Susanne Matthews's Blog, page 118

Five Star Review and Third Book Sold Thanks to Camp!

Back in March, I told you all that I was going to Camp NaNoWriMo for the month of April and I did! The object of the camp was to complete a novel in thirty days — I finished mine in 21, and then spent a week on final edits. Since I edit as I write, the final editing process before submission isn’t too bad, and I submitted the book to my publisher on the day my other book, FIRE ANGEL was released. I just got the confirmation today. IN PLAIN SIGHT, my nano camp book has been sold to Crimson Romance. I’m as excited as I was the first time.

There are as many different ways of writing, as there are writers, and while I start off as a pantser, literally writing by the seat of my pants without a definite plan in mind, I quickly become a slave to my internal editor, and I’ve found that works well for me. Each morning when I sit at the computer for the day’s writing session, I go back to the previous day’s work, re-read it, and edit it accordingly. Microsoft Sam, my text -to-voice program, and I spend many hours together, but I love it. My husband says  it’s disconcerting to hear a man’s voice coming from my office, but he’s gotten used to it.

My greatest fear when I sold FIRE ANGEL was that no one would like it. My reviewers all thought it was good, but it wasn’t until I got a five star review from a stranger that I let myself believe it. I know that not everyone will love FIRE ANGEL, HOLIDAY MAGIC, and IN PLAIN SIGHT because reading is subjective, but I’m thrilled to know that my writing will brighten up someone life.

I’m proud to say that I’m a published author. Thank you Crimson Romance and Front Porch Romance for helping me achieve my dreams.

Friends Forever

Yesterday was my big day; my first novel, Fire Angel, was officially put on the market by Crimson Romance. I am now officially a published author. Having an e-book released for sale is quite a bit different from a hardcover or softcover book release party — there are no books to autograph, no speeches to deliver although I did blog on the Crimson Romance site, and no champagne, balloons and confetti. It was almost, but not quite anti-climatic.

I celebrated my Release Day because my very best and oldest friends–time-wise not age-wise came to spend the day with me. They are my BFFs long before BFFs ever existed.

Rob and Faye have been friends of mine for close to fifty years, that’s right fifty years. I met him first when my parents purchased a cottage on lake St. Francis. I was ten, and he was my first boyfriend. I met Faye at St Lawrence High School a few years later, and introduced them, and the rest is history. They’ll be married 41 years in August, just a few days shy of a year less than John and I.

Over the years, time and circumstances have intervened and kept us apart, but when we meet, it’s as if we saw one another only days rather than weeks or months or even years ago. We’ve been parents and are now grandparents but that hasn’t changed the essence of who we are and why our friendship works. That’s how it is with friends; they know you so well that little things like time and distance make no difference.

Faye has been after me for years to write a book; she’s been certain all along that my success would be guaranteed if I just sat down and did it.This year, I finally did as I was told, and in some ways, the thrill of the moment is as great for her as it is for me. Friends celebrate with friends and for friends. She and Rob brought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and then the four of us went out to lunch. Considering that it was the day before the tax deadline, the fact that John made a point of joining us made the occasion even more special for me. I felt really special.

In life we need to remember to celebrate the little things as well as the big ones; thanks guys, for helping me celebrate this milestone.

 

Sold a Second Book — the Magic Continues

I sold my second book, and I’m just as excited as I was when I sold the first! Madison Connors, the CEO/Owner/Publisher of Front Porch Romance, just purchased a contemporary holiday novella from me. You can learn about Front Porch Romance by visiting their website. http://www.frontporchromance.com

When I set out to write Holiday Magic, I had two separate stories in mind since I was dealing with twin sisters. One would be reunited with a lost love, the other would find love where she least expected she would. I had started writing the first story before I sold my novel to Crimson Romance, and  had submitted it elsewhere. After a six week wait, I learned that it wasn’t what that particular editor was looking for, but she encouraged me to find my story another home.

Since Crimson doesn’t publish novellas, and it was too long for their holiday anthology, I realized that I had to check out other options. The great thing about today’s publishing industry is that there are so many different choices out there. I have a group of writing friends, and we’ve dubbed ourselves the Divine Scribbling Sisters. Among that group are two British gals who had sold to Front Porch Romance and recommended it. Another in our group had recently put together a two-book deal with them as well, and so I followed their advice and the rest, as they say, is history.

If you aspire to be a published author and have completed a manuscript that meets their guidelines (which you can find on their website), I encourage you to consider submitting to  Front Porch Romance or, if your work is spicier, think of going with Crimson Romance. The response time from both of these publishers is excellent.

When I decided to dedicate myself to writing full-time, I didn’t want to limit myself to one sub-genre. There is no question that my niche is romance, but I want to write them all– historical, contemporary, suspense, paranormal, fantasy– who knows I may even try steam punk!

Scheduled for a November release, look for more about Holiday magic as the time approaches.

Waiting

I hate waiting -- waiting in line at the bank, waiting for a cashier in the grocery store, waiting for a check in the mail, waiting for the phone to ring, and the absolute worse has got to be waiting for an email from an editor for a submission you've made.

A few weeks ago, I submitted three manuscripts to three different publishers as a result of pitch opportunities and a submission request. Sending in the submissions is traumatic enough, waiting to hear back is agony. Now, I've become a stalker -- following their tweets, begging for a scrap of information that might lead to a positive response.

I was lucky to hear back within two weeks about FIRE ANGEL, which put me out of my misery and quickly led to elation, but as I sit, haunting my inbox, I realize how much I hate waiting! I guess I'm just not a patient person.

My Daughter, My Inspiration

Yesterday, my daughter commented that I didn’t talk about her in my blogs, so today, I’m dedicating this blog to her.

My daughter Angela has always been a source of inspiration and awe to me. She is everything that I always wanted to be, and so much more–she’s tall, I’m short; she’s slender, I’m chubby; she’s a real blond who colored her hair dark, and I’m dark-haired and color my hair blond; finally, she has beautiful blue-green eyes while mine are Elsie, the Borden Cow, brown. But the physical differences, which make people wonder how she can be my daughter, are not the reasons I admire her.

One of the things that makes me so proud of her is her ability to bounce back from adversity. No matter how many times life knocks her down, she just gets right back up and makes do with the hand she’s been dealt — make do? Never! She triumphs and comes out of her problems stronger and better than ever. How does she manage that? Well, she has a strong faith and a belief that everything happens for a reason. She’s not a fatalist; she’s a trailblazer, using what happens to grow.

The second thing I admire about my daughter is the total commitment she has made to raising her children on her own, in such a way that they will never lack for anything. Being a single mother with four children ages 7, 6, 5, and almost 4, and working full-time, is no small accomplishment. She gives them unconditional love and puts them first, above her own needs and wants. Her children are well-behaved and a joy to have around. They are not angels, by any means, but they know they are loved and that makes all the difference in the world. Everybody can have a bad day now and then, but no matter what, Mommy is there for them

Angela also has a strong work ethic. She doesn’t expect the world to support her and knows that the only way to get something she wants and needs is to persevere. Instead of whining about it, she makes it happen through hard work and determination. She has provided  a good home environment in an excellent neighborhood near one of the city’s best schools for her young family and doesn’t complain about the sacrifices she’s had to make in order for it to happen. Now, she’s embarking on a new phase in her life, and I know that with her determination, she’ll succeed.

Angela is an outgoing and caring individual and when you are her friend, she’ll do anything she can for you. She gives and gives until it hurts, and it often does in this world full of people who prefer to take rather than give, but she doesn’t let that discourage her. She looks for the good in people and usually finds it. When she laughs, you want to laugh with her;when she cries, she breaks your heart.

Angela is the inspiration for all of my female heroines. They are resilient, fun-loving, and caring. My daughter is the best role model a mother could have.

MovieTime

I don’t often go to see movies while they are still in the theatres, but when I do, I choose a movie that just won’t look as exciting on the small screen of our old-fashioned television set. Movies filled with all kinds of special effects fit the bill; films like any of the James Bond flicks, Avatar, Star Trek as well as the new 3D films that have become so popular.

Last night, I went to see the new Disney Oz, the Great and Powerful, and I loved it!. While the movie started slowly–black and white like the original film was, it picked up quickly. The introduction set up James Franco, the wizard, as a con man, one who plays fast and loose with the ladies — a real love’em and leave’em type, and it was well done.The terror of the twister ride to the magical land of Oz had me ducking flying debris. As my grand-kids would say, it was awesome!

The special effects were incredible, and this was by far the best 3D movie I have ever seen. I put up my hands to ward off flying weapons,bugs and all kinds of things. The china doll and the little winged monkey are so realistic that you can believe such beings could actually exist. By the way, the road sign post giving directions to the Emerald City, China Town, and the Dark Woods made me laugh. There’s a China town everywhere, only this one contained real china — teapot and and cup and saucer houses.

The creation of the wicked witch of the west  was a surprise, incredibly well-done, and easy to understand. It also sets the scene beautifully for a remake of Dorothy’s visit to Oz if Disney wants to pursue the tale as well as other battles between Glynda and Oz and the wicked witches. .

While I don’t think my kidlets are quite ready for this movie since there are some scary scenes that even had me jumping, all in all, I had a wonderful evening and felt truly entertained for the first time since seeing the last James Bond movie. It was money well-spent!

 

I’m Going to Camp!

I decided to try something different for the month of April. I am going to participate in Camp Nanowrimo. The object of the camp is to complete a 50,000 word novel between April1 and April 30, 2013. I will be working on a suspense novel with the working title, BLINDED BY FEAR that I would like to have finished for May 8, 2013 when I hope to pitch it to Love Inspired Suspense. Other members of my writing group will also be participating, and it will be a great exercise in motivation and commitment.

Let’s face it; this has been a long, cheerless winter, with far more gloomy, snowy, icy days than anyone needs. As much as I enjoy writing, when the weather turns nice, I’m going to want to get out there, soaking up the sun! Since I have never backed down from a challenge, this will be an excellent way to stay on target.

You can learn more about me and my camping experience at: http://campnanowrimo.org/campers/mhslm

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words: Getting Inspired

The cover for my novel, FIRE ANGEL, was released last week, and when I looked at it, I realized how important images are in an author’s world. The cover of a book is critical to its sales potential, and I have to say Crimson Romance did a fantastic job on mine. It’s eye-catching and I think that will go a long way in generating interest in the book.

When I am looking at new books to purchase, whether they’re paperbacks or e-books, it’s the cover that draws my attention first, then the title and author, and finally the blurb on the back. Truth be told, there are a lot of books I’ve bought over the years simply because of the cover image, and others because of the author, but there are also a lot that I never looked at twice because they just didn’t have a visual that appealed, interested, or excited me.

It isn’t only cover images that matter to me though. Photographs and images serve another purpose; they give me ideas that lead to plot and character development. As I get ready to go to nano camp, I’ve decided to do something different. I’m doing some pre-writing. That’s right, I’m doing the synopsis first this time — the dreaded synopsis, the must-have for every book pitched.

For each of the five novels I’ve completed, I finished the book before I wrote the synopsis. Now, you’re probably saying that makes sense — write the book first, then write it’s resume, but when you realize how few words and pages you can use to accomplish that, and how easily you can get bogged down in minor details that do not advance the plot, you realize why most authors refer to them as they do.

In BLINDED BY FEAR, the book I’ll be writing next month, I needed ideas and where did I find them? I found them in images on the web. I’ve set the story in a small time that does not exist in upstate New York, along the Raquette River that does. I looked at pictures of the river for inspiration and pictures that I have taken at HIgley Floe State Park, one of my favorite camping places. That image has provided me with the location for the isolated cabin in the story. Things are so much easier to describe when you can see them. So, how would you like to have a cottage just around the bend?

 

Second Guessing Myself

Second Guessing Myself.

Dedications

I am finishing the final edits for FIRE ANGEL and the time has come to write the dedication for the book — who would ever have thought that this would be so difficult?

Without a doubt, my wild imagination is a gift from my father who told me countless stories as a child. I was a picky eater, not a problem now unfortunately, but Daddy would sit at the table and tell me of his jungle adventures, and I would gobble up everything on my plate. Of course my mother gave me the drive to succeed in school, and without that English degree, so many things would never have happened.

Becoming an author would have been impossible without my husband who has put up with me saying that I want to write a book for years. If it weren’t for his patience and tolerance, I probably would not have been able to sit at the computer, hours on end, working at my story.

Next, I have my children who have always encouraged me as I encouraged them. As Jake, the hero in FIRE ANGEL says, “If you want something badly enough …” My son, Greg, is my web designer, and is hard at work creating my online presence.

And then, there are long time friends like Faye, who has been after me to write my books forever, Fred who says “I knew you could do it,” and a lost friend, Judy, who died of cancer. This isn’t the first book I’ve written, but it’s the first I’ve sold, so a promise is a promise and I credit her too.

Last but not least are the ladies in my writing group — new friends, but friends without whose support I would never have done this. Each of them is a new or aspiring author. Take a bow Amber, Charlotte, Debbie, Elle, Laura, and Misty.

So there you have it; my dilemma.  The dedication isn’t supposed to be as long as the book, but how canI leave anyone out?