Category Archives: Publishing

WHY thank you, Mary Buckham ;-)

CarleneLoveHello fishy friends,

Welcome to today! Let me get straight to business, as a good student of Mary Buckham would do. Last month, my local writing chapter, Romance Writers of America-San Diego, hosted Mary as our guest speaker and her craft and branding workshop was outstanding. I highly recommend you check them out. I’m not one to take pages and pages of notes because I like to listen to all those little one-liners and short stories the speaker usually throws in between the meat of the presentation. Well, I ended up with a couple pages of “Mary-isms”. I loved them! She’s great. My favorite, however, was this:

It’s not about what you do, it’s about why you do what you do. That’s what the readers are connecting with.

She then challenged us to figure out for ourselves why we have to write and proceeded to briefly mention Sherrilyn Kenyon. My heart instantly warmed. Mary asked the room if anyone was familiar with Sherrilyn’s why story. Several hands shot up, mine included. I also got goosebumps. Anyone who knows me understands the deep love I have for SK and I knew exactly what Mary was talking about in that instant. If you’ve read any of SK’s books, but especially if you’ve heard Sherrilyn speak, you know why she writes. She doesn’t have to spell it out. Attend one of her signings, and you will pick up on it. I won’t try to put it into words or speak for my favorite author, but I can tell you Sherrilyn is coming from a place that was once painful and her why, in my mind, is that she wants her readers to know that it will be okay and they are not alone.

Redemption. Family. Forgiveness.

As her devoted reader, I believe that combination is Sherrilyn’s why. 

Sometimes when you are posed a question, does your mind become a blur? Do you become either a completely blank slate or are you inundated with thousands of pieces of what could eventually be a clear answer to the question if you could only sort and connect them? That is often me. But when Mary challenged us to figure out our why that day, as easy as a passing breeze, it came to me. It was that I never want anyone to feel ashamed or alone because of things they’ve done or have had done to them in their life. Too many people, with generous and kind and thoughtful souls, suffer the judgment of others before they are given a chance to show their worth.

Worthy. Second Chance. Unashamed.

That combination is my why. 

What is yours? I’d genuinely love to know.

BIF-CoverA HUGE thank you to Mary Buckham for posing this question to a room of people who most certainly all have a why. And to Dianna Love, co-author of Breaking Into Fiction, which I highly recommend for every writer out there. It’s the craft book I finally understand and I use it with every story I write. And to Sherrilyn Kenyon. For her bravery.

Find more about Mary HERE at her website.

Find more about Dianna Love HERE at her website.

Find more about Sherrilyn HERE at her website.

Find more about me, Carlene, HERE at my website.

Fishy kisses,

Carlene Mermaid

Holly Bodger’s 5 TO 1 Releases Today!

Today is the debut release of a fabulous book—5 TO 1—by Holly Bodger.  I first met Holly when we became Golden Heart® finalists together in 2013. We were both in the YA (Young Adult) category, and all of us YA writers bonded quickly. We had our own little loop called the Savvy Sevens inside of our bigger GH loop—The Lucky 13s.

Many of us in our category exchanged work before we ever met at the national conference, but it was Holly’s critique that either made me want to laugh or cry. She wasn’t harsh as much as honest. But then again, it was in a harshly honest kind of way. She would write comments in the margins like, “Meh” or “Hallmark moment,” and instead of getting upset, I laughed.

In my recent WIP, I mentioned my main character was a senior. Then again. And again. She started pointing it out with sarcasm after a few mentions in the first chapter: “Wait! He’s a senior? I had no idea!” Granted, the sarcastic comments only surfaced after we’d become friends and were used to reading for each other.

I have three CPs. The first pass always goes to Vanessa because she’s sweet and will bolster my ego. The second one goes to Pintip. She tells me all the turning points I’ve missed or that my black moment isn’t black enough. After I fix everything, and I think it’s just about perfect, I send it on to Holly. Then she rips it apart. But by then, I’m ready for it. So, I asked Holly about the people who read her books.  Here’s her response:

Every book is different, but these are generally the people who read my manuscripts before they go to my agent.

1. The Gatekeeper

The Gatekeeper is scary. She has a whip and is not afraid to use it. I always send my books to her first because a) she knows she’s reading my crap and can read despite the complete lack of emotion, and b) she’s not afraid to tell me it’s crap. The Gatekeeper sends me lists of things that I need to fix before anyone else sees the book. Some of these lists are short. Some of them are long. Most of them have words in uppercase such as “WHAT IS SHE FEELING? IS SHE A ROBOT?” Oh, and yes, the Gatekeeper is Kim MacCarron and no, I don’t know (or want to know!) if she wears leather while reading.

2. The group

I have many other readers, some who have been around for a few books and some who are new. Each of these writers has a different perspective which helps me see different things. Some will tear apart the plot, while others will focus on setting or characterization. Some will just say nice things that make me feel better after the Gatekeeper’s exclamation marks. The group includes my wonderful friends Amy, McCall, Jill, Loretta, Monica, Marybeth, and Pintip.

3. The teen

Eventually, the book goes to Kaitlin, daughter of the Gatekeeper, because she can give me a true reader’s perspective. Plus she can tell me when I do stupid things that make my teen characters sound like they should be wearing mom jeans.

4. The expert

For 5 TO 1, I was very lucky to have the always awesome Sonali Dev to help me with cultural details. In addition to the random questions I asked her while editing, I sent her the book when it was completely done so she could see if I’d missed something or got something totally wrong (a couple times, I even ran copyedit Qs by her!) I have used different expert readers with other books in the past (for example, I have contacted doctors, police officers and teachers). These people are invaluable. Without them, I would make stupid mistakes.

5. The Gatekeeper, Part 2

Yeah, she usually reads it again, but she uses less exclamation marks the second time around and sometimes, she puts little smiley faces and hearts in the margin. That’s why she’s a keeper. So if you’re reading this thinking you need the Gatekeeper in your life, HANDS OFF! She’s mine. And don’t think I won’t open a can of whoop-ass if I need to fight for her. I know Kung Fu. Well, sorta. I’ve seen the movie with the panda at least three times…


About 5 TO 1

In the year 2054, after decades of gender selection, Koyanagar–a country severed from India–now has a ratio of five boys for every girl, and women are an incredibly valuable commodity. Tired of wedding their daughters to the highest bidder and determined to finally make marriage fair, the women of Koyanagar have instituted a series of tests so that every boy has the chance to win a wife. But after fighting so hard for freedom against the old ways of gender selection, these women have become just as deluded as their male predecessors.

Sudasa Singh doesn’t want to be a wife and Kiran, a boy competing to be her husband, has other plans as well. Sudasa’s family wants nothing more than for their daughter to do the right thing and pick a husband who will keep her comfortable—and caged. Kiran’s family wants him to escape by failing the tests. As the tests advance, each thwarts the other until they slowly realize that they might want the same thing.

You can visit Holly here or follow her on Twitter. About Holly Bodger

A long-time resident of Ottawa, Canada, Holly has been working in publishing since she graduated with an English degree from the University of Ottawa.

5 TO 1 is Holly’s debut novel. You can visit Holly here or follow her on Twitter

Welcome Home–to Spiridus House

 

 Hello! Loni Lynne here today. I have been working lately, not only on novels but on novel ideas (pardon the pun). I will let my post explain it all but this is something I’ve been working on with all my heart for writers/authors and the great people in the industry that I’ve gotten to know as ‘family’ over the years of writing professionally. I’ve learned so much (and there is so much more to learn) that I wanted to share it and pass along the chance for everyone to share their wisdom, wit and support to each other in this crazy wild ride we share. So I bring to you my article, explaining a bit about me and about Spiridus House:

SHlogo3-mergedandcroppedI have  been writing longer than I can remember, dreaming about the ability to write and someday be published by the big publishing houses. Thirty some odd years later and I’m published but the industry isn’t what it used to be. Six years ago I started writing professionally. Three years ago I was finally offered a contract with an Indie Publisher. An exciting day for me, for sure!

But then came the ‘work’ and I don’t mean writing the next novel. I found out I had to be my own marketer, get my name and my books out there to the readers. I listened to my friends and mentors in my writing groups, read blogs and books on how to market, what you needed to have, etc.  But as things changed, so did my ability to stay up to date, find the links and programs I needed and spend countless hours on the Internet hunting for just the right people and links to get me where I needed to go.

I just don’t have the time. Not if I want to write, too. Which is my main goal.

So after months of having this idea niggling (is that a word…I like it, so it’s MY word) at the back of my brain, I decided to do something about it. I have met so many writers and authors in the same boat as I am, but I’ve also met wonderful people who serve the writing industry.  Why not combine the two into one site in which both people can socialize and network?

Spiridus House is a network based site in which there is no one person. It is a home for each of us, sharing ideas, about our skills and what we have to offer each other.

Spiridus House is looking for you to become a family member if you:

  • are a fiction writer or author (any genre as long as it is fiction or related to fiction writing)
  • design websites and graphics
  • format ebooks and print novels
  • run a book blog
  • plan online parties
  • review books
  • promote
  • design covers for books
  • anything and everything having to do with the world of fiction writing and publishing (focus is on those who self-publish and are Indie Published but all are welcome to share)

 

Spiridus House is looking for all offers and price ranges in the service industry. Pages for links are set up to guide you to someone who can help you and your budget. We are looking for pro-bono workers just starting out, all the way up to professional grade businesses who’ve been in the industry for many years. This way, depending on your budget as a writer/author you connect with someone who can help you and in return, receive your business to grow.

We are also looking for those of you who could share  your experience and information in insightful blog articles and formats. Please see the contact page for further information.

I hope you find this house a friendly, helpful place in a business where working alone is essential, but where feeling alone is never an option. I look forward to growing our house by sharing ideas on how we can make Spiridus House a strong foundation in the ever changing world of writing and publishing.Loni Lynne1

 

Hugs!

Loni Lynne

 

Please check out Spiridus House at http://www.spiridushouse.com

 

Getting My Butt Kicked

Susan-Mermaid-avatar As I’ve always said before, I generally avoid New Year’s resolutions.  This year, for a change, I made several:

–       I will join a critique group

–       I will allow myself to mentor someone, and ask for a mentor

–       I will submit material for publication

At the January meeting of CTRWA, I was right there with the club’s critique group.  We found much to say about each other’s work (both pro and con) and left feeling we’d encouraged each other in the best ways.  Resolution One:  check.

Also in January, responded to the semi-annual offer of matching Yodas and Grasshoppers.  Don’t laugh – our most accomplished writers are called Obi-Wans.  However, with the snag of a badly typed email address, I didn’t make the deadline for getting matched.  The coordinator felt badly for me and offered herself up, saying she didn’t feel she was Yoda status yet, but was willing to try.

Resolution Two: check.  Mentor achieved, and by the skin of my teeth.  But what an experience.  It has already changed my life.

You see, Joy asked an interesting question: what did I want from a Yoda? She had already joined the critique group, so she knew my writing.  (A side-resolution: I would be honest in my answer)

“I want someone to kick my butt.”

She wanted to see the synopsis for the book I was closest to finishing (not the one I was working on).  The next day, I had an email:  “We must meet.  This week.  When are you available?”  We settled on Sunday afternoon.

As luck would have it, I had a car accident on Friday.  Spent Saturday feeling like someone had squeezed all my back and shoulder muscles into one big knot (I’mostly fine now.  Really).  On Sunday, I asked Himself to drive me to the meeting spot in Connecticut, where my mentor was going to kick said butt.

I’d already told him he was NOT to sit with us.  Even though he’s a writer.

Thus, my husband of nearly 34 years found a table nearby, placed his lunch order and opened his Kindle.

Ninety minutes later, Joy said something I don’t remember ever hearing:  “I don’t need to see your chapters.  I already know from what I read in critique group, and from your synopsis, that you can write.”  And she asked a question I’d never had to answer before:  “Why are you writing?”

Oh dear.  A question I didn’t know how to answer.  Did I want to be published again?  Sure.  Was I willing to do what it takes to make that happen?

You’re writing, she told me, because you want to see your book published.  You want to know people can read your book.  You want them to see it and know how amazing this story is.  And the way to do that is to submit.  And the way to submit is to

Finish

The

Book

writing space susan 2010

Amazing, how this women – in less than two hours – cuts though the all the crud of my denial and strips away my excuses.  Since our meeting on Sunday, I’ve read through the first ten chapters of THE LAKE EFFECT.  I see lots decent writing, and some of it is terrific.  I also see disjointed scenes, clumsy scenes, awkward phrases, bad word choices and incomplete sentences.  This, I realize, will be my first second draft.  What an idea!  It’s almost something to look forward to – like a strange and unexpected adventure.

Which brings me to the question:  what scares you most about writing?  What would you discover if you dared?

SusanMermaid

Contemporary Romance Author Sugar Jamison Swims with the Mermaids

Denny's MermaidsI met Sugar this past summer at RWA Nationals in Atlanta. I don’t remember what we started chatting about, I just recall that I laughed and laughed and laughed some more. It was a very good first meeting. After that, I kept running into her (I swear I wasn’t stalking), and then I complimented her on the cover of her then new release and fabulous title: Dangerous Curves Ahead. By the end of RWA Nationals, I’d found a new bud and a new author I truly enjoyed. Today, she’s taking a few minutes to join us here at the pond. She also has a giveaway (all you need to do is comment to be eligible for a chance to win)! So let’s get started with an introduction and then we can dive into the questions, and Sugar’s fabulous responses. Enjoy!

photo 1

From her official bio: Sugar Jamison is a southern belle trapped in a New Yorker’s body. With a love of big hair and high-heeled shoes, she spends her day at her very normal day job and night dreaming up sweet but sassy romances.

Denny: How long have you been writing and what was your inspiration for the Perfect Fit Novels?

Sugar: I started writing my senior year of college after reading Jennifer Crusie’s BET ME for the second time. I figured it wouldn’t be so hard to write a romance novel. I was wrong. Writing romance is much harder than I thought it would be, but it’s also so rewarding.

Denny: What has been the biggest surprise about the reaction/response to your Perfect Fit series?

Sugar: I don’t know if anything surprised me about the reactions to the Perfect Fit series. Except maybe how many people took exception to my heroine referring to herself as “FAT”. The book is about a plus sized woman. Real women call themselves fat. ALL THE TIME. It’s not a bad word. I’m not degrading myself when I use the word and neither was she. Overweight, plus sized, big. It all means the same thing.

Denny: How much do you love marketing and social media? What have you found works best in promoting your books?

Sugar: I don’t love marketing, but the team at Saint Martin’s Press does a good job spreading the word about my books. I really like Facebook. I update my fan page daily. I feel like most of my readers hang out and connect with me there. I don’t really like Twitter that much, but other people love it. As far as promotion goes, I’m not sure what really has worked in terms of sales. I took out ads in a few places, but honestly I don’t think I got a return on my investment. Goodreads giveaways and the Free Book Friday I found gave me more exposure to readers than anything else. I’m sure there are other things I could be doing but usually I find that word of mouth has worked the best. I get emails from readers who’ve told me that their friends recommended that they read my books. That is the best feeling, much better than getting reviewed by a big magazine.

Denny: Did you have a pre-launch strategy for finding readers? If so, what was it:)? (yes, inquiring minds – noisy ones like me, what to know!)

Sugar: Nope. Sometimes I think I suck at this whole author thing. My publisher sent out review copies all over the place. I think that really made the difference. But I teased it on Facebook and Twitter. I had really great friends who spread the word for me. I’m very grateful for them.

Denny: What did you think I’d ask that you were hoping to answer?

Sugar: I get asked what advice I would give writers. And it would be… besides writing a great book is to build your backlist. Write as much as you can and put out as much as you can, in whatever format you choose to publish in. But make sure that whatever you publish is polished and professional looking.

Denny: What’s the Next Big Thing for Sugar Jamison?

Sugar: My next Perfect Fit book is out February 25th. Thrown For a Curve. I LOVE my hero in this book. I fall in love with each of my heroes, but I really LOVE LOVE LURVE Colin who is my sexy Irish bad boy. My other big thing is that I have another series of books coming out for Harlequin’s Kimani linphoto 2e. The first book is LIBERTY (Ginger Jamison) is also due out February 25th. Here’s a description. When Ryan Beecher returns home after a long deployment overseas, Lexy barely recognizes her husband. The man who left Texas for Afghanistan was cruel and abusive. The man who comes back to her is a badly injured stranger with amnesia—and no memory of their life together.

photo 3Lexy can’t believe how much Ryan has changed. The wounded marine is now gentle, caring and tender. And his touch awakens yearnings she’s never felt before. As he takes them both to the point of no return, can Lexy trust this lover who seems to live only for her pleasure…as he seeks his salvation in her healing embrace?

A poignant and erotic story of longing, secrets and second chances, Liberty explores the limits of desire and the boundaries of love.

Thank you Sugar!

It was great having you in the pond. And readers – COMMENT BELOW to be eligible to receive a copy of “Have Yourself a Curvy Little Christmas” by Sugar Jamison (and if you’re nice – and only a tad naughty – we may be able to give away an e-copy of Dangerous Curves Ahead, too!)

 

Money Matters: Experience, Digital First and Indie Writers

Coin Dropping Into Piggy BankA few weeks ago, the Waterworld Mermaids ran a poll asking authors how much money they made from writing romance novels. What we found is that 42 percent of the respondents had made $1,000 or less in the past 12 months.

However, the response in our comments section was so great that we wanted to ask a few follow up questions suggested by the Waterworld Mermaids’ amazing readers. Here they are.

If the polls – or vote buttons – don’t show up for you on this page (some internet browsers don’t like mermaid polls), click on the link under the poll to take it. Please only take the polls that apply to your romance writing income bracket.

And don’t forget to share these polls with your romance writing friends and tell us your thoughts about the results in the comments below.

http://poll.fm/48b4a

http://poll.fm/48b4h

http://poll.fm/48b4o

http://poll.fm/48b4y

http://poll.fm/48b51

http://poll.fm/48b54

http://poll.fm/48b5a

http://poll.fm/48b5f

http://poll.fm/48b5j

http://poll.fm/48b5p

http://poll.fm/48b5s

http://poll.fm/48b5x

 

How Much Do You Earn From Writing?

Avery-mermaidI remember when I signed my first book contract and a friend’s husband wanted to know when I was going to buy a second house. I still want to know the answer to that. I think I could swing Barbie’s Dream House (finally!), but I won’t be basking under a thatched roof on my own private island any time soon.

Maybe I should start a Kickstarter campaign for the Avery Flynn island dream home, I hear that works (Yay, Veronica Mars movie!).

Joking aside, we all want to know when we’ll earn enough from writing to give the evil day job the old heave ho. I’ve seen some averages for advances and earn outs. Check out this great post from Brenda Hiatt for breakdowns by publisher. I’ve talked to friends and eavesdropped on others. Yes, I’m that girl. Come on you cannot be shocked by that. And I’ve researched using my Google Fu skills. But everything I found looks mainly at returns on one book (hello, backlists matter) and give self-published authors the short shrift.

MP900404926

Well most of the mermaids in this Waterworld Mermaid lagoon are too polite to ask, but you’re stuck with me today so I’m going to go for it. I want to know how much money you made from writing romantic fiction in the past year. Answer the anonymous poll below and you’ll get to see the results right after you vote.

 

*Note, only include income that went into your bank account (no counting agents’ cuts) from advances and all romance books sold, including from your backlist.

Not seeing the vote buttons? Click here to vote.

Tawny Weber (aka Hot Sassy Romance Author) dips a toe in the water!

From Mermaid Susan:  The Mermaids are delighted to welcome author Tawny Weber to talk about her titles A SEAL’s Seduction, and its equally hot companion, A SEAL’s Surrender, both from Harlequin  Blaze.

  • Welcome to the lagoon, Tawny!  Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to embrace the writing life.

Thank you for the lovely welcome! And what a nice lagoon you have here!  Can I get a frothy drink in a coconut shell?  I’m a fan of froth.  🙂

Here ya go!

I love the writing life. But I wasn’t one of those gifted writers born to it, or even one who discovered it in their early years.  Growing up, though, while so many friends worshipped actors or rock stars, my pedestals were all saved for authors.  I love books.  But it wasn’t until my husband asked me what I’d do if I could have any dream career that I even considered writing.  Once he’d prodded me in the right direction, I embraced the idea.  It took me 4 years and 6 books to get a strong enough handle on the craft, my style and find the right story to sell.

  • A SEAL’s Seduction is part of a series.  What is already out and WHAT COMES NEXT?

 A SEAL’s Seduction and A SEAL’s Surrender are a very sexy pair of Uniformly Hot Blaze novels.  A SEAL’s Seduction is Blake’s story – a good boy with a penchant for following the rules.  Until he meets a woman who makes them all worth tossing away.  He’s debuting on bookshelves this month (2/13). His best friend and fellow SEAL, Cade, will be on the shelves next month (3/13).  Unlike Blake, Cade is a lady’s man.  He’s got that slick, sleek appeal that makes women swoon.  Which becomes a problem when one of the swooning women turns out to be his favorite girl next door.

  • One of your recent blog posts discussed the use of theme in your story, and how you consciously used it in planning A SEAL’s Seduction.  Can you explain some of that thought process to our readers?

This was actually a different process for me, as I’m not an analytical reader or writer by nature.  I’m never strategic and don’t tend to see that big picture that theme usually embodies.  But A SEAL’s Seduction was one of those blessing stories.  The kind that just arrive in your head, fully formed with the scenes all crystal clear and the characters alive and dancing.  Because I could see the story so clearly, the contrasts were just as clear to me.  Hot and cold.  By simply keeping that contrast in my mind while I wrote, I was able to mirror a lot of the story elements between the first and second halves of the book.  In the first, she eats chocolate ice cream, in the second, it’s hot chocolate, for instance.  In the opening, Alexia welcome the concept of a hot, exciting relationship. She’s warm and caring, while Blake is hurt and closed off.  That switches in the second half of the story, while the setting changes from sunny San Diego to frozen Alaska.

The theme and contrasts aren’t overt or major forces in the story, but they were fascinating to weave into the elements as a supporting thread.

  • Most of us know nearly nothing about the world of Navy SEALs.  How did you do your research?

My husband is ex-military, so I relied on his expertise and research capabilities a lot.  And I spent a lot of time online staring at hunky pictures of military heroes *g*.  Yes, that is research!!

  • Plotter or pantser?

Plotter!  I need a solid direction when I write.  A map, if you will.  I never know exactly what the scenery or sights will be on the trip, but I have to know the destination, who’s driving the car and where the major stops will be.

And I love plotting boards.  The colored sticky notes appeals to my office-supply addiction *g *

  • Hot writing.  WOW.  Do you have a secret weapon for getting women to fan themselves?  Discuss.

We like looking at hot guys, too!

LOL –well thank you!  I’m glad you found it WOW-worthy.  I wish I did have a secret weapon!  And if I did, I wish I’d always remember to keep it in the same place so I could find it again next time.

But, sadly, no.  I write the love scenes the same as I write the humor and the suspense elements of my stories.  By focusing on the main characters and trying to stay true to their personalities, their issues and their fantasies.  Hopefully, that translates into characters that readers can connect with, ones they empathize with.  If a reader can see and feel the story through the characters’ eyes, then they will see and feel the same things that character is going through.  Which means if the love scene is hot enough to get the character all worked up, then the reader is on board, too.  🙂

At least, that’s the hope.

  • A little about your writing day?  What’s the weirdest thing in your writing space?  The most important to your writing karma?  (thanks to CTRWA’s February newsletter for this idea)

Oh wow, cool question.  I love the idea of writing karma.

So, lets, see. My writing day is really the middle of the night.  I started writing when my youngest was only 2, which meant my days were very busy and night was the only time I had to focus.  Most nights, I start writing around 10pm, after everyone has gone to bed.  I keep going until about 3am, unless I’m against the deadline wall or the story is flowing like crazy.  Those days are usually the ones that my husband finds me at my desk when he leaves for work in the morning *g

The weirdest thing about my writing space.  I’m looking around, but it all looks normal to me LOL.  I guess the weirdest would be that my office opens up from two doors – one has a view of the long hallway and loft area above the living room.  The other is to my bedroom.  And I never shut doors, so there is no such thing as privacy in my writing space.

Like these? Yum.

And oh wow –Writing Karma.  I think the most important thing for me, personally, is to remember that beyond any writing or career goals, it’s all about writing the story for the readers.  To bring them joy, satisfaction, happiness or just a good time for a few hours.  If that intention is in place with every story, then I believe that karma will find a way to return the same joy, satisfaction and happiness in return.

  • What is the best writing advice you ever received?  The worst?

The best writing advice I ever heard was to write what you love to read.  We spend an awful lot of time with a story, we should try to find a way to enjoy every second of it.    The worst, I think, was to accept realistic limits.  While I’m all for keeping it real, I’m not a fan of limits.

  •  Are there any teachers, books or courses that helped you refine your craft?

I love Romance Writers of America.  I’ve taken so many workshops and classes and met so many amazing writers through that organization.   In the beginning of my writing adventures, RWA provided the most instruction opportunities.

  • Do you or did you have a life beyond writing?  Crafts or hobbies?  Do they distract you now or offer a chance to unwind?

What’s this thing of which you speak?  Life?  Beyond writing?  LOL.  Actually, I try to keep life pretty balanced.  I don’t actually do it well, but I try.  My favorite hobby and other life-obsession is scrapbooking.  I do card making, too, but the scrapbooking of memories is my favorite thing.  I like to have a project going while I write, so when I get stuck on a page or scene, I can leave my desk and go play with paper and embellishments.  The act of creating in a different medium, especially such a visual one, always seems to shake loose whatever is stuck.  So after a ten, twenty minutes I’m able to go right back to writing with the scene unstuck and my scrapbook project closer to finished.

  • Last, but not least, please tell us about your path to publication.   Especially for our unpublished readers, how long had you been writing  before The Call, and did you ever wonder how it would take for the editors to wake up and see your brilliant talent? (heh heh heh)
I was always focused on writing for Harlequin, first for Temptation, and then when the line closed shifting my attention to Blaze.  It took me 4 years, 5 manuscripts and 3 Golden Heart finals from starting to write to my first sale.
                                                   
This entry isn’t complete without a sincere note of gratitude to
the Navy SEALs
and all the men and women serving in the Armed Forces of the United States.
Your work keeps us free.  Thank you.
                                                                                                       
         Just one more!  (So much fun!  Thank you Tawny, for stopping by!)
  

Tawny Weber has been writing sassy, sexy romances since her first Harlequin Blaze hit the shelves in 2007.  A fan of Johnny Depp, cupcakes and color coordination, she spends a lot of her time shopping for cute shoes, scrapbooking and hanging out on Facebook.

Tawny Weber & dogs 2012

Readers can check out Tawny’s books at her website or join her Red Hot Readers Club for goodies like free reads, complete first chapter excerpts, recipes, insider story info and much more.  And for a limited time, she has a few open spots on her Street Team!

A SEAL's Seduction cover