http://fivestarauthors.blogspot.com
Hi guys,
Happy Wednesday and Happy Writing!
I just wanted to "BRAG" about my shared marketing efforts with other Colorado Five Star Authors. Hey, there IS safety in numbers. We are a group of five: Five Stars from Five Star and just had our first joint signing in Colorado Springs. Just so you'll know, we all "played together nicely."
The talented women of whom I speak, and their works are:
Leslee Breene - LEADVILLE LADY
Patricia Stoltey - THE PRAIRIE GRASS MURDERS
Beth Groundwater - A REAL BASKET CASE
Janet Lane - TABOR'S TRINKET
moi` - A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
Our mix is mystery and romance. Too much fun! (Although I must say, part of the fun is that we romantics outnumbered the mystery gals by one ... heh heh heh) Picture this guys: we shared a small table, managing to balance our books and bookmarks and buttons and pins and brochures and reviews, and ... whew! ... all the while sharing cappuchino ice cream, chatting it up with readers wandering among the stacks who strolled by our group of five; with some stopping for a chat; some extolling the virtues of romance; some eschewing it (few I can assure you); and some placing our books under our noses (if we were not wandering among the stacks ourselves) for us to sign.
A good time REALLY WAS had by all!
Our next joint appearance (in case you're in "the hood") will be at the Tattered Cover, Highlands Ranch, in Denver, June 23rd @ 3 pm.
Until next time...
Jo(anne)
http://womenwritingthewest.blogspot.com
www.joannesundell.com
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Wednesdays With Joanne - Conferences: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
Hi all,
I'm still de-programming myself from the CRW-sponsored, Romancing the Rockies Conference held in Denver this past Friday and Saturday. Hence, the title of my blog today. Conferences are Good, Bad, and Ugly; usually all not at the same time, thank God!
Let's start with the Good. If you've never attended a romance writing conference, you're in for a treat when you do. And, if you're a groupie like moi`, you'll be blown away by all the authors you meet. You bet I made sure to have a signed copy of the latest books from Linnea Sinclair, Susan Wiggs, and Jeanne Stein. I can't wait to delve into them! Conferences also afford you a wonderful opportunity to network with authors, agents, editors, and other members of your RWA chapter; not to mention catch the latest and greatest writing tips from amazing writing experts like Margie Lawson. How awesome is she! Okay, admittedly, I've got a huge learning curve to master in terms of the writing craft, but at least I know what I don't know (I think). It's also good, good, good to smoos and network with the best of `em!
Now, for the Bad (hope the other shoe didn't hurt when I dropped it). There are so many incredible speakers, discussing so many incredible topics, in so many different lecture areas --- you can't make them all! Very frustrating to have to pick and choose, but one does what one must. There's always a "handy handout," rich with detail as to time, place, and subject. It's decision-making time, for certain. At the end of the day(s), you leave smarter than when you arrived; more informed than when you arrived; and certainly more aware ... of all that you don't know! Ah well, welcome to the world of writing.
Yep, here comes the Ugly. No offense intended to agents and editors (who graciously give of their time and expertise to travel from their, often far-away, offices) waiting for us at their hastily set-up judging tables, but for me ... the Ugly of conferences is the moment you take a seat in front of an agent or editor, and hope something comes out of your dry mouth, other than cotton fluff, which they've all heard before! I guarantee you, it's a humbling experience. I also guarantee you, if you schedule agent and editor appointments, at least you can count yourself A TRUE BRAVEHEART! "Oh we brave few" ... you get my point. You might not have an offer from any of your appointments to send in a partial, but you at least can leave, head high, shoulders straight; knowing you did it.
Just like spaghetti westerns of old (be still my heart at the mere thought of Clint Eastwood), The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly at conferences should be whole-heartedly embraced by romance writers. How can you not, with Clint waiting!
Shalom,
Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
I'm still de-programming myself from the CRW-sponsored, Romancing the Rockies Conference held in Denver this past Friday and Saturday. Hence, the title of my blog today. Conferences are Good, Bad, and Ugly; usually all not at the same time, thank God!
Let's start with the Good. If you've never attended a romance writing conference, you're in for a treat when you do. And, if you're a groupie like moi`, you'll be blown away by all the authors you meet. You bet I made sure to have a signed copy of the latest books from Linnea Sinclair, Susan Wiggs, and Jeanne Stein. I can't wait to delve into them! Conferences also afford you a wonderful opportunity to network with authors, agents, editors, and other members of your RWA chapter; not to mention catch the latest and greatest writing tips from amazing writing experts like Margie Lawson. How awesome is she! Okay, admittedly, I've got a huge learning curve to master in terms of the writing craft, but at least I know what I don't know (I think). It's also good, good, good to smoos and network with the best of `em!
Now, for the Bad (hope the other shoe didn't hurt when I dropped it). There are so many incredible speakers, discussing so many incredible topics, in so many different lecture areas --- you can't make them all! Very frustrating to have to pick and choose, but one does what one must. There's always a "handy handout," rich with detail as to time, place, and subject. It's decision-making time, for certain. At the end of the day(s), you leave smarter than when you arrived; more informed than when you arrived; and certainly more aware ... of all that you don't know! Ah well, welcome to the world of writing.
Yep, here comes the Ugly. No offense intended to agents and editors (who graciously give of their time and expertise to travel from their, often far-away, offices) waiting for us at their hastily set-up judging tables, but for me ... the Ugly of conferences is the moment you take a seat in front of an agent or editor, and hope something comes out of your dry mouth, other than cotton fluff, which they've all heard before! I guarantee you, it's a humbling experience. I also guarantee you, if you schedule agent and editor appointments, at least you can count yourself A TRUE BRAVEHEART! "Oh we brave few" ... you get my point. You might not have an offer from any of your appointments to send in a partial, but you at least can leave, head high, shoulders straight; knowing you did it.
Just like spaghetti westerns of old (be still my heart at the mere thought of Clint Eastwood), The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly at conferences should be whole-heartedly embraced by romance writers. How can you not, with Clint waiting!
Shalom,
Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Wednesdays With Joanne - "The book(s) in us all"
Hi Folks,
Every time I'm at a signing, someone comes up and begins to talk about the books they have in them, yet to write. Invaribly what follows is one reason after another about "why" they haven't started on their novel(s). Hidden in this same person's meaning is perhaps the inference that "all they need is a little time and then they can write." I hope so for their sakes. Wouldn't that be nice if it were that simple. Geez, maybe it is and no one told me!
I absolutely love to talk to folks at signings. Those who stop for a chat and a look at my book(s) are usually polite, gracious, interested, intelligent, and just plain nice. Of course they're honest, too; many not liking romance, per se, yet willing to have a look. Many who stop are writers themselves, or at least beginning writers. Some have a good friend or relative who writes and is published. To this I say Hurray! To any accomplishments along the writing journey, I say Hurray!
Back to the person in the first paragraph, who wants to write, but hasn't yet. The only part I think they've yet to understand about writing, no matter whether fiction or non-fiction, is that finishing a book is the first step in writing. I know that sounds crazy, but a writer needs to know they CAN finish something. Only through the discipline of setting aside a time and place to write, can they begin writing, then finish their manuscript. Once finished, not only will the issue of "wanting to write and never having time to write" be off the table, but the issue of thinking "it's easily done" will be off the table, too.
Important for all of us is getting started in the first place. Don't wait, planning for that "some day" to arrive. Whether a beginning writer sets aside a little time before work in the morning, or a time at night to get those fingers keyed in, the first "book(s) in us all" will be in the making. How cool, and yes, how simple is that?
I do believe we all have books in us, waiting to come out. So, what are you waiting for?
Shalom,
Jo(anne)
Every time I'm at a signing, someone comes up and begins to talk about the books they have in them, yet to write. Invaribly what follows is one reason after another about "why" they haven't started on their novel(s). Hidden in this same person's meaning is perhaps the inference that "all they need is a little time and then they can write." I hope so for their sakes. Wouldn't that be nice if it were that simple. Geez, maybe it is and no one told me!
I absolutely love to talk to folks at signings. Those who stop for a chat and a look at my book(s) are usually polite, gracious, interested, intelligent, and just plain nice. Of course they're honest, too; many not liking romance, per se, yet willing to have a look. Many who stop are writers themselves, or at least beginning writers. Some have a good friend or relative who writes and is published. To this I say Hurray! To any accomplishments along the writing journey, I say Hurray!
Back to the person in the first paragraph, who wants to write, but hasn't yet. The only part I think they've yet to understand about writing, no matter whether fiction or non-fiction, is that finishing a book is the first step in writing. I know that sounds crazy, but a writer needs to know they CAN finish something. Only through the discipline of setting aside a time and place to write, can they begin writing, then finish their manuscript. Once finished, not only will the issue of "wanting to write and never having time to write" be off the table, but the issue of thinking "it's easily done" will be off the table, too.
Important for all of us is getting started in the first place. Don't wait, planning for that "some day" to arrive. Whether a beginning writer sets aside a little time before work in the morning, or a time at night to get those fingers keyed in, the first "book(s) in us all" will be in the making. How cool, and yes, how simple is that?
I do believe we all have books in us, waiting to come out. So, what are you waiting for?
Shalom,
Jo(anne)
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Wednesdays With Joanne - "Historically speaking..."
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)
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 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)
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