Running Up That Hill

This is the hill I run up when I'm feeling the need to push (or punish) myself on my run.

No, it's not a big hill. But to me, it sometimes seems insurmountable...if my knees hurt that day or if I'm thinking about the time I'm spending running when I could be writing or just because I ate too many damn Junior Mints the day before.

But when I get to the top and I turn the corner onto the flat part of the trail, sucking air as I go, I think, Damn, I did it. Yeah for me. I didn't stop halfway up to catch my breath. I didn't avoid the hill completely and follow the easier path.

And once I reach the top of the hill, I know that, even though there will be more hills on other days, today, that hill is conquered.

Writing is full of hills. Sometimes you get to coast down, but mostly you're struggling up.

The first hill, finishing your first book, may seem insurmountable but when you push through to the end, the high is incredible. The next hill, whether it's publication or agent representation or both, can feel like Mount Everest. But once you climb that one, aching and out of breath, you want to make like Rocky, raise your fists in the air and shout to the world. If you have enough breath left.

But you don't. You keep running because you're not done. You're never done. There's always the next book, the next run, the next hill to climb. And every time you hit the top, there's that joy, that sense of accomplishment.

The next time you think about not running that hill (or not writing that book), head straight for it. Don't stop, just do it. And when you hit the top (or type the end), let me know how it feels.

It should feel pretty damn good.

Between the Posts

Attaining a goal is always a major milestone.

Yesterday, even though I knew it was coming, I saw my name on the list of print books to be published by Ellora's Cave this spring.

I can't tell you what a thrill it will be to hold a physical copy of the first two stories in my Magical Seduction series. SHADOW MAGIC, featuring SEDUCED BY MAGIC and SEDUCED IN SHADOW, will be available sometime this spring.

You can be sure I'll be shouting it loud and proud when it's available.

If you're going to the Romantic Times Convention in Orlando, you will be able to buy it at the book sale, as well as purchase it on Amazon and the EC site.

There's something special about holding tangible proof of your publishing goal in your hands. The weight of it, the sight of your name on the cover. Even the smell of the paper. It's like a shot of pure exhilaration.

I don't have a cover yet but be sure I'll post it here when I get it. For now, just picture the cheshire cat and his huge grin. That's me.

Happy New Year

Here's to a brand new year.

New ideas to dream. New stories to write. New markets to conquer.

For the past two weeks, I haven't done much writing. My sons have been home from school, so there's been loud music, yelling, guitar strumming and general mayhem. Not much peace for writing.

I have managed to do a lot of thinking. About the career I hope to grow and the books I want to write. Last year, I had a lot of optimism but as the year came to a close, that optimism faded as rejections began to come in and the publishing industry began to crash. Still, editors seemed to be buying. Just not me.

Why not me? That was a question I asked quite a lot as I sat at my desk, analyzing and overanalyzing every word I wrote as I worked on a proposal. Jealousy reared its ugly head but mostly what I felt was depressed.

And then I started to think. I do have a publisher I'm pleased with. Ellora's Cave has been great and I just got a brand new editor who loves my writing. My first print book will be released this spring. I have a slew of stories in mind just waiting to be written.

I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful that I have an agent who believes in me. I'm grateful for the friends I can call or email and say damn, I hate this job or look at this great review. I'm grateful that my husband loves me and understands what I'm trying to do. That my teen sons wanted to get me a publishing contract for Christmas. They understand too.

This year, I've resolved to continue. That's all. I will continue to write, to hone my craft and dream up new stories. To learn all I can about the industry and make my stories as appealing as possible to an editor so she'll want to buy it.

That's what all writers should strive for--to continue to get better.

I'll go to the PASIC conference in NYC in March to listen to what the editors are saying about the industry. I'll go to RT in Orlando in April to connect with readers. I'll go to Washington, DC, in July to soak in all the knowledge available at the RWA National Conference. Later in the year, I'll head to Ohio for Ellora's Cave's first reader event. I'm looking forward to a busy year.

I'm also hoping it will be a productive one. I'm eager for the boys to return to school (yes, Mean Mommy) so I can return to my writing schedule. I've got a proposal to finish, edits to work on, a new series to start.

And a career to continue.