It happened yesterday
I was in the grocery store when someone said to me, “You were in the paper, weren't you?”
And I said, “Yes, I was.”
She said, “I thought I recognized you.”
OMG! It's so weird! And cool. 🙂 I thanked her for reading it, LOL!
Working on the switch
I think I'm going to make the switch to WordPress, but don't worry, I'll be sure to point this blog to the new one. It's been surprisingly easy to play with creating a new blog, and importing this one into it. If all goes well, I hope to introduce the new site next week. And, big news, but it will take the place of my current website. As much as I love my website, it doesn't reflect what's going on in my writing accurately anymore. The dark colors and hot military guy are crowding out the tycoons and exotic locations. 🙂
So, playing around, but I think the switch will happen.
In other news, had a fabulous interview in the Decatur Daily today. Except I can't give you a link because they only allow subscribers to read the articles. I think that's a mistake, one that the New York Times finally admitted when they returned their site to an all free one, but this is a local paper and they have their own ideas.
What's going on in your neck of the woods? I'm trying to create a new site, keeping up with the press lately, and working on my novel. It's been a busy August…..
New Plan in the Works
I'm thinking of switching this blog to WordPress and using my domain name instead of the blogspot name. Because with WP, you can have a multi-page site, unlike with Blogger.
OTOH, I hate change when I'm comfy with something. And I'm comfy with Blogger. If you're reading, you probably blog. Which platform do you use? Have you switched from one to the other? Which do you like best and why?
I'm not sure when I'll get around to this, or if I even will. I kind of hate the idea of moving everything and then not liking it. And I don't like learning curves. I don't have time for them, you know?
So what do you think of blogs as promotional tools ultimately? Recently, I read that the Fog City Divas are going to stop blogging. The authors are too busy writing to keep up with it. I always thought being a part of a group blog would be easier than what I do here, which is post erratically and on wildly different subjects (whatever is floating my boat, in fact). I periodically ask this question because I'm constantly wondering about it. Is the search for something new to say worth the trouble every day? Can you get just as much mileage from visiting blogs and leaving comments?
I wonder. If you dropped by to read my interview yesterday, thank you! I hope to have another interview link to post soon. 🙂
Interview today!
Please join me over at Romance Writers on the Journey and learn about my writing journey thus far! I'll be answering questions, and my gracious hostess Keli Gwyn has prizes to give away. Give me a shout out!
Finding a brand
I've been thinking about branding and promo lately. Probably because of the RWA National conference. Writers are urged to get a brand, to associate something about the types of stories they write with their name. Start the association early and get the idea planted in the minds of your fellow writers at least. Once you sell, the brand is there, ready to branch out for readers.
I don't disagree with this. And yet, my brand is undergoing an evolution and I'm uncertain how to proceed. I branded myself as a military romantic suspense writer. I still hope to do this.
But now I have international tycoons to add into the mix. And I love them. Oh, I am so happy writing and rewriting my story for Presents right now! I realize how much I fit there, how much I love those stories — even if it's taking me a bit of work to get into the proper groove with my own story.
But how to combine these two things? Many writers start out with one kind of story, one place where they know they fit. Some write a bit of everything. In that case, I think brand is contained in tone and voice. It's about sexy or flirty or dangerous or whatever the underlying core of a writer's voice is rather than a specific genre like suspense or paranormal.
I realized in San Francisco that my own brand of suspense is dangerous and sexy, not gritty or dark or terrifying. And, in many ways, this describes my heroes — whether they are military warriors or wealthy tycoons. I love dangerous and sexy men.
In my stories, not in real life. Thankfully the hubby's most dangerous habit is abandoning me to play on the computer when I'd prefer he help me unload the dishwasher. This is dangerous to my temper and his well-being, but that's about it. 🙂
But dangerous conjures up danger, so maybe it doesn't work for tycoons. Which brings me back to my dilemma. How to brand myself with something generic enough to work for more than one subgenre without being so generic it's forgettable. Or should I even worry about this? I haven't sold anything yet after all.
What are some of your favorite author brands? Is there any tagline that stands out to you? Do you have a brand?
A little diversion
more cat pictures
So I'm working on revisions again. *sigh* Thank GOD for the Presents and Modern Heat authors at conference who told me this is normal and not to feel like a big dummy! The encouragement I found in those ladies has really made a difference in my confidence this time around.
But that's not the diversion. The diversion is my very first newspaper interview. Today, a reporter and photographer came to my house. I was terrified — until I met them. The interview took two hours, and we laughed and talked and had a good time. I have every confidence this interview will put a positive face on romance writing. I don't know when it will be available but as soon as it is, I will post the link.
It's interesting to talk about novel writing with people who don't write novels. And yet, the reporter is a writer because she's a journalist. A different type of writing, but still writing. So we were able to understand one another very well. For instance, we both cringe when someone reads our work while we're in the same room. Don't know why, but I'd rather be in another room if you want to read my story. I guess I don't want to see puzzlement on your face. 🙂 Or worse, disappointment. She felt the same way about her stories. I found that comforting.
The photographer had a trunk full of equipment he brought inside and set up, complete with this huge umbrella thing that helped with lighting. I felt like a movie star! Thankfully, I'd changed out of the writer's uniform of pajamas and into something more attractive. I even took a shower and put on makeup. Definitely not the way I usually write. In fact, she asked me what my routine was. Here it is: wake up around 6:30, kiss husband goodbye around 7:15, pour coffee, go to office and write. In pajamas. With hair scraped back in a bun. Shower around 2 or so — sooner if stuck in a scene. I always shower so the hubby doesn't think I sat around all day in my pajamas — even though I do. 🙂 I figure if the man goes to work and lets me stay home and indulge myself this way, the least I can do is appear presentable when he gets home.
Unless I'm on deadline and then all bets are off. 😉
If you've ever been interviewed, how did it go? Were you scared? Did you think of something later that you should have said? So far, I haven't, but who knows how I'll feel tomorrow.