Jordan Summers

I’ve been working on a synopsis for a werewolf story I started back in 2002. I wish I could say it’s been a labor of love, but I think it leans toward labor…hard labor. I know there are some authors out there who actually enjoy writing these torturous pages. I question their sanity. I honestly think it’s harder to write these things than it is to write the book. I’m off to work on version fifteen. Grr…

Well for those of you who missed it, we had a fun Brava chat last night. One of the readers even got a book out of it. It’s always lively when several of the authors show up. I’m not sure if there are going to be anymore chats this year. I haven’t quite figured it yet. The Brava Author site only lists through August. If not, I’ll see you all next year.

God, I’m bored. Not just a little bored, but Wayne’s World “I thought I had mono one time, turns out I was just really bored” kind of bored. I keep telling myself I should get to writing something. Heck, anything at this point. Do I follow my own advice? No! I just sit here mentally flitting from one thing to the next while maintaining a sophisticated level of nothingness. Grr…

I’ve been struggling with a story that came to me several months ago. Actually, the character’s voice was so loud I had to write down what she was saying. The weird thing is I realized she was speaking in first person. I’ve never written a first person story before. To be honest, I’m not sure that I can write one, but this character is very insistent. Anyway…I’ve been trying to figure out how she got herself into her current situation. I knew it was over a good-looking man, but I couldn’t figure out how the story would end. (I have to know the ending and beginning before I can write.) And today it came to me. Well actually, she told me. I’m thrilled. I can go back to writing the story now. You have no idea what a relief this is to me. I kept hearing her Jersey accent in my head. It’s hard to say shut up to someone like that. LOL!

Other than learning a lot at National, I picked up a few books while I was there. Okay, more than a few. I also met some of my favorite authors. Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy, Morgan Leigh, Janelle Denison, and Janice Maynard are as sweet in person as they are on Lori’s Message Board.

I managed not to embarrass myself. In truth, it was everything I had not to pull a Wayne’s World in front of Christine Feehan. I don’t think she would have appreciated me dropping to my knees and saying I’m not worthy. LOL! She was kind enough to sign a book for me, even with the stupid grin on my face.

Actually every author I met was more than kind. I’m not just giving lip service here.

Back to the books. I picked up Julia Quinn’s ‘When He Was Wicked’, Angela Knight’s ‘The Forever Kiss’, Kathy Love’s ‘Getting What You Want’, Erin McCarthy’s ‘Smart Mouth’ and tons more. I had so many books a friend of mine had to drive them back in her van.

There will be no discussions about my ‘To Be Read’ pile.

I’d always heard writers talk about how they stop reading once they publish. In my mind, I thought how can that be. Now I know. (shaking head) The act of writing is so mentally time consuming that the last thing I want to do is pick up a book to read. I can’t tell you how bad this sucks. I have so many wonderful books, sitting on my shelf, waiting to be read. I actually have to force myself to grab something new. Most of the time I end up reading the same books over and over again. If it wasn’t for Stephanie Laurens and Christine Feehan I’d go insane.

I’ve had a few emails lately about the Lori Foster/Kensington Brava contest. The questions that were posed is why I’m writing this blog.

Contests are a very strange creature. I say creature because I believe they behave unpredictably. You can never tell if you’re going to final or win or simply be tossed aside. The whole thing is subjective. You can write the most amazing story and if you get the wrong judge or editor it won’t matter a bit. You won’t sell/final.

I wish there was a magic formula, but there’s not. The best advice I can give anyone thinking about entering a writing contest is to study who is putting the contest on. What do they publish? What voice do they like? Do they prefer humor or serious topics or both? Are the stories sexy? Is this what you truly want to write? I know that last question seems strange to ask, but it’s important. If you love to write romantic suspense think twice before entering a contest for let’s say romantic comedy. (Unless you like writing romantic comedy.) You may just start your career that way.

Yesterday was my dad’s birthday. It’s always strange to think that your parents are getting older. I don’t think he or my mother are particularly old, but they are getting older. I must say it freaks me out. Not just because it means I’m getting older, but because I can’t imagine a day on this planet without them.

I’ve just returned from National and I’m beyond tired. If I make it to eight o’clock before I go to bed it’ll be a miracle. I met so many wonderful people at this conference, including my agent. He looked quite dapper in his chalk lined suit. I babbled nervously and forgot to ask a couple of questions, which is the norm for me. :-/

The industry seems to still be looking for all different types of books. In fact, it seems like if you’ve written an unusual book now would be the time to sell it. I have several pages of notes that I’ll sift through this week. For now, I’m off to kick my feet up and enjoy the relative silence of my home.