Talking about rejection

In this business, you have to be prepared for it. Because there are thousands (probably more like millions) of writers trying to fill not enough spots. I’ve also read somewhere that we’re in a flooded market. It seems everybody is pickier these days. So far, my agent has a book that she and I both love, but has gotten turned down five (six?) times now. The first rejection was from Harlequin, and she had a point. So I revised and my agent sent it back out.

This latest one leaves me stumped. And depressed. Because it wasn’t really a rejection. It was a revise and resubmit. Good yes. Except the editor said the story didn't have enough conflict. Which just leaves me doubting my ability to put a good story together, because I thought it had conflict.

So far, every single reason has been different. They all tell me that my craft is excellent, but…. When what it really amounts to is that they just didn’t love my book.

It doesn’t matter how many times I tell myself it isn’t personal, it still takes a chink out of the old armor. It still leaves me sitting here wondering if I really have what it takes. Am I doing it wrong? Or are these editors visions just different than my own? Is it more finding the right place for my writing? Or do I really need to go back to the drawing board?

And the muse has taken a vacation. Because I’m positive I suck so why bother? (said very tongue in cheek).

So, what am I going do about it? What I always do. Sit and wallow in my misery for a while (because if I don’t then I bottle it up and it stews inside me and becomes this huge growling mass of ugliness) then get back on the bike. Because if I really think about it, I couldn’t stop writing if I wanted to. I did that for a while. Took a six year hiatus from writing. Had some personal healing to do that kind of had the muse taking an extended vacation. It was like trying to live without my arm (you can do it, it won’t kill you, but it still feels wrong).

I also have this innate need to share my work with the world. I don’t even know why. Is this a writer thing? I suppose we must all have this. Now, I don’t want to be Nora (I cannot fathom how she gets all that writing done. The woman makes my head spin). I just want to share my love of these people in my head with someone else. And you know, for me, if one reader out there eventually “gets” it, I’m good. So far, I haven’t gotten there yet. I’m still new.

So, now I’m going to lick my wounds and coax my muse into helping me finish my latest WIP by plying her with goodies. I have the kindle app on my iPad loaded with books—finishing North of Need by Laura Kaye, also currently reading A Hero Rising by Aubrey Dionne. I also have Twice in a Lifetime by Jennifer Jakes’ and several others I can’t recall at the moment.

Also going to need some good (dark) chocolate
and a glass of wine.

Course, I always wonder...does anybody else stop and lick their wounds? How do you all deal with rejection?

Six Sentence Sunday

Hi and welcome to another Six Sentence Sunday! Thanks to everyone who commented last week. Since everyone agreed they wanted to see more, I thought I'd continue where I left off.

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One corner of his mouth quirked up, however, and the heavy emotion in his eyes had definitely lifted.

A sense of satisfaction and warmth expanded within her.

“I agree. I think it’s high time we added some more laughter to this dreary little house.” Grinning, she aimed the sprayer again.

This time a full on grin spread across his mouth as Colt’s eyes narrowed in playful warning.

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Ah, posting only six sentences is such a tease, isn't it? This snippet creates an awkward stopping point, but...more watery fun to come next week! Be sure to stop by the Six Sunday website and read all the other awesome snippets!

I've been honored with a blog award!

I am wowed and honored to have been presented with the very prestigious Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award, given to me by good friend and critique partner, Rachel Brimble. Receiving this award means sharing 7 random facts about me. I have to tell you that I don’t usually like talking about myself, so this is extremely difficult, but here goes.

1. I cannot start my day without coffee. And not just because of the caffeine. I adore the flavor of it. Tully’s is my favorite brand. Always smooth, never bitter.

2. I don’t really have a favorite anything. Favorite food, or color or song. It changes, constantly. I have more like mini obsessions. My current food obsession is Chinese. And my favorite song is…well, anything by Adele. Which particular song changes depending on my mood and the day. Lol

3. I believe in the supernatural. As in ghosts, angels, demons. And yes, I have had experiences. ;)

4. I have a love affair with historical romance novels. Preferably Regency era. In fact, until I started writing, they were all I read. I didn’t read contemporary. I would love to be able to write a historical, but I don’t have the voice or the knack for the research required.

5. I’m very forgetful. I have to write everything down and set reminders for myself or I forget. I've always been this way, too. I like to say that my head is a sieve--stuff falls out at random. I've been asked my name before and had to stop and think about it for a moment. lol

6. I have my very own fan club. When our German Shepherd, Ruby, had to be put down a year ago, we adopted a puppy to fill the hole she left. Then adopted another puppy as a friend for the first. My husband calls them “The mommy fan club” because they follow me everywhere. When I’m in the shower, they’re in the bathroom with me...the whole time. If I close my door to get dressed, they wait outside. When I leave the house, they sit staring at the front door waiting for my return. They don’t follow anybody else quite to this extent.

7. I’m naturally a very shy person. It’s almost a phobia for me. I’m also content with my own company. I’d rather sit quiet and watch people go by. So when in a crowd, I’m usually so quiet I make people nervous. Now that I’m an author, I’m attempting to come out of my shell. It’s difficult, but I’m finding it fun to challenge myself.

Now that you know how strange I am, I'm giving the award to these stellar bloggers. Ladies, it's time to reveal 7 facts about yourselves and pass the sweetness.

Empi Baryeh
Lorraine Nelson
Alyson Rueben
Vonnie Davis
AJ Nuest
Hildie McQueen

Six Sentence Sunday

Welcome to another Six Sentence Sunday! I know I say it every week, but I want to first and foremost thank everyone who stops by. The comments are very welcome and appreciated. This week I've decided to take another random snippet from my current WIP. This was one of those moments where the characters took over my book.

And of course, be sure to stop by the Six Sunday website and view all the other fantastic snippets!

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He was a brooder, took himself way too seriously, and just once, she wanted to see him smile, see the light reach his eyes.

What possessed her to do it, she had no idea, but the idea flitted through her thoughts and Stacy latched onto it. She picked up the sprayer sitting on the back of the sink, aimed it at him and pulled the trigger. The water hit the side of his head, drenching his neck and all down his right arm.

Colt jerked upright, twisting away from the water and turned to stare at her as if she’d gone mad. “What the hell, Stace?”

---

What do you think...does anybody want to read on? Should I continue with this next week?

Author Spotlight--Empi Baryeh

Hi everyone! I have Evernight Publishing author Empi Baryeh with me today. She's here to give us a glimpse into her new release, Most Eligible Bachelor. Welcome, Empi!

Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy!

Empi Baryeh has been writing since the age of thirteen after stumbling upon a YA story her older sister had started. The story fascinated her so much that, when she discovered it was unfinished, she knew the task of completing it rested firmly on her shoulders. And somehow the ideas and the words for the rest of the story began to pour into her mind. She’s been writing ever since.

It wasn’t until another thirteen years later, however, that the romantic in her geared her toward romance. She now focuses on heart-warming multicultural romance with enough passion to enthral readers who want a little sizzle with their romance. She lives in her native country, Ghana, which provides the exotic setting for most of her novels.

Visit Empi Online:
Blog
Website
Facebook
Twitter: @empibaryeh

Blurb:

Magazine columnist Chantelle Sah doesn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day—not since her fiancé’s betrayal three years ago—and after botching her first assignment as a feature writer, she’s more than willing to put in a hard day’s work this Valentine’s Day; even if it means going on a date with gorgeous construction Tycoon, Lord McKenzie, and opening herself to an onslaught of all things love.

When Lord—his given name, not a title—sets his sights on Chantelle, it isn’t just work he has on his mind. But even he couldn’t have predicted the magnetic attraction between them when they meet, nor the evening ending with more than an interview. Now he has to convince Chantelle that their one-night stand wasn’t a mistake. Can he win her love without revealing a secret from their night of passion, which could prove fatal for both their hearts?


EXCERPT

He seemed amused by her lack of a response as he took her hand and led her back to the dance floor. The music had turned slow.

She hesitated. Slow music meant being in his arms, their bodies touching. She shouldn’t do this. Yet for some ridiculous reason, she wanted – needed, even – the closeness, to feel like a woman again. Just for a moment. Even if she was certifiably insane for wanting all this in the arms of Lord McKenzie.

He pulled her gently, bringing her body flush against his. A tremor rushed through her. His warm breath on her face sent tiny tingles running over her skin. Heat radiated to her from each part of his body touching hers, his powerful thighs, lean hips and firm abdomen, his hand, pressed firmly on the small of her back.

When was the last time she’d been this close to a man? Her breath quickened as raw need surged through her. Far too long. Not since Martin.

Tears stung her eyes as the familiar loneliness accompanying Valentine’s Day closed in. Old love songs always got to her. She turned away from his watchful gaze, focusing on other couples huddled close together on the dance floor. Yearning pierced her heart. She gave herself a mental shake. She couldn’t entertain such thoughts. Once she did, there would be no salvation.
As if sensing her distress, Lord pulled her closer, his hold tightening around her. Every thought flittered out of her mind as soon as their gazes locked, and she began to drown in the deep pools of his dark eyes.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Chantelle.”

Was it stupid that she liked the way her name sounded on his tongue? She opened her mouth to say something – about how Valentine’s Day had been commercialized to the point of triviality, an occasion for errant lovers to feel better about neglecting their significant others, a day to buy enough credit for another year, one day to make the unloved feel even less loved – anything to hide how hard it was to hear those words, but nothing came out.

His face hovered just inches away. Her heart stutter-stepped; her breath snagged. Without explanation, she wanted to know the taste of his lips. She wanted to erase it all from her mind, her pain, his reputation. She wanted to simply believe he really was just the most eligible bachelor in town, and he had her in his arms.

He smiled, really smiled, not the movie star grins he’d been flashing earlier. His gaze emitted pure heat wrapped around a hint of sadness. What in the world could make a man with his looks and popularity melancholic? Surely Lord McKenzie didn’t have the same kinds of problems as mere mortals.

His fingers feathered her cheek, sending another wave of tremors through her. When his hand reached her chin, he lifted her face. Her mind barely registered what was happening before the space between them vanished. His searing kiss was nothing she could have imagined. It scorched her, inside and out. A soft moan escaped her throat before she could stop it. She melted into him, curling her fingers around his nape.

When he pulled away, her breath came in fast, shallow bursts. In stunned reflex, her fingers came to her lips, which felt swollen, having not been used for this purpose in a while. Weak-kneed and aroused, she sensed she only remained standing because of his strong arms around her.

One of the couples dancing bumped into them, jerking her back to reality.

Shoot. This evening would be more difficult than she could have guessed. How was she supposed to conduct a professional interview when she’d just kissed the interviewee, and now her mind insisted on dancing around words like ravished?

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I've had the pleasure of reading this book. You definitely don't want to miss out on this one!

Thanks for being with me today, Empi!

Six Sentence Sunday

Welcome to another Six Sentence Sunday! I want to say thanks to everyone who stops by. The love is always appreciated. I decided to take a random snippet from my current untitled WIP. It's the sequel to A Second Chance at Forever. My hero, Colt Taylor (speaking in the snippet) has just retired from the Army.

“You weren’t the only one who needed holding that night. But when you kissed me.” He slowly shook his head. “I was done for. I had no resistance against you. You were so warm, so soft, and so damned sweet. I wanted to crawl inside you and never come out.”

Thanks again for stopping by. Don't forget to go to the SSS website and read all the other fabulous snippets!