Guess what!?! I write romance. Yeah, yeah. Those of you who drop by here have figured it out. I just thought I’d pass that piece of information along to any newcomers.
So anyway, I was in a social situation recently and was asked if I was retired or still working. “Still working–mostly,” I replied. I added the mostly because there are drought periods of various lengths when I’m…working but only sitting at the keyboard staring at the screen–blank or otherwise, ie. words needing editing. “Oh?” this person asked. “What do you do?” “I’m a writer.” I got that weird smile people sometimes give when they ask, “Are you published?” “Yes. I’ve got almost fifty books out.” That always gets a blink-blink, an “oh” and is usually followed by, “Have you written anything I’ve read?” Uhm…how would I know?
Enevitably, it leads to me explaining that I write romance–for Harlequin and as a self-pubbed author. “Oh.” Usually said in a superior yet dismissive tone with an arched brow, and often followed by, “So, you write those kind of books. Damn straight I do! I guarantee my readers a chance to escape, to live in a world other than their own, and they know the characters they hopefully have come to care about will get their Happy Ever After.
So what does this have to do with today’s message from the Universe? It’s that whole “almost fifty books” thing. Creating new characters, new plots, new ways to meet, break-up, make-up and live HEA, gets tougher and tougher with each new book. So, I’m turning to the big U…
When you begin to find love, Silver, in people and places where you haven’t found it before, it’s always because you’ve grown.
You so rock,
The Universe
Ā© http://www.tut.com Ā®All there is to love, Silver, has been there all along.
I like to think that I’ve grown as a writer, and that I’m looking for love in people and places I have been before. If I can keep this is mind, I should be able to find my creativity, to keep writing books, and yes, they will be THOSE kind of books because, folks? This old world needs all the love it can get. FYI, I was nursing some physical ailments from a fall on Tuesday night. Wednesday Words will be back next week because I want to share the love. And yeah, I’m still stiff and sore but I’m healing. Such a klutz! So tell me, do you look for love in all the wrong places? š
Silver James 
I’m not published yet and the comments I hate are: oh I could write a book grr…(well then do it then if it’s so easy). Why don’t you self publish (because I don’t have any money)? Do you get a lot of rejections (yes that’s why I’m not published yet duh!) Oh and the one that really gets me: JK Rowling was rejected a lot and then she published (Well yeah! Good for her but I ain’t her and this is not helpful). As for finding love, hmm… I think it finds you. You have to be open to the universe and let love in, searching for it can lead to desperation, and mistaken choices made in desperation to be loved. Just my opinion. Hope you heal well and the writing muse hits you. Take care!
Helen, the road to traditional publication is hard! I sold my first book to a small digital-first publisher, and even with an editor who wanted to work with me, loved my voice, and loved the book I wrote him, it still took 3 years before I sold to Harlequin, and that was after 3 book with the small publisher. A friend finally pushed me toward self-publishing after lots of rejections on my “harder” paranormal stuff. It’s hard too, and yes, often takes more money than I have–especially for the extras like marketing (because I totally suck at that stuff) and I’d love to be in audio but I don’t have anywhere near that kind of money. Ah well. Someday. Maybe. Anyway, I’m lucky on the self-pub side. My daughter does my covers and I pay her in free babysitting and sometimes cash. I have a friend who is an editor and I trade services with her. I proofread (typos/language only) her other clients and if something on the copy or developemental edit side really catches my attention, I pass that along.
Right now, it’s tough to be a mid-list or starting author. Sales are down, publishers are consolidating or shutting down, and there’s so much competition out there for the entertainment dollars that are available.
Hang in there, Helen. Cream always rises to the top and will a good imagination and lots of work, those of us with dreams of writing eventually float to the top. š
Great post š