Aug 16, 2008 | Goals |
I don't typically post on Saturday, but watching Michael Phelps barely win his 7th gold medal last night made me think about what it means to have drive. Clearly, he has it. He does not give up.
Was he hurting after all these races? Was his body marginally slowing down because the muscle tissue has been stretched and torn and worked to the max of endurance?
Maybe.
But clearly it didn't stop him. As the other swimmer glided in for his gold medal, Phelps (at the top of picture) took that extra stroke and touched the wall 1/100th of a second faster than the man who looked certain to win the race at that point. Do you think that guy will be watching videos over and over and kicking himself for not pushing that extra 1/100th out?
Friends, as writers, we must push for that extra 1/100th. Even when we feel beat up and bruised and so tired we think it'd be nice to curl up in a ball for a while. Push it out and write your pants off; because so much hangs on that extra effort, doesn't it?
I'm inspired. Phelps may have the perfect swimmer's body, may have the conditioning and genetics to be a champion, may have the best coach and the best of everything — but I'm not sure any of that would carry him to 7, possibly 8, gold medals if he didn't have the one thing that nobody can give him: drive. He refuses to lose. He simply refuses to accept anything less than the best from himself.
It's something to remember as I sit in front of my computer and contemplate today's goals.
*(Photo from the BBC)
Aug 15, 2008 | Promotion, Writing |
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?
Aug 14, 2008 | Business, Promotion, Revising, Writing |
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.
Aug 12, 2008 | Conference, Photos |
Finally got the SF pics onto the computer. Here's me with the RITA/GH board. No names on the board, but still too cool to know I was a finalist in one of those categories listed there.
A pic of the Heart of Dixie ladies after the ceremony. L to R from back: me, Linda Winstead Jones, Marilyn Puett, Linda Howard, Kira Sinclair, Beverly Barton, Kathy Bone, Jean Hovey. Front L to R: Kimberly Lang, Stephanie Jones, Andrea Laurence. Don't we look happy?
My Harlequin editor Sally Williamson (she's the thin gorgeous one) posing with me after the RITA/GH ceremony. Yes, in spite of not winning, I was happy. 🙂 It was a fun night, and quite the honor to be among the talented group of 2008 finalists known as the Pixie Chicks. Look out in the future, btw, because the Pixie Chicks are going to blog. We don't know when, we don't know where, but we're working on it. 🙂
Ten things I learned at the conference (or in the conference city):
1. Never tell people you haven't had a cold in over two years. Kiss of death.
2. Double-sided tape does wonders to keep your bra from showing.
3. Spanx really are the bomb.
4. 400 women + open bar = hilarity for sure.
5. San Francisco really is freezing in July/August.
6. Seals smell bad.
7. No one ever escaped from Alcatraz and lived to tell about it.
8. Lining up for pitch appointments feels oddly like lining up to see the hangman.
9. Free books make some people crazy.
10. The conference will end and you'll realize you never met up with/talked to several people you wanted to see.
What have you learned recently?
Aug 11, 2008 | Writing |
Conference is over, all the happy writers are back in their caves, and new stories must be written. Or old stories must be revised. Last year, after Dallas, I left National feeling very inspired. And it must have worked because I finished my novel and it became a Golden Heart finalist. 🙂
This year, I also felt inspired. I came home very run down and sick (that was me with the tissues last week), and then I had company (who left this morning) and I've been unable to get to work until today.
So, I'm sitting down this morning with my coffee and the whole day free to get back to work. And I'm so jazzed about it! I have ideas I can't wait to explore. I'm somewhat intimidated by all I have to do, but I'm also excited and inspired.
I never got to blog from SF, though I intended to. But the best of intentions just don't stack up against the never-ending things one has to do. Meetings, workshops (uh, I think I made it to 3…), chatting with friends, dancing at publisher parties, rehearsals, spontaneous gatherings in the hotel bar, etc. I didn't sleep much, and I paid for it in spades when I got sick. My body was too run down to fight off the cold germs. I haven't had a cold in over two years — which must be why this one hit particularly hard. Still, I'll do it all again in DC next year. 🙂
August is notorious for beginnings (back to school) so do you feel fresh and new, or do you want it to still be summer play time? Are you inspired or intimidated this morning?
I don't typically post on Saturday, but watching Michael Phelps barely win his 7th gold medal last night made me think about what it means to have drive. Clearly, he has it. He does not give up.
