Issue #25
January, 2007

Dear Romance Writer:

I love new beginnings. Beginnings are filled with such infinite possibilities. The start of a book, the challenge of a new year, the beginning of a project… all of it gets my adrenaline pumping. Since I've always been at my most creative when faced with uncharted territory, the thought of taking an undeveloped thought or idea and bringing it to fruition makes me excited.

What better time than a brand-new year to get out of a rut, shelf some bad habits and get back on track. When I was in the corporate world, I'd start off the year by revamping my resume. Not because I was looking for a job, but because updating my resume gave me a chance to reflect and review my accomplishments over the past year and celebrate my successes.

Since writing is now my career, I begin each year by starting on a new book. It doesn't necessarily have to be a story I've totally fleshed out, and it might only be one page, but it's usually a project I am excited about.

Any project that seems daunting becomes manageable if done in little bits. For instance, just one written page a day translates to 365 pages by the end of the year. So if you can keep your enthusiasm going for at least one hour every day, by the end of 2007 you will have finished that book.

A completed book sends an agent or editor the message that you are dependable. Plus, passion is infectious and, if enthusiastically translated to paper, will be picked up by an agent or editor. Read on to hear what best-selling author Gwynne Forster has to say about this topic and getting published in today's competitive world.

If you start off your year in the right frame of mind – doing something you feel passionate about – the year can only be great.

Be happy! Be healthy! Keep writing! Keep reading!

Romantically Yours,

Marcia King-Gamble
Editor of Romantically Yours
www.lovemarcia.com

P.S. For details on entering the “All About You” contest, log onto www.lovemarcia.com.

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TOOLS OF THE TRADE: The Road to Publication – Getting Started
By Gwynne Forster

At book signings, writers' conferences, in correspondence and at my lectures, the questions that readers and aspiring writers ask me most often are how I got started writing novels and, since I have a full-time job, where do I find the time to write. More often than not, the questioner wants to become a published author or thinks she or he does. For the most part, these are pipe dreams. When I question them, their replies invariably impress me that their major hindrance is not lack of savoir faire or of time, but of motivation and, occasionally, also of genuine interest.

How can I say that? Ms. Jane Doe wrote me that she was dying to become a published author, that she dreamed about it all the time. Yet she confessed to never having written one line of fiction. Why? In her 41 years of existence, she hadn't had time. Another woman asked me at a book signing, “How can I write like Terry McMillan?” I assured her that I had no idea and advised her to contact Ms. McMillan. Neither of these women burns to write, only to reap the rewards that the successful writer is presumed to get. If you think you want to write a novel or a short story, but can't get started, examine your true aims. Look closely at your priorities for, as we shall see, therein may lay your problem.

Back to the question as to how I got started. To begin with, my profession requires that I write and that the writing be of academic quality. So, the act of writing, though in a different vocabulary, is second nature to me. After a story played around in my mind for months, I decided to write it down. That crude effort hooked me on novel writing, proving to me that I could write a full-length novel. Pumped up with excitement about my newly discovered “talent,” I decided to write one that would sell. I bought some books on fiction writing, studied them and made up my mind to become a published author. I began Sealed With a Kiss on January 2, 1994 and sold it October 21 of that same year.

Addressing the problem

The operative phrase here is “made up my mind.” Having done that, I did not equivocate. “How do you manage that if you have a full-time job and a family,” I've been asked. I am not the exception; 50% of the fiction writers I know manage this. Let us suppose that you aren't fooling yourself, that you have the talents, the imagination required of a novelist, but just can't get started. Ask yourself why. In discussing the matter with would-be writers, I've been given numerous excuses, most of which boil down to absence of will.

You want to write, but you can't find the time. Not so. People who want to write, who burn to write and need to write do that. They write. To claim you can't find the time is to mislead yourself. The problem lies in how you use the time that you have and whether you are willing to make some sacrifices. I suggest that you keep an accurate record of what you did each minute of your waking hours and analyze seven days of records. You will get some surprises.

How much time did you spend watching television, looking at mail-order catalogs, chatting with friends who telephone you, surfing the internet or chatting with strangers online, critiquing someone else's manuscript? What did you do at the hairdresser's, while waiting at the doctor's or dentist's office, riding public transportation, waiting for and traveling on trains or airplanes? You could have spent the time writing. One prominent African-American romance writer wrote her first published novel entirely on the subway while riding to and from work, because that was her only opportunity to write. Another rises at four in the morning to write at a time when she is guaranteed privacy and works until 6:30 when her family demands her time. Have you stretched yourself in order to write? How many hours and how many opportunities have you squandered?

Changing habits

Once you have analyzed your pattern of time consumption and know when, where and how you can make time, ask yourself if you truly want to write. If the answer is yes, decide on your goals. Do you want a career as a published novelist, to see you name on the cover of at least one book, to legitimate time spent on a hobby, to make money?

If you want a career, be prepared to make sacrifices and decide up front what these will be. Self-discipline is a must. Decide the time of day you will write, how long and how many pages, and stick with it. Let telephone calls go to voicemail, don't answer your doorbell, forget the internet unless you're researching your novel or sending email, and request your family's indulgence. If they're asleep, so much the better. Hanging on the door of my home office is a sign that reads, “PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB: Someone who loves you is at work.” If the phone rings, it is because someone wants your time, and that person can wait. Call back when you're not writing. In other words, establish priorities and stick with them. Answer mail once a week at an established time period to make sure you get it all done, and have a time in which to return phone calls.

You've blocked out the time, and you're writing, but you're standing still. If you are unable to meet the simplest goal, such as to write for one hour each day or to write one page each day, your problem may be lack of motivation. Join a writers group such as a local chapter of Romance Writers of America. These clubs offer inspiration as well as guidance to aspiring writers. Importantly, as your sister writers announce their first sale, you will be inspired to greater diligence. Remember that all published authors have one thing in common: we sit down and write, working on a book until we have finished it. There is no short cut. How do I know? Because I've finished 27 novels and six novellas that are in print.

Perhaps you are at work on several novels. If you are an unpublished author, that is not to your credit. Choose the story that interests you most, and lock up the other manuscripts for safe keeping. Work on that one book until you have finished it. Editors will not offer a contract to an unpublished novelist who has not completed the manuscript, because so many writers cannot finish a book. You must prove that you can do it.

If you haven't reached that far and are still wallowing in hope and daydreams, remind yourself that if you write just one page a day, at the end of a year, you will have a book. What could be more galvanizing?

[Editor's Note: Gwynne Forster is an author of 33 published works of fiction, including her latest, When You Dance with the Devil (a mainstream novel) and McNeil's Match (a romance). Visit her website at www.gwynneforster.com.]

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HAPPENINGS:

February 2-3, 2007
The Mystery of Suspense 2007
Sponsor: Heart of the West, Utah Chapter
Location: Airport Hilton, Salt Lake City, Utah
Fee: $130-140
Featuring: Karen Robards
Keynote Speaker: Christina Skye
http://www.utahrwa.com/
mary@marymartinez.com

February 16-18, 2007
The 2007 San Francisco Writers Conference
Location: Mark Hopkins Hotel, Nob Hill, San Francisco
Featuring: Debbie Macomber & Jackie Ivey
http://www.sfwriters.org/

February 23-25, 2007
Fun in the Sun 2007: Miami Heat
Sponsor: Florida Romance Writers
Location: Dadeland Marriott, Miami, Florida
Fee: $210-$235
Keynote Speaker: Sherrilyn Kenyon
http://www.frwriters.org/conferences.html

March 2-4, 2007
Roar in Like a Lion Conference
Sponsor: The GRRRWA (Grand Rapids Region)
Location: 28th Street Hilton, Grand Rapids, Michigan
http://www.grrrwa.org/conference.html

March 3, 2007
The Write Business Workshop
Sponsor: Indiana Romance Writers
Location: Radisson Hotel, Indianapolis Airport
http://www.indianarwa.com/

March 30-31, 2007
Pasic Power Conference (for published authors)
Location: New York Broadway Millennium

March 30-31, 2007
Southern Magic's Romance in the Magic City
Location: Wynfry Hotel, Riverchase Galleria, Birmingham, Alabama
http://www.southernmagic.org/conferences.html

March 30-31, 2007
Let Your Imagination Take Flight Conference
Sponsor: New England Chapter RWA
Location: Crown Plaza, Natic, Massachusetts
http://www.necrwa.org/

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INTERVIEW WITH JOAN JOHNSTON

Acclaimed novelist, Joan Johnston has more than 10 million books in print worldwide. This enormously talented author has had many careers. She's been an attorney, professor, newspaper editor and drama critic. Joan is not only a wonderful writer but a savvy business woman. Hear what this successful New York Times best-selling author has to say about writing and much, much more.

RY: It's been said that it's not just about writing a good book, but about goal setting and having a marketing plan. Would you agree? If so, tell us how you set goals and how involved you are in your own marketing.

JJ: What a timely question! For the past 12 years, a friend and I have been sitting down together for three days each January to set personal and professional goals. We take turns going to each other's homes, which involves a plane trip, but it is well worth it. We begin by evaluating how well we did with the previous year's goals. If we didn't accomplish a goal, we discuss whether it was the wrong goal, or what went wrong to keep it from being met. We then discuss what we would like to do in the coming year, personally and professionally. (You will want to do this with a close friend, because, obviously, you're going to be sharing intimate details of your hopes and dreams – and flaws and feelings of failure.)

Does it work? For many years, making the New York Times bestseller list was one of my professional goals. The year I finally made the NYT list, when I went to cross it off, I realized it wasn't even on my list of goals for that year. I'd moved on to other professional goals, because I'd already done everything I could think of to make the list. And yes, planning and executing goals had made a difference.

I do personal marketing for my books, because there's no such thing as too much publicity to sell your work. In the past, I've always planned what I wanted to do (postcards, phone cards, post-it notes, pens, etc.) and run it by my publisher for whatever help or advice they might be able to offer. This year, I will also run it by the marketing director who's been hired by my agent.

RY: You have an interesting and diverse background. You've been an attorney, newspaper editor, drama critic, college professor. How have these past experiences helped you in your writing career?

JJ: Every past career has contributed to my success as a writer. I've lived by the motto: Success is a journey, not a destination. So everything you do makes you who are are. All the people you meet, everyone you love or hate or find disgusting or admirable is grist for the writing mill. You have to live life to be a writer.

With regard to my various occupations: When I was an attorney, the firm computerized, and I went with the secretaries to learn how to work one. Thus, my third book was written directly on the computer (the first two had been written on yellow legal pads and typed on a typewriter). I also learned that writing 80-page single-spaced water and sewer indentures was not as much fun as writing fiction!

When I first started working for The Weekly Herald, before I became the news editor, I typed copy – 14,000 lines a week, including the want ads, which were full of numbers. My typing speed went from 80 wpm to 120 wpm. I can now put down what I'm thinking on the computer about as fast as it comes to mind.

I became a drama critic because I have both a bachelor's and master's degree in theater. It was through my study of the theater, acting and directing, that I learned about the three-act structure, conflict, character, the dark moment and the denouement.

I've always loved teaching. And still do. Every time I give a speech or write an article, I use the skills I polished as an Associate Professor of Communications at the University of Miami, as an Assistant Professor teaching speech, and public relations and screenwriting and communications law at Barry University and as the Director of Theatre at Southwest Texas Junior College.

RY: You're extremely well traveled and have gone to places many of us only dream of. What has been your favorite destination so far? Have you used any of these settings in your books?

JJ: I love Australia; it's what America used to be like in 1850 in the Outback, and in 1950 in the towns. And I could live on mountainous Cook's Bay, on the island of Moorea in French Polynesia. I could spend months studying our English ancestors in London and surrounds. I need more time in the Cairo Museum in Egypt. I'm not sure what I'm going to learn in Hanoi, on my upcoming trip to North Vietnam, but it will all find its way into a book in some form or another. Travel is important to a writer because it exposes you to behavior and environments that broaden your horizons – in just about every way you can imagine.

It's my travel in the United States that finds its way more directly into my novels. I've traveled to Montana to do research about sheep ranching and wolves. I've traveled to the King Ranch in South Texas to research ranch life and the old west, and took a course in tracking – animals and humans – in the Big Bend. I've also traveled to San Antonio to talk with amputees at Brooke Army Medical Center, and met with the Texas Rangers and DEA. I headed to Austin to research the State Capitol and the UT campus for my current novel, The Diary (in stores in hardcover later this year). It's work that's really a lot of fun!

RY: Tell us about your latest release, Hawk's Way: Faron & Garth, in stores this month. Is this a stand alone book or part of a series?

JJ: Hawk's Way: Faron & Garth includes two of my Hawk's Way 13-book series. The Cowboy and the Princess tells the story of Faron Whitelaw, who discovers he's a bastard at the same time he inherits half of his stepmother's ranch. Needless to say, he doesn't want anything to do with it or her. In The Wrangler and the Rich Girl, Garth Whitelawhires Texas debutante Candy Baylor to train his horses, and then tries hard not to fall in love with a woman he thinks doesn't belong on a ranch!

RY: I've read somewhere you have over 10 million books in print worldwide. Awesome! I've heard it said it's about print run and distribution. Talk to us about print run and distribution.

JJ: The print run is how many books the publisher decides to publish the first time the book is put in print. I started with a print run of about 140,000 for my first novel. Twenty-two years later, as a New York Times best-selling author, it's about 600,000. The publisher has sales representatives who sell the book to distributors, who will make the book available to the public. Distributors include chain stores, like Barnes & Noble and Borders, companies who put the books in grocery stores and drugstores and stores like Wal-Mart and Target, and deep-discount stores like Costco and Sam's. Finally, there are “independent” bookstores, mom & pop stores and larger independent bookstores that sell books.

The more books you have in your first printing, the more books there are to spread out among all the distributors. Imagine how few people can find a book if you have a printing of 140,000 when there are so many thousands of bookstores and drugstores and grocery stores across the nation. Even a printing of 600,000 doesn't put a whole lot of books in each venue. But the more books in each place, the more they can be found – and bought – by readers.

RY: You've got over 46 novels to your credit. Please tell our writers how long you've been writing and how you built your career.

JJ: I attended my first writing conference (Romantic Times) in New York in April 1983, put pen to paper for the first time in June, 1983, had my first book bought by the first publisher I sent it to (without an agent) April 24, 1984, and A Loving Defiance was published by Pocket Books in February 1985. What's more impressive is that I haven't given up writing after being published for 22 years, although there have been many ups and downs along the way. Suffice it to say, for the person who wants to write for a living, the most important thing you need to succeed is persistence. Add lots of hard work. And a huge dollop of luck.

RY: Some authors are content being mid-list authors and putting out one book a year, others aspire to be New York Times bestsellers. Whatever the goal, do you think an agent is helpful in getting you there? If so, how?

JJ: An agent is there to act as a buffer between you and anyone at the publishing house that you might rub up against. An agent is your negotiator, employed to get you the best contract terms possible. An agent is your cheerleader, when you need someone who believes you can get where you want to go. And an agent is your employee (despite the fact that it's the agents who seem to be doing the picking and choosing when it comes to clients). I think agents are often helpful, but not always necessary. Relationships with agents can be as fraught with problems as a good/bad marriage. I can only say, do your research, choose wisely, and don't forget you can always get a divorce if things don't work out!

RY: What can a newbie do to improve his or her craft and move in the direction of getting published? Would you recommend that new writers attend conferences, take workshops, etc.?

JJ: Yes, yes, yes! I attended two to three writers' conferences every year when I first started out. If you can't afford to go to the conferences, find the tapes of the sessions. They're usually available pretty inexpensively. The other thing new writers can and should do is read, read, read. Once you know the genre in which you want to write (your favorite one to read, usually), you should read everything you can find in that genre, to see what's being published, and where you think you'd fit in the genre – or don't fit. I read voraciously even now – in the genre which represents the direction my writing is moving.

RY: To what would you attribute your success?

JJ: Hard work. Persistence. And luck.

RY: What's left for Joan Johnston? And finally, do you have aspirations for writing outside the romance genre? What about screenplays? Is there an unfulfilled dream?

JJ: I'm already stretching the romance boundaries. My current hardcover novel, The Diary (working title, which means it could change)is a suspense with romantic elements – or maybe a romantic suspense – or a thriller? There's still a very strong romance, but the plot lends itself to the suspense and thriller genres.

I don't currently have any aspiration to write screenplays or any genre beyond the one in which I'm currently working. But I wouldn't mind trying my hand at writing and directing a movie....

RY: Any parting words of advice for those wishing to make writing a career?

JJ: Don't quit your day job. I worked full-time, first as a lawyer, and then as a college professor, for seven years, and had seven or eight novels published, before I quit my job. Divorced, with two children to feed, I had about two months of income in the bank (young single mothers rarely have savings). To actually survive financially, it was necessary for me to write five books a year for the next five years. When I look back, is it any wonder those years are a blur?

Writing seems to have this cache – you get to stay in your pajamas and work at home. But you're still in your pajamas because you didn't have time to change out of them. And you're working at home, because there's no sense going to an office when you're going to be there till 2 a.m. more than half the time.

That is not to say there are not enormous rewards – and satisfaction – to be had as a writer. I certainly love what I do, or I wouldn't keep on doing it. But don't underestimate the work, the challenges, or the disappointments that are waiting to trip you up. Remember: hard work, persistence and – good luck!

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WHO'S ACQUIRING:

Two brand-new houses are looking for new authors. The following two opportunities are not to be missed…

THE LOTUS CIRCLE
The Lotus Circle is open to submissions of fiction and non-fiction books, as well as metaphysically oriented products and services for our store.

Fiction
Looking for manuscripts of 50,000 words and up, in which the heroine or female protagonist is, or will become, a member of The Lotus Circle. She must have at least one extra-sensory ability or metaphysical skill that is integral to the story and, at some point, she will connect with other members of The Lotus Circle in person or via the website.

Genres they are looking for are romance, sensual erotica, general fiction, women's fiction (self-empowerment, personal growth and development), mystery/suspense or comedies. Historicals will be considered if they are connected with The Lotus Circle's past, as established in the background story provided. Books accepted with graphic erotica or violence will be labeled with an x-rating.

They are not considering submissions in the genres of science fiction, fantasy (including magic) or horror.

Some examples of gifts or talents that they are looking for are clairvoyance, clairaudience, visions of future or past events, telepathy, lucid dreaming, past life regression, meditation, guided imagery, shamanism, healing, empathy, channeling, mediumship, communicating with disembodied spirits (ghosts) or spirit guides, numerology, astrology, and forecasting with tools such as Tarot cards.

They want authors to educate the reader about the extrasensory gift within their stories. The author should show how the main character uses or learns how to develop the gift, and when feasible, the ability should be presented in such a way that suggests the average person might learn to use or develop it as well.

Non-Fiction
They are looking for non-fiction manuscripts of 25,000 words or more, regarding metaphysical topics. Some examples might be instructional books or guides to using such tools as astrology, numerology, tarot cards, or palmistry; advice on using metaphysical practices such as meditation or aromatherapy to improve the quality of one's life; or true life experiences related to psychic or extrasensory abilities.They are not looking for traditional physical fitness, diet, medical, or religion-based books.

How to submit a manuscript:

Fiction
Send a brief synopsis (under 5 pages, single-spaced) describing setting, main characters and full plot, including resolution, plus the first three chapters and final chapter, via email, as attached files (.doc or .rtf format) to Submissions@TheLotusCircle.com. A one-to three-sentence pitch summarizing your submission should be included in the body of the email.

Non-Fiction
Send a very brief description of the work (under 250 words), along with a detailed Table of Contents or classroom-style outline of chapters and sections, via email, as an attached file (.doc or .rtf format) to Submissions@TheLotusCircle.com. Identify whether the work is beginner, intermediate or advanced level material.

Writing guidelines:

Format
They will not reject a manuscript due to formatting, but suggest one-inch margins all around, 1.5 line spacing and a variable-space, easy to read font (such as Times New Roman, Arial or Book Antiqua).

They will reject a manuscript due to poor typing, grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence or paragraph structure. It's strongly suggested that you have your work proofread by someone, other than yourself, with excellent language skills, such as a frank critique partner or professional editing service.

Manuscripts must be submitted in final, polished form.

In fiction novels, they will be looking for the following elements:

• Professional, error-free cover email
• Clear, interesting synopsis that shows how the manuscript will fit into The Lotus Circle line
• A connection between the heroine or female protagonist and The Lotus Circle
• Main female character must have an extrasensory ability or metaphysical skill that plays an integral part in the plot
• Originality
• Strong, believable, internal and external plots, with correlations between the two
• Strong, believable, internal and external conflicts
• Believable, well-developed characters
• Steady, quick pacing (no “sagging middles” or lengthy, descriptive filler)
• Good hooks at the beginning and ending of chapters
• Balance of dialogue, action and introspection
• Correct usage of point-of-view (no head-hopping)
• Satisfying climax
• Clear resolution to all conflicts, plots and sub-plots

In non-fiction books, they will be looking for the following elements:

• Professional, error-free cover email
• Clear description and Table of Contents or outline that shows how the manuscript will fit into The Lotus Circle line
• Metaphysical topic that could be of interest to a wide range of readers, whether new to the genre or long-time students
• All material presented in clear, easy to understand language
• Any pictures, graphs or artwork must be provided by author
• Unusual or advanced terminology, or that which is specific to the subject matter, must be defined, within the text, as a footnote or in a glossary
• Appropriate references given for any quotations or excerpts from other work
• No copyright or trademark infringement; proof of permissions granted where required

For more details visit: http://www.thelotuscircle.com/

PARKER PUBLISHING

Parker Publishing accepts submissions of fiction and non-fiction books featuring primarily African-American characters. Please submit a query letter telling a bit about yourself and what imprint your work would be best suited for. Indicate the word count of your work. You may also include a synopsis and the first three chapters of your story. The word count ranges from 80,000 to 120,000. Submissions should be sent to the address below. For more details please visit: http://www.parker-publishing.com/submissions.html.

Parker Publishing Submissions
Acquisitions
P.O. Box 380-844
Brooklyn, NY 11238

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COMING NEXT MONTH:

Author Sally Schoeneweiss, owner of Booktalk, a literary marketing and promotion service. For more about Sally and her online book community business, log onto www.booktalk.com.

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ABOUT ROMANTICALLY YOURS

Romantically Yours is a FREE monthly newsletter for members of American Writers & Artists Inc.’s romance writing program – “Writing for Love & 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