How I Became A Writer - Jan Scarbrough

This week, I'm very pleased to welcome author
Jan Scarbrough who shares her journey into
writing.

                                   ~ * ~

After almost bleeding to death and spending four days in intensive care, I decided it was time to pursue my dream of becoming a romance writer. Little did I know it would take me on a lifelong journey that has yet to end.

Most writers love to read. I did too: Black Stallion books as a kid, Georgette Heyer Regency romances as a teen. In ninth grade, I had an English teacher who forced us to write essays, and that’s where I realized I enjoyed writing. My most famous ninth grade essay, written during an hour long class, was “Why I Love the Beatles.”

When I went off to college, I majored in English—because I loved reading and writing. After five years teaching high school and middle school, I became a technical writer—applying what I knew instead of teaching it. But I’d yet to try writing a novel.

After almost losing my life, I decided I shouldn’t take it for granted any longer. So I enrolled in a local “how to write romance” class with Karen Robards as the instructor. Eight years later, I was published by Kensington Precious Gems.

I’m a far better writer today than I was when I started. I’ve enjoyed that about the “process,” recognizing my improvement. I’ve also enjoyed my writing buddies, friends I’ve made through writing, and all the places I’ve gone and things I’ve seen which I can call “research.” Recently, my husband and I attended the Professional Bull Riders Bass Pro Chute Out—cowboys and bulls live and in person!

Kentucky Rain, my March release from Resplendence Publishing, is the seventh book in my Bluegrass Reunion series. Although each romance stands alone, they have a few things in common. Set in Kentucky, they are reunion stories. The heroine is usually a single mom; and in keeping with the Bluegrass theme, a few horses are thrown into the plot for good measure, especially American Saddlebred horses.

The books were written in this order.

·         Kentucky Cowboy—Bull rider/veterinarian—She dumped him in high school, because he was a risk-taker.

·         Kentucky Woman—Banker/exercise rider—She loved him when she was a teenager, but they never connected.

·         Kentucky Flame—American Saddlebred Horse trainers—She had his baby, but he left not knowing the truth.

·         Kentucky Groom—Teacher/software designer and Saddlebred groom—She can't afford to fall in love with a lowly groom.

·         Kentucky Bride—American Saddlebred Horse trainer/CEO—She rejected him once, but he’s willing to try again.

·         Kentucky Heat—Country music singer/artist—She doesn’t need to take on another project, but he won’t take no for an answer. (Sequel to Kentucky Bride.)

·         Kentucky Rain—Divorced single mom/security consultant—She has responsibilities to her daughter and to herself, not to the handsome guy next door. (Mentions characters from Kentucky Cowboy.)

I am working on a first-person, Gothic paranormal ghost story called Timeless for Turquoise Morning Press. It is for their Splintered category series

You can find me online at these sites.

·         http://www.janscarbrough.com

·         Twitter: https://twitter.com/romancerider

·         Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jan-Scarbrough-Reader-Page/204815941631

·         Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/janscarbrough

Janie Emaus - How I Became A Writer

 Hey, ever wonder how writers get started? Well, here's Janie Emaus to share her story with us.

~ * ~

I believe our DNA leads us to our path in life.

Mine was too shy for a job in sales or anything involving public speaking. Too uncoordinated to work with a ball, bat, racket or mitt. And too queasy to wear a stethoscope.

But the strand which asked too many “what if” questions (along with too many voices giving answers) led me to conclude I was meant to be a storyteller.

Early on I would read the newspaper to my younger sister, incorporating her name in the featured story.

“Really?” she would say when I finished reading about two ten-year-old girls who claimed to have a magic peach tree in their backyard on Lake Michigan. “My name is in the paper?”

“Seriously?” I would answer. We live in California and we have lemon trees in our backyard. How in the world could she believe me?

I was flattered that my story telling was so compelling.

With my sister’s encouragement  in the back of my mind I went through my school years writing stories about my friends.  Using a “reel to reel” tape player (yes, I’m giving away my age), I created plays starring my BFF. While my best friend played the beauty queen, the bride or the first female president, I was everything from the secondary characters to the sound effects.

So, you would think once I graduated high school, I would follow the voices in my head.

But no.

I did what a lot of young adults seem do to: NOT take the advice given them by those in the know. Although, my teachers advised me to follow my DNA into literature,  I took a U turn into psychology, which landed me a job as bookkeeper. (Long story for another time.)

Yet, I never gave up writing.  Poetry. Short stories. Ad copy. You name it. I wrote it. 

I didn’t really have a clue how to sell any of my work until joining a critique group and several writing organizations.  

Just before my thirtieth birthday, I sold a story to Turtle Magazine. I received a check for twenty dollars. But it legitimized my writing.

I was more than certain, I was on my way to fame.  Agents, publishers, movie producers, they were all going to come knocking on my door. I would sell everything I wrote from here on. I would be famous.

Well, the only people who knocked on my door were the bill collectors. It was years before I sold another word.

I honed my craft. I worked as a ghost writer for popular children’s series.  

I got an agent. And then -  there went my agent.  The relationship wasn’t working for her. So, I found another one. And then - she broke up with me via an email. Did I give up? No. I signed with yet another agent. Perseverance does pay off.

It’s now fifty-five years from those days at the kitchen table with my sister. And here I am with many writing credits to my name and two published books.   

And I seem to have found my way back to my roots. Along with writing novels about the characters in my head, I now blog about my friends, my family and my life.

No matter what happens next, I know I’ll always be writing.  It’s part of my genetic makeup. I’ve finally become the person I’m supposed to be.



Janie Emaus is the author of the time travel romance, Before the After, and the young adult novel, Mercury in Retro Love. She is a staff writer at In The Powder Room and blogs frequently for The Huffington Post, Better After 50, and Generation Fabulous. She is proud to be named a 2013 BlogHer Voice of the Year. Janie believes that when the world is falling apart, we're just one laugh away from putting it together again. To learn more about Janie visit her blog www.theboomerrants.com and her website www.JanieEmaus.com. You can connect with her on Facebook and Twitter @Janie5010. 

 

Turquoise Morning Press

Love takes on a new meaning when soul mates are brought together through time and space.

  

Like every goal-oriented twenty-something, Jessica Singleton, an aspiring filmmaker, is obsessed with finding her future as quickly as possible. Tick Tock. What she doesn't know is that the future is obsessed with finding her, too. Renn Porter, an agent with Time Traveling Matchmaker's Inc, blasts back in time - and into her life- in order to transport Jessica to the soul mate who has paid for this service...in the future. But things turn dangerous when it's revealed that Renn has been sent after his own soul mate.

Jessica wants nothing to do with this strange guy and his crazy romantic notions. Who has time for a soul mate anyway? But tell that to her heart.

Caught between two times, Jessica and Renn must struggle to stay alive. Falling in love is the biggest risk either of them has ever taken - because, as they are destined to learn, the very existence of Time Traveling Matchmakers, Inc. rests in Jessica's hands.

Amy Jarecki - How I Became A Writer

I just love hearing writers' stories of how they got into writing. This week I'm very pleased to welcome author Amy Jarecki to share her journey to becoming a full-time author.

~ * ~

I have always loved to write, like most authors, it’s in my blood. I wrote my first novel in the late 90’s, but in 2012, I left the corporate mix master, set up my home office and started writing full time:

I had a pretty darned good job...at least it paid well. I earned it too, got an MBA, fought my way up the ladder by working 14 hour days and proving myself capable of doing anything my arrogant male counterparts could do. After nine hours of interviews I landed my "dream job" (yeah right) as a plant manager in the plastics industry, a job in the exclusive men's club.

To make an eleven year journey short, after battling unions, leading a plant to the top in EVERY metric known to man, taking another plant from a $6MM loss to a $6MM profit in one year, I was lumbered with a bad decision. The company I worked for purchased another factory that was making a loss and dumped it in my lap. I had six months to close it down and bring the business into my plant...and start making a profit on sales negotiated with a losing margin. By the end of the six months, we had turned the corner and were making ground, though my margins had not made the miraculous leap that the company had hoped for. All of the sudden this golden girl started getting her ass kicked...for a bad decision from corporate. DON'T MESS WITH ME, YOU SONS OF BITCHES!

During this horrible time in my life, wondering if I was going to get fired, my (3rd MS) first book, Koicto, got published. I'd also lived frugally for years and built up my savings. I got another book contract (Chihuahua Momma, which comes out July 28th). About a year-and-a-half ago, my husband and I put our heads together and decided we'd take a chance and become a one-income family while I took the big leap and write full time.

In 2012, I wrote four 90K word romances, three of which are now under contract with a small press, and the fourth is being shopped by my new agent.

I have to tell you. It's been over a year, and I've yet to make any decent money. I couldn't have done this when I was younger, but now I have a husband who supports my efforts fully. I'm still working 14 hour days, but I'm doing something I love.

My advice to you? Find what you love to do and then find a way to make it happen.

~Write on friends!

 Amy Jarecki

www.amyjarecki.com

http://amyjarecki.blogspot.com

Twitter: @amyjarecki

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyjarecki

Available July 28 at Turquoise Morning Press

In the frenetic world of canine pageants like Westminster, where dog hair flies and personalities diverge, Rebecca Lee remains in a cocoon of loneliness. Widowed, with two teenaged kids and a business to run, Rebecca would rather mow through five-hundred poodle cuts than think about dating. But when former quarterback Matt Johnson shows up to buy a Chihuahua, his irresistible grin rocks her world—until Matt’s ex decides she wants him back and Rebecca’s daughter decides she’s against her mom dating. Rebecca now has a choice—crawl back into her realm of dogs or fight for the powerful love that fills her soul.

Audra Middleton - How I Became A Writer

I'm very pleased to welcome author Audra Middleton to share her story of how she became a writer.

Thank you, Linda, for inviting me to share my writing journey with you on your site today.

Part of me was always a writer, in that I have always been a daydreamer.  I might never have written down any of these daydreams, however, if not for the encouragement of teachers, friends, and family along the way.

In third grade, one of my teachers selected me to attend a young author’s conference.  My mom recently sent me the story that won my place at the conference, and I can tell you, I don’t think it was so much that my story was exceptional as it was about trying to boost my self-esteem.  Whatever her reasons for choosing me, it really did spark my interest for writing.  My mom suffered through all of those early stories, encouraging me without giving me empty praise.

As I got older I must have improved, because I had a friend who asked me to write stories for her birthday presents.  In high school, I had a great journalism teacher who taught me a lot about writing and after working with her I actually planned to go into journalism when I entered college.  I don’t know how many people stick with the career they seek at age 18, but I know I changed my mind by the time I was 20, and majored in history, minoring in English and publishing.  I even took a summer internship at Yale University Press as part of my studies.

If Washington State had been home to a publishing house at the time that I graduated, I probably would have pursued a career in publishing as an editor.  Unfortunately, in the mid-nineties the only publisher in town was Microsoft, and working on technical manuals didn’t appeal to me, even if I could have gotten a job with them.  Instead, I went back and got my teaching degree.  At this point I stopped writing, at least formally, because I could never seem to turn off my daydreams.  It wasn’t until years later, after teaching and then having children of my own that I started writing again.

When some friends of mine found out I liked to write, they wanted to read my work.  I had no idea where any of my college papers had ended up, so I decided to write down this daydream I kept coming back to, about a girl who could transform into trees, and a warrior who could read minds.  I built on this one scene where the two meet, telling their story, until at last I had a novel.  Well, I thought I did.  I joined an on-line critique group to get some help with my battle scenes, and discovered that I had a lot more writing to do.  It was painful at first, but in the end my writing improved a great deal.

After many rejections from literary agents via query letters, I joined the PNWA and attended their summer conference, anxious to pitch my book to agents in person.  I bombed my first few pitching attempts, in the beginning being too nervous to complete a sentence, later being so exhausted I just rambled incoherently, at one point confessing that I may have ‘screwed myself’ (thereby ensuring that I had).  But on the last day I decided I didn’t care anymore, sat down, and managed to have a lucid discussion about my book with my future publisher, Champagne Books.

I’m happy to report that my first novel, Watcher, was released in January, and has received some great reviews.  Champagne has also agreed to publish my second novel, a humorous paranormal thriller called The Hitchhiker, which is due out in November.

The ideas keep coming, and I am completing novels at a decent pace for someone who is also trying to raise three boys and keep up her teaching certificate.  I really appreciate those who have encouraged and assisted me along the way, because without them I would still be daydreaming about becoming a writer, rather than daydreaming the idea for my next novel.

For more information about me or my books, please stop by my website and blog at http://audramiddleton.weebly.com or follow my facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/AudraMiddletonAuthor.

Available at Burst Books

(an imprint of Champagne Book Group)

Log line for Watcher:

An orphan girl seeks the oblivion of the forest while darkness lures the Chosen Son
of prophecy, yet they find each other, and their budding love could destroy the
very world Goran, the tormented prophet, is trying to save.

Blurb for Watcher:

War threatens to destroy the world of Anthelion unless the holy man, Goran, can solve his porphecy riddle.  For every clue he finds, another obstacle surfaces. An orphan girl, Watcher, becomes his responsibility.  As if parenthood itself isn't daunting enough, she keeps a bear for a pet and transforms into her forest surroundings to avoid socialization. Hope momentarily emerges when Goran finds Benaiah, the Chosen Son of the prophecy. Only he soon discovers Benaiah is a social pariah on the verge of embracing darkness.

When Benaiah and Watcher unexpectedly meet, the two outsiders find in each other a sense of belonging they’ve never known. Now their emerging love promises to bring about the same war Goran is struggling to prevent.

 

Lynn Romaine - How I Became A Writer

I'm very pleased to welcome my friend and fellow author Lynn Romaine to share her story of how she became a writer.

~ * ~

I am a fiction writer. Yes, I am. It's hard for me to believe I have actually written and published five books with two more on the way. How did that happen? Well, I'm not really sure. I'm not one of the usual authors who has  dreamed of writing novels since childhood, starting out as a fledgling writer for the public school paper, or writing little stories to entertain the relatives since I was eight.  I started at 58! I never imagined I could write fiction--or even thought about writing stories. Yet there was something. Whenever I heard tell of  someone I knew or a friend  knew who'd written a book, I'd perk up and feel a certain  sort of sensation in my chest I'd have to call yearning.  

I probably would never have gotten around to doing any story telling except for the fact that I belonged to a group of people taking a growth and development seminar. One of our exercises was to share something with each other that no one else in our lives knew. What I shared was that I'd been writing continuous stories in my head since I was five. These were in no way something I dreamed of publishing, but more they were stories  to comfort myself at night or times of duress. I started sometime around five years of age, when the main character was Superman. Gradually as I got older, my characters aged as well.  And in school I'd use the stories to escape from the boredom and  routine of algebra or geometry.  Or the apparent threats of my peer groups. 

When I finally told my small group of growth and development people about these stories, they urged me to write down a scene or two. And that was that! From there I leapt into one more scene and then another until finally I thought, 'well, if I can write a scene, why not a book!'  What began as a childhood diversion with suspense turned into romantic suspense as I got older. And so here I am at 69, an author of five books with two more in the hopper! How did that happen? 

Lynn romaine

lynnromaine@lynnromaine.com

www.lynnromaine.com

Available at Turquoise Morning Press

and at Amazon.com

A night of passion between two strangers binds them together four years later in a desperate effort to protect their child. Jack Roselli is a bomb squad cop, caught up with investigating ecoterrorism, whose life turns upside down when Sofie Novakoff shows back up in his life, desperately pleading for him to protect the child he didn’t know he had.

Sofie is a woman who has grown up in a household of women. She runs a feminist bookstore and is raising her daughter with her own values. Jack comes from the world of men, a large Italian family who all work in law enforcement. All that changes when Sofie and Jack are brought together. Distrust mingles with sexual desire as Sofie and Jack struggle to save Katya. 

Suzanne Lilly - How I Became A Writer

I'm very pleased to introduce you to fellow author Suzanne Lilly who shares her story of how she became a writer.

~ * ~

First of all, I want to thank Linda for having me on her blog today. It’s always fun to guest post on another writer’s site, and especially one as supportive as Linda.

I’ve always been a writer and always thought of myself as a writer, even as a child. Much to the chagrin of my teachers, I used my weekly spelling lists as story fodder. When my children were born, I wrote stories for them. Although my life took several detours through the years, I never lost that love and desire to leave my mark on the page.

When I celebrated a forty-something birthday, I realized if I was serious about publication I needed to hop on it and get busy submitting my work. I took some writing courses, carved out time in my day to write, and wrote horrible fiction. I wrote much better nonfiction, and started selling articles to magazines and websites. I joined writers groups online and in person.

After five years of diligently practicing my fiction craft, I sold my debut novel, Shades of the Future, to Turquoise Morning Press. What a rush! We popped open a bottle of champagne and celebrated. To this day, each time I sign a contract, we still celebrate the same way. To date, I’ve opened several bottles of champagne for novels, and celebrated contracts for short stories in three anthologies. The latest is The Wedding Day Collection. You can subscribe to my blog, TeacherWriter.net http://www.teacherwriter.net or follow my author website, http://www.suzannelilly.com to stay current on all of my releases.

Of course, this story makes it sound as if I’ve always been a writer. But in my mind, I didn’t truly become a writer in the real sense of the word until I fully embraced it, mind and soul. Now when I’m introduced to people and they ask what I do, I tell them I’m a writer. It feels natural to introduce myself that way, because I’ve fully embraced my calling to bring words to life on the paper or screen. It’s what I do, and I love it.

How about you? When did you become a writer?



Blurb

Aspen Dwyer, recently emancipated from foster care, is searching for a place to hide from a past with secrets too dark to share. Honey Creek, Ohio, presents itself as the best place to start a new life and stay undercover. There she meets Colton Moraine, a man with strong family ties and an even stronger sense of loyalty. His boisterous, loving family welcomes Aspen with warmth she hasn’t felt in years. She’s surprised at how quickly and deeply she falls for Colton. When a dangerous criminal comes to Honey Creek, intent on his revenge against her, Aspen must choose between two options. Should she stay and risk her life and the rejection of the people she’s grown to love? Or should she run again, and leave behind any chance of a happy future?

Excerpt

“Tell me how the new job is working out for you.” I knew this was more than just small talk. Margot was evaluating me.

“It’s fine.” I nodded. Surprisingly, I actually enjoyed working at the lodge. “Linda is a super boss. Even though I hurt my ankle the first day, she still took me in. She’s having her nephew help me learn to drive. She has a wonderful family. Of course, you know all that already.” I stopped babbling to take another sip of my latte before going on. “I really want to do well for her. I think she cares more about me than my last four sets of foster parents did, and she’s only my employer.”

“Linda’s always had a heart the size of Texas,” Margot agreed. “She’ll stand behind you and support you in whatever you want to do.” She made a note on a form and shoved it back into a manila folder. “Now, off the record.” She clicked her pen shut and slid it into her purse. “How are you really? Do you feel safe?”

I considered her questions for a moment before answering. “I don’t think I remember what safe is supposed to feel like anymore. It’s comfortable with Linda and working at the lodge.”

Did safe mean I could sleep at night, resting easy, trusting no one would come to get me in the darkness? Did it mean not having to look over my shoulder everywhere I went? Did it mean not worrying if the person who gave life to me was waiting for the day he could kill me?

“I guess I feel as safe as can be expected.”

Margot waited, her expectant eyes boring into mine.

“You said Rick will never think of looking for me in a tiny town like Honey Creek.” Rick didn’t deserve the title of dad, father, or anything else indicating a relationship between him and me. As far as I was concerned, he was just the sperm donor.

“He won’t look there. He’ll be concentrating on the bigger towns. Columbus, Cincinnati, places where jobs are more plentiful.”

I shook my head. “Do you think I should try to move out of state?”

“Don’t leave Ohio.” Margot reached across the café table and grabbed my fingers. “I won’t be able to help you if you move far away. Besides, haven’t you heard of hiding in plain sight?”

Buy links:

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/289280

Turquoise Morning Press: http://www.turquoisemorningpressbookstore.com/products/untellable-by-suzanne-lilly

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Untellable-Honey-Creek-Books-ebook/dp/B00BKTAXHK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361796979&sr=8-1&keywords=untellable+by+suzanne+lilly

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/untellable-suzanne-lilly/1114700545?ean=2940016203263

Author Bio

Suzanne Lilly writes lighthearted young adult stories with a splash of suspense, a flash of the unexplained, a dash of romance, and always a happy ending. Her debut novel was Shades of the Future in 2012 followed by Untellable in 2013. Her short stories have appeared in numerous places online and in print, and she has placed and received honorable mentions in writing contests. She lives in Northern California where she reads, writes, cooks, swims, and teaches elementary students.

You may find Suzanne Lilly online at these sites:

Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Suzanne-Lilly/e/B006HY79IY

Website: http://www.suzannelilly.com

Blog: http://www.teacherwriter.net

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/SuzanneLillyAuthor

Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5258804.Suzanne_Lilly

Twitter: @suzannelilly http://twitter.com/suzannelilly

 

 

Heather Geoffries - How I Became A Writer

This week I'm very pleased to welcome author Heather Geoffries--who is actually two people--but I'll...er...let her explain that.

~ * ~



Hello!

Thanks for letting us guest blog.

I have always been interested in stories, whether it be reading or writing them. When I was 13, I wrote my first full length romance story and then gave it to a friend. Throughout my teen years I wrote many more and gave them away. When I was not writing, I had a book in hand from the moment I awoke, until I went to bed.

Over the last 6 years, my husband and I have been trading story ideas with a friend of mine, who I have Beta read for as well. We officially created a writing group called M.U.S.E.(Most Underappreciated Super-Egos) and met frequently over the last 4 years. In that time our friend became a best-selling author of numerous books. She has always been supportive of me and my husband’s writing and after one of our meetings where my hubby and I wrote an M/M erotic romance together, she urged us to submit it to Champagne Books, Carnal Passions.

“Nordic Prince” got published and did really well in sales. Plus we received some really great reviews at Coffee Time Romance & More, Night Owl Reviews and Amazon. We were very pleasantly surprised and inspired to continue writing.

In August, “South Sea Siren” comes out as part of the Aphrodite Island stories(Champagne Books). It is a sequel to “Nordic Prince” that follows Steven Mills’s sister, Dr. Amanda Mills on her journey finding love. We are also currently working on a third installment that takes place in the Sahara Desert and is wrought with danger, intrigue and romance.

I hope you enjoy our stories. We plan to keep the romance alive and well both inside and out of our stories.

Heather Geoffries

You can find me here:

http://heathergeoffries.webs.com/

http://heathergeoffries.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/heather.geoffries

https://twitter.com/HeatherGeoffrie



When Doctor Steven Mills is dragged onto The Nordic Prince for fun in the sun by his sister, Amanda, he is certain he will be miserable. Until he meets Erik.

Erik is fun, exciting and just what the doctor ordered. Some drinks and dancing with him are more enticing to Steven than any date he’s gone on with women. Before long, the two escape the busy dance floor for the quiet—and private—spa where Eric works on Steven’s body with very skilled hands. Steven is overcome with an onslaught of new emotions and sensations and has the best sexual experience of his life. Now Steven must wrestle with new feelings and desires and make a decision that could change his life forever.

Nordic Prince is available at:

Amazon

Carnal Passions

All Romance Ebooks

Bookstrand

Kobo