambled away his lands when he was barely old enough to enter a gambling hell. Faced with such a devastating loss, he decided to never gamble again, but to open a business where he would benefit from others' weaknesses.  He and his partners formed the most famous gambling hell in all of England. He's a rogue and a scoundrel and proud of it.

Penelope was his best friend when they were children. Now she's a spinster with attitude. She hates Michael for leaving her, first when he went off to college, then when his fortunes fell from his grasp. Now, he's back and wants to marry her. She's not buying it.

This is a great read, with a spirited heroine who defies convention and doesn't marry just so she can save face among her peers. She's holding out for the real thing. How can a writer of historical romances not be inspired by a RITA winning book?

Coming Up Short

Where to begin?

It's a short work week for a lot of people in the romance community. Only one or two more days until people begin boarding planes for flights to Atlanta and the RWA Conference. For those who are going, have a great time and remember that the conference sessions are, for the most part, taped, and you can buy them to listen to later. But the people you talk to may be the exact women and men you need to get your career to the next level. You can find a critique partner, a fellow author published by the same house you are, editors, agents, New York Times bestselling authors--they're all there and rubbing elbows with you. If you look up from your conference schedule and talk to them. Most of all, have fun. You'll be surprised at how short the days and nights are.

I just got the word that I'm going to be a participant in the Soul Mate Christmas anthology, writing a short story, between 5,000 and 7,000 words. I haven't written a short in a long time, and it's a great exercise, since everything has to be shortened up. I presented the first two chapters--about 1/3 of the story--to my critique partner yesterday, and she said I was taking too long to get to the cute-meet. She was right, and I need to trim the front part to make room for the back end. It might be harder to write a short than it is a full-length novel.

I'm a bit more than halfway through my next full-length historical and time is getting short to finish it. The next book in the series is scheduled for release in September, and I like to have the next one out to the publisher when the release date happens. Tick-tock.

Speaking of publishers, Crimson Romance is having a sale for the month of July to celebrate one year in business. All the e-books released during the first year are on sale for $1.99 all month. But July is getting short and running out of days.

And it's Sunday evening. I usually post my blogs on Sunday morning, so you're getting a short version this week. Sorry about that. Short attention span.

So, what are you short on this week?

Nationals Recap

I was at the RWA National Conference last week—the holy grail of our craft—breathing the same air as Nora Roberts, Stephanie Laurens, Julia Quinn, Jayne Anne Krentz, Susan Elizabeth Phillips and more. I met people I’d been emailing to for months, especially my fellow Crimson Romance authors, and pitched to an agent and an editor, attended one workshop after another, wished I could clone myself so I could do more. Oh, and as an additional perk, I got to play for a day and went to Hearst Castle, up the California coast a couple of hours.

The Conference was the big reason for trekking across the country, and the highlight of the conference, for me anyway, was being able to partake in Michael Hauge’s workshop. If you haven’t yet heard him speak, I encourage you to find his calendar of speaking engagements and get yourself to one. It was that good. He takes the six-stage concept of screenwriting, made famous by Blake Snyder and Alexandra Sokoloff, and expands upon it in a most profound way. The main characters must journey, in these six stages, from their outer identity, which is the false self we present to the world, to their essence—what lies underneath their outer armor. Once they find the courage to embrace their essence, the characters, and your story, win.

One of the best things Michael Hauge said was at the very end of his talk. He said to set a goal for yourself and your career. It can be something as simple as writing five pages today, or something as complex as finding an agent. Whatever it is, fix the goal firmly in your mind and then fill in the following sentence:

I’ll do whatever it takes to _______________, just don’t ask me to _______________.

Don’t think about your answer too long, just jot down the first thing that comes to mind. I can guarantee you Identity will answer first. Look at your answer. Just don’t ask me to what? Identity answered something safe. Now, push your boundaries. Get to your Essence—the really scary answer. Only when you get to your own Essence will you be able to complete your journey. Profound.

Getting Ready For Nationals

I’m three days away from leaving Ohio and heading for sunny California. Mentally, at least, I’m packed and ready to go. I’ve gotten my WIP to the point I wanted it to be before I left—the flash first draft is finished. Now comes the editing part, and layering in more detail while I put sentences in their proper order rather than the way they came spilling out of my head. But I can work on that once I return home.

I just got word, though, that the agent I was to pitch to had to cancel out, due to a family emergency, which leaves me in a bit of a bind. Do I troll the pitch room for hours on Friday and Saturday, waiting for someone to get cold feet so I can jump in and take her place? Or do I instead go to the many great lectures that are available—so many remarkable ones that I wish I could clone myself so I could go to more than one at a time. I guess that’s what the recordings are for.

I’ve divided the summer in my head into two parts—before Nationals and after. My book was released July 2, so I’ve been scrambling around all month, posting blogs on other sites, getting interviewed by the local paper, seizing one opportunity after another to get a book review done. All the stuff that an author in today’s market must do. As I’ve said before, it’s been a steep learning curve. And seeing the results from my various efforts translated into sales and website hits has been even more remarkable. Now, though, I get some time off to soak up the creative juices of my fellow Crimson authors, as well as those of some highly esteemed romance authors like Nora Roberts, Julia Quinn, Jayne Anne Krentz and Susan Elizabeth Phillips, to name just a few. I also get the added bonus of being able to spend time with my brother, pictured above, who happens to live in Anaheim.

Once I return from the trip, though, it’s right back into the fray. My second book is to be released sometime in December, so edits will hit my desk along about October. I’m waiting to hear on another book that I have out for consideration. They promised me they’d get back by mid-August, so, if all goes well, that one will be in production soon too. And there’s that pesky little problem of finding an agent, which I had hoped to get resolved at RWA.

When I was working in the corporate world every day, my life wasn’t this hectic. And this is way more fun. I’m finally following my dad’s advice about employment—find something you like to do and it’ll never be a job for you.