Hi Folks,
Any of you out there like to read and/or write historical romance? If so, GREAT! Phooey to the nay-sayers who try to frighten all of us away by claiming "lack of interest" in the historical genre. This reader/writer has nothing but "interest" in the genre!
Yes, I know erotica sells. Yes, I know chick-lit is all the rage. And yes, yes, yes, I know that Christian/Inspirational romance is selling ... selling ... selling. As far as I'm concerned, I have only one little problem with these reality stats: I don't read erotica, chick-lit, or inspirational romance. I like historicals, always have and always will. That's not to say I don't pick up an occasional bio from the likes of David McCullough, the latest horror thriller from Stephen King, or wait on line for the newest (and alas...the last) Harry Potter. But, it is to say that my favorite books are historical romance. I was raised on Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice and to this day, keep them close.
As I enjoy reading the genre, I also enjoy writing in the genre. I believe all of us who do, need to join together, forming our own Band of Brothers & Sisters, writing what's in our hearts, telling the stories of old, in new ways. Those of us who are traditional romantics, who love a good love story, conjuring images of gallant heroes and worthy heroines, packed with emotion and heartache, impossible conflict and unsatisfied passion, all the while hoping for a happy ending ... we must give voice to our stories through pen and key, never giving up hope ourselves, for a happy ending to the plight of the historical romance.
Together, WE CAN!
Shalom,
Jo(anne)
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Wednesdays With Joanne - "For whom the bell tolls"
Hi folks,
This morning, with the news of the loss of life at Virginia Tech, then the news of 157 dying in 4 car bombs in Baghdad, it's more difficult than usual to "pick up where I left off in chapter 5." I look to one of my favorite passages in literature for solace. It's by John Donne, Meditation 17, and reads something like this:
"No man is an island; entire unto himself.
Each man is a part of the continent; a piece of the main.
If a clod be washed away, Europe is the less.
Every man's death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, never send to know for whom the bell tolls.
It tolls for thee."
Yes, you bet I'm going back to "chapter 5," but I do it with a heavy heart.
Shalom,
Joanne
This morning, with the news of the loss of life at Virginia Tech, then the news of 157 dying in 4 car bombs in Baghdad, it's more difficult than usual to "pick up where I left off in chapter 5." I look to one of my favorite passages in literature for solace. It's by John Donne, Meditation 17, and reads something like this:
"No man is an island; entire unto himself.
Each man is a part of the continent; a piece of the main.
If a clod be washed away, Europe is the less.
Every man's death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, never send to know for whom the bell tolls.
It tolls for thee."
Yes, you bet I'm going back to "chapter 5," but I do it with a heavy heart.
Shalom,
Joanne
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Wednesdays With Joanne - "I'm Seeing Stars!"
Four and a half to be precise, from Romantic Times Magazine for A...My Name's Amelia!
Hi all,
Since Five Star Expressions is a combination of women's fiction and romance, you bet I'm thrilled to have two books published in this line. Like many of you, we've found a home with Five Star-an imprint of Thomson Gale, taking our stories where, perhaps, others have not. We're edgy and take risks, to my thinking. I'm nothing but grateful that Five Star has given me an opportunity to be in print, twice. And, I'm nothing but grateful that some of the Big 4 have reviewed both of my books. No worries here, folks; I'm not "going there" with the whole review magilla, except to say that any review is unexpected and, indeed, appreciated.
While I'm over the moon, absolutely, to have some appeal to the library market, I'm out in the MySpaceStratosphere when the romance market takes notice of my stories! Although I don't need RWA approval to write a women's fiction with romantic elements, it's still nice when they sanction my work. At the end of the day, it's all about the stories that we all want to write. This dictates our words, to my thinking. Just where the fit will be ... well, you have to read the book and find out!
I have a shelf in my office with Five Star books from other authors, all signed! Yea! You're all rock stars, literary rock stars! I'm so happy to be counted among you, and love the energy you all generate every day, on the bookstore beat and on the Big Bad Internet.
Shalom,
Jo(anne)
Hi all,
Since Five Star Expressions is a combination of women's fiction and romance, you bet I'm thrilled to have two books published in this line. Like many of you, we've found a home with Five Star-an imprint of Thomson Gale, taking our stories where, perhaps, others have not. We're edgy and take risks, to my thinking. I'm nothing but grateful that Five Star has given me an opportunity to be in print, twice. And, I'm nothing but grateful that some of the Big 4 have reviewed both of my books. No worries here, folks; I'm not "going there" with the whole review magilla, except to say that any review is unexpected and, indeed, appreciated.
While I'm over the moon, absolutely, to have some appeal to the library market, I'm out in the MySpaceStratosphere when the romance market takes notice of my stories! Although I don't need RWA approval to write a women's fiction with romantic elements, it's still nice when they sanction my work. At the end of the day, it's all about the stories that we all want to write. This dictates our words, to my thinking. Just where the fit will be ... well, you have to read the book and find out!
I have a shelf in my office with Five Star books from other authors, all signed! Yea! You're all rock stars, literary rock stars! I'm so happy to be counted among you, and love the energy you all generate every day, on the bookstore beat and on the Big Bad Internet.
Shalom,
Jo(anne)
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Wednesdays With Joanne - "You are what you Write"
Hi guys,
"So...what do you write?"
How many of us get that question, and how many of us have more than one identifying genre. I say, if you do, good for you! We're supposed to write out of our comfort zone on occasion and "go where no writer has gone before," right? We're supposed to be able to pen a few contemporaries, then try out our historical ink, then perhaps cozy up with a cozy mystery or two...or three. I give kudos upon kudos to writers who do just that. It's great and it shows nothing but talent, talent, talent!
My genre, if you will, is historical romance set in the West. The only comfort zone I've stepped out of so far is aspiring "to pen" an even more unique heroine in women's fiction. That's the gold ring I go for on the writing merry-go-round; to chronicle the journey of adventuresome, brave women who helped settle the West. And, speaking of the West...what, exactly, do I mean by "You are what you Write." Perhaps a better statement would be "I am what I Write."
You know how some folks start to resemble their animals? We've seen the pairings, and not just on Leno or Letterman. It's weird and freaky, but true. Now I have huskies, so...I don't mind going there; my dogs' hair usually looks much, much better than mine! When I glance around my home, animals included, I could be in nineteenth century Colorado. Running water and electricity aside, my home resembles my stories, easy. I just didn't get the resemblance before.
I enjoy writing historical romances with a Victorian touch or two, and I enjoy living in a home with a Victorian touch or two. If it's an antique, I'm on it! If it's a old book, I want it! If I can get a scroll-top instead of a lap-top, done. If I can buy a functional set of mason jars, I much prefer them to stemware. If I can find a worn quilt with just the right colors, or a settee with just the right cushions, the furniture is moving...again. If I have to don my sorrell boots every time I venture out into the wilds with my dogs, so be it. If I have to stack more wood in our kitchen Franklin stove for "the perfect cozy fire," I happily shun gas heating. If my oilcloth greatcoat isn't in fashion, so what. If I can get black licorice over red ropes, it's in my cookie jar. I think you get my point here...which is...
...I suppose "I am what I Write." It's not so much of a stretch of my imagination to write about nineteenth century Colorado since that's pretty much where I live anyway.
Shalom,
Jo(anne)
"So...what do you write?"
How many of us get that question, and how many of us have more than one identifying genre. I say, if you do, good for you! We're supposed to write out of our comfort zone on occasion and "go where no writer has gone before," right? We're supposed to be able to pen a few contemporaries, then try out our historical ink, then perhaps cozy up with a cozy mystery or two...or three. I give kudos upon kudos to writers who do just that. It's great and it shows nothing but talent, talent, talent!
My genre, if you will, is historical romance set in the West. The only comfort zone I've stepped out of so far is aspiring "to pen" an even more unique heroine in women's fiction. That's the gold ring I go for on the writing merry-go-round; to chronicle the journey of adventuresome, brave women who helped settle the West. And, speaking of the West...what, exactly, do I mean by "You are what you Write." Perhaps a better statement would be "I am what I Write."
You know how some folks start to resemble their animals? We've seen the pairings, and not just on Leno or Letterman. It's weird and freaky, but true. Now I have huskies, so...I don't mind going there; my dogs' hair usually looks much, much better than mine! When I glance around my home, animals included, I could be in nineteenth century Colorado. Running water and electricity aside, my home resembles my stories, easy. I just didn't get the resemblance before.
I enjoy writing historical romances with a Victorian touch or two, and I enjoy living in a home with a Victorian touch or two. If it's an antique, I'm on it! If it's a old book, I want it! If I can get a scroll-top instead of a lap-top, done. If I can buy a functional set of mason jars, I much prefer them to stemware. If I can find a worn quilt with just the right colors, or a settee with just the right cushions, the furniture is moving...again. If I have to don my sorrell boots every time I venture out into the wilds with my dogs, so be it. If I have to stack more wood in our kitchen Franklin stove for "the perfect cozy fire," I happily shun gas heating. If my oilcloth greatcoat isn't in fashion, so what. If I can get black licorice over red ropes, it's in my cookie jar. I think you get my point here...which is...
...I suppose "I am what I Write." It's not so much of a stretch of my imagination to write about nineteenth century Colorado since that's pretty much where I live anyway.
Shalom,
Jo(anne)
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Wednesdays With Joanne - "Do 'that thing you do!'"
Hi all,
How many of us wake up every day, rub the sleepy from our eyes, drag ourselves out of bed, feed the animals underfoot, put on the coffee, re-button our pjs, then head for our computer to do "that thing we do" as writers...which is to write, right?
Right!
Writing ('that thing we do') is The Best Weapon authors have against any and all woes: marketing, promotion, sales numbers, conferences to attend, agents and editors to query, signings and booktalks to schedule, manuscripts to push, or otherwise. Writers write. How many times have we all heard that? Lots for sure.
This morning, rather than reading "writers write" flat on the page, it's a pop-up for me! I get it. It's that simple and that complicated. Writers write. It's "that thing we do." Sounds simple, so why isn't it?
Because...it's so easy for a writer to become embroiled in marketing and promotion, so much so that a writer often stops writing to attend to these important aspects of being published. It's easy to wake up every morning and turn on the computer and--instead of working on our current story--we troll the Internet for this and that, to make sure we're doing all we can for our last published book. This is a good thing to do, but should be done later in the day during a time set aside to do so. We must not let this necessary task(s) suck up our creative writing juices when we should be using our creative energy to get our story pages keyed in. I try to think of the marketing hamster wheel now as something fun to 'hop on' later in the day, where it doesn't affect my daily story pages (which...duh...are very important, too!).
So I say..."do that thing you do" and write, first and foremost! I've discovered that to do so is our Best Weapon of Mass Marketing Construction! We feel really, really good if we've written the next phase of our story(s) to our satisfaction. Then, it's much, much easier to take the bumps and jolts we nearly always have on our marketing radar screens later in the day. We get to discover that we actually can still write. It's oh so easy to forget that when we get carried away on the next marketing wave. But...when we have our daily pages safely keyed onto our hard drive, it's our life saver, and we don't care so much about the marketing bumps and jolts.
You do 'that thing you do,' and I will, too!
Write on,
Jo(anne)
How many of us wake up every day, rub the sleepy from our eyes, drag ourselves out of bed, feed the animals underfoot, put on the coffee, re-button our pjs, then head for our computer to do "that thing we do" as writers...which is to write, right?
Right!
Writing ('that thing we do') is The Best Weapon authors have against any and all woes: marketing, promotion, sales numbers, conferences to attend, agents and editors to query, signings and booktalks to schedule, manuscripts to push, or otherwise. Writers write. How many times have we all heard that? Lots for sure.
This morning, rather than reading "writers write" flat on the page, it's a pop-up for me! I get it. It's that simple and that complicated. Writers write. It's "that thing we do." Sounds simple, so why isn't it?
Because...it's so easy for a writer to become embroiled in marketing and promotion, so much so that a writer often stops writing to attend to these important aspects of being published. It's easy to wake up every morning and turn on the computer and--instead of working on our current story--we troll the Internet for this and that, to make sure we're doing all we can for our last published book. This is a good thing to do, but should be done later in the day during a time set aside to do so. We must not let this necessary task(s) suck up our creative writing juices when we should be using our creative energy to get our story pages keyed in. I try to think of the marketing hamster wheel now as something fun to 'hop on' later in the day, where it doesn't affect my daily story pages (which...duh...are very important, too!).
So I say..."do that thing you do" and write, first and foremost! I've discovered that to do so is our Best Weapon of Mass Marketing Construction! We feel really, really good if we've written the next phase of our story(s) to our satisfaction. Then, it's much, much easier to take the bumps and jolts we nearly always have on our marketing radar screens later in the day. We get to discover that we actually can still write. It's oh so easy to forget that when we get carried away on the next marketing wave. But...when we have our daily pages safely keyed onto our hard drive, it's our life saver, and we don't care so much about the marketing bumps and jolts.
You do 'that thing you do,' and I will, too!
Write on,
Jo(anne)
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Wednesdays With Joanne - "Don't be discouraged by statistics!"
Hi guys,
I'm not a math person, so please forgive my attempt to understand the latest RWR, Mar 2007, article with forthcoming ROMStats re Popular Fiction Sales and Title Output by Category.
In Popular Fiction Sales for 2005, romance holds a 26.4% share while religion/inspirational holds a 25.5% share. That looks like about half the Popular Fiction sales to me. In Title Output by Category sales for 2005, romance is responsible for 5,994 titles while religion/inspirational is responsible for 9,949 titles out of overall releases. Interesting, huh.
I pay particular note to these "statistics" because I'm always looking to see where my writing might have a fit, statistical or otherwise. I write historical romance set in the West, which logically "fits" into the popular romance category, and might be included in the 5,994 titles sold. Those of you who also write historicals, already know that we're not as high on the sales charts as erotica which, excuse the pun, is the coming thing, especially from RWA-approved e-publishers. When one considers the growing number of religion/inspirational titles, obviously out-selling pretty much every other category, the "statisfical fit" for us grows even more tight. Ouch!
We who write historical romance must "not be discouraged by these statistics," rather we should be encouraged by the obvious fact that what we're writing is perhaps more unique, and, one can only hope, will soon be in higher demand.
Love you guys,
Joanne
I'm not a math person, so please forgive my attempt to understand the latest RWR, Mar 2007, article with forthcoming ROMStats re Popular Fiction Sales and Title Output by Category.
In Popular Fiction Sales for 2005, romance holds a 26.4% share while religion/inspirational holds a 25.5% share. That looks like about half the Popular Fiction sales to me. In Title Output by Category sales for 2005, romance is responsible for 5,994 titles while religion/inspirational is responsible for 9,949 titles out of overall releases. Interesting, huh.
I pay particular note to these "statistics" because I'm always looking to see where my writing might have a fit, statistical or otherwise. I write historical romance set in the West, which logically "fits" into the popular romance category, and might be included in the 5,994 titles sold. Those of you who also write historicals, already know that we're not as high on the sales charts as erotica which, excuse the pun, is the coming thing, especially from RWA-approved e-publishers. When one considers the growing number of religion/inspirational titles, obviously out-selling pretty much every other category, the "statisfical fit" for us grows even more tight. Ouch!
We who write historical romance must "not be discouraged by these statistics," rather we should be encouraged by the obvious fact that what we're writing is perhaps more unique, and, one can only hope, will soon be in higher demand.
Love you guys,
Joanne
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Wednesdays With Joanne - "From Lincoln Logs to Linking Blogs!"
Hi All,
I'm excited as I'm getting a little closer to actually Linking my Blogs to others; hence, "a blogging we will go!" I know what you're all thinking...about time already, Joanne. I have an excuse. Remember. I'm 61!!!! (Darn, didn't work, did it?)
Just wanted to alert you to my game plan: I hope very soon, to blog on the Five Star Authors' Blog; RomancingTheBlog; and the WomenWritingTheWest Blog. I'm inserting myself in this experiment (on my part, always) to not only become comfortable with blogging and find out what's going on in the writing world, but also to help me access the value of "going on" in the marketing/promotion world, internet-speaking. It's a bad, bad, bad world out there in cyberland, to my thinking. I don't want to start up Home Pages on sites such as MySpace without good reason. How much marketing can one person (much less potential readers) take? The bottom line (and the gist of my self-proclaimed experiment) is to ascertain the value of involvement on numerable internet sites.
I do have a hypothesis: That internet exposure, while wonderful, doesn't coerce readers into buying, anymore than signings, conferences, booktalks, and just plain "hitting the pavement" with our wares. I'm thinking that there are still readers out there who enjoy meeting you at a bookfair or the local bookstore, rather than "hooking up" on the internet.
It's a good thing that I write historical romance, the operative word being historical. Obviously, I'm a throw-back to marketing of old.
Tune in tomorrow...and see whether or not my hypothesis is proved or disproved: whether Linking Blogs or Lincoln Logs have more value. I know. You're all right on the edge of your seats!!! Me, too!!!
B'bye...
Jo(anne)
I'm excited as I'm getting a little closer to actually Linking my Blogs to others; hence, "a blogging we will go!" I know what you're all thinking...about time already, Joanne. I have an excuse. Remember. I'm 61!!!! (Darn, didn't work, did it?)
Just wanted to alert you to my game plan: I hope very soon, to blog on the Five Star Authors' Blog; RomancingTheBlog; and the WomenWritingTheWest Blog. I'm inserting myself in this experiment (on my part, always) to not only become comfortable with blogging and find out what's going on in the writing world, but also to help me access the value of "going on" in the marketing/promotion world, internet-speaking. It's a bad, bad, bad world out there in cyberland, to my thinking. I don't want to start up Home Pages on sites such as MySpace without good reason. How much marketing can one person (much less potential readers) take? The bottom line (and the gist of my self-proclaimed experiment) is to ascertain the value of involvement on numerable internet sites.
I do have a hypothesis: That internet exposure, while wonderful, doesn't coerce readers into buying, anymore than signings, conferences, booktalks, and just plain "hitting the pavement" with our wares. I'm thinking that there are still readers out there who enjoy meeting you at a bookfair or the local bookstore, rather than "hooking up" on the internet.
It's a good thing that I write historical romance, the operative word being historical. Obviously, I'm a throw-back to marketing of old.
Tune in tomorrow...and see whether or not my hypothesis is proved or disproved: whether Linking Blogs or Lincoln Logs have more value. I know. You're all right on the edge of your seats!!! Me, too!!!
B'bye...
Jo(anne)
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