HEARTBEATS IN TIME ~ "Any romance A.V.?"

A.V. being AFTER VAMPIRES!

Does the Twilight Trilogy mark the end of the Vampire Era, or just the beginning? Call me Old School or Old Fashioned but I associate vampire-driven romance with erotica and "highly-sensual" subject matter. Absolutely, 100% nothing wrong with that. Mind you, I think there's plenty of erotica and sensuality to go around in historical romance, too. I'm just wondering if there will be any romance left after the vampires have sucked the blood out of every romance genre today? What's next? I'm curious about where creative romantics will go next with their literary pens.

As I see it, right now with vampire romance, there's no such thing as writing a credible story, since, with vampire romance you are sent into a world of fantasy, asked to suspend belief at every turn of the page or press of the kindle cursor. Right now, this is what the market is selling and this is what the reading public is buying. No argument here. I'm looking forward to seeing ECLIPSE and suspending belief along with everybody else! My question is only that I wonder where this will next lead us.

Into the surreal future or back to the real past?

Food for thought ... for vampires and cave-dwellers, alike.

HEARTBEATS IN TIME ~ "Print or Virtual? Can we keep the romance?"

I realize that in the not-too-distant future, actual print books will be a thing of the past. We won't be holding pages in our hands, free to feel around the edges as we immerse ourselves in stories, remembering every coffee-spill and thumbprint, but instead fondling the sharp edges of a cold piece of metal, pushing a button to turn the page. Something is lost in this transition from the printed page and book-in-hand to a metal gadget where we "program in" our latest reading preferences. Mind you, I do understand that reading machines, if you will, are the future. I understand that print books are on their way out, making room for push-button, instant downloading of the latest NYTimes bestseller ... and Five Star bestseller. I understand that changes in society and culture are demanding that we embrace reading gadgets and do away with library shelves, complete with their worn, torn edges.

There it is: the word, EMBRACE. If I'm reading an historical romance, can I embrace a little metal gadget in any way that resembles an actual book? Will all of my senses be stirred with this little metal gadget, the same way my senses are heightened by the actual print pages of my latest treasured purchase? We wake up with books. We fall asleep with books. We ride to work with books. We take books on vacations. We take books on planes. We fall asleep with books. We peer over shoulders to see what books others are reading. We give books as gifts, taking great pains to select just the right ones. We take ownership of books the moment we have them in hand, taking ownership of the characters and story waiting inside for us. We can't wait to find the time to read. We thrive on the warmth from our in-hand books.

Will we find that same warmth within the confines of our reading machines?

Time will tell.

HEART 2 HEART ~ "And on the ninth nite of Hanukkah ..."

In my world , if you count the shamesh, and if you believe the miracle of the Festival of Lights might just continue on into the next nite and the next. Well it just so happens that I DO believe in miracles and that miracles can continue on in our hearts and minds long after the eighth candle has burned down. The heart-warming message of Hannukah -- a time when the Jews survived Syrian oppression, a time when the holy oil in the Temple miraculously lasted eight days, a time of re-dedication -- continues to inspire on into the ninth nite, and the tenth ...

When I think of the inspiring stories in the air this time of the year, I can't help but reflect on the wonderful Christmas story, YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS. To me this wonderful children's story serves to inspire "on past the eighth nite and the ninth ..." If we believe in miracles, whether it's Santa Claus or a candle burning when it should not, we carry in our hearts the year through, the possibility of all the things life might bring, all the hopes and dreams for our future, and our children's, and their children's.

Miracles can happen long after Hannukah and Christmas ... if we believe in the spirit and inspiration both of these wonderful holidays bring this winter season and the next ... and the next ... and the next ... IF WE BELIEVE.

Shalom to All and to All a Good Night!

:-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell

HEART 2 HEART ~ "Holiday Hearts"

This time of the year brings out the best in us all, no matter which holiday we celebrate. Smiles abound on faces of young and old alike. Whether searching for the perfect Christmas tree or the perfect box of candles for the family Menorah, it's a time for family and friends and romance. It's a time for our generous hearts to shine forth, right along with the lights on the tree and the candles in the Menorah. It's a time for Holiday Hearts.

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to one and all!

:-) Joanne Gregg Sundell

HEART 2 HEART ~ California Dreamin` Can Be A Nightmare!

Writing-wise and Marketing-wise, that is.

This is a very BIG POND out here and only the heartiest of small fishies will survive to write another day!

I'm speaking here in the context of having moved recently to southern California from the Colorado mountains. Both are resort areas, admittedly created for fun in the sun, whether frolicking in the water or on the slopes. If you're a relatively unknown writer who wants only to frolick in the waters of the Pacific, no problem. But, if you're a relatively unknown writer who wants some recognition for your books, big problem.

OK, so how to solve the problem of being a small fish in a big pond. (Any suggestions will be appreciated.) Since we're on a "water" theme, I think it best to approach the problem, considering the glass half-full as opposed to half-empty.

The half-empty glass, I can speak to with authority. It's intimidating to open the doors of the local libraries, bookstores, and newspaper offices in southern California, enter, and have your book bag in hand, not to mention your hat! Folks smile and they're very nice, don't get me wrong, it's just that they've heard my story countless times already. I mean, this is the land of Entertainment Tonight, E News, and Access Hollywood! This whole state is full of successful achievers or wanna-be-achievers and I'm beginning to think you've got to start with a spot on Oprah before you can expect any notice. Well, other than having a blog article appear in the Chicago Sun Times last week, I'm not expecting a call from Oprah's production department.

Short of that ...

The half-full glass, I can also speak to with authority. This half is far more refreshing and rejuvenating. For starters, WRITE A GOOD BOOK. No, WRITE A GREAT BOOK. Then, pack up your ego in the book bag you tote from bookstores to libraries to newspapers and get your 15 minutes of fame with each and everyone who will listen. Think positively and wait for a good response. Right? At the very least, get your name out there any way you can. Now, living in the beach cities, I see the airplane signs trolling the skies over the beaches, advertising this new show or that new beer ... and the truth of it is I'm quite sure I can't afford the same advert for my books. So, I'm going to keep plugging away with my postcards and bookmarks and nudges to the newspapers and we'll see.

A girl has to try. How else can I be California Dreamin`!

:-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell

www.joannesundell.com

Meggie's Remains 7/09
The Quaker and the Confederate series 5/10, 9/10

HEART 2 HEART ~ "The Blog Market"

The Blog Market, I've come to learn, is just as important as watching the stock market. Soooo ... I'm jumping into a scheduled blog tour for the month of September for my latest Five Star-Gale release, MEGGIE'S REMAINS.

Partering with Pump Up Your Book Promotion, I'm beginning work today on my posts, beginning with Blogcritics. This should be interesting and fun. My heroine and hero in MEGGIE'S REMAINS, Meggie and Ethan, deserve a bit of internet attention! In addition to hitting the Blog Market, I'm attending the Women Writing the West conference in September where I'll showcase MEGGIE'S REMAINS in their bookstore. The chair of the conference, Harriet Rochlin, is an amazing writer and an all-around great person! In October, I plan to participate in a signing at Barnes & Noble in Encino for MEGGIE'S REMAINS, where I'll sign along with members of Los Angeles Romance Writers. This should also be interesting and fun!

Last week I blogged with you about all of the changes, moving to southern California. Not much has "changed" since that post in that I'm still 63 and tech-challenged, and still watching my adorable, brilliant, 5-month old grandson. Where changes are needed rests on MY SHOULDERS. I'm so priviliged to be a published author and I need to step up to the promo plate and JUST DO IT!

Everyday for me from now on, is a day to learn and a day to lobby for my heroines and heroes!

Can we say, ENERGY, boys and girls!

:-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell

MEGGIE'S REMAINS
Five-Star, Gale, Cengage Learning
ISBN: 978 1 59414 788 3

HEART 2 HEART ~ "I think I can ... I think I can ..."

Remember THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD? I'm attempting to chug along with the timeless theme from that little, yet oh-so-important children's story.

"I think I can ... I think I can ... I think in can ..." blog on a regular basis, just like most of the Writing World. Why this has been so difficult for me, is for me to figure out and improve on, for sure.

In my defense ... the moment I have something kind-of/sort-of figured out, something else has already come along as replacement. For example, when I finally got onto MySpace, happy as a clam that I have A Few Good Friends, many of you now are on Facebook. And not just Facebook ... but twittering, as well. I'm having to "spark" The Little Engine That Could on this one, too. I have a Facebook site but it does need a bit of tending. Ya think?

As for my blog, I've decided to tell the unfettered, raw truth, week by week, detailing my falling off the writing wagon and then climbing back on. It's a journey that you might find interesting, and during which I might find a kindred spirit or two.

My blog stands alone at the moment, other than being listed on MySpace, or on the website of some wonderful writing friends. My first challenge is to link up with other blogs, connecting and networking on a regular basis. I'll let you know how this goes. The truth of it is that I'm a 63-year-old, techno-challenged lass who is ever intimidated by the Big Bad Internet. Ah well, such if life.

HEART 2 HEART, I want to reveal to you that since my part-time move to California, I've fallen off the Writing Wagon. Separated from old friends, writing contacts, and those bookstores that would have me in for a signing, I feel pretty doggone alone. It's a tough world out here in the Los Angeles area. It's hard to get notice other than for road rage on the 405! Marketing is going "to be a bitch" out here, I'm sure of it. I'll let you know my trials and tribulations. Perhaps some of you will relate.

Next time I'll tell you why I'm out here in LA LA LAND in the first place. Perhaps, over the next weeks and months, we can climb back onto the Writing Wagon together. Stranger things ...

Tweet, Tweet!

:-) Joanne

www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com

HEART 2 HEART ~ "Virtual Writing"

Yes, I think writing has gone virtual, at least all marketing, promo, and networking is done out there in Internet Land. I know that many books are on the download now, read off the Net, too. So, what's left to do on the actual, factual, printed page?

THE BOOK.

The book, the story, the WIP, is not yet the sole domain of virtual reality. Many aspects of writing have gone virtual, but not "the book," not yet anyway. The moments between the writer and their PC are precious, indeed. The moments where the outside world is just that--outside--are treasured moments where we as writers can refuel and let out creative side go, go, go! Feels good, doesn't it? You bet.

The good side of virtual writing is that in this tough economy where books have also fallen victim, virtual marketing/promo/networking is pretty much FREE. The bad side of virtual writing is that if you're over the age of 50, give or take, you might find yourself caught on the Internet without the Net piece, ie, we senior types are challenged when it comes to ease in finding our way on and off blogs, on and off virtual tours, and on and off this link or that site, this pod cast or that chat group. But, such is life and thank goodness there's no Ugly in all of this. Good and Bad, but no Ugly allowed!

Virtually yours,

:-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell

www.joannesundell.com
Meggie's Remains 7/09
The Quaker and the Confederate series 5/10, 9/10

HEART 2 HEART ~ "Anyone Else Out There, OVERWHELMED?"

Updating my update (that has to be bad writing), keying in MySpace & Facebook & Twitter, OH MY, wishing GoodReads to all Americans in Oz, I'm feeling the pressure to "choose my site wisely." I love that line from Indiana Jones, don't you? We ever try to choose wisely, do we not? Surely you must have had to choose where you place your internet trust and energy, praying you won't be spammed in the process. Like you, I key on tiptoes most days. Like you, I hate to take a misstep and lose internet ground, not to mention access for days on end!

That being said, I must admit I'm OVERWHELMED by the availability of new sites, coming up frequently, new places to chat and to network and to market. This all sounds well and good but it involves time, time many of us don't have in the first place. I'm not stupid. I know the internet is a wonderful place to "chat and network and market," it's just that I haven't mastered the subtleties of HOW to do this with ease, and HOW to best use my time on the Net for good--for the good of my friends and fellow writers as well as myself. I'm working on it! I'm working on it because I've met wonderful folks on the Net, readers and writers all. A sure incentive to make good choices and choose wisely.

Good Reads :-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com

MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE
~HEARTS DIVIDED~
~HEARTS PERSUADED~

HEART 2 HEART ~ "Just Do It!"

On many a day, I'm like Scarlett O'Hara from GWTW, putting things off and worrying about them tomorrow. The problem becomes ... those tomorrows can add up and bite us in the YOU KNOW WHAT, and then we can't sit down to write Jack!

More than diving into our next manuscript, I'm talking about the other hat we writers often have to wear: OUR "PROJECT MANAGER GET OUR MARKETING DONE" HAT. For those of us who don't have personal assistants (cough cough) we have to learn to dance and chew gum at the same time. We have to learn to put time toward our current WIP while formulating a plan to market our next release, all the while dealing with any and all issues related to our past releases. Also, we have to keep our all important personal lives in check, as well. Please, in no way do I intend to complain here. I feel extremely fortunate to be published. I'm merely suggesting that we have to make sure we have a good view of all that's on our writing plate, and then make sure we have a good "overview" of the tasks at hand, and then "Just Do It."

We can't afford to be like Scarlett O'Hara and worry about it tomorrow, much as we're tempted. We all know that tomorrow only puts more on our writing plate ... soooo ... we should try to "Just Do It" and handle issues as they arise. This isn't always easy as life has a way of interrupting us ALL OF THE TIME. My latest game plan is to devote a set amount of time each and every morning to marketing tasks, et al, including the care and feeding of any writing organizations to which I'm lucky enough to hold membership, and networking with other writers.

Move over NIKE` ... I'm going to JUST DO IT, too!


:-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell

www.joannesundell.com
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE ~ Hearts Divided
THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE ~ Hearts Persuaded

HEART 2 HEART - "The Write Coast"

Stomach in, chest out, and breathe!

In a few days time I'll be crawling into my suburu forester along with my two huskies and two cats and heading west, to southern California. This is a temporary relocation but it's for good reason. My baby girl is going to have a baby boy in a few weeks and I want to understand all the rules and regs to earn the title, Grammy Jo!

The fact that I'll be trying to write on the west coast and not from my cozy, loft office in the Rocky Mountains ... well, I'm a bit concerned about finding comfort in any "new writing spot." And then there's the other thing ... CA is a huge place and I'm a total unknown in any CA Hood. At least in the Rockies, my friends have ever been supportive of my writing habits, good and bad, and there are always a few friendly faces at signings. I hope the natives in southern CA are friendly!

I hope to hit the ground running (well, how about waddling) and join the local RWA chapter in Los Angeles, and approach many of the local libraries as well as bookstores. Hey, I used to sell Girl Scout Cookies and maybe my skills with mint cookie sales will come in handy. Naaa ... we all know mint cookies sell themselves. I've got it! I'll get myself lasered and lasicked and nail-polished and waxed and made over, and then maybe I'll get a library card or two, for starters.

I'll let you know if the Write Coast is Right for me. Tune in tomorrow ...

:-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com

MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS
THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE-HEARTS DIVIDED
THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE-HEARTS PERSUADED

HEART 2 HEART - "Going LARGE Isn't So Bad"

I just found out that my 12/08 release, THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER, is going into LARGE PRINT with Thorndike Press Historical Fiction, come April 15th! Bigger IS better, tee hee!

The primary market for my books sold to Five Star-Gale, an imprint of Cengage Learning, is the library market (BLESS THEM). If any of our books sold in original hardcover survive the numbers crunch, they have a chance to go into LARGE PRINT. These large print hardcovers (with Thorndike) are sold primarily to the library market as well. Most libraries have large print shelves and I'm sooooo happy that THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER will perhaps go on many of these shelves.

My second Five Star-Gale sale, A...MY NAME'S AMELIA, also went into LARGE PRINT, as a softcover with Wheeler Publishing. It did quite well for which I'm truly grateful. If I may add, the heroine in the book is deaf and I did the majority of my research at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind (CSDB). I happily was able to gift the school with a large print copy of AMELIA as well as donating the wall hanging I had made of The Manual Alphabet. I'm honored the school will display the wall hanging and put copies of AMELIA in their library!!!

So ... you can see why I'm saying that "going LARGE isn't so bad!"

:-) Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com

MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS

HEART 2 HEART - "Everyone Needs Their Own Writing Spot"

As I'm about to Leave the Comfort Zone of my "old writing spot," I'm more aware than ever that we all need Our Own Writing Spot!

Where, When, Why, and How we write is what makes us unique, of course. Unique is good, is it not? It's what the agents and editors want and hopefully, what we want, too. I subscribe to the school of thought professing that every step in the writing process is an important one. Every step matters. How do we feel when we sit down at our computers, both physically and mentally? Is it a good day or bad? Are we writing under pressure, under deadline, or can our imaginations wander where they will? Some might be able to write, unfettered by outside distraction, but not moi`! Some write according to a fairly-set schedule ... which is moi`!

How many of us have heard people say that they'd love to write a book but don't have the time? (Of course, they never talk about any skill that might perhaps be involved.) I believe that those who want to write but say they don't have the time, are unwilling "to take the time" to actually sit down and write. Writing takes discipline. Writing, to me, means I have to set down a time and place to write and stick to that schedule no matter what. Of course we all have "push" moments when we have to get something done, but that's not what I'm talking about here.

This is where "Our Own Writing Spot" comes in. If we have a place of our own and a time of our own to set down our thoughts ... viola` ... those thoughts actually come! Our unique story begins to unfold before our very eyes because we're snugly tucked in the warm, welcoming arms of our own writing spot, where we can trust our imaginations to soar!

Happy Writing,

Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell

www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com

MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS

HEART 2 HEART - "Leaving Our Comfort Zone"

In writing, "leaving our comfort zone," usually means "leaving our established genre," and branching out into others, yet untried. While this is the mark of a talented author (one who can write in multiple genres) this is not the comfort zone I'm talking about. I'm talking about leaving one comfortable writing spot for another.

Events are uprooting me from my comfortable, familiar, loft office in the Colorado Rockies ... where I find solace and many an idea pondering each passing snowflake ... and transplanting me, albeit part-time, to a windowless office/closet a block off busy Pacific Coast Highway, with the ocean minutes from my door. Needless to say, I don't have an office window where I can gaze out each day to watch the tide roll in and out and ponder the flight of the pelican or gathering of gulls ... where I perhaps might find the solace and fanciful ideas left behind in my mountain home.

There is another comfort zone I'm leaving, too. I'm leaving behind the local libraries and bookstores in the mountains and on the front range in Colorado, where they usually say "yes" to author appearances, and "yes" to ordering my books. I'm leaving the "hood" where most of the folks in my writing groups are members. Granted, because I live a relatively isolated life in the mountains, I'm not a frequent attendee at meetings, but I do enjoy the e-mail, snail-mail, and up-close-and-in-person-when-I-can collegial, companionable acquaintances with other authors based in Colorado. I've had the good fortune of seeing some of these talented authors at conference and hope to continue this in the future. Good luck for me that conferences are scheduled all over the country and soooo ... I'll especially try to attend those held in Colorado and in California.

I look forward to "hooking" up with some of the writing groups in California and perhaps will actually attend a meeting once in a while. Duh! I also look forward to getting a rhythm going, much like the ocean tide, of writing in both Colorado and California ... wherever GRANNY DAY CARE takes me!

And so ... I raise my 3rd cup of coffee so far today ... to you in a toast to Expanding Our Comfort Zones!

:)
Jo(Anne) Gregg Sundell

MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS

HEART 2 HEART - "If you DON'T have the self-confidence gene, what really helps in writing is ..."

...to keep writing and keep selling! It's that simple and that complicated.

There are writers out there who are prettier, thinner, smarter, richer, more poised, more well-spoken, better at time management, listed in top 10 book sales throughout the land, agent-represented, signed on for speaking events at every conference, more savvy at working the Net, and far more expert in social and writing networking than moi`.

OK, that's a given. No danger in that whatsoever. I, for one, celebrate everyone's success. It's darn hard to write and darn hard to sell. Why do I insert "danger" into my narrative here? For good reason.

There's a fine line between celebrating the success of other writers and comparing ourselves to them -- setting ourselves up in some kind of phantom competition. Yes, to me that's dangerous AND whittles away at our self-esteem and self-confidence. We, none of us, have time for this nonsense.

It's critical to stay focused on our own writing and our own networking and our own place in today's writing world, doing our utmost to improve at every turn of the "crafting" page. We have only to learn from other writers, and if we're lucky enough to know writers who are also editors ... kismet! No better writing-self-confidence-builder!

Self-confidence for this writer, comes from writing and selling. I know I'm not the prettiest, the smartest, the most well-spoken nor the most talented, but darn it ... I'm selling to a fantastic publishing house and my books are selling to a fantastic library market ... and sometimes beyond. Because I know "it's darn hard to write and darn hard to sell," and because my books are selling ... I'm happy in my writing shoes and ever grateful to own a pair. A good fit builds self-confidence. It's that simple and that complicated.

A more confident `09 to us all!

Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell

www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell

MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS

HEART 2 HEART - "The Self-confidence Gene"

`Suppose there's a gene test for self-confidence? In writing, especially?

If so, one could make the argument that BEFORE one pursues a writing career, one might do well to get that gene test for self-confidence. If you have the gene, GREAT ... write on! If you don't have the gene, NOT-SO-GREAT ... but write on if you dare.

With four books to my credit, from Five Star-Gale, I'm not there yet in terms of self-confidence but I'm building up immunity against FEAR in the FACE of MARKETING as I go. With each book I'm realizing that I have to be doing something right to get published in this tough industry; especially in today's "tough" financial market. Despite the fact that I'm fortunate, indeed, to be published with such an accredited publishing house, and despite the fact that I've received national reviews for all of my books in release ... I still hem, haw, and shake in the knees during book talks, signings, and speaking appearances.

I'm remembering Stephen King's sage advice now, in his book, ON WRITING, where he advises us to turn all of our negatives and our rejections ... into positives. Because I was born without the Self-confidence Gene in "all things marketing" I, more than most, need to heed Mr. King's advice. Which I do. Uh, which I try to do.

Most importantly, I tell myself that every day tons of other writers are out there marketing and they can't all be GREAT AT IT! I do feel there's a support group out there, with many in the membership just like me, and needing to turn our fears into motivation and use all of that adrenalin for GOOD ... OUR OWN GOOD! I relax then, knowing I'm not alone.

Sooooo ... I take a deep breath, chin up chest out and all of that sort of thing, and remember that I've indeed achieved a lot, with four books published, and I owe it to myself, my publisher, and my stories to turn my chief negative --- my lack of self-confidence --- into positive motivation and go out there in Marketing Land and grab a bit of that elusive brass ring of self-confidence for myself! There should be plenty to go around on the merry go round of book promotion, right?

Let's all grab that Brass Ring of Confidence together,

Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell

MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS

HEART 2 HEART - "Book Cents"

With the New Year underway and in the midst of marketing my third release from Five Star-Gale, trying to juggle time needed for completing manuscripts and time needed for well ... the rest of the "to-dos" in life ... I made a resolution to have better BOOK CENTS this year!

Yep, I "also" made a resolution to be a better blogger, too. Time will tell.

What do I mean by BOOK CENTS?

I mean that every minute of my day that goes toward writing should be a minute well spent.
I mean that every word keyed toward my WIP should be a word well put.
I mean that time and effort involved in Virtual Blog Touring should not be time wasted.
I mean that every marketing avenue pursued, should have a positive exit plan with projected sales numbers in mind.
I mean that I will try to get "booked" in stores for signing events that will showcase my latest release to best advantage.
I mean that I will work on getting out there ... whether on the Net or in Person ... and do my best to engage and interest more readers in my historical romances.
I mean that I will do my best to "dance and chew gum at the same time." I will do my best to write, while at the same time market, while at the same time, book appearances at stores and libraries.
MOST OF ALL, I mean that I will continue to value my relationships with acquisitions agents, editors, fellow writers, and readers, ever listening to their sage advice and following their guide.

Makes good "BOOK CENTS," don't ya think?

Jo(anne)Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
www.myspace.com/joannesundell

MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS

HEART 2 HEART ~ "If I can reach only one reader ..."

Hi All,

I've been an "absent friend" for which I apologize. My computer came down with a virus and is only now recovering. I'm posting this blog with the utmost of respect for the opportunity to do so.

How many times have we all gotton on the Internet-waves, opining about marketing this and marketing that, which is best to do, which is worse, how many to guarantee for a signing, how many to send promos to, et al. The answer: MANY TIMES. All of us who write, of course, want to sell as many books as we can to as many people as we can. That seems a reasonable expectation, I think you'll agree.

Often when we're in the middle of a project, we're in it for our hero and heroine, for our story, wondering how things will go, and praying they will go well. Not so often do we think about the readers on the other end of things, wondering if they'll like our story beyond the hope they'll buy it. I'm not saying we write without any thought for our readers and their tastes, but what I am saying is that my focus isn't on the reader as much as on my hero and heroine and what I hope for them. I feel the responsibility of writing a good-enough story to get published and satisfy any potential readership.

With regard to my current WIP, I feel a new responsibility ... "to please at least one potential reader" waiting for my story(s). I live in a small community full of friendly, engaging Colorado mountain folk. My friends and neighbors have been so supportive of my writing and are happy about any success I find with any of my books. Recently I ran into an old friend. We talked about our children and then about my books (my friend asked me about my WIP). I didn't hesitate to talk about my planned series set in Civil War, Virginia, THE QUAKER AND THE CONFEDERATE, Hearts Divided and Hearts Persuaded. Almost to the end of book one now, I'm happy to talk about how the story is going with any and all who might be interested. While I intended to write my hero and heroine into the story, I hadn't intended on a third protagonist---a little slave girl named Surry Lion. I'm not black. I didn't feel qualified to write in a black character but ... there she appeared ... on page one, the first character to speak in the story! Those of you who write historicals know what I'm talking about. You do a lot of research and it stays with you on most every page you write. Of course, in any story set in Virginia during the Civil War, slavery had to be addressed. I hope and pray I do justice to Surry's character, as well as my other protagonists.

My whole point in mentioning all of this is that my friend has a beautiful black granddaughter, that her daughter adoped two years ago. Both she and her daughter have read my books to date, liked them, and are anxious to get a copy of my Civil War series for little Caitie. They want to surround Caitie with books about her rich heritage.

I'm deeply touched and suddenly feel an overwhelming responsibility to make sure that "if only one little girl reads my book," it will all be worth it.

This one's for you, little Caitie.

Love,

Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell

author@joannesundell.com
www.joannesundell.com

MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS

HEART 2 HEART ~ "Let's give `em something to blog about!"

Hi guys,

"Let's give `em something to blog about!" heh heh

Not that I don't think each and every thing that any of us blog isn't `tre importante ... but I do think some blogs are, of course, far more interesting than others. I'm not forgetting, too, that blogs come in all shapes and sizes now: Group Blogs, Individual Blogs, Blogs linked to other Blogs, Blogs representing a specific organization, Blogs about Blogs ... ya da ya da ya da ... and so it goes on the Big Bad Net!

I do think of the old saying when blogging, however, that goes something like," If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to see it, to hear it, did it really fall?" I think of this saying because many blogs go unread, except by their author. Many blogs go unnoticed, likely considered not `tre importante enough for the busy Internet Surfer, hungry for the latest and greatest and most important this and that. Fine and completely understandable and acceptable. Who doesn't want to chime in to the biggest authors, the biggest stars, the best singers, the most noteworthy politicos, et al ... in all the land? We all do, of course. But, and there's always a but in life, isn't there?

But ... there IS another side to blogging, a private side that comes out of each and every unique one of us. There are things we reveal in blogs, half of the time unaware we've even done so, our need to vent our feelings and thoughts outweighing any concern over exactly "what" we might be saying. We might be in the middle of writing a book, coming in and out of a personal trauma, stirred up over something we heard or read on the news, suffering from empty nest syndrome, hating hitting menopause, wishing we were younger and thinner and smarter ... and blogged about it, unaware we'd even done so until we're ready to press "publish."

You know, writing is a solitary endeavor, is it not? And short of going to every conference we can register for, every author "gig" we can sign up for, taking advantage of socially networking with every new "friend" on MySpace, we often find ourselves alone at our computers, in our pj's, the family cat draped over our keyboard, our coffee cup needing constant replenishing, being totally disoriented as to time, place, and person until something interrupts our solitary reverie. At just such moments ... when a noise from the outside world breaks through our psyche ... sometimes at just such moments, when we find ourselves so alone, it's like a breath of much-needed air, to be able to go to our little, individual blog sites, and "talk to all the folks our there in Big Bad Internet Land."

We know there are folks there, however few, even if they don't always comment. We know there are folks there waiting to read, to hear what we're thinking, to connect with us ... waiting for us to cut down our tree and hear it fall, wanting to be there with us as we work. "Let's give `em something to blog about" never rings more true than at this moment ... this connection.

Whether we blog individually or are connected with a hundred other blogs in a hundred different groups, we're connected and that's all that matters. We're not alone in our writing world, but join together with others ... starting with one comment, then two, then more ... linking with the outside world ...

... and oh ... What a Wonderful World!

L,

Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com

MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS

HEART 2 HEART ~ "Mind Your Writing Manners"

Hi all,

I'ts been my melancholy observation that some of us, most of us writers, do not always "mind our writing manners." Many of us do, yet some do not.

As a writer, any and all communication is important. Now most of our communication seems to be over the Internet, snail-mail reserved only for obligatory messaging. Some of us old fogies have had to be dragged, kicking and screaming, to the Net! Ouch! Anyway, once there, most of us have managed to learn the basics and try to respectfully network, ever struggling to transer our "writing manners" from pen and paper to the Net.

I suppose all writers have a touch of narcissim, as this seems to develop over time and comes with the territory. I suppose too, that all writers are pretty much always busy, with little extra time (an oxymoron in our case). I've discovered that there is a wonderful rhythm when communicating with some writers and editors, all busy all of the time. You ask them a question. They answer. They ask you a question. You answer. You need help. They help. They need help. You help. Back and forth ... nice and easy ... like a smooth country western tune.

The bottom line is that everyone takes valuable time out of their writing day to socially network, et al, which often includes answering e-mails, sometimes in great detail, and is often about securing author quotes or how to get a kink worked out in their book or what's the best way to market this and that, etc. I'm amazed when some do not bother to get back, once you've helped them in some way. To me it's sad and very telling.

I'm venting here but it's for a purpose, a good one I can only hope. We, all of us, need to "always" mind our writing manners and never forget, hell or high water, to get back to folks. It's just plain rude if we do not. It's disrespectful. Just like we try not to forget to dot our i's and cross out t's in our manuscripts, we must never forget that there's another person on the other end, waiting for a response.

Thank goodness for the writers and editors and loyal readers (readers always, always get back to us) that make sure and return e-calls and cell calls and everything else. Funny, but it's always the big name writers and important editors that get back to us, that always give us some of their time, no matter how busy. They don't know the meaning of the word "no." It isn't in their vocabulary.

It is these brave few that I hope to emulate. It is to these brave few that I raise my glass of chilled chardonnay on this lovely July evening ... these brave few who ever "mind their writing manners" and ever make us smile and feel light of heart!"

Salute!

Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com

MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER
MEGGIE'S REMAINS