Wordless Wednesday

Preparing for Arizona Dreamin' 2015...

I'm one of those who needs to plan ahead, way ahead. Thursdays are for the Dreamin' event. For the next few weeks, I'll share the pictures take of me with a few of the male models. They're fun.

http://arizonadreaminevent.com/

I attended my first Arizona Dreamin' Event in 2012. It wasn't my first conference. I've attended several Lord of the Rings events. I enjoyed every single one. I met wonderful people in person I'd known online, sometimes for years.

In 2012, I met several women I still interact with online and some of them I look forward to seeing every year at the Arizona Dreamin' Event. Simply thinking about them makes me smile. I can't remember ever laughing so much in my life.

*squirrel*

I met Jimmy Thomas, businessman and cover model, for the second time. He hosts a romance novel conference in Las Vegas every summer. Unfortunately, I can't afford both, and I prefer the smaller group at Arizona Dreamin'. Several of my friends attend both.

The official photos:

 My favorite, at the pre-conferance party:

Deena Remiel (author), Shannon, Jimmy, Sonya, April London (author), and me:

RhondaPlumhoff (author), Kristina (Kristina's Books and More book reviewer), Sonya, Jimmy, Shannon, Jamallah Bergman (author), me, and April.

How I met Mark...

Mark Callaghan was not even on the horizon when Grace came into being. I knew Grace needed a special hero, but I figured I had plenty of time.

On February 4, 2012, I attended the Glendale Chocolate Affaire and met Jimmy Thomas:

http://laurelhawkes.blogspot.com/2012/02/chocolate-affaire-jimmy-thomas-and-me.html

By this time, I knew when Mark's Grace was due. I decided the curator played a far more important role than I first gave him. Mark slowly took shape. When I met Jimmy I knew how I wanted Mark to make Grace feel. He revealed himself much more quickly than Grace did once he knew he was in.

I did not expect him to become such good friends with Luck, in Luck in Love. More surprising was how he appeared in Luck in Love while Grace did not. Mark was bold and very much "what you see is what you get." Since Jimmy was the inspiration for Mark, I borrowed a little bit more. I don't usually use a specific person for my characters. I want people reading the book to be able to visualize their own hero. Mark is my exception. If you want to know what he looks like take a look at Jimmy Thomas, businessman extraordinaire. http://romancenovelconvention.com/

Mark is also uniquely his own man. My characters frequently surprise me. I think I know them, and they tell me a secret, something they've never told anyone else. Something that makes them who they are, and once I know, everything about them falls into place.

Copyrighted image legalities...

I've been going through deleting things on Pinterest and my blogs, trying to clean everything up. My integrity is worth more than any photo.

InD'tale's contributing writer, Jimmy Thomas, shared his expertise on the legalities of sharing images.

It's worth the read.

http://www.indtale.com/misconceptions-rights-using-images

Playing catch up...

Too much to do and too little time to do it all in.

I'm still in awe of the beautiful cover created by Carol Fiorilli for A Promise of Possibilities.

Hang Out has an online interview posted at YouTube called Indie Authors #20. It's a little over an hour long but well worth viewing. Jimmy Thomas, owner of RNC (Romance Novel Covers and Romance Novel Center) is a guest along with a couple indie authors, a cover artist, and the owner of InD'Tale Magazine, TJ Mackay. It's informative, packed with good advice from experts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0YAfphjGZc

Arizona Dreamin'...

...A Romance Reader Event.

It was fantastic!

Start with the whining: I crashed. Everything that could go wrong, as far as my body is concerned, did go wrong. Under any other circumstances, I would have sent myself to my room on Friday, curled up in bed, and stayed there until Sunday or today. Not sick. A bit dehydrated, though I tried to stay on top of that, allergies, etc. This weekend, giving in was not an option.

Now, for the fun stuff: Picked up,  April London, (an aspiring writer) and one of my facebook friends, at the airport. (Keeping names private, unless sharing a link to a professional site.) Checked in, and helped with stuffing goody bags, which included books, bookmarks, trading cards, a CD or two, anything a book industry person wanted to donate.

With the time I had before the wine and cheese party, I worked on backstory for Mark, who's been modeled, in many respects, after international cover model and businessman Jimmy Thomas. Jimmy is on over 3,000 book covers. He created his own book cover company, making professional covers for a wide variety of romance genres. Recently, he added Romance Novel Center, a site for connecting authors, cover artists, models, editors, publishers, etc. I'm learning the importance of connecting with others in the industry. I've already had the opportunity to share information as others have shared information with me.

"A" kept the schedule straight, and I learned to let go of the need to be right and trusted her. We arrived on time to the wine and cheese/meet and greet. Unfortunately the A/C was out, so the hospitality suite was incredibly warm. As reserved as I tend to be -- or believe myself to be -- I was amazed at the number of people I knew and with whom I felt comfortable chatting.

Gail and Jenifer, from Desert Breeze Publishing, were there. They were surprised to see me because I hadn't mentioned I was attending. My excuses: I was busy worrying about the Desert Dreams Conference, editing, writing, and more editing. The truth: A part of me didn't believe I was worthy of being noticed. I'm working on it. I know it's all in my head. Long-held habits are difficult to break. Learning to be honest with myself is a start.

I enjoyed chatting with Gail and Jenifer and look forward to working with them. They're funny and made me feel very welcomed to the Desert Breeze family. Jenifer wisely brought a fan and generously shared the breeze.

My main reason for attending? To meet some wonderful friends I've made online, amazing, incredible women. I'm so grateful for the privileged to call them friends. (Meeting Jimmy again wasn't a bad reason either. *g*)

Jimmy had joined the party, and yes, he remembered meeting me at the Chocolate Affair and didn't wait to give me a hug. The man knows how to hug. Charming and personable, as always.

I'm not one much for parties, but for the first time in my life truly wanted the evening to never end. We moved the party to one of our rooms. It was such a pleasure to chat face to face. Rhonda Plumhoff, who writes cookbooks Literary Chocolate, shared some of her decadent truffles. Dark chocolate truffles -- melt in your mouth deliciousness.

Sleep beckoned, I thought. The first night, I couldn't settle. Made it to bed by 2am; woke at 3am, and again at 4am, and gave up. Feeling wide awake, I continued to work on my current WIP until breakfast time. "A" was up early as well. Biscuits and gravy for me. Eventually we were joined by others. Registration started at 10am, where we were given our goody bags, schedule for the day, and signed up for author workshops. I was feeling a little rough around the edges, so left myself plenty of time, I hoped, for being down. Good thing. At noon, there was "speed-dating" with the 20 authors with the 95 participants. The authors would move from table to table giving their "pitch," helping attendees decide which six authors with whom they wanted to share a half hour workshop. I went to my room and crashed. I set the alarm for 1:30pm. When it sounded, I felt like I was swimming through quicksand to the surface of wakefulness.

At 2pm, pictures with Jimmy started. I hung out with my friends and watched, and yes had my picture taken with him. One was taken Friday night and shared on his Official Fan Page at Facebook. This one was the official Arizona Dreamin' backdrop. Sitting and watching the photo shoot and chatting with friends was a joy.

My friends made sure I attended Deena Remiel's workshop. I know Deena from Desert Rose, and she writes paranoormal romance. It's been fun to watch her writing journey.

Time for dinner, and the readers sat with their favorite authors who would set up their own table. I was honored to be sitting with my friends at Jimmy Thomas's table. I want to be an author at next year's Arizona Dreamin', and he's set a high standard.

The Man of Our Dreams contest: The four men, JP, the winner, Ron, Andrew, and Ryan were all delightful and played to the crowd of mostly women with enthusiasm and good humor. They took pictures afterward with anyone who wanted one, again with a donation to a charitable cause (HDSA). They were great sports.

Again, my friends took me to another workshop. This time it was Morgan Kearns. Her passion for writing was catching, and I'm looking forward to more of her books. I was able to ask a question I'd been holding ever since I read one of her books. I was definitely there as a reader. :-)

More socializing in the hospitality suite, ending the event where it began. Though there was now A/C, there were lots of people, so it was pretty warm. By 10pm, my eyes were starting to do the blink, blink, blink, can't stay open much longer routine. I took myself to bed, reluctantly.

I slept a little better, but still woke at 5am, without the alarm. I readied myself for the day and went for a short walk outside to enjoy the sunrise. I sang a few hymns to myself, amused by how little voice I had. I hadn't realized you could lose your voice from laughing. I also realized something else: Last week, I'd been struggling with this path I've chosen. I asked God for a breadcrumb. Yes, He did it again: He sent a whole loaf.

A breakfast of biscuits and gravy quickly turned into a feast of laughter as we gathered one more time. And then it was done. Not truly over because we all plan to attend next year, but done for now. This time, my sister took "A" and "S" to the airport, so we had a little longer to chat.

What else I realized: I often don't feel like I fit in anywhere. As I shared this weekend, I was amazed by how comfortable I felt and how much I felt a part. I was a part of a group, several groups, where I belonged in one way or another. What was different about these friends? I realized it applied to all of the friends I've met online: These are the people who accepted me from the beginning, not because they knew me or my family, not because of the way I looked or how successful I am, not for what I do or for my standing in the community. We share a common interest, and they accepted me because they believe me. They believe I am the person I try to be. They believe I am worth knowing and worthy of notice. I feel the same way about them. More? In a world where identity theft is commonplace and con-artists (spammers et. al.) abound, we each have chosen to practice a remarkable level of trust. I'm honored by the trust they've shared with me.

Thank you, Jimmy Thomas...

Recently, he posted about the importance of using a professional cover. He is on over 3000 covers, so he's speaking as an expert, with a good grasp on the book market. I followed the discussion, curious about the different perspectives and reasons for doing a cover one's self, hiring a professional, and buying a professionally pre-made cover. I didn't actually have a horse in the race because my publisher hires their own cover artists. I have input, but it's mostly out of my hands.

This post isn't about that.

My sister was amazed to learn how inexpensive a professionally done cover could be, at places like Romance Novel Center. (Yes, a plug for Jimmy's site. By the way, he wasn't demanding everyone use his covers, only that they use a professionally done cover.)

This post isn't about that either.

I have to admit, I'm always a bit surprised when a professional gives free advice about their area of expertise, and it's dissed or ignored. Case in point, Chef Ramsey. I'm not a fan of reality television shows. Chef Ramsey is my exception to the rule. I didn't watch him, at first, because his abrasive treatment of others grated on me. I don't remember what I saw him in or if I simply matured, but it dawned on me he was truly passionate about cooking. I love cooking. I bit the bullet, and started to watch him. What surprised me the most? Amateurs ignored the advice of a world-renown expert.

What this post is about: Do I consider myself a professional or don't I?

If I don't consider myself a professional, then why am I spending so much time with my writing and not pursuing something more lucrative?

If I do consider myself a professional, then why am I not giving my career the professional attention it deserves?

I am a writer.

I've often joked that I'd rather write than breathe. This isn't true. It's a joke.

What is true: I would rather write than watch television, socialize, read, eat, or sleep.

Really. I've foregone each in favor of writing.

If it's that important to me, then why have I done a slipshod job of planning my career?

When I started writing I was very much a pantster - writing by the seat of my pants. I wrote when I felt inspired. I could go months without putting down a single word.

I realized this wasn't working for me. I tried being a plotter - writing from an outline. This didn't work either.

I'm a plotster. I start writing by the seat of my pants, then I need an outline, so I know where I'm going, but I'm willing to go where the story takes me. Re-arranging the outline does not throw me into a tailspin. Shuffle, and reset. No problem.

This past weekend, because of the discussion on being professional, for the first time in my life I made career goals, for farther than next week.

Sounds like I've been a flake all my life, doesn't it?

Why didn't I plan career goals before?

Every time I made plans, something would happen. Really. It was easier to take things as they came along, because I knew the surest way to mess up my life was to lay out a plan. I wondered if some minion somewhere spent its existence waiting to see what I would plan, so it could destroy it.

What's different this time?

I can't imagine doing anything else, so I might as well make plans.

Unexpected revelation...

A few days ago, Jimmy Thomas, creator of the Romance Novel Center, gave some very sound advice to independent publishers: Invest in a professional cover for your book. It sparked quite a conversation between two camps: It's-worth-the-investment and I-can't-afford-it.

I learned covers are available for between $45 and $100. When I was thinking of going indy, I hadn't been looking forward to dealing with creating my own covers and had worried about the cost. I hadn't made it as far as finding a professional editor when I chose to work with Desert Breeze Publishing. One of the smartest decisions I've ever made.

When I finally threw in my two cents, I think it was more for me than anyone else.

Why?

I learned something I didn't know about myself. I didn't know I felt this way, or at least, I'd never said it out loud quite this way.

Here's my reply:

Jimmy really needs to stop spouting good business sense. Actually, please keep it up. It's helpful. This discussion has re-affirmed several of my decisions. Thank you. What I've learned over the years: You invest in what you care about, time, energy, and money. Excuses are just that: Excuses. Each person must decide what their priorities are. It's okay to say, "My family is more important than my writing." No excuses about the cost. Writing is not cheap, and it isn't lucrative but for the very top earners. If you're writing for the money you're going to make, stop now. Find something you're passionate about and do it instead. If that something else is your family, awesome. I'm married to my writing, going on a year and a half, after a "courtship" of about nine years. It has been horribly difficult, but I'm happier than I've ever been in my life. If Jimmy's intelligent business advice, based on experience, is offensive to you, maybe it's time for a gut check. The writing industry is brutal. If you can't take a bit of tough-to-hear honest talk, how will you handle your editor telling you that your favorite passage in your book has to go because it doesn't move the story along? I freely admit: I'm a marshmallow, but I'd rather write than breathe.

Update: After the editing this week, I learned I cannot do without breathing. However, I truly would rather write than sleep, and did.

A few days...

The Desert Dreams Writers' Conference is sold out. Whoohoo!!

Last night, the Desert Rose chapter prepared for the conference. So exciting.

My sister shared secrets to achieving a great photograph, from the photographee's point of view. :-) It was fun and interesting. I didn't know a camera sees in gray, which is why a white dress will be gray and a black dress will be gray.

She handed out black spots to place on a mirror to practice "looking" into a camera lens, and editing your look in the mirror. More importantly, she emphasized that the camera reveals everything. If you hate having your picture taken, it will show. If you love what you're doing it also shows in your face. So even if you hate having your picture taken, think about something you love.

When she writes up the presentation, I'll post a link to her blog. (She doesn't know I've decided she's writing it up and sharing it, so it may not happen. I'm feeling bossy right now. I'll move past it, eventually.)

It was fun listening to her experience photographing Jimmy Thomas at the Glendale Chocolate Affair. Jimmy loves the camera, and the camera loves Jimmy, and it shows.

Proof (like it's needed, okay it's an excuse to post his picture; any excuse will do):

She also recommended taking a page from this little girl's book:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg

I have to admit, we compared pictures she took of me when I was feeling nervous, and after I started to relax, and I could tell the difference. I'm working on learning to feel confident all the time. It takes practice. I practice, every day.

The rest of the Desert Rose meeting was spent filling swag bags for the conference. Wow! Lots of goodies! The committee did an incredible job pulling everything together. Susan Lanier-Graham and Tina Lavon are the committee chairs, and their enthusiasm and tenacity have been inspiring. There have been a lot of volunteers, and an incredible number of writers willing to contribute to the success of this conference. I'll let you know how it goes. :-)

Desert Dreams Writers' Conference 2012... reason #15

Key Note Speakers: Friday, April 27, Write It Forward with Bob Mayer, New York Times Best Selling Author

Conference link

Regina Andrews is featuring authors Nike Chillemi and Barbara Robinson at her blog: http://reginaandrews.wordpress.com

Today, it is work on PTBW and back into Luck In Love, which is coming along more smoothly, now Sara is allowed to speak her mind. She's still pretty reserved overall, but the story certainly has a different feel to it than it did before.

Happy Birthday to Jimmy Thomas. :-)

Moving on...

I hate adding a new entry because it moves Jimmy down the page.

This blog, by Toni Noel, features excerpts from three of her books, and there are covers with Jimmy. :-) http://www.deepintheheartromance.com/search/label/Toni%20Noel I now have three more books on my wish list.

Vijaya Schartz shares her experience at The Chocolate Affaire: http://romancingscifi.blogspot.com/

I needed a little peace in the day, and Nan offered it at her blog: http://morningglorylights.blogspot.com/

Editing has started for Luck In Love. There is nothing quite like waking up knowing how the beginning needs to be changed, and it's so much better than what's currently written.

Mark, of Mark's Grace has decided he and Jimmy have a lot in common. It's always easier to write a character if they are pictured clearly in your head.

I finally worked up the courage to tell my parents what I'm doing. Long story. Someday, I'll tell it, but not today.

Back to work.

The Chocolate Affaire, Jimmy Thomas, and me...

The man is definitely hero worthy. I'd heard about gentle strength, and he personifies it. He was also respectful and considerate, which means more than I can say. His kindness and good humor created a sense of approachability and fun. He is aware of those around him while focusing on the person with whom he is interacting. Some of the heroes in my books look like Jimmy, some don't. I want them all to feel like Jimmy, protective, with a subtle leashed power, and lovable.