ME: Do you think LOAL is single title contemporary or romantic suspense? I've been doing well in contests where it's in ST, but in the RS, I always get comments like "more people need to die". Ok, like that but not exactly that.

CP: Well... I think it's light romantic suspense. And when people hear the label "romantic suspense" they probably tend to think more serious, dark romantic suspense. LOAL might not appeal to readers who are looking for that serious, dark romantic suspense, but, on the flip side, it might appeal to other readers who don't ever pick up books labeled romantic suspense because they don't like the whole serial killer/rapist/etc thing. So, in that sense, maybe single title is a better label. But I don't think it's wrong to call it romantic suspense.

ME: Yeah. Every workshop I listened to about RS from Nationals was about serial killers and child molesters and rapists. I guess people can die in single title, so I may have better luck there when I need to choose for a contest.

"Congratulations! Your entry: Love on a Limb has been chosen as Fourth Place winner in Heartland Romance Author's 2008 Show Me The Spark! contest.Your ranking was determined by adding the combined placement rank given by each of your final judges: Patience Smith, Editor, Silhouette, May Chen, Editor, Avon/Harper Collins and Rhonda Penders, Editor of The Wild Rose Press."

My first contest win! I cannot WAIT to see the feedback.

I sit up in bed in the middle of the night. Did I leave my NAME on the header of the entry and render myself disqualified?! I must check right now!

Still, the rapid revision process was helpful. The time constraints forced me to be ruthless. And Thank goodness for my awesome critique partner, who has read this manuscript a thousand times now. I think the conflict and motivation and sexual tension is much better in the revised version, not just in the manuscript but I revised the synopsis as well.

Regardless of what happens now, my manuscript has greatly improved throughout this process.

They all say the same thing... which I suppose is a good thing (something to focus on) but did it have to be "TOO MUCH BACKSTORY"? Which of course leads to slowing the pacing, readers losing interest..

It's not that I don't agree. It's that I feel like I need this valuable info communicated to the reader. Right then and there! Or the story can't go on!

On the other hand, everyone seems to enjoy my dialogue. This is apparently a strength of mine.

"I am glad to inform you that your entry Love on a Limb, has finaled in the Central Florida Romance Touch of Magic contest."

This has given me so much more confidence about my writing. That really low Golden Heart score on my first manuscript made me wonder if I was wasting my time, but I think I've learned a lot about craft since and applied my new understanding in this new manuscript.

This contest allows revision before the finals, so I've got to get to work!!! Paula Eykelhof from Harlequin will be reading my story!

"Congratulations! You are a 2008 finalist in the Heartland Romance Authors, "Show Me The Spark!" contest. Your entry: "Love On A Limb" has advanced to the final round judges: May Chen, Avon, Patience Smith, Harlequin/Silhouette and Rhonda Penders of the Wild Rose Press."

My first contest final! And the best part is that I will get feedback from these great editors!

Trying NANOWRIMO for the first time? Here are some tips...

The first time I did NANOWRIMO, I was really busy. No time, lots of commitments, but I really wanted to give it a shot. I ended up with a 105k novel that is currently in the hands of agents who are, to my great surprise, taking it seriously.

One little tidbit I learned the first time was: the 50k challenge is not THAT time consuming. Several days a week, I would sit down in late afternoon at Starbucks (like J.K. Rowling), put on some headphones and write for a few hours. That was all it took. I may have worked a weekend or two for a couple of longer stints, but really, the time commitment required is smaller than you'd think. And it kept me writing after the month was over, another bonus.

The other tip I have is not to take yourself too seriously and second guess yourself. The deadline will force you to write more, perhaps at the expense of some quality, but when I finally got around to editing my first novel, I found it needed less work than I expected and after all, you cannot edit a blank page so bad writing is more redeemable than none at all. ;)

As for rules... frankly, I think you need to stick to the rules that help you, and disgard any that are holding you back. You're doing this for enjoyment, at least in part. As I was driving across the country this fall with my husband, we amused ourselves with coming up with a story. When we got to our new house, I sat down and wrote the first couple of sentences of the story and sent it to a friend. She gave me some great feedback on how to change the setting for marketability. Now I plan to use my couple hundred words and plotting ideas for the book I'll write in November.

I am a plotter, in case that wasn't obvious. The fact that you can put your title in now tells me it's not a big deal if you want to think about your story in advance. I do think you should wait until November 1 to start writing the actual story, but any prep work you want to do, whether it's research or outlining or reading up on craft, I think is fine. I'm not a purist.

Anyway, hope this helps your jitters a bit and good luck on NANOWRIMO 2007!

Title: Love On A Limb: A Green Romance

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense (Environmental Twist)

Plot: A forestry management specialist and a treehugger become embroiled in a dangerous illegal logging scheme in the wilds of Alaska. Can they set aside their differences to protect each other and the forest they both treasure?

• Write what you want to write, don't write to trends
• Publishing trends are cyclical. E.g. Medieval is in sometimes, out other times.
• You need a strong voice, strong plot, and lots of tension
• Plausibility is not as important as keeping the page turning
• Writing may be all creativity and art, but publishing is all business

Here are some of my notes on the publishing process, taken during various workshops as well as some of my own thoughts. Many of the steps that follow happen simultaneously, but writing, however, is serial.

The Basics of The Publishing Process

You've pitched to an editor and they've been sold on your completed manuscript. You get The Call. You should know right now that the ideal time between this call and seeing your book on the shelf is about one year. Rarely will you see a book come out faster than 6 months, and often its more like 18 months.

First thing to expect is some paperwork to sign. Contract and terms will need to be negotiated.

It may help at this point to consider things from the editor's point of view. Each book is a project to them and they generally manage several projects at any given time (often in the range of 30-40 books a year). The editor is generally the project manager for this book project.

One of the first things your editor will do is start writing up the "book package". which is basically a project statement - especially a marketing sheet. This is a good time to give the editor as much info as you can to help get a head start - the more tidbits that support your book, the better. Some of the information the editor will start to collect is:

• Final Book Title, Genre, Word/Page Count
  
• Author Name, Bio
  
• The Hook or Pitch
  
• Selling Points and Positioning
  
• Backlist of Author
  
• Competitive Titles and Authors
  
• Booksellers likely to be interested (local ones, etc)
  
• Quotes and Reviews
  

Next, they will likely have a cover conference. The marketing vision of the book starts very early on. Generally, if you're a series, knowing the titles of the series, like a trilogy, in advance, can be worked into the vision for unifying the books.

Meanwhile, the editor has marked up the manuscript and, along with a revision letter, this has been sent back to the author for revision. Also, cover copy may be worked on, and sent to the editor and author for review. Once all the revisions are complete, the revised manuscript is sent to the copy editor. This final manuscript may be sent to other authors to get endorsements and quotes.

A strategy meeting will likely occur around this time, with all the appropriate publishing departments attending. This is a formal presentation of the book and the marketing plan for it. This is a great time to have already informed your editor about any self-promotion plans.

A sales conference may follow. Here the cover, catalogs and marketing plans are finalized. Large booksellers might get to provide feedback at this time. For example, there have been times when a cover or a title was "too racy" for a certain seller's shelves, and so it might be revised.

Mechanicals are like coverflats only simpler. They are the external part of the book, with the covers, titles, and copy. Around this time, the mechanicals are signed off on by editorial and other groups. This finalizes the cover marketing.

Meanwhile, the author has received the finalized copyedited manuscript. Once it has been reviewed, it is sent to typesetting.

Coverproofs, which are again, much like coverflats, are reviewed and signed off on.

The typeset book is run as a first pass. These pages are proofread, often by the author as well as several proof-readers. Any changes will go back to typesetting, and the book with get a second pass printing.

Once all is finalized, the book goes to print. It generally takes about 2 months for printing to be completed. Meanwhile, the sales department is selling the book to booksellers and they are making orders for the book. This will help determine the number of volumes printed for the first edition. The final book is often ready about a month before it goes on sale, for promotional purposes.

As you can see, the timing of all this stuff makes it important to provide as much information as possible as soon as possible, so any ideas sourced from the author get worked into the marketing plan early on.

Hope this helps!

Here are some of my notes on the publisher's departmental organization terminology, taken during various workshops as well as some of my own thoughts.

Various Publishing Departments in a Large Publishing Firm

• Editorial - Front line for author communication and book project mgmt
  
• Legal - Contracts & Royalties
  
• Copy - Front matter, cover matter, etc.
  
• Art - Cover art
  
• Production - Physical Printing
  
• Publicity - Reviews, Media
  
• Advert/Promo - Goodies like posters at signings, sell pieces, etc.
  
• Operations - Inventory tracking, reprinting
  
• Sales - Selling to Booksellers, Libraries (Quarterly catalogs, presentations)
  

Here are some of my notes on self-promotion methods, taken during various workshops as well as some of my own thoughts. I will spend another post on the concept of the author website, since I have a lot to talk about there.

The Basics of Self-Promotion

You want to get the following out there:

• Your name
  
• Your website URL

For each book, you want to remind everyone of the above information, plus:

• Your latest book cover/publisher
  
• Your tag/pitch line
  

You can do this using a combination of web and public methods like:

• Your website
  
• Your publisher's/agent's websites
  
• Bloggers and book reviewer websites and message boards
  
• Your book on amazon.com
  
• Public speaking (schools, libraries, RWA, online chats)
  
• Giveaways/Contests (bookmarks, signings, etc)
  
• Conferences
  
• Newsletter
  
• Press - Your local paper, etc.
  
• Article Writing - RWR, etc.
  
• Author Blog and Podcast
  
• Book trailers (questionable benefit)
  

You want to generate a database of contacts, from friends who will read your book, to other writers, agents and publishers, book reviewers and bloggers.

Cardamom Bread Pudding

2 whole vanilla beans
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
4 cups half-and-half or milk
2 cup granulated sugar
6 large eggs (or substitute)
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 loaf cardamom bread, cubed (stale is better)
2 Tb cardamom

Preheat oven to 350°. Melt butter in an 8-inch square baking dish, or other 2-quart baking dish; set aside. With a sharp knife or scissors, carefully split vanilla beans. Scrape inside pulp onto a plate, then mix the scrapings with the sugar.

In large mixing bowl combine the vanilla sugar, eggs, cardamom and vanilla; beat slowly just to blend. Blend in milk. Add the torn bread and stir gently to combine. Pour into prepared baking dish. Bake at 350° for 40 to 50 minutes, or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.

Cool for about 30 minutes before serving.

Serve drizzled with fruit syrup or caramel sauce.

Enjoy!

BIKINI SWITCH
CHAPTER THREE - Written 05/20/2002

“Jeez, Jessie, you’re as hairy as a gorilla!” exclaimed Tiffani as she savagely ripped away some bikini wax, prompting a strangled snarl from Jesse.

Sabrina smirked. “She sounds like one, too.”

“Just call me Koko,” Jesse growled through clenched teeth.

“Huh?”

Sabrina couldn’t help but snicker at the blank look on Tiffani’s face. “I think she means Koko, the talking gorilla.”

“Oh…” Tiffani shrugged, refocusing on Jesse’s hair.

A moment later, Sabrina stepped back to admire her work.

Jesse grimaced and rubbed her thigh. “It hurts to be beautiful.”

“Ain’t that the truth.” Sabrina agreed.

Jesse glared at her sister. “You’re certainly a pain.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” quipped Sabrina.

“You take everything as a compliment,” grumbled Jesse.

Jesse's Citizen ProMaster? dive watch beeped, interrupting the bickering twins.

“I gotta feed Coco!” exclaimed Jesse, struggling to stand up from amidst the tangle of curling irons and blow-dryers.

Tiffani looked confused. “The talking gorilla?”

Sabrina chuckled. “I think she means the whale, Tiff.”

“Guys, I really need to feed Coco. I’ll be right back,” promised Jesse.

“Oh, no, you don’t!” Sabrina exclaimed. “I’ve spent too much time getting you ready. You'll ruin all my hard work feeding that spoiled fish.”

Jesse looked indignant. “Whales aren’t fish, they’re mammals!”

Sabrina ignored her. “Whatever! There isn’t time! Listen, just finish getting dressed and we’ll feed Coco. And Jesse… don’t mess up your hair, you’re on in fifteen minutes!”

“But…”

“No buts, Jesse,” broke in Tiffani. “SeaLife Park is depending on you. I’m not taking any more chances today.”

Sabrina wrinkled her nose as she unfastened the giant watch from her sister’s wrist.

“Jess always did know how to accessorize.”

Sabrina wriggled into Jesse’s red SeaLife? Park windbreaker and matching pants. She looked in the mirror and frowned. The word ‘STAFF’ was written across her butt in bold, white letters.

“You do work your backside off, Jesse. Everything is going to work out.” Sabrina smiled reassuringly and quickly refastened the watch onto her own wrist.

Tiffani and Sabrina hurried off, and Jesse listened as their chatter faded away.

“So, what do you think?” asked Sabrina.

“About the talking gorilla?”

“Girl, you’re at least a thigh shy of a chicken pot pie. I was talking about the fashion show,” laughed Sabrina

“Oh, that reminds me!” grinned Tiffani, “Let’s stop by the bar. I ordered some kickin’ hors d'oeuvres for this shindig.”

***

Tiffani and Sabrina arrived at the tank several minutes later to find Coco, SeaLife? Park’s biggest attraction, swimming in lazy circles. Tiffani splashed her hand into the water, catching Coco’s attention.

“It’s really pretty easy. I’ve helped Jesse a zillion times,” Tiffani babbled as she dragged a plastic canister to the edge of the tank. “You just have to remember to use the big live stuff instead of the frozen stuff we feed the sea lions.”

Coco approached the tank side and bobbed expectantly. Sabrina watched in undisguised disgust as Tiffani shoveled squid and mackerel into Coco’s eager mouth.

Loud static interrupted Coco’s happy slurping. “Tiffani Huntington, please report to park office immediately,” barked the park loudspeaker.

Tiffani rolled her eyes. “I’ll be back in just a sec,” she called, hurrying off.

Immediately, Coco demonstrated her displeasure at being interrupted by smacking the water with her fin, soaking Sabrina with a sheet of grimy water and fish guts.

“This day can’t get any worse,” muttered Sabrina as she took a deep, fortifying breath and picked up the shovel.

Eric ambled up behind Sabrina and handed her a bottle of Killer Shark Great White Wheat.

“How ya doin', Beautiful? Looks like you could use a drink, or perhaps a towel?”

Sabrina turned and gave him a black stare.

Eric jumped back, laughing. “Damn, girl! You did get some sun!”

Sabrina continued to scowl as she fed Coco the shrimp cocktail in short, angry scoops. She was soggy, itchy and irritated. Not to mention that she couldn’t even enjoy the cold beer since her newest personal trainer, Antoine, had forbidden all such hedonistic pleasures.

Eric stood quietly by her side, sipping his beer and watching her work.

“Where’s Jesse?” he inquired softly.

Sabrina whirled and gave him an incredulous look.

Eric held up a hand and met her gaze straight on. “Don’t bother. I can tell it’s you, Sabrina. I’ve known you guys for too long. So why don’t you just tell me why you, of all people, are out here feeding Miss Coco.”

Sabrina sighed in defeat. “I got poison ivy hiking this morning,” she moaned, leaving out the unflattering details. “I can’t do the show looking like this, so Jesse and I switched, just for today. So please don’t tell anyone – my reputation in the biz will be ruined, not to mention the fact that Jesse will be heartbroken if SeaLife? doesn’t get this funding.”

A slow smile spread across Eric’s handsome, tanned face. His sharp business intellect told him that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity -- he had both of the Larson vixen right where he wanted them.

Sabrina didn’t bother to disguise her annoyance. “Your dimple is showing, Eric. You ’re obviously planning to take advantage of this.”

“I’ll make you a deal.”

“Here it comes…”

“I won’t say a word about your little, ” Eric made a fluttery gesture with his hand, “accident. You won’t tell Jesse that I know what’s up.”

Sabrina smiled conspiratorially. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Eric grinned and planted a quick kiss on Sabrina’s forehead.

“Scoundrel.”

Eric grinned wickedly and turned to leave. “Don’t itch, you might scar.”

Sabrina suddenly looked panicked. “Eric, wait!”

Eric paused, a brow arched inquisitively.

“How did you... you know, know?”

Eric laughed. “I’m not stupid. Like I said, I know you guys too well. Not that it was difficult. There’s no love lost between you and Coco here, and besides, your watch is on upside down.”

Eric winked devilishly.

Sabrina glanced down at her wrist with a mixture of surprise and disgust. “Damn.”

Draft 0: Premise, Outline, Timeline, Character Worksheets

Write down your thoughts, idas, as well as organize your plot points and get to know your characters.

Draft 1: First/Rough Draft

The first draft is self-explanatory. Just get it down on paper. If you get stuck, write yourself a note, and use the MS Word highlight feature or the note feature to leave notations - questions, problems, etc. Just keep moving forward.

Draft 2: Spell Check, Grammar Check, Proper Name Check

This draft is relatively painless. You run the spell checker and fix some grammar stuff. Note any verb tense issues, as well as repetitive mistakes so you can learn from them. Lastly, check all proper names. I once found I had changed the name of a secondary character halfway through the story! Whoops!

Draft 3: Note Resolution

Go through the whole draft, and address each and every note and question and problem you left behind.

Draft 4: Love Scene Review

Go through and reread and revise your love scenes and any highly charged emotional scene.

Draft 5: Setting Review

Recheck your settings. Have you painted a picture in time and place? Too little? Too much?

Draft 6: Reading Review (Hard Copy Markup)

Put your draft aside for at least a month, and do something else. Then come back and reread the story from start to finish. Mark it up with typoes, questions. Mark when you laugh and are engrossed, and mark when you feel the story is lagging. Once done, transfer your changes from hard copy to your electronic file and address your issues.

Draft 7: Listening Review

Put your draft aside again and do something else. This time, set up the text to speech and listen to your draft. Listen especially for problems with flow, run-on sentences, mistyped words, and overdone speech. Mark it up with typoes, questions. Mark when you laugh and are engrossed, and mark when you feel the story is lagging. Once done, transfer your changes from hard copy to your electronic file and address your issues.

Draft 8: Spell Check & Grammar Check

This draft is relatively painless. You run the spell checker and fix some grammar stuff.