Ok, so I’m a big freaking coward.
Today I did it.
Yesterday, after posting my third blog entry, I hesitated.
If you haven’t noticed, I tend to be scared shitless. A lot. I guess that’s what happens when a facet of you is so personal, and yet not widely accepted as “Ok.” After saying I was going to share this with the world, I didn’t. Today, I had the bravery to move forward with opening my so-called ‘dark side’ to my friends and (some) family, along with fellow writers I’ve been fortunate to meet in my life (whether they were former classmates or favorite authors).
I have been a member of the RWA and GSRWA for over a year now. For those not familiar with the initialisms above, they are the Romance Writers of America and the Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America, the (if you haven’t already guessed) Greater Seattle chapter of the group.
To show that there is a business side to this type of writing, and to prove it’s not just a fleeting, romantic notion, (pun? Get it? Too soon?), I suggest educating yourself with some cold hard math from the RWA’s website. Or, as one of my all-time favorite romance writers, Katie MacAlister would say, “I point out that romances comprise over half of the mass market paperback market, and that what’s good enough for authors like Nora Roberts and Janet Evanovitch is good enough for me. And then I smile. Knowingly.”
Review the stats, let me know what you think. Did you find anything surprising?
Also, consider all of those romantic comedies or romantic dramas you watch. I’ll bet you several, if not most, of them were based on a novel. Look at Nicholas Sparks. He’s made a living writing romance, and most have been turned into mass-marketed films. I’ll bet you’ve even seen one. The Notebook or A Walk To Remember, anyone?
What are some of your favorite romantic films?
My ultimate favorite romantic film is “Sabrina” with Harrison Ford. Mmm Harrison Ford. Yummy. Although I have a soft spot for Bogey and have a huge respect for Audrey Hepburn, the modernized version had music and scenery to die for.
Even if my blog isn’t your cup of tea, I wanted to share some of my favorite websites, blogs and forums that I frequent. Not (completely) on a daily basis. Ok, maybe daily.
These are real people, with real lives, all sharing a common interest. Like cooking or knitting. Ok, way sexier and hotter than cooking or knitting, but I’m sure in one of my future novels I’ll find a way to make those entertainingly sexy.
And below to stretch my literary mind:
Daily Writing Challenge
Day 3: Think about the character you created for Day 2. Write their seven-word biography.
What happens when you live life twice?
Katherine Bacher 