March 2, 1998

Kensington’s Precious Gem Romance line, a short contemporary (approximately 50,000 words)

Bachelor For Sale, release date September 1998

I’m not really attracted to the concept of a critique group and have never belonged to one. Having been exposed for three years to workshops and presentations twice a month through both the San Diego and Orange County chapters of Romance Writers of America (plus attending national and regional conferences), I have been able to get some feedback in small doses from others. I have also won and utilized a few professional critiques by multi-published romance authors which have been extremely helpful (Kathryn Lynn Davis, Bronwyn Wolfe, and Patricia Wright).

One year’s goal for me was to enter both the Orange County RWA chapter’s prestigious contest, "The Orange Rose" and also the San Diego RWA chapter’s contest, "The Chemistry Quiz." It was good practice in preparing my manuscript presentation, plus it was one of my first opportunities for feedback on my writing. What I discovered, however, was how subjective contests can be – one judge might like my work while another really didn’t like it at all. I did pay attention to comments, though, and looked for consistencies.

"Bachelor For Sale" was the second manuscript I wrote. Currently I have completed one time travel historical romance, have two short contemporaries in the works, and also a New Age young adult book in the works.

I had been seriously writing fiction for three years before my sale. Prior to that, my primary experience was in writing non-fiction instructional pieces.

I would have sought out and joined Romance Writers of America sooner. They are an incredible source of information, support, and ongoing education and camaraderie.

Other writer’s techniques and words of wisdom have carried me along. For example, a San Diego writer, Marilyn Forstot, taught me that "If you don’t submit, you can’t sell." Another San Diego-based multi-published author, Maureen Caudill, was instrumental in teaching me a wonderful technique for writing the synopsis which is a vital part in the proposal needed to sell your novel. Author Debra Dixon’s technique for pitching your story plus her fabulous book, "Goal, Motivation and Conflict," definitely influenced me. And there are many writers books that have served to teach me about the craft of writing. Two of my favorites are: Sol Stein’s "Stein on Writing" and  Ronald B. Tobias’ "20 Master Plots."

I was actually feeling quite discouraged just before I sold "Bachelor For Sale."  I was working on some projects that were NOT romances, primarily to keep myself writing and to take a break from the rejection cycle. I have taken periodic breaks from writing romance and usually try to learn or do something different or creative during that time. I’ve investigated script writing, magazine and newspaper article writing, and children’s writing as diversions during this "down time." Developing diversity is a goal for me and I think it will be critical in allowing me to someday write full time.

Reading will also inspire me – I’ll take a break and skim through some current romances in a line I’m interested in. I also read a lot outside the genre and gravitate toward non-fiction. And I love Anne Lamott’s "Bird By Bird," and Ray Bradbury’s "Zen in the Art of Writing." My writing library is getting huge – I will always buy writing books, because each one has a "gem" to offer.

Perfect your manuscript presentation (neatness and professionalism definitely count). And dress for success when you attend meetings and conferences – you are creating a professional image.

Know that there is no "one way" to write. Be open to different methods and take on the parts that seem to work for you.

Enjoy the success of others and believe that your time will come.

Really study the publishing industry and the genre you are writing.

Try to think of rejection letters from editors or agents as "declines." And remember that personal notes from editors are gold – if they ask you to "send something else," believe it (realize they’re not just being nice, they really mean it!).

Set reasonable, but specific goals. And visualize what you want, creating a picture in your mind of your goal. Do you see yourself accepting a contest award? On the stage holding an award for your novel? Setting up the ultimate computer you were able to purchase with your latest royalty check? If you want writing to be a career, think of it like one. I gave myself five years to invest time and money into writing and I had also committed that if I didn’t sell, I would continue writing as a hobby only.

Most importantly: don’t forget to enjoy the journey.

I am so thrilled to be where I am right now, and I feel very fortunate. One of the nicest aspects of selling my first book has been how happy other people in my life are for me. It is very magical to achieve a dream and I think that’s why others share in my joy.

Within the next year I’d like to finish and sell a couple more short contemporary romances, and also my time travel historical romance. Within the next three years, reduce my day job hours to part-time. Within the next five years I hope to be a presenter at a regional or national writer’s conference and be a Rita winner (the Romance Writer’s of America annual award). A "down the road" goal is to be involved in a film project – either scriptwriting or see one of my books become a movie.

I have these words taped to my computer at home: "Don’t underestimate the power of a dream." And I’m living proof!