I tried to give up writing, but then …
… I had a revelation, and received a rush of good news.
There’s an opportunity cost to writing. Every hour spent at the keyboard is an hour which could be spent elsewhere, seeing friends and family, or creating and doing other things.
But I missed the richness and intensity writing bring to my life. As a story takes shape around me, I get to know my characters and their predicaments, their hopes and fears and losses and triumphs.
Through writing, I’m not just experiencing my own life. I’m feeling and making choices alongside each of my characters.
Writing can be a solitary, antisocial affair, so the opportunity to meet other authors and readers is always welcome. Writing or not, I’d already committed to attending several author events in March, and wanted to see them through.
I attended a workshop with Australian Regency Romance author extraordinaire Anne Gracie at Writing NSW, who recommends we write the kinds of books we want to read and trust that the right readers will find us. Thank you, Anne, for reigniting my passion for writing about hearts and hope and the power of love.
Soon after, I received messages from two bookstores saying they’d sold out of my books and could I resupply them! Could I ever!
So I set off to honour my author commitments, and am enormously grateful to Betty Loves Books in Newcastle, to the Australian Romance Readers’ Association, and to Central Coast Libraries, for welcoming me so warmly. Don’t you love libraries and good book stores! Librarians and booksellers are truly the great matchmakers of all the worlds of stories and ideas.
It was a joy to meet so many new readers and appear on the ARRA “Behind the Story” panel with US Today and New York Times bestselling romance author Julie Ann Kay and HM Hodgson, convened so well by Renae Black. A record run of sales and signings followed!
In yet more extraordinarily good news, the creators of Hearts Talk, the Romance Writers of Australia magazine, kindly included me on the cover and in several of the features this month (see below)! #Gratitude!
I love writing feel-good fiction. At a recent Romance Writers of Australia conference, popular US closed-door romance author Elana Johnson taught me to listen to what my business is telling me about my books. My business is telling me to write more.
So I’m back at the desk, with warmest thanks to my newest readers and my long-term VIPs. It is your feedback which has sent me back to the works in progress – my new Brighton Court series, set in an old set of apartments.
Head start on salesThank you from my heart for joining me on this journey, for your interest in my books, and for your reviews and recommendations. It’s truly my joy and privilege to bring you feel-good fiction.
I’m delighted to give you a head start on the news that Summer Beach (e-book) is on sale for my VIPs and their friends and family for just 99c USD from now until 16 April. Buy Summer Beach ebook on sale.
Buy SUMMER BEACH ebookHouse of Clubs is also on sale for just 99c USD for a limited time. Buy House of Clubs ebook on sale. Sample House of Clubs for free.
Buy HOUSE of CLUBS (e-book)More closed-door fictionHappy reading!
