Waiting to hear back from an editor. This song came to mind.

Normally, I like to reward myself for a job well done. Particularly if it took some doing and extra motivation was necessary to persevere.

In fact, a few years ago when I contracted with my first book agent, I bought myself a ring. Despite the arrangement not working out, I still wear that ring to this day and it makes me feel quite proud.

Today, I jumped back on the submission saddle and started working old and new manuscripts.  A new revision process helped and so too did a new submission process. (Can you tell I’m all about creating systems!)

I actually wrote about the submission process HERE.

Originally, once I sucked up my courage, I was going to buy myself a ring for sending off the first query. Yes, I do like rings - especially the ones over at the Sundance Catalog. However, I changed my mind.

Submitting my manuscript is a reward all by itself. I think I’ve grown wiser over the past few years. (Thank goodness!)

Of course, I will be buying myself a snazzy ring when I get that publishing contract, you can be darned sure!

I have a unique challenge when it comes to working on my fiction projects. I’m actually a writer by profession. I own a content busienss that writes articles, blog posts, reports, and ebooks for other business owners. Most of the content is published online though I have had several books published (Ghostwritten) and one of them even managed to make it to Amazon’s Bestseller’s list.

So while other writers have to balance their day job, family, and their writing dreams, I have an advantage.

I work from home, I write from the time I wake up in the morning until the end of the day. When my family needs me, I can be there without pissing off a boss. YAY!

However, let me tell you writing all day (I mean ALL DAY) can wear on a person.  Vacations and days off from writing are a must.

Yet, the bigger challenge is balancing my fiction projects with my paid ghostwriting projects.

I’ve yet to f ind a real schedule that I can stick to because let’s face it the paycheck often has to come before the dream.

However, I have been able to create minimal goals I can stick to: 100o words a day and/or 50 pages a day during the revision process.

I’ve no advice to other writers when it comes to finding a balance other than to make time for your publishing dreams. Writing isn’t a chore, it’s an escape, an art and it’s your reward. When you think of it that way, it’s easy to turn off American Idol and write a few pages of romance!

Oops!  I neglected to post a hot hero yesterday. I went rock climbing instead.  Gotta love a day playing outside. Anyway, to honor the sport and hot hero Friday, check this guy out!

Nude Rock Climber - Photographed by Peter Torsal

You can see more gorgeous photos at http://www.torsal.de/

The number of spots left for this year’s RWA conference are dwindling and I’m still ‘debating whether I can/should go. Okay, scratch that, I know I should go and it would be a blast but it’s a lot of $$ that I’m not sure I want to spend.  That’s the dilemma.

I have it on my calendar to decide tomorrow and either start booking my reservations or to scratch it off my list for this year.  We’ll see.

On another note, I’m reading a great book right now on writing by Donald Mass. It’s called The Fire in Fiction. You can read a review for it at www.makealivingwritingromance.com

Writing career goals and planning notebook

Sitting at home with a cold and a significant lack of motivation to polish the first five chapters of my current work in progress, Die Trying, I’ve settled into a fun project I strongly advise for any author or would be author.

Planning for the future!

Whether you’re a career romance novelist or writing is your second job, it’s important to have goals.  My goals are lofty, to publish 3 books next year and 3 the year after.  Because I do write erotic romantic suspense, among other things, epublishers are a viable and profitable option.  And they’re faster at the whole acceptance/rejection thing which is great if you’re impatient!

But here’s the second part of the whole goal thing.  In order to achieve your goals, you must also have a plan.  It’s not enough to say, “Hey, I’m going to publish three next year.” You also have to plan when you’re going to write, edit and polish those books and when and how you’re going to submit them. Because in case you ahven’t noticed, life has a way of moving along quite quickly with or without you.  When you plan for your goals, and follow through on your plans, then success starts happening!

What to consider putting into your writing/publishing/career plan.

1.  What you’re going to write

2.  When you’re going to write

3.  What you’re going to submit for publication, where you’re going to submit it, and when (It pays to have a system to track your submissions.)

4.  Your writing memberships and organizations. There’s nothing better to motivate you than a fellow group of writers.  They’re also great for keeping you on track and continuously improving your craft.  Romance Writers of America, www.rwanational.org is a great place to start.  I belong to several chapters of the RWA and the Passionate Ink online chapter is fantastic!

5.  Continue your education.  The only way to improve your writing skills is to keep writing and keep learning about the craft and the industry!

I like to attend at least one workshop each quarter, more if possible, and many of these workshops are free through your RWA chapter.  Additionally, I have a library of writing books, more for inspiration than anything else and there’s a great course designed specifically for Romance Writers by successful romance writers that covers everything from how and what to write to how to manage your career.  It’s a one stop course on making a living writing romance - check it out.

Don’t wait for the next time you’re feeling under the weather to plan the next two or three years of your writing career.  Sit down for a few hours this weekend and create a plan for your romance writing future!

I’ve entered two writing contests in my career.

The first one was a total wash out and I’ll leave it at that.  However, a few months ago I decided it was time to try the contest thing again because it doesn’t make much sense to base a position for or against contests on one experience.

Couple that with the fact that I have come a long way since the first contest.  I have elightful and supportive critique partners, I’m happily settled into an RWA chapter, and I really wanted some unbiased feedback on a new manuscript.

Success! Apparently the second time is a charm

And this is not just because I finaled. (Though I’m sure that does play a role in my satisfaction with the process this time around).

The success in large part, I believe, has to do with the feedback I received and the fact that I have grown as a person and am able to embrace feedback - all of it including the comments I don’t agree with - with zen-like appreciation and gratitude.  It is also quite possible that the Passionate Ink contest is simply a professionally managed contest and I would have been grateful for the process regardless of whether I’d finaled or not.

At any rate, I am delighted, grateful, and proud!

Thank you!

I have a wonderful group of critique partners.  One is published and has two Golden Heart finals under her belt along with several books under contract.  Another is a RITA finalist and a third is actively involved in RWA and publication, I’m convinced, is right around the corner.  It’s a smart and experienced group of women and yet, none of them would ever consider an electronic publisher.  They’re all dead set on publishing via ‘traditional methods’ in ‘traditional houses’ and that’s that.  No argument, no conversation.

And then there’s me. Read more »

Passionate Ink is hosting a conference this month on writing from the male perspective.  Since I’m most definitely female I’m excited about attending this online workshop.  Passionate Ink hosts fantastic, quality workshops.  If you too are most definitely female and are looking for a great workshop, details are below:

Writing From the Male Point of View
Title : Writing From the Male Point of View
Date : March 9th – 15th, 2009
Presented by : Sascha Illyvich
Cost : $15 (PI Members) and $20 (Non-PI Members) Be one of the first 20 PI Members to email karen.e.erickson @ gmail.com to be added to the free members list. All Passionate Ink members receive two free workshops per membership year.
Workshop Description :
Learn the ins and outs of character creation from a side of romance we rarely hear from, the male romance reader/writer! Paranormal Romance author Sascha Illyvich shares with us tips on how to create more memorable heroes, avoid some common pitfalls and have more fun with your writing!

Cross gender writing can make or break an author’s career if they cannot portray the opposite gender clearly and accurately. With the growing popularity of M/M romances, it’s becoming increasingly important for males to be portrayed in the proper light! We’ll cover all that here and a lot more over the next week.

Bio:

Sascha first started writing nine years ago, first releasing poetry and an occasional short erotica story before he focused on erotic romance. Sascha’s books have been listed under the Road to Romance’s Recommended read list, as well nominated for the CAPA.

Sascha is also the host of the Unnamed Romance Show on Radio Dentata

Payment details are at
http://www.passionateink.org/workshops/