Designs For Him Review

I'm thrilled to share that my e-book, Designs For Him, has just been reviewed by Hearts on Fire!  It's been out for a few weeks now, so I'm happy that the story is still attracting attention in such a crowded marketplace.  I hope you all check it out!

Writing What You Love

One of my favorite writing blogs is A Newbie's Guide to Publishing not only because it's funny and informative, but the comments section often provide a lot of insight and perspective.  If you're thinking about going the self-publishing route, the blog is a MUST read.  However, there's still a wealth of knowledge to be gained even if, like me, you are submitting and querying publishers.

A recent guest post by Dakota Madison addressed the push-and-pull of writing what you love vs. writing what will sell.  After writing several "interesting" books that resulted in low sales, Karen Mueller Bryson decided to become romance writer Dakota Madison and starting writing books that have earned, in her words, "pay-the-mortgage" money.  As a romance writer, I'm thrilled to hear about her success because it means there's a chance I might one day encounter similar good fortune with my writing.  Yet, I can't say I'm entirely comfortable with the tone of her post because she makes the process of writing romance novels sound easy and implies it's a path to big bucks.  At least that's what I took away from it, but I might be reading too much into what she's saying.

Writing romance isn't easy, at least not for me.  Part of the problem is that I edit as I write, but I'm also questioning the direction my characters are taking or whether my plot is really working.  As a result, it's really slow going for me, but the end product is a work I'm proud to submit.  And I don't think I'd be able to do it at all, slow or not, if I didn't enjoy what I was writing and have a genuine interest and passion for the genre.  I'll admit I kind of wish chick-lit would make a big return because I LOVE writing stories with bitchy, self-absorbed narrators.  But I know that trend has run its course, for now anyway, and more heartfelt, steamier romances are what's hot right now.  It's all a matter of striking that balance between the stories you want to tell and the stories that you know will sell.

Low Production

I'm still working on a story for a submissions call and making good progress, overall.  I'll make the deadline with no problem but today was a low production day and I'm feeling a little frustrated by it.  I know that you have to think of writing as a marathon, not a sprint, but I'm an impatient Aries who 'sprinted' earlier this week and wants to sprint again.  I realize that any writing that puts me closer to the goal of finishing is a good thing, but sometimes I can't help but wish I was getting to the goal a little faster.

On the bright side, I might be able to post some good news about another submission of mine in two or three days.  It's really exciting news and I can't wait to share it!  :-)

Rainbow Book Review for Designs For Him

I'm thrilled to share that Designs For Him has been reviewed by my fellow Total-E-Bound author Serena Yates for Rainbow Book Reviews, which you can read here.  This is the second time Serena has reviewed a book of mine and I'm very grateful for the time she takes to write with such a thoughtfulness and care.

I've finished polishing the story I was working on for the submissions call, and all I need to do now is come up with a blurb for it.  After that I can hit 'send.' (eek!)  Next up, another story for another submissions call.  I don't want to take a break while I'm on a roll, but time off after I finish this next story will feel REALLY good.  :-)

New Contract!!

I just signed a contract with Total-E-Bound for a story for their Lust Bites series!  I'm really excited not only because of the opportunity to be published again, but also because this is will be my first M/F story for Total-E-Bound.  Writing M/M is my preference, but when Total-E-Bound put out a submissions call specifically for M/F stories (and it's still going on, so submit those stories!), I thought it would be fun to challenge myself.

Although the book won't be available until November, I have to admit I'm a little nervous.  A person recently posted on a popular message board for writers that M/M writers who branch out into M/F territory will not sell the M/F books.  He even put will not sell in bold letters.  Maybe he's right, I don't know because I don't have enough experience to say one way or the other.  But part of what excites me about writing is tackling new challenges and trying new things.  I also think this is what's helping me to grow and develop as a writer.  If I stay in my comfort zone out of fear that a book won't sell, I think my stories will quickly become repetitive and stale.  And even I know enough to realize that a book that is repetitive and stale is a book that will not sell.

I'll post more details when the title is finalized and I get a copy of the cover.  For now, I'm still polishing a story for a submissions call and working on another story for a submissions call coming up towards the end of the month.

New week, new focus

I'm glad I took part in The Romance Reviews Sizzling Party Summer Reads Party promotion.  I've emailed the winner of the Q&A for Designs For Him, but haven't heard back from him/her yet, so if you're out there, come claim your prize!

I face deadlines for two submissions calls this week, and I've written about half of one story and I've outlined the other.  In other words, I have a lot of work to do this week, but fortunately I work well under pressure...well, the pressure of a deadline anyway.  Pressure from a personal crisis is another story entirely, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed none of those pops up in the next two weeks.  :-)

Sizzling Summer Party Reads Q&A (look for question #9)

Today's the day!  Please check out the Sizzling Summer Party Reads at The Romance Reviews Site and play the Q&A for a chance to win an copy of my ebook, Designs For Him.  I'm question #9!!  Check out the excerpt I posted yesterday for the answer, and remember, you need to be registered and logged in to play the Q&A.  Good luck!!!