Fan-girl at RT

 

I thought I'd be a pro by now. After all, not many debut authors get to sign with the fabulous Nora Roberts. But did that stop me from going all fan-girl on some of my favorite writers at the Romantic Times Convention? Nope.

The first person I stalked *clearing throat* sought out was Sabrina Jeffries. I'm a huge fan. We had started chatting over Facebook several years ago. When I told her that I had started writing again, the first thing she told me to do was join Romance Writers of America. If not for Sabrina's encouragement and advice, my stories would still be floating around in my head. It was such an honor for me to finally meet her in person.

Sourcebooks has it right. "Authors are my rock stars."

As my dad and I were standing in line for the awards ceremony, Miss Thrill Ride herself, Julie Ann Walker strolled by. And I must say, she's just as delightful in person. I was also thrilled (no pun intended) to meet fellow Sourcebooks sisters Sara Humphreys, Shana Galen, C.H. Admirand and Gina Lamm. I've had the privilege of knowing the multi-talented Lady Grace Burrowes for a while now. Lucky me!

One of the biggest highlights of the convention for me... Mary Wine. To be truthful, I could've sat for hours and listened to her stories about costume making for the movies, renaissance fairs, and Mary's take on writing. She had me completely mesmerized with her tales. We sat and talked so much at the Sourcebooks party that I literally had to pull myself away to mingle with the book sellers.

And one thing I learned about the convention? Being a Scottish historical romance writer definitely had its perks. Look at these Highland hotties who stopped by my table. Aye!

Release Day

It's finally here. Release day for Temptation in a Kilt.

As I unleashed my new baby into the world, I took a step back, realizing my emotions were so out of whack. Frankly, I don't know how debut authors do it. How can one feel excited, thrilled, joyful and scared to death all at the same time? Seriously. If anyone knows, please fill me in.

"Get a grip, Roberts." That's what I keep telling myself over and over.

I know one thing for certain. My heart and soul went into this book and I hold my head high with pride. It touches me dearly when a reader takes the time to send me a personal note to tell me how much this book touched them. And you know what? That one reader makes it totally worth the ride. 

I'd like to thank the following people for their support.

Sabrina Jeffries, for making me realize it’s never too late to try something new.

Hannah Howell, for her support while I was bogged down in synopsis hell.

Eliza Knight, for giving me the courage to put myself out there.

To my agent, Jill Marsal, for her endless support and encouragement.

To my editor, Deb Werksman, for giving me a chance.

To my critique partner, Mary Grace, there are really no words to express the tremendous amount of gratitude I hold for you. All those times I ruffled your feathers about having your nose planted in a book, even when you walk… For your brutal honesty and endless reads, your unwavering support and encouragement, these Bad Boys came to life. Thank you for believing in me.
 

To my family, for their unwavering support and dedication to this Bad Boy. For my son, who understood at such a young age that Mommy was editing. For my daughter, the only Gaelic-speaking lass in the fifth grade. And for my husband, who makes dinners countless nights. I could not ask for a more encouraging bunch. I love you all, and you have my heartfelt thanks and appreciation. I could have never done this without you. 

  

Mom, Dad and Michelle, thank you for believing in me. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you or miss you, Mom. I hope I made you proud.

 

Thanks for helping me spread the word, and I'm raising a cyber glass of champagne to all of you.

A Little Red Dress and a Whisper of Encouragement

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would complete a romance manuscript. I have literally placed almost two years of my life devoted to this project. Sitting back, I sigh. I actually did it. Frankly, that was the easy part compared to now. I'm prepping for the Golden Heart and I will be actively pitching and querying soon. This has been quite an adventure.

When I started writing Highland Savior, I just wanted to get my ideas down. I wasn't even sure this was going to go anywhere. I was probably 1/4 of the way through my manuscript when I joined Romance Writers of America.  Through their wealth of information and on-line courses through my Chapters, I realized something very quickly. Boy, have I got a lot to learn!

Between first lines, beginning and ending hooks, goals, motivation, conflict, character development, pacing, synopsis writing, etc. it's enough to make a sane person crazy. After several edits, rewrites and hard work, it's done!

Frankly, I could have never done this without the support of many people. My husband has made endless dinners while I'm writing or editing. The kids know when 'Mommy is editing.' My CP, Mary Grace, for her unwavering faith in me and the strength to tell me when something really sucks or I wrote something really great.  Beth, my third set of eyes and now lover of everything Scotland--well, men in kilts ;) My late-night panic calls to L. Shannon for some last-minute advice, knowing that night-owl is up all hours of the night working on her next series or twisted plot. 

Whether it was Sabrina Jeffries giving me pointers on back story drop or Hannah Howell giving me advice on synopsis hell, I mean writing ;) , I cannot stress enough how important it is to have support. 

Some of my fellow Chapter members were mentioning that I should now be attending writing conferences and I have to admit, I was a little nervous about taking that next step. Now that I have one m/s under my belt, I need to do this. And just so I don't get cold feet and back out, I already booked my flight for Nationals next year in New York City.

I received a card the other day (pic at the top) from one of my friends and I really need to share her words. Whenever I feel the nervousness settle in or wonder for the millionth time why I'm doing this, I will pull out this card to refresh my memory. I am a romance writer!

* * *

Dear Vicki,

Red is the sign of self-confidence and success.

This is your gown for the formal you will have to wear in New York--the big reward for all the hard work and two years of everything in your heart and soul on paper to be read by millions of people. The satisfaction that people like me will be taken back to a different time, a romance we had or wanted.

The struggle, the passion that will take us with the characters to the ending. Where we will feel (with a sigh and a smile) the warmth of brighter futures, our feelings of love and dreams fulfilled.

Good luck. I will be praying for you.

Love,

Flo

*happy sigh*

Writing Good Luck Charms

Yes, yes....I know I have said it more than once. Sabrina Jeffries is my Regency God.

For all of us aspiring authors, we know how important advice can be from published, well-established writers. We literally hang on their every word, waiting for them to pass on some brilliant piece of knowledge or experience our way. 

When I initially started writing Highland Savior, I tried to gather as much information as I could on how our writing heroes/heroines go about doing it. What do they actually do when they sit down to write? Do they plot? Do they strategize? Do they outline? Do they say a silent prayer before they begin? What are their writing rituals? You get the picture.

It got me to thinking...Did you ever go to a Bingo hall? Did you ever see the Bingo Gods playing with miniature troll dolls displayed around their cards? Colorful trolls with purple, green, yellow and orange hair are strategically placed around their cards--their good luck charms. Does it work? I don't know, but it's their ritual. 

My Regency God actually has William Shakespeare and Jane Austen miniatures next to her work area for inspiration. I think she also has a few others, but I can't remember them all off the top of my head.

Anyway, my poor CP is mentally abused and it's my fault. She has read (and re-read) Highland Savior so many times that I think she recites lines in her sleep. I'll have to ask her husband! Imagine my surprise, when she handed me this Scottish doll today and told me he's for luck. He's even donned in the MacGregor tartan in honor of my hero, Ciaran MacGregor. 

He now stands proudly next to my daggers for inspiration and good luck!

What about you? Do you have any good luck charms? And more importantly, do they work?

Escape the Madness

"What's for dinner?" Some days I hate that question more than others.

There are days I don't want to work at ABC Company and be someone's corporate dog on a leash. There are days I don't want to come home after my full-time day job and be a wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, niece and cousin. I don't care what's for dinner! I just want to be me.

There are days when I even forget my name. Someone calls "Mommy" and I turn my head. Someone even had the nerve to call me ma'am the other day. *cringing* 

There are days when I just want to escape the madness...

I'll pick up the latest Sabrina Jeffries romance and be a member of the ton. I'll pick up the latest Lynn Kurland romance and be swept away to some far away, mystical land with Mage's and time-traveling Highlanders. Oh, the possibilities.

When I get really adventurous, my own stories fight their way out of my head and my fingers do not leave the keyboard until they are out. I love to escape. *happy sigh*

Then reality comes crashing down upon me. My son runs into my office wearing only his  Batman underwear, wielding his sword. He does a few thrusts and yells, "I am Spartacus! Champion of Capua!" Then my daughter yells up, "What's for dinner?"

What do you do to escape the madness?