by Heather Rosman

Allowing myself to entertain the fantasy of becoming a published author was a huge decision for me. I’d been in denial for years, working in academe, secretly reading mass market fiction behind closed doors. At the time I was in graduate school, working toward my PhD in Psychology. I thought the course of my life was determined. I’d do research and teach; a respectable career. It took my father becoming deathly ill for me to realize life was too short to give up on my dreams. In the middle of my misery I turned to my first passion for comfort and rediscovered myself.

So I was going to do it. I was going to tell the stories that had been boiling deep inside my creative gut. The excitement was there. The drive was there. I sat down in front of my computer to a blank page and thought, ‘now what?’ I knew then I needed to know how others had done this so successfully. I knew I couldn’t do it alone. Oh, I could probably do something alone—it just wouldn’t be any shade of good.

I’d known Romance Writers of America existed since the age of 13 when my passion for reading romance was born with Julie Garwood’s The Prize. Finding me sprawled indelicately on the couch for six hours at a time, devouring a paperback, my parents would just roll their eyes. In the end I think they were just happy I was reading something. Of course, they didn’t realize I was staying up all night, skipping school to stay home and read. Shh…don’t tell!

Finding out about CRRWA wasn’t hard, showing up for a meeting was. I thought it would be like an AA meeting, everyone standing up, ‘my name is Heather and I’m hopelessly addicted to romance novels.’ If my LGBT friends will forgive me, it felt like I was coming out of the closet. As if I were exposing my deepest darkest secret to the world. I expected fingers pointed at me and snide remarks, ‘you want to be a what?’

These fears were based on two incorrect cognitions. One, I wasn’t going to be good enough. All romance writers have this feeling. In fact, it’s almost a prerequisite to actually becoming an author. Two, I still held the belief that the romance genre wasn’t one that held respect in the literary world and because this was the genre I wanted to write, I would never be respected. Which I know now is complete bull-honkey. Did you know that 30% of all books sold are romance novels? That 25% of all romance readers are men? That the majority of romance readers are married and hold college degrees? Romance fans aren’t sex-starved spinsters and romance writers are hardly oversexed divas i.e. Meryl Streep in Shedevil. The romance genre has a lot to be proud of—we are the biggest foothold in the market!

So I finally got myself to a meeting, excited and nervous about who I was going to meet. I think I had a secret fantasy that Julie Garwood was a member of my local RWA. Never mind she lives in Kansas—it could happen, right? I arrived at the East Greenbush Public Library, stood in a corner, and hoped I’d be able to sneak quietly into the meeting. But Thomasine, the group’s librarian, walked up to me very friendly and asked ‘you’re here for the romance writers’ group?’ I just swallowed hard and nodded. Mind you, Thomasine is very tall and beautiful. Oh boy, I thought, all romance writers were gorgeous. I should run away now and not embarrass myself.  Frumpy old Heather would never look like a romance writer *gasp*. My mind shot back to memories of Meryl Streep, wrapped in gossamer gowns with her mansion by the sea.

But oddly, Thomasine treated me like I belonged there. Like of course, I’m a writer. I sat down and the next I knew Roberta DeCaprio pulled herself right next to me, talked to me and got to know me. She took the time to welcome me, answer my questions—and boy, did I have a ton of them.

Within the first twenty minutes of the meeting, I realized writing romance wasn’t about looks or lifestyle or even gender. It was about love of the genre, the battle between good and evil and the happily ever after (HEA) ending. The need to drag our characters through all sorts of muck, knowing they’ll come out with a smile on their face. That is what unites all romance readers and writers. That is what brings us to the East Greenbush Library once a month.

It’s a scary proposition, changing one’s life. Romance has a way of doing that for us. Though they won’t write your book for you, the CRRWA has been my foothold on the business. I’ve finally found a home where I could be the person I’ve always been, the writer who hid inside the shell of another personality. You do know that all writers have a little crazy, right?

As of now, I’ve left graduate school to fulfill my dreams. I have no regrets. I’m not free of the manacles of life, mind you. Like most others of the group, I have a day job which allows me to write when I can. Very few writers are able to leave their jobs to write full time—we wish! Quitting the day job to write full time is a dream many of us have, but not many can fulfill. Don’t let that stop you from living your dreams in the stolen moments between family, jobs and other responsibilities. When I come home at night I’m no longer up to my ears in dreaded academe, I’m reading romance novels as ‘research’ or writing blogs for my good friends at CRRWA. That is my dream. I’m living it and loving it! 

K.A. Mitchell

I was in the middle of working on Collision Course, excited about this amazing gift from the muse, when my spouse Steve came into the room. In my desire to share this wonderful experience, I asked, “Did I tell you what Joey said?” referring to one of my much-beloved characters.

With a resigned but frustrated sigh, Steve said, “Honey, Joey isn’t someone locked up in the basement. He’s not real. He’s just a character in your head. You said it.”

Blasphemy! Joey is totally real. I saw his car on I-90 yesterday, and I absolutely would  never have said what Joey just said.

Do you know who understands that? Other writers. Other writers know that you can’t just make a character do something. Other writers know that the characters “in your head” are real people with real (and sometimes really loud) voices. Other writers know that you don’t
really need medication because of those voices in your head.

If I didn’t talk to other writers, I might need that medication. So where I find these people? The ones who know that even when I’m staring out the window or playing with my Sims, I’m really working out a plot issue and no, now is not a good time to bother me. People who know that just getting that one scene, one paragraph, or one line exactly the most perfect and precise way it was destined to be is cause for a celebratory, “Let’s go out to dinner.” That getting to the end of your first or your fifth or your fiftieth manuscript is cause for champagne, flowers, and possibly jewelry?

I find them once a month at the East Greenbush Library.  If it weren’t for the support of my local chapter I’d have long since decided that there are other easier and more lucrative ways of being publicly insane. And that would be a shame. Because then I never would have met Joey or Aaron or Sean or Kyle or Cam or Noah or….

by Karen Rappleyea, CR-RWA Treasurer

The week before Christmas, my very conservative, no-nonsense attorney  brother-in-law forwarded a “viral marketing” link to my husband.

Knowing that my husband had lost his touch in the gift-giving department, he was frightened what might become of the man who gave me a gift certificate for shoes for my 40th birthday.

This e-commercial from JC Penney was hilarious and properly titled “The DogHouse”.

http://bewareofthedoghouse.com/VideoPage.aspx

Needless to say, my husband more than made up for it this past holiday.

But tell me, what is the most UN-romantic gift you ever got from your significant other?

By Elizabeth Lyon, available from Penguin books.
ISBN 978–0–399–53395–2 $14.95

Reviewed by Nanci Race, Pro Liaison

Manuscript Makeover is a comprehensive book that offers revision techniques for writers whether beginning or multi-published. According to Lyon, revising fiction involves skills apart from writing. By learning and applying the techniques found in Manuscript Makeover, novels will be greatly improved. The revisions skills can be used on future stories to break into fiction or increase sales. Lyon says the book is designed to help the writer develop a system for finding and correcting errors.

Lyon has created a significant resource for fiction writers. She begins with the basics of preparing to revise, sentence structure and types of sentences and moves forward in the revision process until the last chapter, which deals with copyediting, synopsis preparation, query letters, and polishing one’s work for marketing.

The format is easy to follow and one need not read the book from cover to cover to take advantage of the tips and techniques. Manuscript Makeover is broken down into Four parts; Style Speaks, Craft Works, Characterization Endures, and Marketing Pays. Each of those sections has separate chapters pertaining to that particular topic. It’s easy to pick a section and its subsequent chapters and target specific aspects of a manuscript whether it’s completed or a work in progress.

I applied many of Lyon’s techniques to my own work in progress. I found the manuscript revision checklists at the end of each chapter to be particularly helpful. Using them helped me pinpoint weaknesses in my book and fix them. Lyon uses examples of published works for emphasis of her techniques. This helped to see how well known authors used power words for greater impact and imagery to evoke emotion, setting or deepen the meaning of their work. There are many practical suggestions, which are useful in guiding writers to writing a stronger more marketable book. I highly recommend this book for established as well as beginning writers. For beginners it offers a no-nonsense approach to a polished piece of work. For published authors Manuscript Makeover is a handy refresher to make their work even better. Manuscript Makeover contains revision techniques no writer can afford to ignore.

Kudos to Glen Ebisch on his reviews for Grace Justice:

Grave Justice by Glen Ebisch “Ebisch is fun to read.readers will look forward to the next mysterious tale from New England.” — Nina C. Davis, Booklist, April 1, 2008   Read the review “…this fine mystery…will capture most readers’ imaginations.” — Library Journal, April 1, 2008   Read the review

by Thomasine Rappold

This month marks my 10-year membership in RWA.  While I’d prefer to be acknowledging this milestone as a published author, unless I get “the call” in the next few weeks, celebrating a first sale before my ten-year mark is highly unlikely.  

Although I didn’t start writing seriously (with any real discipline) until my youngest headed off to college in 2005, when I’d realized ten years had passed since I’d joined RWA and decided to try my hand at writing romance, I couldn’t believe it.   I didn’t want to believe it.  How could I be working so hard for so long and still be unpublished?  The answer is simple.  Getting published is difficult.  More difficult than I had imagined years ago when I completed my first manuscript and received my first rejection letter. 

Understanding and accepting that the romance market is tight and fiercely competitive doesn’t make me feel better.  However, after looking back to those early days in which I knew nothing about writing and publishing, I’ve managed to find consolation in all that I’ve learned and accomplished during the ten-years-and-counting pursuit of my dream. 

The road to publication is littered with obstacles.  Look past them and you’ll see that this same road is also lined with crumbs of encouragement—little bits of validation that whet your appetite to succeed and keep you moving forward.  With each step of this journey, I’ve snatched up and stashed in my pockets all I could along the way.  Although these rewards don’t come in the form of advances and royalties, I’ve earned and value them just the same.  

• Charter membership with CRRWA
• PRO Membership with RWA
• Completed three full-length manuscripts
• Finaled twice in the Golden Heart
• Won and finaled in several other RWA contests
• Attended 15 Writing Conferences and 5 Writing Retreats
• Joined a wonderful Critique Group
• Met dozens of talented writers and many of my idols, including Eloisa James who judged my work in a contest, chose it as the winner, and was sweet enough to tell me that my writing reminded her of LaVyrle Spencer’s.  (One of my all-time favorite crumbs)
• Met several editors and agents and survived pitching my work to them at conferences
• Learned a lot about the craft of writing
• Learned almost as much about the business of writing
• Receiving “good” rejections—but that’s a subject for another blog

But most importantly, to me, anyway, I’ve learned that I love it.  All of it.  (Okay, except for the dreaded and hugely disappointing “Dear Author” rejections, but as I mentioned above, the topic of rejections is a blog for later.)  Writing is the most challenging work I’ve ever done.  I can’t quit.  My drive and my stubbornness won’t let me.  My family gave me a plaque that reads, “The world is waiting to hear your story.”  Until then, I’ll keep trudging along, collecting crumbs as I go.  And if it happens to take another ten years to get published…My pockets runneth over.

by Roberta C.M. DeCaprio

In my travels, I’ve accumulated lots of web sites for writers. Since I believe passing on helpful tips and supporting other writer’s in their craft is good karma, I’d like to share a few I found in the June issue of Writer’s Digest magazine that writer Brian A. Kelms was so nice to include in an article.

Happy Surfing:

www.brainyquote.com – Is a list of famous quotes and words of wisdom.

www.dictionary.reference.com/translate – Will help you change an English phrase into Spanish.

www.thestorystarter.com – Will give you random sentences from 340 million choices to help you start your story.

www.agentquery.com – Is a free agent database to help you find the agent that fits your genre.

www.duotrope.com – Is a list of 200 markets for short fiction, poetry, novels and collections.

www.firstwriter.com – Is a list of 750 literary agents and 900 book publishers.

www.forwriter.com – Is an online source for market, event listings and writer organization groups that span the world.

www.publicityhound.com – Consultant Joan Stewart shares tips on self-promotion and free publicity.

www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com – Carolyn Howard-Johnson shares cheap ways to promote your book.

www.writing.showguides.com – Is a database of writing conferences near you.

www.editorandpublisherjobs.com – Classifieds of writing-related jobs.

www.freelancewritinggigs.com – Is a list of available freelance writing and blogging jobs.

www.mediabistro.com – Publishing news and networking opportunities with other writers around the globe.

www.publishersmarketplace.com – Job board filled with writing positions.

www.groups.msn.com/RomanceWritingTips - This site showcases tips for romance writers and other related links.

www.mywritingcircle.com – Job board, resource center, writing games and an active critique section are on this site.

www.oncewritten.com – Book reviews, contests and other features for newly published and aspiring authors.

www.wordtrip.com – Is a writer’s forum.

www.writing.com – Welcomes writers of all levels to network with other writers.

www.erotica-readers.com – Tips, stories and other randy stuff for erotic readers and writers.

www.fictionfactor.com – Tips on improving your writing, getting published and promotion.

www.jakonrath.blogspot.com – This site provides publishing information, links and writing-related resources.

www.fundsforwriters.com – Jobs, contests, fellowships, grants and markets that pay are on this site.

“Empowering Charaters’ Emotions by Margie Lawson, Central New York Romance Writers, March 28 and 29.

Patty Otto, Heather Rosman, and Jo Piraneo.

Chris D’Allaird, President, Linda Bleser, in back between Patty and Jo, Bonnie Hazard, Past President, and Colleen Reilly, Secretary.

Time to spring back into writing.

by Roberta C.M. DeCaprio

I am a reader . . . always was and always will be. As a child, what I read within the pages of a book, took me on adventures my physical ability denied me. Getting lost in a book on a summer’s day took the sting out of the fact I couldn’t ride a bike or roller skate as the other neighborhood children were able to do. It passed the time, appeased an active imagination and later on in years fueled a writing career.

Now, as a writer I read books differently. Grant you, getting caught up in the plot is still first and foremost, but I like examining sentence structure, how the writer moves the characters within the scene, and especially how the character’s point of view is expressed in dialogue, thought and action. Studying the facets that make a good novel has helped me to polish and fine tune my own writing….but so does watching television.

Watching the boob tube as of late is not as lame as one might think. I don’t sit and watch television all day (if I did I’d never get any writing done), but I do tune in to a few shows each evening that have stimulated my imagination and given me many ideas.

Television shows throughout the decades seem to go in themes.

During the late 50’s and early 60’s the westerns ruled. I remember watching such shows as Gunsmoke, Maverick, Cheyenne, Rifleman, Wagon Train and Bonanza with my father on the weeknights. On Saturday mornings the children’s old west line up were such shows as Roy Rogers and Dale Evens, The Lone Ranger, Wild Bill Hickcock, Hop-a-long Cassidy and Annie Oakley. I was in love with Fess Parker’s portrayal of Davy Crockett and had a Davy Crockett coon-skin hat, leather jacket with fringe and a watch I wore constantly. Recently I found a vintage Davy Crockett watch on EBay and bought it…keeping alive a childhood memory. Remembering the way the characters dressed, how they lived, the Indian and cowboy conflict and even the way they rode their horses across the sandy desert, have all helped me in writing my first historical western.

During the middle 60’s medical shows took over the air waves. I remember watching Ben Casey, Doctor Kildare, Medical Center, Marcus Welby, M.D., and Trapper John, M.D. These male characters….strong, intelligent, gentle, caring and wanting love have been the catalyst for many of my heroes.

The 70’s brought sit-coms like Happy Days, Lavern and Shirley and All in the Family. These were light hearted, feel good shows that made you laugh as well as drive home a motto here and there. These shows have well seasoned the dialogue I use between friends or the funny moments I place my lovers in from time to time.

In the 80’s we had the night soap operas like Dallas, Knots Landing and Dynasty. I loved the characters, the way they dressed and their ever-scheming points of view. A treasure chest of plots came from these shows. Everyone was so wonderfully dysfunctional and diabolical.

The 90’s gave way for the many legal, crime scene investigation and drama type shows, challenging us to think. Oh, the wonderful villains they helped me to create.

Currently we have tons of reality shows, but paranormals are sweeping the time slots too. With such shows as Lost, Medium, Ghost Whisperer, Supernatural, Moonlight, Journeyman, Smallville, The Sara Connor Chronicles, and now New Amsterdam we’ve got quite a pick.

The motion picture industry has also cashed in on the paranormal craze. Within the last few years alone, either in a theater or rented on DVD, I’ve seen What Lies Beneath, The Witches of Eastwick, Death Becomes Her, Lord of the Rings series, Stardust, The Legend of the Water Horse, The Lady in the Water, Signs, Sixth Sense, The Village, The Golden Compass, The Chronicles of Nardia (The Witch, the Lion & the Wardrobe), all three Pirates of the Caribbean movies….love that Johnny Depp, Beowulf, War of the Worlds, I Am Legend, Premonition, Lake House, the Harry Potter series and in theaters now, Spiderwick and Jump.

It seems demons, time travel, aliens and visitors from beyond the grave make for fascinating amusement. Looking back I realize paranormal shows were always of great entertainment and peppered throughout the decades.

The first one that comes to my mind is Topper….the story of a man who was constantly being visited by his deceased relatives and their dead dog. I loved the Outer Limits and the ingenious minds of Rod Serling (Twilight Zone) and Alfred Hitchcock. These shows added suspense and horror to the paranormal twist.

The science fiction and fantasy shows like Lost in Space, Its About Time, I Dream of Jeanne, Star Trek, Batman and Quantum Leap opened up a wealth of legends, myths, mystical enchantment, magical scenes and special effects to draw from in just about every aspect of the supernatural realm.

Walt Disney made his fortune from the enchanted with Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio, Peter Pan and Beauty and the Beast. His theme parks all over the world do nothing but cater to the fantasy realm.

So don’t feel guilty to turn on your television. And you don’t need kids or grandkids to take in paranormal movies….just the desire to be swept away.

Look, listen, and learn, then go to your computer and write!.