Issue #17
May, 2006
Dear Romance Writer:
I’ve just returned from the Romantic Times conference in Daytona Beach, FL, and Book Exposition America in Washington, DC. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you in next month’s issue of Romantically Yours. Here in Delray Beach, we are feeling the heat. Temperatures are already in the 80s and soaring.
Conference Director, Denise Ford, and I were delighted that so many of you tuned in to the May 11th teleconference. For those of you who were not able to attend, it’s not too late to hear the recording. You can still turn that dream of getting a book published into reality. Tune in and listen to: New York Times best-selling author, Steve Alten; Waldenbooks best-selling author (4 years in a row), Linda Conrad; award-winning publisher, Michael Ward; and literary agent, Amy Moore Benson (who discovered voices like Alex Kava, Taylor Smith and Elizabeth Flock). To order the recording, click here, or contact Member Services at 866-879-2924 (toll-free) or 561-278-5557.
Part 2 of this exciting teleconference series on publishing is scheduled for May 25th at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Our panelists are: Gary Scott, the author of 65th Octave; New York Times best-selling author and world-renowned copywriter, Robert Ringer; Russell Davis, owner of the book packaging and editorial service company, Morning Star Books; Jo Manning, whose historical leanings now have her writing biographies; and Margaret Fraser, who manages a resort while ghostwriting for a vanity press publisher.
And there’s more good news. This month we are pleased to announce our affiliation with Romantic Times Book Club. You can read about what our very own Cindy Breeding had to say about the Writing for Love & Money program, by visiting www.romantictimes.com. Cindy is the first of our team to be offered a two-book contract by Kensington Publishing. We are very proud of her!
That’s it for now, folks. Next month I’ll fill you in on my experiences at the Romantic Times conference and Book Exposition America.
Romantically Yours,
Marcia King-Gamble
Editor of Romantically Yours
www.lovemarcia.com
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Racheal Pierce of Ohio, who won our IPOD raffled at the Romantic Times conference.
Tessie Jayme – Winner of our Pre-Valentine’s Day Contest. Tessie’s submission of her synopsis and first three chapters will be sent on to agent, Amy Moore-Benson.
Nancy Beckett-Duez and Meta Carroll – Our Pre-Valentine’s Day “Hook Up” Contest winners – whose submissions will be critiqued by a published author.
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Are you still confused about the difference between external and internal conflict? If you think of “external” conflict as what’s going on in the outside environment and “internal” as coming from deep within the character, you’ve nailed it.
Think about it this way... An internal conflict usually drives the character to behave in a particular manner and results from a past experience. Without an internal conflict, there is no story. A good story hooks the reader and gets them emotionally engaged and rooting for the hero and heroine. Here’s what Marilyn Jordan had to say about the two essential ingredients needed for a saleable manuscript.
MOTIVATION AND EMOTIONAL INTENSITY
By Marilyn Jordan
The primary ingredient readers want in their romance fiction is emotional intensity. They care most about the characters and their emotions, not the cleverness of the plot. Emotional intensity is what makes your story worth buying and reading.
First off, the lack of emotional intensity can often be traced back to a lack of thematic continuity. Thematic continuity comes from a central conflict that plays out throughout your story. It comes from two deeply held belief systems that clash – his and hers. You need a strong thematic thread running through your story to keep it focused on the emotions involved. When you lose control of your story – when you allow it to go off the track or get fuzzy – you weaken the conflict and its emotional power, because it distracts the reader and takes the focus off the thing you most want to emphasize. Find out about your characters' belief systems, and you'll be one step closer to great conflict.
Emotional intensity comes out of universal wants/needs and motivating forces such as guilt, anger, jealousy, fear, and yearning for what you can’t have. It evolves from the characters themselves. If they don’t feel great emotional intensity over their own inner and outer conflicts, how can you expect your reader to feel much of anything either? The more powerful the emotion, the more powerful the conflict. Beware, however, of negative emotions such as hatred and vengeance, which are difficult to make heroic.
If emotional intensity is a function of conflict, then conflict is a function of motivation. So you must be sure to thoroughly and believably motivate your characters. Lust, or even love, do not by themselves create strong emotional intensity, and they’re certainly not enough to carry an entire book. Motivation is the answer to the question “why.” Why is your character afraid to love? Why does she act or react the way she does in a given situation?
Motivations can be relatively simple and straightforward or extremely complex, but they must be important to that character. You need to go below the surface when it comes to motivation. Dig deep and don’t be satisfied with the easy or clichéd answer. Don’t go with the obvious surface reason.
Here are some checkpoints for motivation:
- Why does your heroine fall for your hero? (Hint: It can’t be because of his great pecs.)
- Why does your hero fall for your heroine? (Her cute butt isn’t enough.)
- Have you shown these lovable qualities of your hero and heroine in your story, or have you just assumed them?
- Are all the actions of the hero toward the heroine and the heroine toward the hero motivated? Why is he jealous of her so soon after he meets her? Why is she rude to him? The reasons must be acceptable and believable.
- Does your plot hang on misunderstandings between the hero and heroine? If they were to sit down and talk, would things be resolved? If so, you don’t have enough motivation (or conflict).
- Ask yourself “why” on every page. Why is she acting like that? Why is he avoiding her? Why? Why? Why?
Great conflict arising out of deep and believable motivation – these are the key elements which will give your novel the kind of memorable emotional intensity readers love.
HAPPENINGS:
June 2-4, 2006
Mad About Romance
Madison Marriott West
Madison, Wisconsin
Workshops conducted by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer.
Agents: Miriam Kriss, Irene Goodman Literary Agency, and Michelle Grajkowski, 3 Seas Literary Agency
June 22-25, 2006
Writer’s Weekend
P.O. Box 3832
Bellevue, Washington 98009
June 30 - July 2, 2006
Faith-Based Arts Conference
Sheraton Imperial Hotel & Convention Center
Raleigh, North Carolina
www.fbfictionlovers.com
Jacquelin Thomas sponsors this conference. The first one was held two years ago in Raleigh. Meet some of your favorite authors of Christian fiction.
July 26-29, 2006
Romance Writers of America National Conference
Atlanta, Georgia
www.rwanational.org/
Members and non-members welcome. Participate in the workshops, Literacy book signing, and Golden Heart Awards.
October 6-7, 2006
New Jersey Romance Writers
Put Your Heart in a Book
The Sheraton at Woodbridge
Iselin, New Jersey
www.NJRomancewriters.org
Keynote Speaker – Jennifer Crusie
INTERVIEW WITH KESHA DAVIS
This month it’s my pleasure to interview independent bookseller, Kesha Davis, owner of the Book Lovers Lounge in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Kesha, a native Floridian, spent many years in Detroit. She returned to Florida determined to share her love of the written word. Presto… the Book Lovers Lounge was born! For more about Kesha Davis and her store, visit www.bookloverslounge.com.
RY: Can you tell our readers why you chose to open the Book Lovers Lounge and what drew you to this business?
KD: I have always had an affinity for books. None of the places that sell books had the ambiance or vibe I wanted or expected. So I decided to create it after researching the industry.
RY: Are there particular genres that you see flying off the shelves at the Book Lovers Lounge?
KD: Children’s books and urban fiction. Men say they like to read history, but they are also buying urban fiction.
RY: Do you think it’s true that most readers buy based on the book cover and/or back blurb, especially if the reader is not familiar with the author? What do you think draws a reader to a particular book?
KD: Absolutely. All of the books in our store show the cover to customers. The back wall draws them in. The cover draws people to the book like a magnet. If they like what the back blurb says, it’s a wrap!
RY: In terms of today’s popular fiction and non-fiction authors, which authors are guaranteed sellers and why?
KD: Zane and Nikki Turner are guaranteed sales at the Book Lovers Lounge. The Covenant by Tavis Smiley has also done well.
RY: I’ve also been told that booksellers can “make you” as an author, especially if a bookseller’s hand sells your work. Do you think that’s true?
KD: I think booksellers create opportunity by speaking on behalf of a book and its author, especially when the cover and the jacket blurb don’t do justice or enough justice. Customers are always asking, “What are you reading, and what have you read that you would recommend?”
RY: If you had it in your power to create the perfect book signing, what would it take? Would it require an author with a dynamic personality, who is able to engage readers? Should he/she come prepared with a program? What would be a big draw?
KD: The perfect book signing would be advertised by the hosting bookstore and the author. The guests would leave with a feeling of satisfaction, like they have reconnected with friends old and new. Emotions and expressions would range from happiness to laughter to awe at all of the information. Everyone would feel like they got to experience something so wonderful, and anyone who wasn’t there just missed out. This is our goal with every event at the Book Lovers Lounge.
RY: What advice would you give to a self-published author who wants to get her books in a store?
KD: Be active. Be vocal and be persistent. You can be the next big author, or you can simply be another person who published a book. The difference is attitude and the hustle factor. As a bookseller, I am always working. I wear my professionally embroidered work shirt as much as possible, and I always travel with business cards and postcards advertising the store. Every day I try to introduce myself to someone new. Authors have to have a similar strategy for publicity and attention to their products. Send stores your information (postcards, bookmarks) to give to customers. Send them a galley copy for their staff. Do a signing. Post store information on your website. Ideas are like time… they don’t stop.
RY: On another note, I’ve always found it fascinating that publishers pay for placement on bookshelves and racks. Do you think placement makes a difference? If so, why?
KD: Our society is capitalism at its best. Marketing is all about the 4 P’s. You can’t enjoy capitalism without proper placement! If you are going to do the steps and items necessary to publish, why stop short of customer visibility? Payment may get some books preferred placement, but the book has to sell to keep that placement. This concept is also used at large grocery stores. This is how Procter & Gamble became a household name.
RY: In terms of shelf life, how long do you keep books on your shelves before tearing the covers off and returning them to the publisher? Can you explain to the reader how that could affect an author’s sales?
KD: The Book Lovers Lounge is a new store. We utilize distributors, remainder houses and self-published authors primarily. We rotate our inventory to maximize visibility, then discount. Sending books back costs booksellers and authors.
RY: As a bookseller, what kinds of books do you wish you could see more of and why? And on the flip side, what in your opinion is overkill? What kinds of fiction and non-fiction are readers chomping at the bit to see?
KD: I wish I could see more publicity for good Christian fiction, well-developed stories, multicultural casts of characters and multicultural covers. I especially wish this for children and teenage readers. Parents are reluctant to buy kids books that have covers featuring witches or even derogatory names like “fat kids.”
RY: And finally, are readers able to order books from your website www.bookloverslounge.com? Tell us about upcoming plans for the Book Lovers Lounge.
KD: Absolutely. Our stock is available online 24/7. Some prices are actually cheaper online than in the store. Online we are able to sell worldwide, so our selections are broad without being overwhelming. In the store, your location has a lot to do with your traffic flow and customer base. Our goal is to have a minimum of one book signing per month. We have had the pleasure of hosting signings recently with Virginia Deberry and Donna Grant (March), Marcia King-Gamble (April), and Trista Russell (May 20). Our upcoming signings will feature Rhonda Swann (June 17) and Nina Foxx (June 24). Our goal is to be a community staple and asset by providing a venue for thought and discussion. As part of that mission, we hosted a Covenant Book Party on May 21. In the future, we will host a Spoken Word Night (date TBA). Next year we hope to open a second larger location.
WHO’S ACQUIRING:
Triskelion Publishing
15327 W. Becker Lane
Surprize, AZ 85379
www.triskelionpublishing.net
Accepts both agented and unagented materials. They are looking for fresh, unique plots, three-dimensional characters, and heroes and heroines with great chemistry. Triskelion publishes Inspirational, Erotica, and stories with mature heroes and heroines over forty. Queries and synopsis may be sent to: submissions@trisklelionpublishing.net.
New American Library
Seeking contemporary, historical, paranormal and general romance fiction for Signet, Signet Eclipse, Onyx, NAL, Heat and NAL accent. Mainstream, women’s suspense and romantic suspense are also welcome.
COMING NEXT MONTH:
An interview with a publishing professional from Romantic Times BookClub magazine.
COMING NEXT MONTH:
An interview with bookseller Kesha Davis. Hear about the kinds of books readers are looking for.
ABOUT ROMANTICALLY YOURS
Romantically Yours is a FREE monthly newsletter for members of American
Writers & Artists Inc.'s Romance Writing Course - "Writing for Love
and Money."
We want to hear from you. Please send comments, news, research, or story
ideas directly to Marcia King-Gamble at romanticallyyours@awaionline.com.
American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
memberservices@awaionline.com
© 2006 American Writers & Artists Inc.