Maya Rodale's Blog: Maya Rodale's Blog, page 33

FAQ: Do you read romance novels?

Seriously, people ask me this.  It's one of the frequently asked follow up questions after they learn I write romance novels. It might be a snarky Q. It might not be. It might be what my friend calls an inslement—a combination of an insult and a compliment. Like: you look great! Did you lose weight? Or in this instance: ok you're smart enough to write a novel, but too smart to read a romance novel.

The answer is always "Of course I read them!" How else would I know what to write? How would I learn that time-honored formula for plotting success (which is how I see the much maligned romance novel formula)? What better way to do research? There are many, many very smart reasons to read romance novels, especially if you write them. So yes, I have some very logical reasons…

…And….

I like them! I enjoy a good, crackling romance novel. I write them because I love reading them so much and writing a novel takes a touch longer than reading one so I can stay in that world a bit longer. How long does it take to cross the Atlantic? Two romance novels. How long does it take to write one? Depends upon when my deadline is.

But the real answer to this question is: I do what I love. I read 'em, I write 'em, I write about them. Lucky!

I'm willing to bet y'all read romance novels. Is it a secret habit? Or something you're open about?

My business tips for women

I recently gave a talk to a Working Woman's Night Out event about my double life, as both a romance novelist and communications director for a non-profit. It seemed appropriate to give some advice and below are three tips that I found apply to both of my jobs—and probably any job.

Follow up and follow through. When I post an available position, I don't look at the submissions until someone sends me an email directly to follow up. While many submissions are spam, more importantly I'm looking for someone with initiative, drive and follow through. The kind of people who will, on their own, figure out who they need to speak with to get something done and then will get on the phone. In my opinion, almost anything can be taught—Microsoft Excel, Point of Sale Systems, Composting, whatever—but drive, confidence and thinking ahead often seem innate and those are qualities I'm looking for.

Likewise, in publishing. You can send off you manuscript and wait in agonizing silence—or follow up. You can ask for your numbers like print run or sales—or get grouchy when they're not handed to you on a silver platter.

In other words, be your own advocate. *But don't follow up too much. That's just annoying.

Pay attention to your pitch. When I pitch to a publisher, I include a few pages about the books, how they fit into the market, what authors they compare to. I also include a ten-page synopsis of each book—titles and all.  In other words, I paint a picture for my publisher so they know exactly what I'm offering. None of this "I have a book idea to tell you about…"

I don't often get pitches like that. Instead I get ones that are vague, lack a call to action, or longwinded. Those go to the bottom of the pile. Think of it this way:

If you have kids, you know that they might say "I'm thirsty" and then you have to do a Q&A to figure out what they want to drink. Milk? Juice? Whiskey? Just flipping tell me and I'll get it for you!!! Gah!! Make sure you're not sending pitches or requests that are the equivalent of "I'm thirsty" because people are too busy to figure out how to hydrate you.  Instead, go for something like "I'm starting a business making milkshakes and I'd like to talk to you about how this could be a new lucrative market for the ice cream you sell."

In other words: Ask for what you want.

Learn the rules and work within the rules. Everyone wants to "think outside the box" and play games of "pretend you had a million dollars." I think if you really want to kick ass, you acknowledge what boundaries, rules, non-negotiable stuff you're working with and then make magic in between those lines.

For example: for better or for worse, romance novels follow a formula. It's girl meets boy, obstacles happen as they fall in love, there is a "black moment" when all seems lost and they say the L-word and get married and live happily ever after. You can and should have all the fun you want within those boundaries but if you want to publish a romance novel, those things must happen. Frankly, as a writer, I find it a thrilling challenge to make up something new and fresh while still making sure I check those boxes.

In my much more straight-forward business day job, those rules are things like the budget, HR policies, the strategic plan, insurance rules, priorities, your co-workers, etc, etc. You can complain that you don't have the resources you want and use that as an excuse for inactivity or…you can find a way. Make magic.

For example, a farm story. Rodale Institute wanted to research dairy cows on grass. Most dairy cows in this country spend their entire lives in a barn until they become hamburger—and it's worse than it sounds. We applied for a grant but didn't get enough money to do the project to our standards. We'd have to buy cows, fencing, and then pay the research staff and all the lab fees, etc.

Next door to our farm in a conventional dairy that was really struggling, and they didn't have enough land to convert to organic practices because you need a certain acreage per cow and you need a certain herd size to make the venture economically feasible (see—those rules and numbers! Learn 'em and love 'em!). Credit for what comes next goes to our farm director, Jeff Moyer.

He worked out a deal with the family so that their cows graze on Rodale farmland. We get to study their milk quality, herd health and how cows on grass effect soil quality. They get to transition their dairy to organic practices and save their family farm.  And they all lived happily ever after!

In other words:  Understand your resources and use them as best you can—a lack of resources is not an excuse for failure or not trying.

What are your tips for women in business? Any great advice you've received?

Living a double life or surviving a double life?

As many of y'all know, I write romance novels. But I also have a day job–I'm the communications director at Rodale Institute, a non-profit dedicated to research on organic farming. Half the time in on the farm in Pennsylvania and half the time I'm in New York City with my husband. Half the time I'm writing about compost and the other half….well, you read it and you know I am most certainly not talkin' compost.

I was invited to speak about my double life for a local Women's Night Out event, hosted by a local radio station, WLEV (Oh, this is all taking place in my hometown of Bethlehem, PA, btw). Of course it'll be a networking opportunity, along with food, drinks, make up, motivational speaking and…romance novels! I'll be singing A TALE OF TWO LOVERS and the proceeds will go to Perfect Fit For Working Women and Dress For Success, both of which provide business clothing for low-income women to help them get jobs. Now that's awesome. I hope to see you there!

Sneak peek time!

I never set out to write romance novels or work on a farm or be a communications director. But I got to this place by taking advantage of opportunities in front of me and by following my joy. And funny enough, as I was outlining tips to share I realized that the really good ones apply to both jobs–any job! Things like follow through, really good pitches, thinking inside the box (oh yes, stay tuned for a future blog post).

When it comes to balancing everything though…now there I was not a smashing success. Ask me what I did in Barbados and Costa Rica this year (I wrote the Tattooed Duke!). Perhaps I'm not living a double life, just surviving one!

Do any of y'all have suggestions on how to balance work, family, friends, and all the good stuff in life?

Penelope at the wedding

Penelope here, writing today. It's one of those weeks and weekends, Kittens. Milady has been BUSY like you wouldn't believe so I'm taking over her blog. Someone has to do it, for Lord's Sake! This post was supposed to run Friday but Milady plain forgot and I was at Grandma's house in the country where internet access is scarce and to get online, one must duel with that teenaged cousin of mine who does.not.sign.off.facebook.ever.

After a batch of frenzied days and nights with her day job, Milady says a gal  just needs herself good, cute puppy-licious photo and I live to serve. So here is one of me, at The Greatest Wedding Of All Time Ever. I'm sprinting to the reception because my little dog nose detects some delicious dinner. But let's not be too hasty. In a mad dash to a rollicking good party, let's not forget…

Happy First Anniversary to Milady and her charming rogue, Lord Tony!

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With love and dog licks,

Penelope XOXO

PS: Milady requested that I select and announce the winner of last week's celebrity gossip pub quiz since that gal o' mine has retired to her bed to recover herself. My paws are crossed that she'll drag herself and myself out for some walks. Oh, but first! Na, this month you are the winner! Congrats! Send your mailing address to Maya and she'll send you some signed books.

Do you know your celebrity gossip?!

Have you been reading all manner of trashy tabloid magazines and websites? Let's find out! Post your answers in the comments below by midnight tonight. One random, totally right winner get's a batch of signed romance novels! Answers and winners will be posted tomorrow, kittens, but for now…the questions!

[image error] 1. Reese Witherspoon had a violent encounter with an 84 year-old woman last week—don't worry, Reese is ok. What happened?

2. Reese is also a newlywed again. You'll never guess the name of her new husband but maybe you know who her ex-husband is. Do you? What's his name?

3. What movie did Reese win an Oscar for?

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4. A reporter gave Madonna some flower that she "loathes." What kind is that?

5. She's directing a movie about an English guy and an American chick. It's a love story. Who are they? Hint! It's not me and my husband!

6. Her latest ex-husband is a director. Who is he?

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7. What is Beyonce's big news?!?!

8. She made the announcement on the red carpet of which show?

9. Kate Plus 8 got some bad news recently What is it?

10. What did the show used to be called?

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My Very Own High School Musical

My sister just started high school this year, which is crazy because I remember holding her newborn self when I was in high school (yes, there is a rather large age gap between us). Last year, I promised her a high school music soundtrack full of the songs that were playing as I had my first crush, first heartbreak, got my drivers license, and in the background during college applications and more boy craziness. Oh, and the angst. Lord above, the teenage angst. May we only go through high school once. Amen.

This blog post makes me feel old. Just sayin.' But back when I was in high school and–gasp even worse, Junior High–here are the songs that were playin.' And albums. Because we still listened to entire albums back then.

Hole, Live Through This. Courtney Love is a disaster, but I love her. That yell and snarl. That smeared eye-liner. I learned to play guitar off this album. I lived and breathed this album. "Rockstar" started my every school day at top volume (trying the patience of my mother). The thing about Courtney and her songs and the young teenage years is that it's all about wanting so badly to be pretty and feeling pretty ugly. For better or for worse, her songs and her persona walked that line. Helped me walk it too.

Nirvana, Smells Like Teen Spirit. Enough has been said about this album. I remember when the video for Smells Like Teen Spirit made the term "heavy rotation" the understatement of the decade. I didn't like Nirvana then–I wanted my Madonna. I remember watching MTV, alone after school, the day Kurt Cobain died. I learned to play guitar from this album too. And I went through a phase of wearing thrift store, old man cardigan sweaters. You know, to go with all my smeared eye-liner.

Oasis, Wonderwall and Don't Look Back In Anger. Yes, some Brit Pop to go with all my Grunge Rock. We sang Wonderwall around the campfire at summer camp and my friend Molly and I played the rest of the album as we drove around after school. We sang along to the chorus of Don't Look Back In Anger–one of the best of all time.

The Cardigans, Love Fool. This one is too syrupy and sweet for my tastes these days. But we all loved it and we pined away after boys. A great transition from teeny-bopper pop to…Grown Up Music.

Just A Girl, No Doubt. Oh, this song is great especially for those years when you are bursting to be free but are still locked in by a lack of drivers license, a curfew, strict parents and a world that worries so much about girls (let's face it–often for good reason). But instead, this song is great for singing along and dancing around the bedroom. I hope girls relate to this song less and less as the years go by.

There are so many more…Cake, The Pixies, Pulp, Green Day, Pearl Jam. But that's all a blog for another day.

What songs/albums/artists got you through high school?

I love/hate my kindle, pt 2

My previous post on my kindle was a love-fest, with a list of all the things I really liked about it. This is where the snark comes out. The thing isn't perfect, but here's hoping they can fix the following flaws in future versions:

1. I was going to write a review of Bossypants by Tina Fey, which I loved. But then I couldn't skim through it to find the bits I wanted to write about and I sure as heck wasn't about to click through page by page. Yes, I can do this whole mark-the-page feature but I didn't think of it at the time. So you will not be reading my review of this hilarious book. At least not until I can flip through the pages on a kindle. Sorry. Solution: skim button that flips through pages really fast.

2. Not be able to read the back cover copy. I am shocked at how much I miss this! I feel like I am going blindly into this fictional world, without a map or a synopsis to guide me. It takes me a while to figure out what I'm reading. And really, would it be so hard to include this? No. Argh! Solution: post the cover copy at the start of the e-book.

3. I still need print books. Maybe this doesn't vex me, it's just a fact. I need something to safely read in the bath. Or during take off and landing. Or on the beach. Or at the pool. Or when I need to highlight stuff with my pink highlighter (it's how I learn). Or when I need to quit looking at a screen for goodness sakes. Solution: make a waterproof e-reader. Put the thing in a ziplock baggie. Or live happily with both print books, magazines and e-readers.

Do you have an e-reader? What features would you love for it to have? If you don't have one, why not?

I love/hate my kindle, pt 1

I am a lover of books. Not just the stories within, but the physical books themselves–especially when they have pretty covers. I also love to read with water involved–by the pool or in the bath, especially. Thus, I was not going to get into this whole "e-reader" thing. And then my husband got me a kindle and now I am so into this whole e-reader thing. Here's why:

1. I feel really cool while reading it. Look, I'm going to read no matter what. I'm not afraid to read a romance novel on the subway, cover a-blazing for all to see and judge. Reading was enjoyable, character building, etc, etc but it never felt cool until I started reading on my little white kindle. Hopefully, this will make reading cool and more kids will get into reading–especially the ones who wouldn't do it otherwise and those who would definitely not read a romance on the subway.

2. It's so light! I am one of those girls who can't leave the house without a massive handbag. Yes, I have shoulder pain. How did you guess? But now I can always have a million books with me, practically weightlessly. This is especially wonderful when traveling. I thought nothing could top a mass market paperback when it comes to portability, but this just did.

3. You know those nights when you are bored and have nothing to read? (Usually following a day when you have nothing to wear). I love that I can just have a fresh, new book in minutes. Or the night before I'm traveling, when packing books is the last thing I get to and all of the shops have closed and I'm looking at an 8 hour flight…The convenience and spontaneity just can't be beat.

4. Free old books that would be super expensive to buy in print. I've read some really unusual, great books on my kindle that cost nothing (or almost-nothing) but would have cost a small fortune to track down some rare, dusty, hardcover version and then have it shipped. In particular, Life and Travels of Mungo Park in Central Africa (His diary of exploring Africa on foot in the 1700′s), Sailing Alone Around The World by by Joshua Slocum (my mom wrote a great review on this guy's solo boat trip, in 1900) and Nelly Bly's Around The World In 72 Days. Funny–I just noticed the travel theme! What does it mean!?

But my e-reader is not perfect. Some things vex me. I shall blog about those next.

Do you have an e-reader? What do you love most about it?

I heart Sugarland

Y'all know that I am fond of the country music and one of my favorites is Sugarland. The husband scored us tickets to their show. Good man. I just love Sugarland, especially Jennifer Nettles–she's such a hoot! I love her accent and her voice is just stunning. The husband, the parents (who also attended–double date!) and I all agree that the band is just amazing live. In honor of all that, I thought I'd share my favorite Sugarland songs.

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I always save ticket stubs. Do you?

Something More – I don't know where we were, or what we were doing but I remember the moment I heard this album for the first time. I know my momma, and sisters and I were in my momma's pick up truck, that much I know. And then those first few chords sounded and Jennifer Nettles hollered "C'mon!" with twang and the rest of the band joined in. I was hooked. Also, this song has the best bridge ever: Some believe in destiny/some believe in fate/ I believe that happiness is something we create/you best believe that I'm not gonna wait

Settlin' — I think this song might have saved my life. You see, I made my self sing it like I meant it. A lot. And I started internalizing it because I stopped going for so-so, I got tired of shootin' too low, I raised the bar high, and life got better. Yea! I still make myself sing it sometimes. Or rather, I can't stop myself when it comes on.

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Sugarland! Here we go!

Down In Mississipi (And Up To No Good)

So I saw them perform this on an award show once and it reminded me that  though I liked the band, I always skipped this song. It was a little too much. Dare I say too country? But then one day….I don't know how it happened, or when, or where. But I knew every word, every twang. If this ever shows up on karaoke night…I might have a go at it. I know all the words.

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Yeehaw from the cheap seats!

Very Last Country Song

This is one for a rainy Sunday or driving home late after a long hard day. It's funny, sad, bittersweet. I love the chorus the most: If life stayed the way it was/and lovers never fell out of love/if memories didn't last so long/if nobody did nobody wrong/if we knew what we had before it was gone/if every road led back home/this would be….the very last country song.

Any Sugarland fans out there? What are your favorite Sugarland songs?

Funny signs from England

I didn't mean to do it. But I saw a funny sign and I took a picture. And then another and another…And before you know it, a blog post was born. Try not to be too proper as you read on…

Yes, your Wit's End is an actually place you can go to and it's in the English Countryside:

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I'm having extremely unladylike thoughts upon seeing the name of this home:

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I really do not know what to make of this one, though I'm sure there's a good story behind it:

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Well this one is just too easy. You may not be able to see  it, but it says "Ye Olde Cock Tavern." You can see, however, that I have the maturity level of a thirteen year-old-boy.

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Oh, lud. Really? Last but not least…

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Welcome to Maidenhead! The train passed through Maidenhead! Why are you laughing? It's true!

Have you seen any funny signs lately?