Okay, so I'm very busy writing a book that's due in 3.5 weeks (yikes!!!!) and yet I still make my online rounds of Twitter, Facebook, and the blogs I enjoy reading. As I was looking at my incoming links, I clicked on the one for eHarlequin which took me to my author page. Shockingly, to me anyway, I have three books in print. THREE. The Prince's Royal Concubine is available exclusively at eHarlequin this month in both print and ebook, which brings me to three.
It hasn't even been a year since my first book hit the shelves, and the 3rd book is about to do so in a month. I simply can't believe it. Not only that, but the same three books have come out in three other countries — and one of them has been printed in German and Italian so far. It boggles the mind. I have also just submitted, and had accepted, my 6th title for Harlequin Presents. What a ride it's been — and I love it. I love writing these books, no matter that some people don't seem to understand the appeal of the ruthless tycoon and his heroine. These books are Beauty and the Beast for me. That doesn't work for everyone, and I understand that.
But I love them, and I'm proud to write them. And I just want you aspiring writers out there to know that you don't need to apologize for what you write, and you don't need to worry what people will think. There will be people who hate your work — and who proclaim it loudly and frequently — and then there will be what I like to call the vast silent majority who love what you do. They love it, they buy it, and they may never write a review or send you a fan letter. But they are out there, and they love what you do. Don't forget that.
Keep writing and dreaming. The dream can come true for you too. And for my readers, thank you. I love telling these stories and I'm so thrilled you love reading them. 🙂
And now I have to get back to writing that 7th title!
P.S. Totally unrelated, but I blogged about the category romance panel I was on while at RT! There's a picture too!
ROCK & ROLL BABY!
What a rush huh?
Well, people who “put down” romance writing as “fluff” don’t have a clue about literature–I mean really! Romance is ageless and it has been written about in different forms of style/prose for hundreds of years; yep, I said HUNDREDS of years, maybe thousands–that whole thing with PARIS and HELEN OF TROY, tell me THAT wasn’t a romance novel if ever there was one!
Say it loud, say it proud! I love what we write too. They’re wonderful books with universal themes that clearly resonate with LOTS of people.
What gets me is when people say, ‘well, you have your foot in the door.’ and I’m like…It’s Harlequin. Harlequin Presents. That’s like…in the door down the hall and to the left.
Lynn,
I appreciate your blog today. As a reader of Presents for more years than I care to admit, I love them. I don’t care who doesn’t “get” it or think that it is getting your “foot in the door.” Without Presents I would have a big hole in my reading list!
Like you, I adore a ruthless tycoon. Even better if he has a small independent kingdom to call home!
Hey, y’all! Thanks for the comments and sorry to be so long in replying. Been super busy with this book!
Yep, romance has been around for millenia! It’s what makes the world go round. 🙂
Maisey, snort! A foot in the door? Love your answer!
Stephanie, thank you so much for loving those ruthless tycoons!
I second the thank you for this blog post. What I’ve always loved about books, and romance in particular, is that there is something for everyone – and different writers to do their stories justice.
Thank you!
Thanks for the comment, Sabrina! I agree with you about the variety of romance. It’s amazing! And I love reading them. No matter what I may write in the future, there will always be a romantic relationship somewhere in the story. I just prefer it!