I watched Miss Americana a second time. During a bleak moment, I sought the light. Change is hard for me. So as my own boss, I gave myself a pep talk then looked to my role models for inspiration–Mom, Sam, Taylor Swift, pretty much anyone who tackles re-invention (not Madonna, who is late to her concerts which is rude). I’m not re-inventing so much as … Continue reading I Haven’t Forgotten about Taylor!
Picture it: December 17, 2009 at JFK. It’s 11pm and I’m waiting to see the guy with whom I’d been feverishly corresponding for three months. We’d become kinda serious over those 90 days, and this would be our first time together in the real world. It was exciting! So exciting! Even better in real life than in my dreams. We lived together from that first … Continue reading Happy Fourteenth First-Date-iversary to my Beloved Sam!
Love writing. Love love. Love the process of love. Write a good book using the following ingredients: love, character, voice, dialogue, movement, intensity, chemistry, obstacles, conflict, backstory, frontstory, sidestory, denouement, climax, third rail hell, and an ending that fuels eternal hope in a reader’s heart. Don’t do it for the money–even though money is nice, money is important. The writing that you love to do … Continue reading Tips on Getting Your Romance Novel Published
It’s been twenty-five years since I started editing, and I still love to read submissions. There is no greater editor-high than to find a new author. Helping a writer shape a story is a thrill for me, and I enjoy witnessing the excitement when the book hits the shelves. The downside of being an editor is that I have to reject many submissions. It is … Continue reading Top 5 Reasons Why I Reject Submissions
In the last week, I read 40+ submissions. You may not believe this, but I love reading slush! It’s not fun to walk in when you’re wearing new shoes, but slush is an oft-tarnished term that means a submission from the publisher’s general pile. What’s wrong with that? Publishers need submissions to survive, end of story. As I was reading, I noticed once again (as … Continue reading Easy Romance Writing Tips
I’m a firm believer that leaving the house is a good thing. Two weeks ago, at Williams College, I spoke about my employer’s global marketing program at a conference about romance. Following this, I signed my book at Water Street Books, a lovely bookstore that is too friendly to be your typical college bookstore. Where were the shotglasses and school banners? Maybe they were there, … Continue reading Weekend at Williams College
What is more painful than writing a synopsis? Writing a blog post about writing synopses. Just kidding not really. While on an editor panel, I promised to write this post and I’m glad I did. From the bottom of my heart, I feel that banging out that synopsis is essential–and easy. Let’s just get it out of the way, that every writer tells me, “I … Continue reading Welcome to Synopsis Camp!
In this age of negatives, I need balance, so please forgive–or love–my special combination of romance writing “pet peeves” and my latest obsession: the Gwen Stefani/Blake Shelton relationship. I haven’t been the same since November 4, 2015, when their couplehood was confirmed. No doubt, I see these peeves as a neon light (wink wink), which will brighten up your romance novel: 1. He knew… She … Continue reading Romance Pet Peeves: The Shefani Edition
Patience Bloom 