What would I do if I became a really really really famous author??

On youtube Kaleb Nation and Jackson Pearce have answered the question listed above. The top five things.... hmmm. Well, there are definitely a few more, but these are the first that come to mind:

1) Pay off all our debts, buy the house of my dreams, the cars we want, and put money away for the future. Ok, whew, got the reasonable one out of the way first.

2) For this house of my dreams - hire staff: landscaper, maid, and a cook. I'm just not good at it and I want to eat well and look good for all my public appearances. Better hire a massueur and a personal trainer as well.

3) Have a TOTALLY awesome writing space with lots of desk top room, a great computer and printer, all my favorite pens and regular shopping at Staples for more supplies (yes, I completely adore Staples - could shop in there forever). There would be lots of light, a small library of books (reference and favorite fiction). I would be excited to be there every day. Except when I'm traveling

4) Travel and shop to my hearts content - first class all the way. To NYC, to London, Paris, a month in Italy. I'm a self trained retail therapist and I adore the whole process of shopping... and buying! Vacations to Disney, California. Cruises. Yeah, let's face it -- I want it all.

5) Create places for writers to write! First, I'd buy a bed and breakfast on the Jersey Shore and turn it into a low cost writers' retreat where writers could come to relax and commune with their muse and be inspired by one another. I'd get to be there whenever I could, meeting and encouraging folks.

I'd also buy a brownstone like place, have a bookstore cafe on the first floor, a daycare place in the basement, and rooms upstairs that can be reserved for writing. Hey - if your gym can provide child care while you work out, I should be able to find a way to do this for writers. We all deserve a place to become the writers we want to be.

I have to add one more
6) Invest in projects I believe in. I have friends who are working hard to achieve their artistic dreams and I would love to be able to give them funding, no strings attached so they could go full force towards what they want.

So... what would you do? Oh, and if your curious Jackson's video response, which I really like, is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB1G7xtk-B8

Have a great week,
Rowan

WHAT'S IN A NAME? - Part 1

I know I’m not the only writer who spends a great deal of time thinking about the names of my characters. Names tell you a lot about the person you are about. There are two aspects to names. First are the names we choose and second is the characters we choose to name. I want to talk about this second set this week.

Last week while working on my current manuscript, I had two characters. Originally, one was referred to simply as “the stable boy” When I was doing some rewriting I decided to name the stable boy Finn. And suddenly… he wanted to TALK! He wanted to participate in the story. Doing the only thing I felt I could do at the time I said, “Sure,” and there he was babbling away as only a seven year old can do. He was rushing into rooms, interrupting the hero and heroine and now he is well on his way to being part of the climax.

The other character was “an older female servant” who became Ida, and once she was Ida, she, too, needed to be a more active part of the story. She’s turned into a surrogate mom for my heroine (who’s based on Cinderella) and is helping her to grow into her new role and to accept her love for the prince.

I adore both characters and there is no doubt that the book is better for them being in it. It was a wonderful surprise seeing them both come to life on the page and a memorable experience for me as a writer. Now I know – be careful who you name, because the story they change, may be your own!

May you have wonderful surprises in your world this week,
Rowan

PMS writing

So, time suckage sucks as does rejection and refusal.

Some days everything sucks about writing.

Then again, some days everything sucks BUT writing.

I've been in a bad mood all week. Don't even try to talk to me. It won't be pretty.

Why so bitchy? Besides PMS?

An overabundance of projects. Which is not a bad thing. Really, it's not. And I should be much happier about it.

I've just finished revisions on my third SEDUCED story. I've almost finished my fifth SEDUCED story. I just started revisions for my agent on another project. I have two freelance articles to write. And (hope I don't jinx myself) so far they're all going along pretty well.

But there's this sword hanging over my head and it's got School's Out written on the blade. It signals the death of my creativity as I try to write through the yelling, the fighting, the guitar playing, the TV noise and the front door banging as kids tramp through my house.

I think the PMS will last for the next three months.

The Finish Line is in Sight

This week, I've had the enviable task of doing edits on my third EC story, SEDUCED AND ENSNARED, while trying to finish the fifth story in the series, SEDUCED BY CHAOS (working title).

Before I got my edits, CHAOS felt like it was languishing. I had lost sight of my hero and heroine, my secondary characters were much more interesting and there was no forward momentum to the story. And then I got my edits and suddenly, CHAOS seemed to be writing itself.

Why? Hell if I know. I can only thank the writing goddess for her kindness and go with the flow.

I do have a theory, though. S&EnS stars my favorite de Feo brother, Cam. I can't help being partial to him. For some reason, his was the easiest story to write. Cam is bossy, dominating, intractable and a know-it-all. He's also strong, committed and when you have his heart, he's yours forever. Perfect hero material. Don't get me wrong, all my heroes are perfect but Cam holds a special place in my heart.

Maybe, as I fell in love with Cam all over again doing edits, it helped me reconnect with Teodoro, the fourth de Feo brother. Teo shares a lot of the same qualities with Cam, though he's got a few hang ups. Okay, more than a few. But he's met his perfect match in Lacey and finally Teo's story is clicking along.

Teo has been a struggle and after I've written the end on CHAOS, I'll have to go back and rewrite the entire story because writing the last twenty pages has changed it that much.

But I can see the finish line ahead of me. And my fingers are flying that much faster because of it.

Write and rewrite

I'm tinkering with a new story that stalled. I think I finally figured out why the characters are standing somewhere in my head glaring at me and tapping their feet.

The heroine is a jerk.

Funny. I don't usually write jerks. And I think, really, she isn't one. At least not in my head. But on paper, she's coming across as Queen Jerkalina of Jerksonia.

So, it's back to the writing cave. Because these two characters really do love each other. Or they will in a page or two...

The best lesson I've learned since getting published...

I would have to agree with Catherine a lot on this one - surrounding myself with other writers who are putting their butts in their chairs day after day has been an important part of finishing and submitting more manuscripts. The process of writing is solitary, but I have found that more than ever, it is great to have people I can talk to about my work and from whom I can receive encouragement and support.

Personally, I've also learned that I cannot take too much time off between projects. A few days, for me, can easily become a week and then longer since starting a new project can be daunting. Now, not only do I not take more than a weekend, but I am sure to make notes on my next project while finishing my current one. In addition, during the editing process, I try to take a full week off from the current manuscript so that I can edit with relatively fresh eyes. During that week, I start work on my next book so that when one is done, I'm excited about and ready for the next.

And I suppose, finally, I've learned that you can never do too much marketing. Myspace, posting excerpts, getting reviews... anything positive that can create a buzz for your work and your name is good.

On that note... I think it's time for me to get back to finishing the edits of my newest work. I built a whole world for this one, and I am looking forward to sharing it with this world!

Warmly,
Rowan

The Best Lesson I've Learned Since Getting Published...

Persistance pays off ... if you have the guts to stick it out and enough brains to know when to forge ahead. But most importantly, you need talent.

I've been a member of Romance Writers of America for more than ten years. I love the networking opportunities it affords and I love my local chapter. But I believe RWA has done a disservice to a large number of its members. It lets them believe that if they really, really, really wish hard enough, attend enough workshops and want it bad enough, they too will be published.

For more than 70 percent of the members, that's not going to happen. Why? Because there is such a thing as natural ability.

I love to sing. The radio goes on in the car and my mouth never closes. I know every word of MCR's The Black Parade. But I can't carry a tune to save my soul. My kids will be more than happy to tell you how bad I am. Do I think if I sing long enough and loud enough, someday I'll be onstage at Radio City Music Hall? Hell no. I'm not deluded.

I do have a natural ability to write. Some of it comes from being a lifelong reader. Some of it is imagination. More, though, is having some talent. I can craft a story and make you love my hero just as much as I do. I can make my heroine's plight believable even if she has pink wings and can do magic.

It took me six long years to see my first two books published with Avalon. It took another three to get into Ellora's Cave. I'm still working toward a contract with a major NY house. As I just signed with literary agent Elaine English, I'm hoping that dream becomes reality soon.

Many people have more natural talent than I do. I read their books and wait breathlessly for the next. And I work at perfecting my own stories every day. Even if I don't write every day, writing is never far from my mind.

There are those who believe if they wish on a star and learn the secret handshake, they'll see their book on a shelf someday. But without natural ability and persistence, they'll still be dreaming of writing instead of actually being a writer.

It's Been A Good Week

I got my first ever review this week for SEDUCED BY MAGIC.

4 1/2 stars from Romantic Times.

And I quote: "...sparkles with fantasy. Fairies, satyrs, werewolves and deities populate Julian's world, but they're so well crafted that they're completely believable, and smoldering erotic scenes develop the protagonists' relationship...this story is unpredictable and fascinating, setting the stage for what are sure to be highly anticipated sequels."

Can I tell you excited I am? You should be able to see my grin through the screen. Whenever I think about it, I get a happy little smile. Why? It's all about validation.

Writing is a solitary profession for the most part. Sure, after we sell, we have an editor to help us along and sometimes before we sell we have critique partners. But mostly we sit in front of a computer, typing away on a keyboard while the story runs in our head and we hope like hell it comes out right on the screen. When we're finished and we send our baby out into the world, we're justifiably nervous. Okay, terrified, but if we let that consume us we would never write.

And having someone I don't know tell me they enjoyed my story, that makes all of rest of it--the rejections, the frustration, the setbacks and the occasional writer's block--worthwhile.

Because someone else likes my baby. And that's even better than chocolate. Most days.

What I like most about writing is...

Creating all the lives I want to live. If I can't do *everything* I want, I can put those things into my heroines and they can do them for me. My heroines can go to other countries, other worlds and realms, and indulge and enjoy all the variety that I really can't. They can meet (or be) vampires, fairies, or great cooks (nope, I'm not one of those). Dont get me wrong... I adore my husband, our children and my life... but oh, I do love to dream!

Truthfully, there is so much about writing and the writing life I love. I love the flexibility - I can write anywhere at anytime. I love that it is something I never have to retire from. I love the community of writers in my life. And, as I said, I love to live out my dreams. If I can dream it, my characters can live it and by extention so can I and my readers.

Here's to dreaming vividly!!!

What can YOU do in two hours

Three weeks ago my youngest child started half-day preschool. After dropping him off I am home by 11:45 and dont have to leave the house to get him until 1:55. That's two hours and ten minutes. 130 minutes. I havent had time like this to myself on a regular basis since he was born nearly 5 years ago.

For the first two days I did nothing much - errands, grocery shopping. I think I was in shock and didnt know quite what to do with myself. Now I've learned that I can

1. Edit a 14,000 word book.
2. Write a chapter (or so, depending on how the story is going)
3. Outline a character
4. Talk uninterupted on the phone
5. Do three loads of laundry
6. Leisurely eat lunch while reading a book
7. Get research done at the library
8. Get a handle on my filing without someone coming in and stepping on the paper
9. Start a crockpot meal
10. Update my website.

And write a blog post or two :) I am still getting used to this time, but I can tell you... it has been WONDERFUL. I know as the weeks go by I will be able to get more and more accomplished during this time.

In 49 weeks he goes to full day kindergarten, his older brother will be in third grade and I will have 6 1/2 hours a day on my own.

But who's counting.

What can I do now to avoid...

I'm not in the mood.
There's too much laundry/dishes/cleaning to do.
The kids need me.
My husband needs me.
I have to check my email.
There's a great rerun on.
Just one more cup of coffee.
Maybe I'm hungry.

Can you tell? I'm having one of those days when I don't want to deal with what is *really* on my to do list. I want to go back to bed, hide under the covers, and just not deal.

Except... I cant do that. Darn it. And I know when everything is done, I'll feel great. But for now. Maybe I can blog for a while and put things off for a little while longer.

Sigh.

I know.

Get to work.

Ok.

If you insist.

Sure you dont want to stay here and chat with me for a while longer?
No?

Alright, I'm going.

Really.