December 8, 2005. No big writing news for the month of November. In fact, November was pretty quiet. I spent the time working on a romantic suspense I'm targeting for Harlequin. The story started out as a short story for this site and bloomed into something bigger. I love it when things work out like that!
I've posted a new story to the website. I had a lot of fun writing this one and hope you enjoy reading it. The words flew in my head as fast as I could write them down. It was a super experience.
In November, I sent out several proposals to agents and editors. Here's hoping that something hits the right desk at the right time! Meanwhile, I'll be writing and making time to prepare for Christmas. I need to pull the decorations down and make the house look sparkly and bright. Have a great one! The new year is peeking at us from just around the corner.
November 2, 2005. October flew by. Why? Well, mostly because I spent several weeks of it in beautiful HAWAI'I! What a vacation!! A much overdue vacation, at that. I'm working on a short story based in ritzy Waikiki Beach, so you can enjoy a short break, too.
News? Well, a couple of agents passed on my fantasy proposal. I think the synopsis is, well, too out there. The last one even said that in the rejection letter. So, I'm working on that. My fingers have been crossed for so long about getting a new contract for a book--any book--that they are beginning to cramp. And have you ever tried typing with crossed fingers?? Let me be the first to tell you that it ain't easy. :-)
I'm still waiting to hear back from a couple of editors, so there is still a chance for some good news this month. Not going to get me to uncross those fingers so easily...not yet! Keep writing. Keep your work out there. And keep in the game. Hey, that sounds like a good motto for the month!
Happy Thanksgiving, blessed readers. Thank you for all the kind words and best wishes you sent me this past year. Besides telling whoopers of stories, that's what writers live for...the reader.
October 2, 2005. Sent several proposals and partials out this month, so keep your fingers crossed for me. I really, really hope the editors like what they read. That's pretty much all that has happened this month. Pretty boring, huh? I usually prefer it that way, but I do feel like I'm in something of a rut. I need to get out a shake some trees. Refresh and renew, you know? I'm sure it's a common thing that everyone feels.
Jim and I are going on vacation this month. It's been forever and a day since we've gone anywhere for just the heck of it, so we're looking forward to it. But of course I have to panic over the details. And worry about whether we're going to have fun. I'll have fun, right? I have packed a suitcase of books and a notebook for writing. I should be set.
Maybe there will be some good news next month . . .
September 4, 2005. I've not really been writing this week. I've been pushing words around, tugging at my hair, but not writing. It sucks. I've started another search for an agent in August. I'm wary--my last experience with an agent was not fun. It's really, really important to find an agent who is on the same page as you are. (I'd been told that several times but didn't understand it until now.) Though I'm nervous, I feel like I need an agent to help get to the editors who I can't reach by any other means. I also sent out to a few editors. I got a rejection letter from one that was really nice. She said that they weren't looking for paranormals, but if I had something without paranormal, she'd really be interested in looking at it. So, I need to get something polished and out to her. (Back to that needing to write thing-y.)
August 1, 2005. In high school, the first Monday in August signaled the end of summer and the start of marching band pratice. It was hot and relentless work, filled with long hours and lot of yelling, confusion, and band lines bumping into each other. But the payoff of seeing us get our routine down and the music all playing at the same tempo was well worth the aggravation, sweat, and tears. Writing is like that. It's messy. Throughout the process I often wonder if a story is going to come together and make any sense. Sometimes it does--sometimes it doesn't.
I'm going to take a page from my past and start working on my writing as if I were in high school again. I'll sweat and cry and get what I've been struggling over done and in the mail!
The short story I've been working on isn't quite finished, so I'm posting "Relationships" instead. This is a reprint of the short story I had published in A Hint of Seduction E-zine last year. The rights to this story have reverted back to me, so I'm happy to share it with you.
I still have my fingers crossed that I will sell a book again soon. July was filled with rejection (all in one week). It was quite a blow to the ego, but I am still working on pushing that darned rock up the hill. One day I might throw my hands in the air and give up...but not today. Wish me luck!
July 6, 2005. I've started a new short story! It's a romantic suspense set in the south and filled with danger and intrigue. I hope ya'll will love it! It should be done sometime in August.
I'm still working on selling my second book. Any book will do. I spent a good part of June putting together several proposals and entering writing contests. Now I have to play the waiting game. Fun. Fun. :-)
I've also hired a freelance editor to read THE NUDE and tell me how to revise it. I'm emotionally invested in this story and just want to make it the best it can be. We'll see how this venture goes. I've never hired anyone to look at my work before.
And here's something neat...For those of you who asked for it, I've put together an anthology of seven of my favorite short stories in print form, titled THE OTHER SIDE OF FEAR...and other tales of suspense and romance. It's available for purchase from Lulu.com I went through several of my short stories, revised and edited and put them in a professional format. So if you are looking for a book to take to the beach, you might want to give it a try!
And don't forget, THE MARRIAGE LIST, is still available in bookstores. Thanks to all ya'll who already bought it, THE MARRIAGE LIST spent a good portion of May and June at the #1 spot on Amazon.com's Regency bestseller list!!!
June 5, 2005. What? May is gone?? But, but wait! I was having so much fun!! My birthday, my niece's 1st birthday, oh...and my book made it's way to bookstore shelves and into the hands of happy readers. Though there were times when I felt terribly overwhelmed, I tried to sit back and enjoy the ride as much as possible. And now?? Now, I'm looking forward with my sights set on the next big horizon.
I've started a new novel and if you can't tell, I'm excited about the prospect of getting this one into print! It's still in the early development stage, and if all the pieces don't come together like I hope, it won't go anywhere...not even to my favorite friendly reader. That said, I'm hopeful that this is a story that will leap off the page and scare the pants off the reader...and that's all I'm going to say about that!
May 14, 2005. Good news first. THE MARRIAGE LIST, my debut book is in bookstores and that's really neat. Thanks to everyone for their support and kind words about this book. It's been a long journey to get to this first mile-marker, and I feel blessed for having made it this far.
No news on any pending projects---hopefully no news is really a good thing. I finished writing LADY IONA'S REBELLION at the beginning of last month and am still waiting to see if Signet is willing to read the whole thing. I'm discouraged about this because I am really pleased with how the story turned out and would like someone to read it!
The editors of A Hint of Seduction e-zine have apparently fallen off the face of the earth. So, I think that means I won't be seeing "Lady Sophie's Midnight Seduction" in print any time soon.
This month I'll be spending some time exploring my options and trying to figure out how to get my writing career moving forward again. Wish me luck!
April 1, 2005. One month to go before THE MARRIAGE LIST hits bookstore shelves! It's a Romantic Times Magazine Top Pick! for May, the review saying that "the characters and their emotions are drawn amazingly well, and the story packs quite an emotional punch."
LADY IONA'S REBELLION is nearing completion. Lady Iona showed up as May's best friend in THE MARRIAGE LIST, and it's been a joy setting her free. Things haven't been going smoothly for her though. She's suffered while learning how to love and trust both herself and that special man in her life.
Though I haven't heard anything definite whether the Signet Regency line will be continued in 2006, I've got my fingers crossed that it will and that LADY IONA'S REBELLION will still be one of next year's April releases.
I also have my fingers tightly crossed, hoping I'll soon hear some good news from the editor who is reading THE NUDE . I believe in this story 100% and just know it will be published.
And here's some super good news! I **sold** an erotic short Regency to the ezine (online magazine) A Hint of Seduction this month. The story, "Lady Sophie's Midnight Seduction" will appear in their May 2005 issue! Lady Sophie is a self-avowed spinster who has been happy with her independence for many years...that is until Lord Benton-Black enters her life. Lady Sophie finds her nights haunted by this man who is determined to seduce her and make her his wife.
Look for a new short story to be posted to this site by the end of this month.
March 4, 2005. February had too many highs and lows for me. I'm glad to see it gone. The agent I was working with told me to hit the road, which played havoc with my already battered self-confidence. It is probably for the best, considering we obviously didn't agree editorially. But sometimes I wished I was better equipped to handle these kind of situations.
On the good news end of things, THE NUDE is in the hands of an editor as we speak. Fingers crossed that she enjoys it and wants to buy it!
Good news, part 2: I don't have a contract for it yet, so nothing is set in stone, but I have been told by my editor at Signet that they like my proposal and to get the book done by the end of this month. WHAT? The end of THIS month?? Sure--no problem, I say.
If all goes as it should, LADY IONA'S REBELLION will be in bookstores in April 2006.
And because I'll be focusing on my Regency all month, I won't be able to work on any short stories until April.
February 2, 2005. I am happy to report that I have completed the revisions for THE NUDE and, after having it sit out on my desk for a couple of weeks while I wondered whether it was ready, I have finally mailed the manuscript off to my agent to read. I am still waiting to hear from Signet and whether they want me to write a second book for them...hopefully I'll have some news on that front sooner or later. :-) So to keep busy while I am waiting, I have resumed work on a romantic suspense project I had started last spring. It is a fun story about a mythical ring with the power to raise demons and a kooky museum curator who believes it is her job to save the world from its dangers.
January 6, 2005. 2005!? That's the year my debut novel is released! And the year I turn 35... Got to take the bad with the good. :-)
Speaking of the good...Well-known Regency author, Sandra Heath, (one of my absolute favorites in the genre) has graciously reviewed THE MARRIAGE LIST and has this to say about it:
"A delightful love story, the tale of an angry Prince Charming whose pride and temper are soothed and conquered by a spirited Cinderella. Such beautifully drawn characters had me rooting for a happy outcome. It's a Regency fairytale, without spells or magic, just the enchantment of a love that defies society's rules."--Sandra Heath
Thank you Sandra for making my day!! If you come across one of her many compelling Regencies in the bookstore, buy it!
Writing wise, I am nearly done with the revisions to THE NUDE. Yippee!! I feel that it is a stronger, sexier story and I have my fingers crossed that my agent agrees. I am also busy working on some new projects and hope to have them fleshed out and ready to be talked about by next month. Or maybe I'll be working under contract on my next Regency by then...we'll have to wait and see!
