This isn’t the topic I’d intended to post today. However, when something comes along and validates the very essence of what you believe as an author, it has to be shared. That something is Stephanie Lauren’s keynote address delivered at the 2012 RWA Conference in Anaheim, CA.

Yesterday, I had a wonderful and long overdue chat with my author mentor, Beverly Jenkins. During our conversation, we discussed how the landscape of the publishing industry has changed. This change has not only impacted seasoned authors, but aspiring authors and authors who find themselves somewhere in between. Beverly went on to ask if I’d heard about the speech Stephanie Lauren gave at this year’s RWA Conference.

Now I must admit, I’d never heard of Stephanie Lauren, but from everything Beverly shared with me, I was eager to learn more. After our call, I searched the web and found the speech. Ms. Lauren was spot on! While she touched upon several issues relative to the off-line and on-line publishing industry in her keynote address, the most poignant take away for me was this:

“It’s the publishing industry – the transmittal process – that’s undergoing change, but the only point at which that affects an author is when she’s ready to hit the transmittal button and she has to decide which one to press – the send button on an email taking her manuscript to a publisher? Or does she spend time and prepare the work so she can hit the Publish button on KDP, PubIt, Kobo, Smashwords, etc, or the upload button to her website? That’s all that truly changes for us – the interface where we connect with the transmittal process.

For us, everything else remains the same. And our readers are in the mirror position. The only thing that changes for them is the method by which they access our stories. The way they read our words, the way they interact with and respond to our stories, changes not at all.”
Excerpt from Stephanie Lauren’s – 2012 RWA Keynote Address

Whether you’re an author with a hundred titles or ten to your credit take a moment and read Ms. Lauren’s address in its entirety. I’m willing to bet everything I’ve got that you’ll walk away uttering these three words, “Ready, set. . .go!”

Until next time – stay well and be blessed!

Houston we have a problem!

Have you ever taken on a task and within a millisecond knew you were in over your head?

Well, I’m technologically challenged and not ashamed to admit it. This fact wasn’t really an issue until I tried to convert my manuscript, which was saved as a Word.doc into an e-book file. Of course what I didn’t know, but quickly found out is that different e-readers support different e-book formats. For instance, the e-book format for a Kindle is not the same as the e-book format for the NOOK. After spending hours trying to understand HTML verses EPUB, I throw my hands up in disgust. Yes, I felt lost, confused and totally exasperated with the e-book conversion process.

Am I the only one who’s gone through this?

Until next time – stay well and be blessed

The term “diva” evokes a negative connotation simply by definition — a vain or undisciplined person (usually a woman) who finds it difficult to work under direction or as part of a team. So what sane woman wants to be referred to as a diva?

Well, I’m waving both hands in the air! I’m blessed to be a part of a dynamic group of women who love to read. We come together to share six blissful days commonly referred to as Diva Daze. Our drama-free, leave-your-egos-at-the-door event is the perfect opportunity to relish good time, good food, good weather, good books, and not necessarily in that order.

This year our Head Diva (and my Delta Soror) contacted me and wanted to know how she could get my book, If I Were Your Woman. That simple request was one of the two factors that helped get my writing career back on track. Taking the steps to get that story in both e-book and print wasn’t easy, but it was definitely worth it.

Thank you Divas! I’ll never, ever forget your love, encouragement and support. And I’d be remiss not to publicly acknowledge my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for helping me get my writing groove back. Love you much!

So the next time anyone wants to know the true meaning of a diva, click on the video below.

Until next time – stay well and be blessed. . .

My last post ended with me sharing that I needed to decide whether I wanted to pursue the way forward as an Indie Author.

And the answer is. . .

I got my mojo back! Two things solidifed my decision. First, I stumbled across a blog post I’d written almost three years ago and second was the love and suport from the Divas (more about these awesome ladies in next week’s post). With these two tailwinds at my back, I knew I had no other choice but to embrace a piece of advice my author mentor, Beverly Jenkins shared with me years ago, “write the stories of your heart because that’s the only thing you have complete autonomy of.”

So with all the challenges I’ve faced both personally and professionally, with all the fluid components that shape the literary world, I’m back on track and in for the long haul.

Here’s a re-post of the blog that got me back on track:

A couple of weeks ago, I looked over my youngest son’s shoulder as he put the finishing touches on his English project. The assignment was simple. From an approved list, he had to write a five-paragraph essay on a famous African-American author or poet. When he finished, I asked him what he’d gained from completing his assignment on Maya Angelou. This twelve year-old man-child, glanced up at me and with a soft smile said, “She made it because somebody taught her how to read.”

Long after my son drifted off to sleep, the profound lesson he’d learned settled deep in my spirit. My baby got it! In the most elementary way imaginable, he finally understood what I’d drilled into him since he was able to string two complete sentences together—it’s hard to write, if you can’t read. Authors, we’d do well to remember that in all probability, our stories might’ve remained untold if some unsung hero hadn’t taught us to read.

Lest I forget the blood, sweat and tears of those who paved the way for the opportunities I take for granted today. They’ll never be noted in history books, never be placed on an approved list for future generations of students to write about, and never be presented with a lifetime achievement award for their literary accomplishments. Yet, they are the reason I can place the title of author in front of my name. My forefathers learned to read and passed down the power of this precious gift with the hope the generations they’d never live to see would one day face a brighter tomorrow.

Therefore, I resolve to remember and honor these unsung heroes.

Whereas, the next time I fix my mouth to complain about the unfairness faced by African-American authors, I’ll remember those born into the bonds of slavery. Ignoring their uncontrollable circumstances, they forged towards the horizon of knowledge by learning to read, even under the threat of losing their very lives; and

Whereas, the next time I want to bitch, moan and groan about the challenges I face as an author, I’ll remember the children of those slaves. With World War I nipping at their heels and despite their ability to read, they faced limited opportunities. Countless professionals emerged from that era and they believed in the collective power to foster change and pressed on; and

Whereas, the next time I have the unmitigated gall to give up and throw in the towel on this literary journey because my work isn’t readily accepted by mainstream, I’ll recall those who courageously sought what generations before them had been denied— the belief they had the same rights as everyone else for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They huddled together to form the Civil Rights Movement and despite the dogs and water hoses blocking their path, fought to repel the laws of Jim Crow. Covered by the grace of the Almighty God, they held firm and their perseverance paved the way for the comfort I enjoy today; and

Whereas, the next time I want to wallow in despair because my compensation falls far below authors who look differently than me, I’ll look back on generations past and continue to strive toward the mark of parity. So what if I live in a time with a disastrous economy, two wars, marginalization for the genre I pen, uncertainty within the publishing world, and second-class recognition for my work? My destiny has been carefully placed on my shoulders by those unsung heroes of yesteryear.

Lest I forget!

Until next time – stay well and be blessed.

Everything changed on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 8:40am.

The man who somehow bulldozed his way into my heart to become not only my lover, best friend and husband, quietly passed way after an almost year-long battle with colon cancer.

My personal life wasn’t the only thing impacted by this tragedy. My writing career toppled off a mountain-top faster than a condemned soul on its way to hell. It took almost four years, but I knew I needed to resurrect my writing career. There were stories inside of me I had to write. I was fired up and ready to go. Then a writing colleague shared this article with me.

Long story short, I knew the landscape of the publishing world had changed significantly since I entered the arena over six years ago. The question I needed to answer was whether I wanted to pursue the way forward as an Indie Author.

And the answer is. . .

Until next time – stay well and be blessed!

WHAT FACTORS MAKE YOUR BOOKS UNIQUE?

As an author, I absolutely love to write about real-life situations that individuals face every single day. As a result, I try hard to be sure three factors are included in my stories: the power of the love between the right man and woman, the support of family and friends and most importantly, ways to change the situation for the better.

Until next time – stay well and be blessed!

WHAT’S YOUR WRTIER’S VOICE?

Since the start of my literary career, many readers have posed this very question to me. The best answer I can offer is that every author has a distinct voice. It’s no different than an individual’s fingerprint. Although everyone has one, it’s distinctly unique to them and them alone.

From a literary perspective, let’s define the term writer’s voice. Simply put, it’s an author’s writing style. It includes their peerless combination of syntax, diction, punctuation, character development and dialogue, resulting in story. Stop and think about some of your favorite authors for a moment. All of them ultimately reach the goal, which is to tell a story, right? What distinguishes them from each other is the way they do it—their writer’s voice. And oftentimes, a reader can get a sneak peek into an author’s personality via their writing voice.

Until next time – stay well and be blessed!

Did you know…Barbara Cartland is the world’s top-selling author with over 500 million copies sold!

Ms. Cartland was an English author, known for her numerous romance novels. She also became one of the United Kingdom’s most popular media personalities, appearing often at public events and on television, dressed in her trademark pink and discoursing on love, health and social political issues. Other than her fictional romance books, she also wrote books on health and nutrition, advocating vitamin supplementation, as well as biographies and stage plays. She was often billed as the Queen of Romance.

Have you ever wondered what steps are involved to produce a romance novel? Well wonder no more! Click here and review author, Stephanie Bond’s step-by-step process on “The Making of a Romance Novel.”

However, before you can produce a romance novel, there are a few things you should know. First, the 2008 report from Simba Information reported that romance fiction generated a whopping 1.37 billion dollars in revenue despite the worst economic slid since the Great Depression and snagged the largest share of the consumer market. Why is this? Despite the cynicism of some for romance fiction, it has proven to be smart, fresh and diverse.

Secondly, you first need to know how to write a romance novel. “Know the romance market,” says Sheri McGregor, author of “Under One Roof.” Romance novels make up more than 50 percent of mass market fiction. “Read in the genre and find where you think your story ideas fit. Get the guidelines. Then write your story with the market in mind, without letting go of your story’s heart,” McGregor says.

1. Know the story you want to tell, and know your characters.
2. Join a writer’s critique group, either online or face-to-face.
3. Write, write and write more. Nothing helps more than practicing your craft.
4. Develop a thick skin. No one writes a masterpiece the first time.
5. Learn from criticism, but don’t lose the voice that makes your writing unique.
6. Read books about writing, such as Anne Lamott’s “Bird by Bird,” Natalie Goldberg’s “Writing Down the Bones,” or Evan Marshall’s “The Marshall Plan for Writing a
Novel.”
7. Study your market, and be prepared to write for a specific genre.
8. Become familiar with the publishers in your genre and subgenre.
9. Join a romance writers’ club and attend writers’ conferences. Make sure to schmooze with agents at these conferences.
10. Submit your book to an agent to make the rounds of publishers.

Blessed is the author who continues to write despite the circumstances in their lives, for eventually their story will be published. Times are tough in the publishing industry? Write! Your personal life is going to hell faster than a jet? Write! You can’t find an agent? Write! Your manuscript is still orphaned? Write! Your book finally sold? Keep writing!

Until next time – stay well and be blessed!

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TIME TO WRITE?

I absolutely have a special time to write. It’s when the duties of mother, maid, cook, chauffer, doctor, business owner and referrer have ended. It’s when I stumble down the stairs, groping in semi-darkness for my best friend, the coffeepot. It’s when there’s graveyard silence in my house.

The illuminated numbers on the clock indicate one in the morning.

It’s the right time for me to write.

Until next time – stay well and be blessed!