Archive for the ‘Confessions’ Category

I have two distinctive sets of friends -  Writer and Non-Writers.

The writer friends are either published (NY, Print or Epubbed), seeking publication, editors or reviewers. Now my non-writer friends most don’t know I write and if they do they don’t know my pen name or what I write.  So they don’t necessarily understand when I say I can’t or won’t go to the newest club or some party because I have things to do, other plans or have to write.

I could explain the reasons why, why it’s so important to me, why I keep doing it though it seems like I’m getting nowhere, why I love it even though I get frustrated, why I’ve tried to quit and keep going back. But it seems like more hassle than it’s worth sometimes. They don’t and may never get it.

The ones who know I write and know about my last release think I should be sitting on stacks and treating them to lunch, dinner, shopping or whatever.

I tried explaining the publishing industry and that it’s very competitive and slow but that just brings out the bored blank stare. And as a recent topic on RD said, sometimes having to explain news – however insignificant – takes some of the shine off of it.

So I don’t talk about my writing with them. That’s what my writer friends are for.

They understand the joy, love and frustrations of writing. I can vent about characters or plot or the words not flowing and they get it. They understand getting a request for a partial or a full from an editor or an agent. They undersand (though may be frustrated and what to share/celebrate with you) when you have good news, great news but don’t want to say to much cause you don’t want to jump the gun or jinx anything (Hint Hint). And writer’s (some of us) can be a bit superstitious.

Which is wonderful to have someone who knows, has been there and understands. They also hold me accountable and make sure I write.  They understand the hard work, sweat and even tears but also  celebrate word counts, requests and sales. Offer hugs and cyber chocolate on rejections and not so good reviews.

But I still need non-writer friends because one they do get me to take a break and clear my head – even if they don’t realize it.

I love to read – which is going to be obvious by my to be read list for this year. This is only a small portion and equates to about 3 books a month. So it’s doable. I can read three books in a day given the proper motivation and right atmosphere.

So here’s my list:

1. Deadly Sexy by Beverly Jenkins 
2. Scream For Me by Karen Rose
3. Unleashing the Storm by Sydney Croft
4. Inferno by Vivi Anna
5. Not Even if You Begged by Francis Ray
6. Her Little Black Book by Brenda Jackson
7. Two Grooms and a Wedding by Adrianna Byrd
8. Always a Knight by Wayne Jordan
9. Force of Nature by Suzanne Brockmann
10. Hide by Lisa Gardner
11. Evermore by Lynn Viehl
12. Fairyville by Emma Holly
13. If You Want Closure In Your Relationship Start With Your Legs by Big Boom
14. Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts
15. Tempting Clint Westmorelad by Brenda Jackson
16. How To Duck A Suckah: A Guide To Living A Drama Free Life by Big Boom
17. Red River by Lalita Tademy
18. Sushi For One? by Camy Tang
19. Vamps and the City by Kerrelyn Sparks
20. Gotta Keep on Tryin’ by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant
21. Diary of a Mistreess by Miasha
22. My Invisible Husband by Shelia M Goss
23. Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter
24. Real Vamps Don’t Drink O-Neg by Tawny Taylor
25. Devilish by Maureen Johnson
26. Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian
27. Threesome: Where Seduction, Power & Basketball Collide by Brenda Thomas
28. Something on the Side by Carl Webber
29. The Ex Files: A Novel about Four Women and Faith by Victoria Christopher Murray
30. Keeper of Secrets: Translations of an Incident by Anjuelle Floyd
31. The Forest for the Trees: An Editor’s Advice to Writers by Betsy Lerner
32. Priceless Gift by Celeste O. Norfleet
33. Dorothy Dandridge: A Biography by Donald Bogle
34. Bad Blood by L.A. Banks
35. Don’t Get it Twisted by Paula Chase
36. Tempted by Megan Hart

I may not get to them all and it may be more than that but this is just for starters. And just looking at the list and what I didn’t include (e-books or audio) - I may have an addiction to books.

Harlequin Launches Confessions Web Site for 2008 Romance Report  

Toronto (September 26, 2007) – In the age of reality television, celebrity scandals and tell-all books it seems that shocking confessions have become THE must-have accessory for fall. Whether it’s a sordid affair, a secret nip and tuck or one too many midnight snacks, we all have a few indiscretions that we’re not exactly proud of. But should we confess? Harlequin Enterprises Limited., certainly thinks so. The world’s leading publisher of women’s fiction today launched a new interactive Web Site, www.harlequinromancereport.com, which gives visitors a place to anonymously confess their sins.

The Web Site, featuring an anonymous online confessional forum and interactive survey, will form the basis of the Harlequin 2008 Romance Report: Confessions, which sets out to explore the good, the bad and the ugly of confessions and will be released in January 2008.

“Confessions are about freeing ourselves of guilt, confiding in loved ones and developing truthful and honest relationships with those around us,” said Marleah Stout, Senior Public Relations Manager, Harlequin Enterprises Limited.  “Although sometimes shocking and unexpected, confessions are also extremely romantic, bringing us closer to the people we love by revealing ourselves to them.”

Excuse me while I allow myself a moment to whine and moan.

As you know I submitted to the Cobblestone Press for the Vampire Oracle – In The Cards series/line. I subbed 2 proposals – both rejected.

And I have to say that rejection for me always seem to happen when I’m dealing with issues and dramas in my RL so it makes the rejection sting a bit. That damned internal editor, the negative narrative that it is makes me wonder why I keep doing this and horror of all horrors – does my writing suck? Am I actually a no talent hack?

But the other part of me, the side that knows and realizes that rejection is a part of this business. That’s important so I’m going to repeat it. Rejection is a part of the writing process.

That other side knows that I’m a damned good writer. And also realizes that my story just wasn’t “right” for that particular publisher at the time. That something about it didn’t “click” or “jump out” at the editor/publisher. I get that. I really do but it still makes it hard some times.

Also, rejections, believe it or not, are hard for editors and publishers to write. Most that I know or “met” cyberly have said it’s a part of the job that they hate. Saying no. And on the flip side – that yes is amazing.

Sigh. Okay now on to the good part – a lot of divas were chosen for the line and is in very good company. So congrats to all who made it. 

So now it’s back to the old grindstone – write, submit, repeat.

I’m not giving up. I could never quit writing, maybe take a hiatus but never quit all together.

And lest anyone thinks this is a bitter post – it’s not. I’m actually very happy for everyone chosen. Cobblestone is a great publisher from what I’ve heard and the books I’ve read from them. And while my story wasn’t right for them this time, there is always the next submission. Plus I got a very nice rejection letter, as far as rejection letters go.

So I’ll end this point on a high – happy birthday momma.

Hello.. My name is Angeleque and I’m a slacker.

I know I’ve been slacking on my blogging but I’ve been writing. So I have a good excuse.  Plus I’ ve been doing OT at the DJ (day job) so it leaves little time to blog.

I promise I will update soon, more extensively with the projects I am working on and submitting.

This doesn’t mean what you think. No, I haven’t booted anyone off my top 10 list of favorite authors.

But I realized the other day when someone asked me my favorite authors, I left off a couple. The reason – they haven’t written anything new in a while. Now this isn’t a plea for them to write more, publish more. Because, as an author, I can understand the pressures of a writing career (I’m still trying to launch mine) and real life.

Then someone brought Shelfari to my attention. Don’t recall who right now. And I was compiling my top 10 lists and realized I had several new authors on the list. And that’s not a bad thing.