Shelley Shepard Gray's Blog, page 11

My First RWA Conference~aka~Meeting Mary Balogh

Years ago, long before I published my first novel, I went to the Romance Writers of America Conference. I didn’t know much about the publishing industry or about writing. All I knew was that I really wanted to be a published writer one day. I had scheduled some agent and editor appointments. I had circled all the workshops I planned to go to. But I was still there by myself, and didn‘t know anyone. So I volunteered to help at the workshop desk every day.

I didn’t know it at the time, but this was the absolutely right thing to do. I met other volunteers, kept busy with all kinds of tasks, and basically got to see how the conference was run-the workshop desk was right in the middle of it all. I also met everyone who stopped by and asked for help or directions.

For a long-time reader-want-to-be-writer, this was amazing. I met all kinds of famous authors as they stepped forward to get their packets for workshops they were presenting.

And then, on the fourth day, I met Mary Balogh. The Mary Balogh, aka, my favorite author.  Mary is from Wales, lives in Canada, and has a very proper British accent. Years ago she wrote Signet Regency Romances, and I fell in love with the settings and stories she created. Since then I think I’ve bought every book she’s written. Anyway, Ms. Balogh stopped by the workshop desk to ask where the bathroom was. I took one look at her nametag and became star struck.

Instead of answering her question and letting her go on her way, I began to tell her about how much I loved her books. She looked delighted, said thank you, and handed me a bookmark.

That was my cue to leave her alone, right?

Oh, no. I proceeded to tell her how I’d combed used bookstores looking for her books that were out of print. I told her which of her books were my favorites, and then decided to tell her all about my favorite characters in those books. Because, well, why wouldn’t she want to hear about that?

Once again, she very sweetly thanked me, dug in her tote bag, and gave me a pen.

And still I gushed. By the time she finally left the workshop desk, I had a leather bookmark too…one that she signed right in front of me. I was grinning like a fool. Poor Ms. Balogh was probably making a mental note to Avoid Shelley At All Costs for the rest of the week!

I’ve saved those bookmarks all this time, just like I’ve cherished that memory. What’s funny is I probably remember more about that conference than the 10 or 12 conferences I’ve attended since. It was such an exciting and scary time for me. I had a hope and a dream and absolutely no idea if it was ever going to come true. All I knew was that I had to try.

I thought about that chance meeting with Mary (yes, in my mind we’re on a first name basis now) a lot when I was writing Ray of Light, the second book in my Days of Redemption series. In the novel, the characters realize that there are many rays of hope and promise in their lives. Some come from the Lord. Others? From family members…and yes, even the kindness of a stranger. Meeting Mary Balogh made a huge impression on me. She was thankful that I liked her books. She was patient while I took up her time. And most of all, she made me think that maybe-just maybe-one day I, too, could be a published author.

So, I guess my hope is that we each realize that a kind smile or a little bit of patience will always be remembered…and sometimes it might make all the difference in the world to someone. For whom are you a Ray of Light? Who has been a Ray of Light for you?

With my blessings to you.

Shelley Shepard Gray

24 Years

On Saturday night, my husband and I went out to celebrate our 24th anniversary. It’s funny, for years we’ve been wondering what to do for our 25th~throw a party? Renew our vows? Go to Hawaii? We still don’t know what we’re going to do!

But a few weeks ago, we decided to go ahead and celebrate 24 years like it was a big deal, too. So we got all dressed up and went out on the town in downtown Cincinnati. While we were out and about, we couldn’t help but try to remember what we’ve done for previous anniversaries.

Sometimes I’ve cooked. Other years, we saved for weeks in order to go out to a fancy restaurant. Others? That day just seemed to come and go.

Funny, I remember the anniversaries that we spent at the mall with the kids. I remember going to McDonalds one year because we were on a family vacation. I remember spending the day at baseball tournaments and swim meets, too. I remember almost forgetting it-one of the kids had been sick and anniversaries were the last thing on my mind. I know we went to Las Vegas for our tenth anniversary, but have no idea what we did for our 20th.

It all kinds of blends in together, doesn’t it? Years and years of marriage, each one a mixture of good days and not-so-good ones. I’m very grateful for each one of those days, though. I can honestly say my husband is my best friend. 

This week, it’s back to work. I will be heading to Atlanta next week for the Romance Writers of America National Conference. That’s sure to be a busy time full of meetings and workshops and seeing old friends. But before that, I need to turn in my Chicago historical and my revised manuscript of Hopeful. It’s going to be a busy week!

Those of you who are married, do you have a favorite anniversary memory? And, if you’ve been married 25 years…how did you celebrate the day? I figure it’s not to early to begin planning….

blessings!

Shelley  

 

HOPEFUL

Ever since I got back from Chicago I’ve been working hard on Worthington House and HOPEFUL. Worthington House is the ‘working title’ of my historical set during the 1893 Worlds Fair. HOPEFUL is the first book in next year’s series, The Return To Sugarcreek.

Both books are essentially written, so I’m currently revising HOPEFUL for my editor and doing my best to fill in the gaps in my historical. Some writers really enjoy revising. I don’t. I never think what I write is any good, so the process of analyzing every word, phrase, and comma is a painful one!

Luckily for everyone involved, it’s also a very familiar process! I’ve always had to rewrite and rewrite almost every one my books-and yes, they are always better for all the hard work!

All this explanation is the reason I was so excited to get an email yesterday afternoon around 5:30. It was from Chelsey, my NYC editor, and it had Mary’s latest cover for HOPEFUL. I’m excited to share it with you! In a way, it’s a bit of a departure from my most recent covers, but it also is a nice companion to my earlier Seasons of Sugarcreek Books.

I don’t know how she did it, but Mary really captured Miriam, my heroine. Miriam is a little flighty, a bit of a wallflower, but has a happiness about her that is infectious. She’s also a cook and server at The Sugarcreek Inn. I hope you will like her story…and her cover!

Blessings to you, Shelley

Chicago By The Numbers

Last weekend, I was in Chicago on a quick research trip. One of my girlfriends was kind enough to meet me there, so we ended up having a girls weekend/ work trip. I arrived home last night a little tired but very excited about my first historical novel to be published with Zondervan, Worthington House. Below is a little list of some of the things Julie and I did, as well as a photo of me on the train car at the museum.

Now? I’m switching hats and will be hard at work on revisions for Hopeful, the first book in next year’s Amish series, Return to Sugarcreek.

 

10: Number of photos I took at the Chicago History Museum. Favorite part of the museum? The train car that was used for visitors during the Chicago World’s Fair

9: Number of cabs we hailed during three days. Luckily my friend Julie can hail a taxi with the best of them!

8: Number of hours we were out and about in Chicago on Saturday. We shopped, ate cupcakes, looked at museums, walked through Lincoln Park. You know, all the important things.

7: I managed to write seven pages on the trip.

6: Cups of coffee I consumed. We walked, edited chapters, explored, and talked. That means we didn’t sleep a whole lot…

5: Number of books, pamphlets, maps I brought home with me. If you need information about the Columbian Exposition of 1893, I’m your girl.  : )

4: We went on a four hour Devil in the White City tour on Saturday. Walking around Jackson Park, where the 1893 World’s Fair Took place? Priceless.

3: We went to see The Book of Mormon for three hours on Friday night. I love going to plays!

2: Two trips on the Megabus! My family thought I was a bit crazy to take a bus to Chicago, but the trip was great. I wrote and edited most of the time on Friday and read a whole book on the way home to Cincy. I’m now a megabus fan. : )

1: Spent time with Julie, one of my dear friends and critique partners. Since her move to Iowa, our time together has been few and far between. I loved spending time with her!

 

Not-So-Lazy Days of Summer

Oh, Summer.

Every year, I still find myself being surprised that May, June, and July are so hectic! While I have found time each day to relax on our back deck, just as often I am looking at my calendar, wondering what else I’ve forgotten to do. It’s a busy time around here, for sure.

This week, I said goodbye to my brother as he went back to Arizona, wished my husband a good trip as he flew to California for the week, and have been getting my daughter’s room ready for her visit this weekend.  I’ve also been writing a lot, and making lots of plans!

Next weekend, I’m off to Chicago for a girls’ weekend/research trip. My Chicago historical, Worthington House, is written, but now it’s time to add all the details that is needed to make the novel feel like it really is set in 1893 Chicago. I’m very excited to go on a tour of historic sites, visit museums, and even go to a play with my girlfriend and critique partner Julie.

Next month, I’ll be heading to Atlanta for the RWA National Convention, then getting ready for book signings and another conference in September when the last book of the Days of Redemption series, Eventide, is published.

All this running around made me really smile when my son sent me his latest photo of Rudy. I’ve been teasing Arthur, saying that Rudy would rather be with me than in college with him.  We both know that’s not true, though. That dog loves his boy…and the picture below proves it!

Obviously, Rudy has found the perfect spot to relax and enjoy his summer!

 Thank you for dropping by! With blessings to you. Shelley

Watching my Brother Work

I’m taking a rare Monday off today to spend with my brother. He came in town for the weekend, and we’ve been doing our best to show him all the sights in Cincinnati.

Today, however, he’s hard at work. My brother is extremely handy at home improvements, so today’s he’s putting in a stone backsplash in our basement. All my efforts to “help” only mess things up, so I’ve been watching him work.

Tomorrow, he’ll fly home and I’ll be back in my office. For now, though, I think I better go get him another Diet Coke. And make him a good dinner, too! (Or at least make dinner reservations…)

Thank you for stopping by,

Shelley

 

 

No Lazy Summer Days Yet!

Last Friday, Tom and I drove up to Cleveland for four days. It was such a busy weekend, when we arrived home Monday night, I was already hoping for a few days off! On Friday night, we went to the Indians game.  I spoke at the NEORWA chapter meeting on Saturday morning, then headed over to Hudson, where I had a book signing at the darling Learned Owl Bookstore. After that, we met my husband’s sister and her husband for dinner. On Sunday, we visited with Tom’s mom, then we headed over to Canton, just in time to meet a work colleague of his for dinner. On Monday, Tom went to a few meetings and I stayed in the room and wrote 18 pages.

I love weekends like that-busy, filled with fun things to do and lots of family and friends.

This weekend my brother is coming into town. We’re excited to see him, and already have lots of things planned-including a little home project. We’re (Gary) going to put a tile back splash on the bar that we had installed in our basement last year. My brother is super-handy, so when he’s here, I always give him a project. (That’s what big brothers are for, right?)

When I haven’t been visiting with friends and family, I’ve been hard at work this week on my historical novel for Zondervan. The working title is Worthington House, and it’s set during the 1893 World’s Fair. Working on something different is a good thing for me. It’s a nice break from my Amish novels…and it also rejuvenates me. Just last night I was thinking how eager I was to begin Thankful, the second book in my Return to Sugarcreek series.

Below is a photo of my sister and brother-in-law, Tom, and me at our restaurant in Cleveland.

About to Flee to the Cleve…

Have you ever watched that show on NBC, 30 Rock? In one of the episodes a couple of years ago, one of the characters tells Liz Lemon that she just wants to ‘Flee to the Cleve.” What followed was a series of photos and clips from Liz enjoying all the sights that downtown Cleveland, Ohio has to offer.  Our whole family thought that episode was really funny. My husband Tom is from Cleveland and he’s always been a huge fan of his hometown.

This coming weekend, Tom and I will be fleeing to the Cleve, too. He has some business in Canton, and I’ve got two fun events planned for Saturday!

The first is a speaking engagement at the NorthEast Ohio Romance Writers of America chapter. (NEORWA). At 11:00 am on Saturday, June 1, I’ll be speaking to this group at the Highland Library. The title of my talk is kind of a mouthful: “The Writing Journey of a National Bestseller in the Inspirational Marketplace.”  Basically, I’ll be chatting about how I got started writing and my jump into Inspirational fiction. I’ll also be offering a few tips on career planning for writers. I’ve been published for about 12 years now and have published over 40 novels. You don’t have to be a member of NEORWA to attend. If you’re interested, please visit:   http://neorwa.com/index.php/Events/MonthlyMeetings. for more information.

After that, I’ll be running over to Hudson, Ohio, and the Learned Owl Bookstore. I’ll be signing copies of Ray of Light and Daybreak there from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. All the info about the Learned Owl can be found at www.learnedowl.com 

Tom and I are also excited to see some good friends, go to an Indians game, stay in downtown Cleveland, and visit with family, too!

Last Saturday, I signed books with my good friend Cathy Liggett at our local Barnes and Noble. Cathy took a photo of the two of us, almost in matching outfits! It was fun to meet Cathy’s readers, visit with some readers I’ve met over the years, and, of course, do a little book shopping myself!

Ohio Booksignings!

If you live in the Cincinnati area, I’d love to meet you!

I’ll be signing copies of Ray of Light this Saturday, May 25 at 2:00 pm.

Barnes & Noble

9891 Waterstone Blvd. (Near Fields Ertel)

Cincinnati, OH 45249

 

If you live in the Cleveland Area, I’ll be signing Ray of Light on Saturday, June 1 at 1:00 pm

The Learned Owl Book Shop

204 N. Main Street

Hudson, OH 44236

Hello, Again!

Hello! Happy Tuesday!

Today is ON-SALE DAY for RAY OF LIGHT, the next book in this year’s Days of Redemption series. The book follows Roman Keim as he travels to the Amish snowbird community of Pinecraft, Florida and meets lovely Amanda. It also continues the emotional journey of Roman’s grandparents, Lovina and Aaron Keim as they work to uncover the last of their secrets. It was a fun book to write because part of it takes place in Florida. I spent many enjoyable days pretending I was walking on the beach!

Today is special to me for another reason. I finally finished HOPEFUL, the first book in next year’s Return To Sugarcreek series. Some books just don’t come together very easily, and HOPEFUL didn’t for me! For the last two weeks, I’ve done little except write, delete pages, edit, and revise. Luckily, when I went to sleep last night, all I had left to do was look over the last chapter. I did that this morning, spent another hour skimming chapters, and finally sent it off to my editor. Finishing this book feels like a real milestone for me. It’s my 20th novel to write for Harper Collins. I have all of you to thank for that. Thank you and thank you again for giving my books a try, for telling your friends and family about them, and encouraging your local librarians to put them on their bookshelves. I’m very grateful for you all!

I hope all of you have been enjoying your May, and that you had a fabulous Mother’s Day. This year my son and husband took me out to dinner. It was a nice, easy day, which I love.

Thank you for stopping by, and I’m looking forward to blogging quite a bit more now that I’ve got a bit of time before my next book is due.

I hope you all enjoy your Tuesday. And if you happen to see RAY OF LIGHT in the stores when you’re out and about, please let me know where you’ve seen it! I’m going to stop by Walmart and Barnes & Noble today to take a peek!

Blessings,

Shelley