Actually I’m really communing with my muse on deadline. So if you don’t hear from me for a couple of days, you know what I’m doing. Hope you’re enjoying whatever you’re up to.
Archive for the 'career' Category
13
Aug
08
excuse me while I touch the sky
18
Feb
08
365/24/7
No that’s not some alien code. It’s a reminder to me that it’s been exactly a year since my last cigarette. No more smoking for me–ever. I finally believe that now. I don’t need any more cancer sticks, thank you.
What convinced me of this was being able to finish my first writing project since giving up the demon weed (tobacco, what did you think I meant?). Now I am writing up a storm to make up for lost time.
Oh, to breathe those non-smoke-filled sighs of relief. Thank you Universe for all your help.
Now back to work–lol
03
Jan
08
What hump?
The hubby and I ventured into the city on this frigid, frigid night to see Young Frankenstein on Broadway. Frankly, I didn’t think they’d be able to pull off turning the movie into a musical, but I was wrong. I absolutely loved this show! A particular surprise was Megan Mullally whose pipes nearly blew down the house. I’d heard her sing on Will and Grace, but man!
Another grand surprise was the ending. I won’t give away what happens, only to say that it was a bit different, and I must say better. But at the same time it was so natural that I couldn’t remember the movie ending at all. It’s as if Mel Brooks rethought a few things before putting on the show.
This idea intrigued me, since I have the opportunity to have my first books reprinted. To be honest, I can’t remember anything egregiously wrong in any of my books that I would want to alter, but who knows. Maybe when I read them over again something will smack me in the head with the need for fixing. I hope not.
One thing I don’t want to do and hope other authors don’t do as their contemporary books get reprinted is to start updating them as far as technology goes. It seems now that half my character’s problems would have been solved by the presence of a working cell phone, but they were not as predominant when I wrote my first books as they are now. Then again, I don’t really want my books to feel all that dated either. What’s an author to do?
How about you, how do you feel about authors reprinting and revising their works? If you’re an author, how far would you go to revise/update/revamp your work for a reprint?
16
Jul
07
Once more–with feeling
Saturday at Blogging in Black, Alvin Romer of the Romer Review discusses RWA and the role of the black author inside it. I will let Mr. Romer’s post speak for itself. He posits some very interesting questions.
My beef is with the comments to his post. I am sick of ignorant comments about what black authors should or should not be doing regarding racism in the publishing industry, and folks making pronouncements about anyone who doesn’t follow their particular agenda. Why should I–why should any author–be taken to task for how, when, where or in what manner we deem it proper to speak out on the issues that affect US? Because I have not said anything in a manner that pleases the naysayer, does that mean I have done nothing? Do I care what they think? I’m sure you can figure that answer out for yourself. It’s very easy to figure out what other people should be doing when you have absolutely nothing at stake yourself.
Getting back to what Alvin had to say, I admit I am a member of RWA. It is a professional organization. I am a professional. ‘Nuff said. Should RWA be more sensitive to issues brought forth by it’s non-white members? You betcha. Am I going to try to force my views on them? Not on your life. IMO, whoever runs RWA and at least some portion of its membership appears to want to have its head in the sand regarding any form of change. That’s not a black thang or a white thang, it’s an adaptation thang (sorry, I saw Jurassic Park 2 last night).
You know what, I belong to my teacher’s union, too. All issues get decided in favor or whatever will suit middle and high school needs. As elementary teacher’s we get screwed. What else is new? Be a grown up. Deal with it.
My concern has always been for who reads my books. They are black, white, Latino/Latina, male, female, young old etc. How do I know? Because they tell me. I always make sure to include people of varying ethnicities in my books because that is what my world is like: that’s what my family is like. I have been reviewed and interviewed by every stripe of website out there and received mostly praise for my work.
That being said, I refuse to devote any significant portion of my time decrying the racism in the publishing industry to readers. If you don’t want to read my book, whether it’s because you’re a racist who doesn’t read black romance or a non-racist who doesn’t read black romance, fine. If you don’t like my name or you don’t like mystery with your romance or the cover looks too dark or too silly or the guy is bald and in the story your man had hair, whatever. If you don’t want to read my book, for god’s sake, put the damn thing down. Find something you do like to read and enjoy it.
Like anything else in the publishing industry, where your book is placed, what cover goes on it, where it is shelved and how many get printed is decided in the publishing house. That’s the battleground. As long as publishers feel the need to segregate us, that’s how it will go. They say that readers prefer it when black books are broken out and sales go up. From my days working in publishing and marketing, I know you can get a survey to say just about anything you want to if your interest is more in getting the desired results than listening to what your customer base says. I am not accusing the industry of shady practices, only saying that I put less stock in market research than most people might.
I’ve also never been one to try to shame people into doing what I think they should do. Those who cry “foul” to the romance readership at large may get a lot of name recognition and as many hits as kudos for their efforts, but I’d rather show people what they’re missing instead of whacking them over the head and trying to shove a book under their nose, figuratively of course. Your style may vary. Do what you have to do. Just realize I’ll do the same–in my own way, natch.
29
Apr
07
Maybe it’s just me, but . . .
Okay, it’s been a little while since I had to do an agent search and even longer than that since I was a new author with no clue just a sase sending out my manuscript, but . . . it never occurred to me that writer’s getting a rejection would receive a letter back without their name on it. Huh? you say. I know, I don’t think that made sense exactly, so I’ll be specific.
The other day, an aspiring writer friend of mine got back her first two rejections from agents–one was via e-mail and one a regular snail mail letter. The snail mail letter was addressed to Dear Author.
My first thought was, you’ve got to be kidding me. As much trouble as writers go through to get the agent’s name right, to send only what the agent wants to see how he or she wants to see it, don’t they deserve better than to have their work declined by saying basically “hey you, no thanks”? Harsh!
I know agents are busy and must devote their time to the clients whose work actually makes money for them. I not suggesting the abolition of the form letter, but, Jeez, couldn’t there be a spot to scrawl the authors name on the top of the page, or a mail merge thingie whereby a name could be easily inserted or how about leaving off the salutation entirely?
Such is the life of a writer, I suppose. As my grandmother would say, let that be the worst thing that happens to you. I wish you the same.
16
Apr
07
Cleaning House
As much as I hate housekeeping, I must do a little now as far as my blogging goes. I killed the one on my website, since I never really posted anything over there. This is now the blog you get if you click on the blog button on that site. Yes, the website is being updated, so please have a little patience. When it’s done, it will also have an online press kit. Something I’ve been meaning to do for some time.
I do not like myspace, regardless of what anyone else says about it. I can’t even figure out how to get a decent background going over there. I haven’t finished filling out the profile or whatever, either. I just don’t have time. I may kill it, especially since I have a page up at Crimespace. We’ll see. All my mystery-related posts will now be at Crimespace, but not necessarily here.
I also will not be posting as much anywhere, I don’t think, as I am getting back to the business of writing books. I seem to be over that writing blockage, thanks to my sister Lesi. I’ll let you know how it’s working out.
Could be. I was at my mom’s for Easter dinner when old school Battlestar Galactica came on and we started talking about all the old series we used to love. My mother remarked how funny it was that all her children were into science fiction. Until that moment I hadn’t really considered myself “into” sci fi.
Then today, I take the test below. Now I’m thinking hmmm–I could do that. Look for little green men at a bookstore near you–maybe.
| You Should Be a Science Fiction Writer |
 Your ideas are very strange, and people often wonder what planet you’re from. And while you may have some problems being “normal,” you’ll have no problems writing sci-fi. Whether it’s epic films, important novels, or vivid comics… Your own little universe could leave an important mark on the world! |
01
Jan
07
New Year, New Me?
If you read my last post, you know I’ve been looking forward to the end of 2006, so all I can say is YIPPEE!! now that 2007 is officially here. Actually, it’s on more of a personal note that 2006 and I didn’t get along. As a writer, I published two of my best books in 2006–AN INNOCENT MAN in August from Harlequin/Kimani and BODY OF LIES from Kensington/Dafina. I am extremely proud of both of these books.
If you’ve visited my website, you know I’m a firm believer in goal setting, particularly at the beginning of the year. I also believe in stating those goals publicly in as specific terms as possible. Stating something aloud makes it real and something to be reckoned with. So, in no particular order, here are mine:
1. finish proposal for fantasy novel and find a publisher. This is a book I’ve wanted to publish since I was a little girl, so it’s about time I got started.
2. finally hire a publicist. I really used to enjoy promotion activities as much as writing, but don’t anymore.
3. increase my writing speed. After a recent bout of writer’s block (and a looming deadline) I discovered I could work much faster than I am pushing myself.
4. attend five writer’s conferences. I’m already scheduled for one–the Romance Slam Jam in Florida, where I will be the keynote speaker. I’d like two of the other conferences to be mystery-related, one more romance related and one more from either column. Gotta get cracking on this one.
and finally–to post on my blog more often. I am trying for three times a week, but we’ll see. Life–and writing–have a way of interfering.
Most of all, I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
If you’ve got any goals you’d like to post, have at it in the comments section.
All the best,
Dee
