• Write and write often — no matter what anybody says

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    Met with my monthly critique group last night. And was saddened to know that one member wouldn’t be joining us. She recently received a critique/rejection from an agent, and she was pretty much crushed by it. She said she doesn’t feel that she can critique other people’s work when her own wasn’t up to this agent’s standards.

    I tried to change her mind, of course. To tell her that everyone’s opinion matters and that she does us all a great service with her critiquing.

    But she didn’t change her mind and come.

    And I started to wonder — why do we let agents and editors determine so much of our self-worth as writers? Sure, I know everybody wants to sell and see their pride and joy in a bookstore. I’m no different. I’m practically counting down the days until Karma Girl is out (it’s something like 230, not that I’m obsessing or anything). Everybody wants to be the next Nora Roberts. Everybody wants to hit the bigtime.

    But I got over 200 hundred rejections for three different books before I got my fabulous agent (Hi, Kelly!) and my terrific editor (Hi, Cindy!). Some of those rejections were nice. Some were impersonal. And some were just mean.

    I think the worst one I got said something like this: I love your voice and premise. But as I’m sure you’ve already placed this, I’m going to have to pass.

    Um, no, I hadn’t placed it. That’s why I wasted my 39 cents, paper, ink, envelope, etc. and mailed it to you. Geez.

    I tried to tell my critique buddy some of my horror stories and to encourage her to submit to other people. That one person’s opinion isn’t going to make (or in this case) break her. But I haven’t changed her mind. Yet.

    So, I think we should all remember this — writing a book, no matter how good or bad it is, is an amazing accomplishment. It’s something that everybody says they’re going to do, but only like 1 percent of the population ever does. So, be proud of yourself, even if all your book ever does is collect dust bunnies under your bed. I’ve got a few manuscripts down there with you, too. 🙂

    What about you? Do you live and die by what agents and editors say? Or do you feel a sense of accomplishment no matter what? Inquiring minds want to know …

  • To be read … or not

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    If you’re a romance writer, chances are you know what the initials TBR mean — to be read.

    It’s usually used in reference to a pile of books that are leaning haphazardly on someone’s already overflowing bookcase. In other words, it’s books you buy because they sound interesting and you want to read them. But life has a funny way of happening, and those TBR piles have a funny way of growing … and growing … and growing … 

    I have a confession to make. I don’t have a TBR pile. The only books in my cases are treasured gems that I’ve already read — and splurged for in hardcover. There’s not a single book I have that I haven’t read at least twice.

    Weird, I know. But the thing is, I absolutely HATE to see unread books sitting on my shelves. Hate it, hate it, hate it with the burning passion of a thousand suns.

    What about you? How big is your TBR pile? Inquiring minds want to know …

  • Breaking out is hard to do …

    Watched Prison Break last night. I loved this show last year, but so far, this year’s not gotten off to the best start. Or maybe I’m just not in the mood to watch fall TV just yet.

    The first three episodes have been a little over the top. T-Bag being able to move his reattached hand right after surgery. The FBI agent immediately picking up on Michael’s encoded tattoo. And last night, Linc being shot and screaming in agony for the first five minutes of the show … and then being able to climb a small mountain at the end. 

    The A-Team is one of my favorite shows ever, so I’m willing to suspend my disbelief for a good bit. To the breaking point really. But the Linc thing bothered me last night. 

    Still, I’m addicted to the show, and I’ll keep watching until the bitter end. And there’s a lot it’s gotten right this year. The desperation of the convicts, the chase scenes, how hard it is to disappear in America, Sara’s conflict, Dominic Purcell and that unbuttoned shirt …

    What about you? Are you a Prison Break fan? Who’s your favorite convict? What do you want to happen next? Inquiring minds want to know …

  • Romantic archetypes … at the U.S. Open

    I spent most of yesterday watching the U.S. Open tennis tournament. Between naps, of course. And I realized something.

    A lot of hot guys play tennis.

    And they can provide a world of inspiration to romance-writer types like me. All your classic male archetypes are on display on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows.

    Take for instance Rafael Nadal — he’s your dark, sultry Latin type. Then, there’s Roger Federer — the coolest guy around no matter how intense the pressure is. If you’re more into the all-American boy-next-door, look no further than Andy Roddick. There’s scrappy Lleyton Hewitt and classy Andre Agassi and a dozen others.

    What about you? Where do you find inspiration for your male heroes? Inquiring minds want to know …

  • Cheering for the underdog

    So, it’s about 11 a.m. Sunday. I’m getting ready to watch the U.S. Open, where Andre Agassi is scheduled to play. Agassi has decided to retire after this tournament, so this is his professional swan song. Agassi is old and creaky (in tennis/pro sports terms). He’s not favored to make it to the final.

    But gosh darn it if I don’t want him to.

    What is it about the underdog that fascinates us? Why do we feel compelled to cheer for the little guys, even though we know we’re probably going to be disappointed?

    I think it’s because we’ve all been the underdog at some point. We’re the ones who weren’t supposed to get the promotion, or weren’t supposed to win that award, or weren’t supposed to overcome those pesky obstacles.

    Publishing is one of the toughest businesses to be in. The chances of someone writing a novel and getting it published are very, very, very small. But people write every day. They submit their work to agents and editors every day. They get rejected and disappointed and hurt every day.

    But sometimes, they succeed.

    It took me eight years of being an underdog, but I beat the odds. All those years of sitting in front of my computer and listening to the voices in my head finally paid off. I got a wonderful agent. I got “the call.” I have a book coming out. In short, I won. I triumphed.

    It’s a glorious feeling.

    I did it, and so can you. No matter what it is, whether you dream of publishing a book or playing pro sports. You can do it.

    And so could Andre Agassi. It’s not probable, it’s not likely, but he could do it. He could pull it off. He could win the U.S. Open and end his career on a high note. I know I’ll be cheering him on the whole time.

    Do you consider yourself an underdog? What areas of your life would you like to triumph in? What would your perfect moment be? Inquiring minds want to know …