Mar
Day One Hello!
Greetings to the Romantically Inclined,
Let me first say how thrilled I am to be your guest blogger this week – thanks for the invite, Haven. I hope all of you will try your hand at winning an arc of my debut release, ONCE UPON A WEDDING NIGHT, this week (contest details will follow from Haven). Stick around; I might also post a new, never before seen excerpt to this very site!
As one of the newest authors to join the Avon family (the actual newest historical author to be added to Avon’s list), I hope to have something to offer all of you “romantically inclined”. An editor at a conference once advised a roomful of aspiring authors to not only examine the books being released by their most experienced and acclaimed writers, but the work belonging to their newest writers. New writers are the ones who most recently “broke through” this increasingly tough market; the writer that somehow, almost miraculously, stood out from the thousands of submissions to land on an editor’s desk. With this editor’s advice in mind, I’ll try to impart whatever lessons I’ve learned in my recent rise to “publishdom”. Hopefully it’s of some value to you.
I imagine I’m like many of you and spent my youth with my nose buried in a book – mostly romances. Well, one day, in seventh grade, I went beyond reading and began penning my own romances – melodramatic tripe that filled countless spirals. Thankfully, I’ve come a long way, but what I possessed then – and I hope to never lose – were the dreams, the fantasies that burn brighter in my head than the humdrum of everyday life. This is a writer’s most powerful tool. That fire in your gut. That beautiful dream world that is as real and tangible to you as something you can hold in your hands.
That’s what makes us so different from everyone else. I’ll go ahead and say it … writers are special people. Pardon me for sounding like Mr. Rogers here, but we wring our hearts out in order to leave a piece of our souls on paper for the world to see. That’s a truly amazing thing. Beyond brave. Take a minute to recognize that, to recognize yourself as a rare and courageous individual who wants to do something extraordinary in the brief time granted us on this earth.
Tomorrow’s blog is entitled “Weathering The Storm” and provides advice to the aspiring writer on the long and arduous road to publication. In the meantime, if you haven’t visited my website yet, pop on over to http://www.sophiejordan.net/. Read my bio page to get to know me a little better, as well as my “Call” story in the article “Confessions of a Contest Junkie”. Also, feel free to suggest any topics you would like me to blog about this week – I’m here for you! Again, thank you for inviting me to blog here at Romantically Inclined. It’s going to be a fun week!
Best, Sophie
Yay! Sophie, welcome to RI ((hugs)). I look forward to your posts and will return later today to comment on this today’s topic.
Isabel
April 2nd, 2006 at 11:49 amSophie,
Welcome, welcome and thanks so much in advance for spending some time here with us at RI.
Please, please PLEASE post an excerpt on the site later on this week, I’m always a sucker for an excerpt, especially from a new author.
I will go take a look at your website after I finish posting here. As for topics…could you give us an idea what you do for character development when you’re writing a new book for your hero/heroine? I’m really interested in that.
Michelle
April 2nd, 2006 at 11:52 amWelcome, Sophie! We’re so glad to have you here. It’s always especially interesting with recently published authors.
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I’ve looked at your website, and it’s beautiful. The sneak peek of ONCE UPON A WEDDING NIGHT is thrilling; I can’t wait until it’s out. (I have a habit of buying all Avon’s new authors
In regards to questions, I’m always unable to think of any particular ones (that’s not workshop type things, like query letters *lol*). But I’m pretty much interested in everything. How you write, what parts you love best, how you handled all the pressure after you got “the call”.
April 2nd, 2006 at 12:26 pmEmily
Excerpt? Did someone say excerpt…if all possible…pls post a quick excerpt here, Sophie. No pressure
of course.
But I’m pretty much interested in everything. How you write, what parts you love best, how you handled all the pressure after you got “the call”.
Agreed. We’ve love to hear about your experience as a debut author.
April 2nd, 2006 at 1:56 pmHI SOPHIE!
Whoo-hoo
I’m excited. I fondly remember chatting with you late into the night (past 6, anyone?) on the Avon board’s Monday chat. You’ve already inspired me–I can’t wait to hear more. Thanks for coming!
April 2nd, 2006 at 2:30 pmWelcome, Sophie!
We’re so glad to have you here! I’m looking forward to your blogs this week, and of course, any advice you could bestow upon us!
Oooohhh, an excerpt! That would be simply divine!
As far as topics this week…I’m with Michelle about character development/profile. Could you maybe take us through a typical writing day for you? I know you have a little girl (as do I), and I’m wondering how you get anything written?!?!? LOL! I just can’t seem to write for more than a few minutes at a time with my daughter getting into everything. So, if you could share your secrets on this, that would be great!
April 2nd, 2006 at 3:48 pmAndrea
Hello and thanks to all! I’ve seen so many of your posts on the board and chatted with many of you on the Monday night chats, I feel like I know all of you already.
Thanks for the tips on potential topics. I have three topics already planned but that leaves me with more to come up with … I’ll definitely do one on characterization … and maybe a day in the life kind of thingy. You can then see how truly unglorious my life is!!
And I can’t seem to decide what kind of excerpt to post. Any preferences there?
Glad to be here!
April 2nd, 2006 at 9:10 pmSophie
Sophie,
Let me put it this way, whatever you post on…we’ll respond to it! lol.
Michelle
April 2nd, 2006 at 9:59 pmAh, Michelle! You make a girl feel loved!
Sophie
April 2nd, 2006 at 10:17 pm