Perseverance

A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit. - Richard Bach

I have this quote written on a scrap of paper tucked away in my dresser. I take it out when I need encouragement.

That brings me to the topic of this blog. I've read a lot lately about perseverance being key, about how good, hard, BICHOKing is the real secret to success both pre- and post-publication. I even found a website chock full of quotes on the benefits and almost moral righteousness of persevering.

It seems to me though that all this talk of persevering begs the issue. If you're in such a writing funk that you need to remind yourself to persevere, how do you do it? It's fine to virtuously tout the importance of perseverance, but when it comes right down to it, how do you actually make yourself persevere?

I imagine people have different tips and tricks they use. I'd love to hear some.

And it's time for the RITA and GH

Two of my favorite days of the year as a writer are the days the RITA and Golden Heart nominees are announced and the night of the ceremony. Tonight is the ceremony from the 2009 Romance Writers of America conference in Washington, DC.

So, without further ado -

2009 Golden Heart Winner for Best Contemporary Romance Series Manuscript
Second Chance for a Family by Kim Law

2009 Golden Heart Winner for Best Contemporary Romance Series: Suspense/Adventure
Romance or Retribution by Jamie Michele

2009 Golden Heart Winner for Best Young Adult Manuscript
Stage Fright by Shoshana Dawn Brown

2009 Golden Heart Winner for Best Historical Romance Manuscript
Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin

2009 Golden Heart Winner for Best Regency Historical Romance Manuscript
An Inconvenient Marriage by Sara Ramsey

2009 Golden Heart Winner for Best Inspirational Manuscript
Kitty's Fire by Kelly Ann Riley

2009 Golden Heart Winner for Best Paranormal Romance Manuscript
First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

2009 Golden Heart Winner for Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements Manuscript
Death, Taxes, and a French Manicure by Diane O'Brien Kelly

2009 Golden Heart Winner for Best Romantic Suspense Manuscript
Only Fear by Anne Marie Becker

2009 Golden Heart Winner for Best ContemporarySingle Title Manuscript
Easy Money by Vivi Andrews


2009 RITA Winner for Best Contemporary Series Romance
A Mother's Wish by Karen Templeton

2009 RITA Winner for Best Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure
Danger Signals by Kathleen Creighton

2009 RITA Winner for Best Young Adult Romance
Hell Week by Rosemary Clement-Moore

2009 RITA Winner for Best Historical Romance
The Edge of Impropriety by Pam Rosenthal

2009 RITA Winner for Best Regency Historical Romance
My Lord and Spymaster by Joanna Bourne

2009 RITA Winner for Best Inspirational Romance
Finding Stefanie by Susan May Warren

2009 RITA Winner for Best Romance Novella
"The Fall of Rogue Gerard" by Stephanie Laurens in It Happened One Night

2009 RITA Winner for Best Paranormal Romance
Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready

2009 RITA Winner for Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
Tribute by Nora Roberts

2009 RITA Winner for Best Romantic Suspense
Take No Prisoners by Cindy Gerard

2009 RITA Winner for Best First Book
Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs

2009 RITA Winner for Best Contemporary Single Title Romance
Not Another Bad Date by Rachel Gibson


Congratulations to all the winners but congratulations also to all the nominees. The competition was fierce.

RWA National Conference

The RWA National Conference is always inspiring, but this year I'm finding it even more inspiring because I'm not there.

A few years back - when I really wasn't writing much - I made a vow to myself that I wouldn't go back to National until I had something sold (preferable) or at least ready to sell (realistic).

That vow was nice on my wallet but it didn't do much for getting me back to writing. So, here I am, too many years later, still not attending.

But this week I signed up for Twitter and a funny thing happened. With all the tweets and blogs from DC, I feel like I know more about what's going on at this conference than I ever did at the ones I went to. Via twitter, I can be in lots of places at once! I've gone to lunch with all sorts or people I don't know - everything from Lebanese food to pizza to sandwiches. I've vicariously attended the huge literacy booksigning. I didn't buy any books there, but I did make a stop at Barnes and Noble today for Toni Blake's book because I read about it on someone's blog today. I've seen the Hot Sheet rehashed, heard about the Golden Network retreat's editor panel, and seen lots of pictures.
I also learned that following everyone else on their RWA journey is exhausting!

But there's one more thing - the best of all!

I've been writing. Turns out that all this vicarious conferencing is very inspirational! I got more words done today than I have in the past few months combined. And it's only the first day of conference!

Bring on Day 2!

Good luck

My father loved ladybugs and the Christmas after he died, I had one flying around my kitchen even though it was snowing outside. I bet he would have enjoyed this.

Embedded video from CNN Video

If ladybugs bring good luck, can you even imagine how much luck all these bring?

Chain letters

I'm borrowing this idea from Susan Wiggs because I thought it was a brilliant way of dealing with chain letters without actually forwarding the letter.

I received this in the mail today. I'd love to have a wish come true but I really don't believe in inflicting chain letters on unsuspecting friends. How do you feel about passing on chain letters?-

GIVE IT A TRY, LETS SEE WHAT HAPPENS!

Dr Seuss ( don't delete)

The last time I did this it worked for me too. I wished for a baby, and you all know what happened (approx. 2 months later). I had to give this a shot.....

Don't laugh at this! Just do it!

My best friend just did this morning, wished for her promotion and just got a call and she got it.

I'm SO sorry about this, but I had to keep it going. The last time I
sent this exact e-mail out, I got a new job and now I'm superstitious.


Start thinking something you really really want, cause this is
astounding.. the person that sent this to me said their wish came
true ! 10 mins after they read the mail so I thought what the heck.

******

******

******

******

**********

(,)(,)

*

*... ..*

You have just been visited by Dr. Suess's Cat in the Hat. He will
grant you one wish. Make your wish when the count down is over.

10




9




8




7




6




5




4




3




2




1
MAKE A WISH !!!!!!









Send this to 10 people within the hour you read this.
If you do, your wish will come true. If you don't, it will become the opposite.

Writers' Nightmares

I had a totally bizarre dream last night. A nightmare really. I don't remember the dream much at all except for being chased by some terrifying entity. I do remember waking up with a pounding heart right before the really horrible thing - whatever it was - was about to happen.

And I remember that my first thought was, I'll never write horror novels. How can people write horror if this is where their minds go when they're doing it? Seems I can't escape the need to write even when I'm sleeping.

My eldest is taking her second driving lesson today - a mother kind of nightmare. I know it's a normal rite of passage but driving lessons in a big city are way different than the kind of suburban driving I learned. I'm sure she'll do fine, but thank God for dual-controlled cars!

Happy 4th of July!!

Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. Maybe it's the history geek in me, but I love a holiday dedicated to celebrating the highest hopes for our country. Plus it's summer; you've got beaches, barbeques, iced tea, hotdogs and fireworks - what's not to love?

Happy and safe 4th to everyone!