thrilled beyond words
Well. This hasn't happened in a long time. I just did a read-through and minor revisions of a novella I did for HQ (out in Feb) and OMG, I loved it!
I recently was asked to figure out just how many of these romance novels I've written. Turns out in the last 18(!!!!!) years, I've had 52 published. I've written 54. The experience has changed, naturally, over time. In the beginning it was all brashness and hope, excitement and blindness and such enthusiasm! I do remember what it was like to get the first phone call. But deadlines and false starts and editorial opinions and revisions all have an impact. The job now is primarily finding something in the story that speaks to me, singularly. Finding the thing in a relationship that I want to explore, whether it's fear of commitment or how I can take an old trope and make it fresh. By the time I've finished writing (usually scraping the edge of deadline with no rest between ending and re-reading) I'm sick of the story, the characters, and ready for a break.
Often, I find when I get to the galleys, I'll like the book again, which is good. What's rare is to like it at this stage - first re-look after I've talked to my editor. But to feel this giddy LOVE for a story...I can't even. The format was perfect for what I wanted to do, which was to carry a motif all the way through. The subject is seeing anew. The hero is an art collector, the heroine works for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and wants to set up a trust for his collection. Nothing inherent in the premise to blow up my skirts. But I played with the theme, and the playing was awesome. I had to see my writing anew.
I have no idea whether anyone else will like the piece at all, let alone as much as I do, but that's out of my hands, so I let that go. I played in a new arena with this one, and it was heaven. I liked parts of the actual writing process, but didn't even get the full joy until now. Maybe the bloom will wilt when I do copy edits and then galleys, but I don't care. Today was fabulous.
And here's another fun thing - Ever since I've been reading fan fiction (which I do A LOT) I've found certain authors and pieces that make me swoon with envy. I read them again and again trying to discover their secrets and unravel their mysteries. This novella is the first story where I've felt that I captured just a bit of that magic. Just a bit.
Now, I've got to turn to the next story, and find its heart. Onward!
I recently was asked to figure out just how many of these romance novels I've written. Turns out in the last 18(!!!!!) years, I've had 52 published. I've written 54. The experience has changed, naturally, over time. In the beginning it was all brashness and hope, excitement and blindness and such enthusiasm! I do remember what it was like to get the first phone call. But deadlines and false starts and editorial opinions and revisions all have an impact. The job now is primarily finding something in the story that speaks to me, singularly. Finding the thing in a relationship that I want to explore, whether it's fear of commitment or how I can take an old trope and make it fresh. By the time I've finished writing (usually scraping the edge of deadline with no rest between ending and re-reading) I'm sick of the story, the characters, and ready for a break.
Often, I find when I get to the galleys, I'll like the book again, which is good. What's rare is to like it at this stage - first re-look after I've talked to my editor. But to feel this giddy LOVE for a story...I can't even. The format was perfect for what I wanted to do, which was to carry a motif all the way through. The subject is seeing anew. The hero is an art collector, the heroine works for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and wants to set up a trust for his collection. Nothing inherent in the premise to blow up my skirts. But I played with the theme, and the playing was awesome. I had to see my writing anew.
I have no idea whether anyone else will like the piece at all, let alone as much as I do, but that's out of my hands, so I let that go. I played in a new arena with this one, and it was heaven. I liked parts of the actual writing process, but didn't even get the full joy until now. Maybe the bloom will wilt when I do copy edits and then galleys, but I don't care. Today was fabulous.
And here's another fun thing - Ever since I've been reading fan fiction (which I do A LOT) I've found certain authors and pieces that make me swoon with envy. I read them again and again trying to discover their secrets and unravel their mysteries. This novella is the first story where I've felt that I captured just a bit of that magic. Just a bit.
Now, I've got to turn to the next story, and find its heart. Onward!