It's that time of the year -- the Romance Writers of America conference.
I haven't been for quite a few years. Things have come up. That's why I'm excited about going this year. I want to see my editor, my friends, immerse myself in a sea of writers. And I mean a sea. 2100 romance writers are expected to be there.
All the talk will be about writing. When the four days are up I will be sick to hearing about editors, agents and contracts.
But for four days, it will be great to be around my sisterhood even when some of them are brothers. :) We all share that common bond as writers whether published or not. We love putting words on paper. We love stories. We all think there is no bigger thrill than seeing our stories between the covers of books.
It will be a crazy four days. There will be booksignings, one with over 200 authors in one giant room, signing their books. There will be dinners with editors, breakfast and lunches with agents, lots of late nights with friends and of course, the Harlequin Party!!
Usually that involves a lot of chocolate, a band, something alcoholic and dancing, lots and lots of dancing. It is the highlight of the conference for me since we get to let our hair down.
The conference lets me spend time with friends I've made since I started writing, one of the greatest rewards. But it also reignites my love of writing (after a few days back home and rested.) There is an energy like none other at these conferences. An excitement, a feeling that anything is possible.
I recall my very first RWA conference. It was in Orlando, Florida. I was scared to death. I went to the Intrigue writers dinner and came back to the hotel and threw up.
I had sold 4 books and just quit my day job. My editor took me to lunch the next day and when I told her I'd quit my day job she looked as scared as I felt. :) She said, "Well, we've found that the cream always rises to the top." I took that to mean everything would be all right. Looking back, that was just plain dumb.
The RWA conference is a great reminder of how far I've come -- and how far I have to go. There will be a lot of aspiring writers there who are dreaming about getting that first book published. And there will be New York Times bestsellers, some arriving in stretch limos and staying in the penthouse suite. And then there will be writers like me who have found some success and are now on the cusp of something, maybe, possibly, depending on what we do next.
Few writers are content to stay where they are. There is always that brass ring just dangling up there, tempting you to grab for it. Writing is a gamble. From the first time a writer sits down at the computer that doesn't change. One of the biggest factors is luck: your manuscript hitting the right editor's desk at the right moment. What are the chances?
And yet, sometimes you get lucky. Sometimes you get an editor who likes your work and doesn't get pregnant and leave. Sometimes you get real lucky and she moves up to senior editor.
It's a crazy business -- almost as crazy as a conference with that many romance writers all in one place. Some people just don't have any sense.
For me, it's all I've ever wanted to do. I love it. I just sent off my 47th book (a new mini series in the Whitehorse, Montana Intrigue series) and I'm anxious to start the next one after I get back from the conference. It seems like just yesterday I was getting ready to fly to Orlando.
It will always be an adventure. :)
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Summer is best served with friends
We just spent the Fourth of July with some old friends up here in our part of Montana. We barbecued, boated every day, watched fireworks, visited mutual new friends and played gin rummy.
I'm sunburned and exhausted but there is something about old friends that made the holiday even more special this year.
We've known that couple since my husband and I first got together. They were there when times were lean. They fed us, they sympathized, they made us laugh. Now they come to our home a couple of times a year where we can offer them that kind of comfort and catch up.
It's wonderful to have friends that remember back when. They feel like family.
I think as I get older, I become more appreciative of those old friendships. Sometimes we don't want our friends to remember everything we did when we were young and foolish. But that mutual history is awfully nice sometimes too.
And I learned to play gin rummy. Now I'm wondering why I never learned to play it before. What a fun game.
It's nice to know that I'm never too old to learn something new, especially with old friends.
Hope you all had a great 4th!
I'm sunburned and exhausted but there is something about old friends that made the holiday even more special this year.
We've known that couple since my husband and I first got together. They were there when times were lean. They fed us, they sympathized, they made us laugh. Now they come to our home a couple of times a year where we can offer them that kind of comfort and catch up.
It's wonderful to have friends that remember back when. They feel like family.
I think as I get older, I become more appreciative of those old friendships. Sometimes we don't want our friends to remember everything we did when we were young and foolish. But that mutual history is awfully nice sometimes too.
And I learned to play gin rummy. Now I'm wondering why I never learned to play it before. What a fun game.
It's nice to know that I'm never too old to learn something new, especially with old friends.
Hope you all had a great 4th!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Confession: I inherited the family curse
When I was a kid my dad made sure we had the fastest boat on the lake. Dad loved boats. He built boats before he became a masonry contractor and he owned a boat until the day he died. One of the last trips my dad and I took after he had to go into a nursing home with Alzheimers was to a lake to boat.
I inherited my dad's love of boats and quite frankly, it's a curse.
But how could I have avoided it given that I was named after his father's best friend, a boat builder and grew up in boats from old aluminum fishing boats to fancy jet boats. My earliest memories are in boats. I still recall fondly falling asleep to the gentle rock and the lap of water when I was small enough to sleep sideways in the bottom my dad's an old aluminum fishing boat.
When I was really little, Dad tied me to a milk jug so if I fell over they could retrieve me -- which they once had to do. I grew up on a lake and as a teenager spent many hours in a boat or being dragged behind one.
So is it any wonder I'm cursed? I see a big fast boat and I itch to get behind the wheel. One of my dreams is to take out a cigarette boat and see how fast it will go.
But this weekend I spent all day on a pontoon boat with my husband, my step-daughter, son-in-law and our four grandchildren. The boat didn't go fast. It moved like a barge. It couldn't even plane. But I'm sold. I want a pontoon boat.
All of us were able to be aboard, including the youngest who is not even a year old yet. The canopy provided shade and yet there were plenty of seats for those who wanted the sun. We could walk around easily without rocking the boat and of course we had to jump off and swim when it got nice and hot out.
It was the perfect day -- and the perfect boat for grandchildren. Our two Springer Spaniels would like it, too, if they got to come along, which they would sans the babies.
I remember our neighbors on Hebgen had a Flote boat. As a teenager we made fun of it. Pontoon boats were for old people. Funny, how now I remember the "old" people sitting around under the canopy laughing with a cold drink in their hands as we zoomed past them.
Well...I'm ready for mine. Not that we will get rid of the motorboat. I still like to race across the water and feel my hair blow back -- even if it isn't as fast as half the boats I grew up in.
I can make a good argument for another boat and it isn't just my love of boats or my need to be out on the water summer mornings. I need this boat so I can write.
Seriously, I've found it really helps my writing. Last summer I got way ahead on my deadlines. And that's not all. You'd probably be a better judge of this than me, but some readers have told me that I'm finally hitting my stride evidenced by my last three books making Borders top ten bestseller list. More proof: I wrote those last summer after spending the mornings on the lake. Clearly it is of upmost importance that I spend as many mornings as possible on water.
And I could write on a pontoon boat. :)
Heck, now it is just a matter of convincing my accountant that a pontoon boat is a writing deduction.
If my dad was still alive I know what he'd say. He'd tell me to buy myself a brand new one today and not worry about how to pay for it. That's what he would have done. Dad understood the importance of boats till his dying day. That and credit. :)
While I live enough like my dad that it's scary, I'm afraid I'm going to have to look around for a used pontoon boat. Sorry Dad, but don't worry, I'll be on the water one way or another. After all, thanks to you, it's in my genes.
I inherited my dad's love of boats and quite frankly, it's a curse.
But how could I have avoided it given that I was named after his father's best friend, a boat builder and grew up in boats from old aluminum fishing boats to fancy jet boats. My earliest memories are in boats. I still recall fondly falling asleep to the gentle rock and the lap of water when I was small enough to sleep sideways in the bottom my dad's an old aluminum fishing boat.
When I was really little, Dad tied me to a milk jug so if I fell over they could retrieve me -- which they once had to do. I grew up on a lake and as a teenager spent many hours in a boat or being dragged behind one.
So is it any wonder I'm cursed? I see a big fast boat and I itch to get behind the wheel. One of my dreams is to take out a cigarette boat and see how fast it will go.
But this weekend I spent all day on a pontoon boat with my husband, my step-daughter, son-in-law and our four grandchildren. The boat didn't go fast. It moved like a barge. It couldn't even plane. But I'm sold. I want a pontoon boat.
All of us were able to be aboard, including the youngest who is not even a year old yet. The canopy provided shade and yet there were plenty of seats for those who wanted the sun. We could walk around easily without rocking the boat and of course we had to jump off and swim when it got nice and hot out.
It was the perfect day -- and the perfect boat for grandchildren. Our two Springer Spaniels would like it, too, if they got to come along, which they would sans the babies.
I remember our neighbors on Hebgen had a Flote boat. As a teenager we made fun of it. Pontoon boats were for old people. Funny, how now I remember the "old" people sitting around under the canopy laughing with a cold drink in their hands as we zoomed past them.
Well...I'm ready for mine. Not that we will get rid of the motorboat. I still like to race across the water and feel my hair blow back -- even if it isn't as fast as half the boats I grew up in.
I can make a good argument for another boat and it isn't just my love of boats or my need to be out on the water summer mornings. I need this boat so I can write.
Seriously, I've found it really helps my writing. Last summer I got way ahead on my deadlines. And that's not all. You'd probably be a better judge of this than me, but some readers have told me that I'm finally hitting my stride evidenced by my last three books making Borders top ten bestseller list. More proof: I wrote those last summer after spending the mornings on the lake. Clearly it is of upmost importance that I spend as many mornings as possible on water.
And I could write on a pontoon boat. :)
Heck, now it is just a matter of convincing my accountant that a pontoon boat is a writing deduction.
If my dad was still alive I know what he'd say. He'd tell me to buy myself a brand new one today and not worry about how to pay for it. That's what he would have done. Dad understood the importance of boats till his dying day. That and credit. :)
While I live enough like my dad that it's scary, I'm afraid I'm going to have to look around for a used pontoon boat. Sorry Dad, but don't worry, I'll be on the water one way or another. After all, thanks to you, it's in my genes.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Some people you will always miss
I just got the heartbreaking news. My favorite fan died.
Uncle Norb read all my books. If he couldn’t find them on the shelves, he ordered them. He loved books. He read all the time and loved talking about books.
He was my kind of guy.
He wasn’t always my uncle. I got him when I married my husband some 13 years ago. He always called me B.J. and he always wanted to know if I was writing another book and when it would be out. He was my biggest fan.
He was almost 90 when he passed away. I know he was in pain and ready to go but still it is awful to think I will never see him again.
Two years ago in Florida he said I probably wouldn’t see him again. But I did this past March. He was skin and bones but his mind was still sharp. We talked about the latest books he’d been reading. I thanked him for hanging in until I got to see him again. I think we both knew it would be the last time.
I’m going to miss Uncle Norb. I’m going to miss talking about books. I’m going to miss his enthusiasm, his encouragement, his love of reading.
He was a good man with a big heart and I’m glad I got to know him – even for such a short time.
Uncle Norb read all my books. If he couldn’t find them on the shelves, he ordered them. He loved books. He read all the time and loved talking about books.
He was my kind of guy.
He wasn’t always my uncle. I got him when I married my husband some 13 years ago. He always called me B.J. and he always wanted to know if I was writing another book and when it would be out. He was my biggest fan.
He was almost 90 when he passed away. I know he was in pain and ready to go but still it is awful to think I will never see him again.
Two years ago in Florida he said I probably wouldn’t see him again. But I did this past March. He was skin and bones but his mind was still sharp. We talked about the latest books he’d been reading. I thanked him for hanging in until I got to see him again. I think we both knew it would be the last time.
I’m going to miss Uncle Norb. I’m going to miss talking about books. I’m going to miss his enthusiasm, his encouragement, his love of reading.
He was a good man with a big heart and I’m glad I got to know him – even for such a short time.
Monday, June 15, 2009
I'm a dreamer, but I never dreamed this
I grew up daydreaming.
Because of that I was never alone. An only child until I was six, I had every kind of pretend playmate -- including the kind that chased you back to the house. Or waited for you in the dark.
When we lived at our cabin near Lava Lake in the Gallatin Canyon, we had to make the trip to the outhouse at all hours. For a kid, it was pretty far -- especially at night. I would race out there, throw open the door, check to make sure no one was inside waiting for me, then quickly jump in and lock the door. The return trip was worse because you knew that they knew you were in there.
My parents probably thought I was afraid of bears. I feared something much scarier -- my own imagination.
I always imagined writing stories someday and having someone publish one -- though I had no idea how it worked and there was no one to ask.
But that's as far as my daydream went. I never equated the publishing part with someone giving me money for a story. I just wanted to see it in print and for another person to read it.
So when it finally happened and I got published, I was blown away. It was amazing. Someone had read my story and Woman's World magazine was going to publish it. I believe their circulation at the time was 1.3 million. I figured out that if even one-third of the readers read my story that would be...unbelievable. Not only that, they paid me $1,000 for my short story. I couldn't have been happier. It was way beyond my expectations.
Then I sold my first book to Harlequin Intrigue. It got a 4 1/2 star review (out of 4 1/2 stars), something else I hadn't expected because I hadn't even thought about reviews. Then I found out about conferences and met other writers who became good friends. Then there were the fans who wrote me wonderful letters, some of those fans from my first book still keeping in touch as book #44 hit the shelves last week. And then there were awards and now the first three books of my Whitehorse: The Corbetts have made Walden-Borders top ten bestseller list for series.
It's small potatoes in the big scheme of things. But it's more than I ever dreamed. I feel so blessed. I have met such wonderful people along the way, learned more than I ever wanted to :) and had so much fun doing what I love.
My book Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch was chosen to represent the Intrigue line this year to celebrate Harlequin's 60th anniversary. The book is being offered in ebook free at www.harlequincelebrates.com
I understand the printed version may also be given away during the Romance Writers of America conference held in Washington, DC in July 15-18. More on that later. (I will be at the Wednesday evening book signing, signing Whitehorse books, sorry these won't be free, but if you're in the neighborhood, drop by and say hello.)
I'm still amazed as I was when I sold my first short story. As I finish up my 47th book, sometimes I have to pinch myself it feels so much like a dream.
Except it's so much better than I ever dreamed and I feel like it's just beginning. :)
Because of that I was never alone. An only child until I was six, I had every kind of pretend playmate -- including the kind that chased you back to the house. Or waited for you in the dark.
When we lived at our cabin near Lava Lake in the Gallatin Canyon, we had to make the trip to the outhouse at all hours. For a kid, it was pretty far -- especially at night. I would race out there, throw open the door, check to make sure no one was inside waiting for me, then quickly jump in and lock the door. The return trip was worse because you knew that they knew you were in there.
My parents probably thought I was afraid of bears. I feared something much scarier -- my own imagination.
I always imagined writing stories someday and having someone publish one -- though I had no idea how it worked and there was no one to ask.
But that's as far as my daydream went. I never equated the publishing part with someone giving me money for a story. I just wanted to see it in print and for another person to read it.
So when it finally happened and I got published, I was blown away. It was amazing. Someone had read my story and Woman's World magazine was going to publish it. I believe their circulation at the time was 1.3 million. I figured out that if even one-third of the readers read my story that would be...unbelievable. Not only that, they paid me $1,000 for my short story. I couldn't have been happier. It was way beyond my expectations.
Then I sold my first book to Harlequin Intrigue. It got a 4 1/2 star review (out of 4 1/2 stars), something else I hadn't expected because I hadn't even thought about reviews. Then I found out about conferences and met other writers who became good friends. Then there were the fans who wrote me wonderful letters, some of those fans from my first book still keeping in touch as book #44 hit the shelves last week. And then there were awards and now the first three books of my Whitehorse: The Corbetts have made Walden-Borders top ten bestseller list for series.
It's small potatoes in the big scheme of things. But it's more than I ever dreamed. I feel so blessed. I have met such wonderful people along the way, learned more than I ever wanted to :) and had so much fun doing what I love.
My book Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch was chosen to represent the Intrigue line this year to celebrate Harlequin's 60th anniversary. The book is being offered in ebook free at www.harlequincelebrates.com
I understand the printed version may also be given away during the Romance Writers of America conference held in Washington, DC in July 15-18. More on that later. (I will be at the Wednesday evening book signing, signing Whitehorse books, sorry these won't be free, but if you're in the neighborhood, drop by and say hello.)
I'm still amazed as I was when I sold my first short story. As I finish up my 47th book, sometimes I have to pinch myself it feels so much like a dream.
Except it's so much better than I ever dreamed and I feel like it's just beginning. :)
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The most asked question by readers
I get quite a lot of mail from my readers and the question I get asked the most is: where can I get the books I missed.
The good news is that there are copies out there. Most of them are used since the line usually sells out and is like bananas: they're only on the shelves for a week or so.
The place to start is eHarlequin.com If you haven't been there, stop by. Intrigue now has its own blog where Intrigue authors will be discussing all kinds of things and you can talk with other Intrigue readers.
eHarlequin discounts its books so that is the best deal in town for recently released books. Often times they have a deal going on as well. Like my latest in the Whitehorse series: The Corbetts. Those are being offers at a special rate, so check that out.
Otherwise, try Amazon.com There is always used books there, if not new ones of the series.
You can order the books, Amazon handles everything, but they will come from a variety of different used book suppliers. They usually come quickly and are discounted. I noticed though that the harder to find ones cost more.
To download a list of all my books and the different series I have out, go to my web site at www.bjdaniels.com
I hope that helps. I greatly appreciate that many of you are looking for my previously published books. I'm sorry I can't keep enough copies to supply them to each and every one of you.
The Whitehorse series continues this month with BIG SKY DYNASTY out this week. It's one of my favorite books so check it out. The series hasn't been staying on the shelves long, which I am also thankful for. :)
Hope your summer is starting off well. It's beautiful here today in Montana! Now back to work...
The good news is that there are copies out there. Most of them are used since the line usually sells out and is like bananas: they're only on the shelves for a week or so.
The place to start is eHarlequin.com If you haven't been there, stop by. Intrigue now has its own blog where Intrigue authors will be discussing all kinds of things and you can talk with other Intrigue readers.
eHarlequin discounts its books so that is the best deal in town for recently released books. Often times they have a deal going on as well. Like my latest in the Whitehorse series: The Corbetts. Those are being offers at a special rate, so check that out.
Otherwise, try Amazon.com There is always used books there, if not new ones of the series.
You can order the books, Amazon handles everything, but they will come from a variety of different used book suppliers. They usually come quickly and are discounted. I noticed though that the harder to find ones cost more.
To download a list of all my books and the different series I have out, go to my web site at www.bjdaniels.com
I hope that helps. I greatly appreciate that many of you are looking for my previously published books. I'm sorry I can't keep enough copies to supply them to each and every one of you.
The Whitehorse series continues this month with BIG SKY DYNASTY out this week. It's one of my favorite books so check it out. The series hasn't been staying on the shelves long, which I am also thankful for. :)
Hope your summer is starting off well. It's beautiful here today in Montana! Now back to work...
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Not the famed Whitehorse Sewing Circle
I'm hanging out with a different crowd today. Usually I'd be with my characters in Whitehorse.
But in a few minutes I'll be going back to my 3-day quilting weekend at the local high school.
I have been looking forward to this for some time. Three full days of playing with fabric, visiting with talented, creative women who don't write and finishing up my first quilting project and starting another.
I'm sure this love of fabric has something to do with the same gene that made me a writer. Fabric is like the blank page. Anything is possible. It sparks my imagination. What should I make? How should I mix the different colors and patterns?
While I can't see myself actually making a "quilt", I love the process. My first project was a tablerunner. Today I "stipple" it.
Freehand stippling (that's the stitched pattern that holds the "sandwiched" quilt top, batting and bottom together) looks a lot more fun and easy than it is. I practiced yesterday and it was slightly embarrassing. Also a little scary. But I'm going back this morning to actually do the tablerunner. However it turns out, it's all my work, my first quilting project so I'm going with it.
Just think. Not that long ago I didn't even know what stippling was.
The one interesting thing I have noticed is that this weekend is nothing like the Whitehorse Sewing Circle in my books. The group hasn't suggested doing anything illegal! At least not yet.
But in a few minutes I'll be going back to my 3-day quilting weekend at the local high school.
I have been looking forward to this for some time. Three full days of playing with fabric, visiting with talented, creative women who don't write and finishing up my first quilting project and starting another.
I'm sure this love of fabric has something to do with the same gene that made me a writer. Fabric is like the blank page. Anything is possible. It sparks my imagination. What should I make? How should I mix the different colors and patterns?
While I can't see myself actually making a "quilt", I love the process. My first project was a tablerunner. Today I "stipple" it.
Freehand stippling (that's the stitched pattern that holds the "sandwiched" quilt top, batting and bottom together) looks a lot more fun and easy than it is. I practiced yesterday and it was slightly embarrassing. Also a little scary. But I'm going back this morning to actually do the tablerunner. However it turns out, it's all my work, my first quilting project so I'm going with it.
Just think. Not that long ago I didn't even know what stippling was.
The one interesting thing I have noticed is that this weekend is nothing like the Whitehorse Sewing Circle in my books. The group hasn't suggested doing anything illegal! At least not yet.
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