Christmas at Shadow Creek (Harlequin Super Romance Series #1165)




Operation: Second Chance (Harlequin Super Romance #1185)

Almost every author remembers the interminable months--even years it took to sell their first book.  For most of us, it's a long process, though for a few, the Call comes quickly.  Speed is what we all hope for--but is it a good thing? 

When I first started writing, I could come up with stories to tell, but I couldn’t begin to envision the possibility of actually making a first sale.  And then, I learned about the RWA's Golden Heart.  Placing in it was clearly an impossible dream, but I hadn't entered any other contests yet, and it seemed like a great opportunity to see if I was even close to being in the ballpark with other aspiring writers across the country.  If the judges considered my manuscript hopeless, I'd know that my dreams were a foolish waste of time.  I didn't understand the fallacy of that plan until much later.

I wrote night and day, feverishly trying to complete that manuscript for the 1995 Golden Heart.  Many nights, I fell asleep over the keyboard.  When it was finished (just in time!)  friends asked if it had been hard to write a love scene.  I was so exhausted, I didn't remember if I'd written one!

The day the telephone rang, a few months later, ranks right below the excitement of having a new baby.  The finals?  How could it be possible?  And on that incredible night at the RWA Conference in Hawaii when a presenter called my name, I froze with disbelief.  Thrilled beyond measure, I held that beautiful Golden Heart in my hand...and was convinced that there must have been a clerical error.  Surely, someone would soon discover the error and want that pendant back!

Well, no one ever called to say it was a mistake, but during the following weeks I found myself slipping into my first writers block.  Maybe my manuscript had won, but in a strange way, I lost my confidence--sure that I could never measure up to what that award implied.  That problem was exacerbated when not one, not two, but four editors rejected that manuscript--one of them, after holding onto it for eighteen months with vague words now and then about "still wanting to buy". 

At times it was hard to hold onto the dream of being published, but honestly, those rejections were the luckiest break I could have had.  Maybe I had three polished chapters, but the rest of that first manuscript was a beginner's effort.  Revising it for an editor would have been a gargantuan task beyond my skills at the time, and I didn't have a glimmer of an idea for another project.  If I had sold that first manuscript, my "career" would have been over before it began.

The next three years of waiting and hoping, writing and learning were a Godsend.

That first Golden Heart contest had given me a deadline and motivated me to finish a manuscript.  Reaching "The End" was a tremendous learning experience.  Having time to finish another manuscript was even better---because with each one there was so much to learn!  At times it seemed like my dreams would never come true, but not selling right away gave me time to learn more about the business.  Go to conferences.  Network.  Study books on writing and the RWR.  I bought a gazillion workshop tapes from past RWA conferences, regional conferences, and the Orange County RWA chapter's huge tape library, and listened to them constantly when I drove.  I took an advanced fiction class through the University of Iowa, and also took a wonderful, week-long class on writing romance by Leigh Michaels, through the Iowa Summer Writers' Festival program. 

When my second completed manuscript finaled in the 1998 Golden Heart, a final round judge--an editor--remembered my first GH entry and called me to request the full manuscript, commenting on the improvement she found between the two entries.  She later bought not only that second Golden Heart entry, but also a proposal on another story--a double first sale to Superromance.  I will be forever grateful to the RWA for the Golden Heart contest, and the wonderful opportunity it offers to be read by final round judges, who are all editors.  Perhaps I might have eventually sold through the usual channels, but the RWA provided a chance to make contacts within the context of a respected contest, and this expedited my first sales to a romance line that I love.

A word about contests...when I entered my first Golden Heart, I was a complete newbie.  I was ready to assume that anyone judging such a contest was an authority, and if my scores had been really low, I would have taken that as the final word on my lack of ability.  Remembering that, I now worry about the judging process in  other contests and the effect this may have on fledgling writers.

Entrants receive just numerical scores in the Golden Heart, but there are dozens of other contest opportunities that give contestants more feedback.  Contests were a wonderful tool for me during my journey toward becoming a writer.  Most judges were kind, tactful, and clearly trying to help by writing extensive notes to help me improve.  I soaked up those comments and the advice!  There were, however, a few, rare judges who were extremely harsh and discouraging.  How many newbie writers are like me when I first started--tentative, unsure, and ready to take a judge's scores and comments as Gospel?  How many of them have received scathing reviews on a score sheet, and have given up?  How many fabulous writers have we lost?

My advice to every aspiring author is that contests can be wonderful tool for helping one hone their craft, increase their name recognition in advance of a first sale, and make contact with editors and agents who judge final rounds.  But please, please, please---don't take every last comment and score to heart.  Look at trends in scores.  Listen to and carefully consider what the judges are telling you.  But don’t let anyone tamper with your voice or steal your dreams!  If you decide you want to become a writer, you are embarking on an adventure in self-education.  Use every tool you can, work hard, and never, ever give up. 

During the years before I sold, I kept a quote taped above my computer:  "God doesn't give the desire without also giving the talent to achieve it".  You never know if it will be the next project, or the one after that, that will make your dreams come true!

Award-winning author Roxanne Rustand has sold eleven books to Harlequin Superromance.  Christmas at Shadow Creek (11/03), and will be followed by Operation: Second Chance (2/04) and Operation Texas (9/04).  The first book in her Blackberry Hill series will follow.  For articles, contests, reviews and a free cookbook, visit her websites at www.roxannerustand.com and  www.booksbyrustand.com.

The Private Eye: He wasn't anyone's idea of a hero

Unsanctioned Memories (Harlequin Intrigue #748)

Attn: Readers. Would you like to appear in our "What are they Reading" section? Email Su Kopil with WHAT ARE THEY READING in the subject line at sukopil@aol.com I'll send a short list of questions for you to answer.  Responses will appear in future issue of The Dream Weaver as space permits.

Likes to Read:  Romantic suspense is my first love. I'll read 2-3 
in a spurt between deadlines. But I'll read across the romantic genre--mostly I like a complex story with well-developed characters and plenty of angst and sexual tension. I've been a reader of romances of all kinds since junior high, but I also enjoy reading mysteries (a lifelong goal is to make it through all of Agatha Christie's novels--I'm getting there!), fantasy and non-fiction books--esp. history, geography and biographies. I also pick up a classic every now and then--JANE EYRE and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD are favorites I've revisited in the past year.

Must Buys:  Too many to name them all <vbg>. But I'm a fan of contemporary authors Suzanne Brockmann, Debra Webb, Rachel Lee, Kylie Brant, Debbie Macomber, Nancy Warren, Virginia Kantra, Linda Howard . . .

Reading Now: Right now I'm reading BACK TO MITFORD by Jan Karon (it's the selection of my reading group this month) and a handful of non-fiction titles. I find when I'm on deadline (as I am now) I can't read the genre of book I'm writing.

Website: www.juliemiller.org

Latest Release:  

UNSANCTIONED MEMORIES, Harlequin Intrigue, January 2004
THE PRIVATE EYE, Anthology also featuring Jayne Ann Krentz and Dani Sinclair, January 2004

Susanna Carr is the author of The Wrong Bride. Visit her online

www.susannacarr.com





Writer's Book of Days: A Spirited Companion and Lively Muse for the Writing Life

A Writer’s Book of Days is based on the idea of writer’s having a practice session every day. The author, Judy Reeves, has moderated writing groups for years and firmly believes that “to become good at anything, you’ve got to do the drills. Lots of drills.”

To use this book, the writer finds the prompt given for the day. For example, the prompt for January 14th is “write about the horizon”. The writer is then expected to write anywhere from five to twenty minutes about whatever the prompt inspired.

But Reeves offers more than writing prompts. The book supports the writer on a creative journey month to month. Each month starts off with an in-depth look at one of the writing practice guidelines and then offers essays, articles, lists and trivia for each week. The advice deals with every aspect of the writer’s life, such as how to use your dreams, what to do when your writing bores or embarrasses you, and writing family stories.

At the end of each chapter, there is a “Beyond Practice” section designed to complement and reward your hard work. The suggestions range from having a writing date (think play date for writers), snow days and field trips to the café or library.

The book is a gentle nudge for those who long to write. There are many inspiring quotes and a strong emphasis on making and honoring a commitment to writing, and in essence, to you the writer.

A Writer’s Book of Days is a book designed to encourage and empower the new or returning writer. It is most helpful for those who always want to write but who had to ignore their desire due to lack of time.

Flash Point

Passionately Ever After; Silhouette Desire #1549

Trading Spaces : 

Make It Yours

The Where? I have an office in my home where I write and conduct any writing related business. While I've toyed with the idea of moving into a proper office setting, I love my work area and I also hate leaving my two puppy dogs home alone. 

First thing we'd see? I live in a big Acadian style home on an acre lot with plenty of trees and gardens. Since it's an Acadian, I have tons of windows that are practically ceiling to floor in size and lots of French doors. So when you walk into my study, the first thing you see is a wall with two large windows that look out onto the front yard and gardens. There are two sitting chairs and a table against the wall between the windows. The table is covered with photographs of family and friends and the wall has a colorful framed Mardi Gras New Orleans print with purples, golds, reds, greens, etc.

On the opposite wall is my computer and computer desk with hutch. Lots more photos, work-related files, pictures, notes and stuff and a framed saying from my dear friend Sandra Brown that reads "Keep your head out of the clouds. Keep your mind on your business. Keep your butt in the chair." 

The walls are filled with framed covers of my books and special framed objects--like a star, an angel, a heart. I've got a small sofa on another wall and two bookcases. One bookcase is filled with research and writing books, copies of my own books and copies of my foreign editions. The other bookcase is filled with my "keeper" books and autographed books from my favorite authors and friends. I've also got two cherrywood file cabinets that are jam-packed and three-quarters of one wall has two huge white doors that close off a closet. Inside the closet is a huge metal filing cabinet, tons of shelves with supplies, bookmarks, postcards, etc. and boxes and boxes of my books. The room is carpeted in a shade called ashes-to-ashes which is a gray and I have a ceiling fan overhead.

Creative Enhancements? I have the Sandra Brown plaque for inspiration. I also have a little Japanese cat that sits by my keyboard that was given to me by my friend Erica Spindler to bring luck. I have a bag of crystals from Emilie Richards, a magic wand from Patricia Mc Linn. I also have post-it-notes around my desk with affirmations and goals written on them. I paste up photos torn from magazines of what my characters look like for the book I'm working on, as well as pictures of houses, furniture, etc. Depending on where a book is set when I'm working on one, I try to get flowers, tree branches, soil or things from the area that evoke visuals and scents for me.

Most helpful? For me it was switching to an ergonomic keyboard years ago and most recently a flat screen monitor. It enables me to work for longer stretches at the computer. 

If the popular TV show Trading Spaces came in to redo your office what would you like to see done? I'd like a secretary or a magic genie to come in, sort through and organize my files and clear away the "paper" trail from my desk every day. <g> Seriously, I like my work space a lot. If I did anything differently, it would be to upgrade the furniture. 

Visit Metsy Hingle at: www.metsyhingle.com
Latest Release:  

FLASH POINT, MIRA Books, Dec. 2003
PASSIONATELY EVER AFTER, Silhouette Desire, Dec. 2003