Writing Spaces and the Writing Journey by @Karen Whiddon

I first started trying to write a book when I was pregnant with my daughter, nearly 40 years ago.  Handwritten in a lined spiral notebook, I had about 70 pages in a romance story when my now ex-husband found it and set it on fire, burning it into ash. That's another story for another time and I won't go into it here, but suffice to stay I didn't try again for years.  8 or 9 years, to be exact.

I'd always wanted to try writing a novel again so when I had six-eight weeks off work due to a hysterectomy, I knew that would be my time.  By then I had an electric typewriter (no computers yet,) and I sat at my kitchen table and typed.  I completed that book, single spaced (not knowing any better,) and roughly 140 pages.  So proud, I sent it in to Harlequin Books and went back to my insurance job.

That book didn't sell, in fact it would be five more books and another 8-9 years before I finally sold a book.  By now it was 1996 and Kensington Books (Precious Gems) purchased a book.  My first sale!  By now I had a computer and I used the advance to purchase a laptop.  My own laptop, an open box IBM clunky thing that I was so happy to have!

I'd graduated from the kitchen table to a desk in our guest bedroom.  I shared the space with a bed and dresser, but that was ok.  When my daughter graduated high school in 1998 and went on to college, I turned her bedroom into a real office and I use that room today still.  I collect stuffed dogs and books (obviously,) though I have really thinned out my paperback collection (and I still have more bookshelves full of books in another room!)

Many computers (and books) later, I now have both a desktop and a laptop.  I do my writing business in the office (email, blogs, proofreading, line edits, etc.) but all my actual writing is done in my recliner in the den on my laptop.  I usually share the seat with one of my dogs.  If it's winter, I have a fire in the fireplace and a mug of hot tea or cocoa.

Sometimes if the weather is nice, I'll sit outside on a swing in the backyard and write, but more often than not, allergies and insects drive me inside.  Writing makes me happy, and so do my writing spaces.

Recently, I put several more of my backlist books up on Amazon.  Free in you're in Kindle Unlimited, and $3.99 otherwise.

Check out The Wolf Whisperer.  I love the cover.  Buy Here on Amazon

November is the month for Gratitude, Appreciation, and counting your Blessings if you are religious and/or philosophical. Grateful, Thankful, Blessed—that's what we Romance Gems Authors feel. Join us this month in celebrating the Life Lessons we all learn. Enter our November Rafflecopter now for a chance to win 1 of 5 Amazon Gift Cards.   

Enter Here

You can also enter by going to the Monthly Giveaway Page (https://romancegems.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_28.html )

October 3rd by Karen Whiddon

So much is going on in the world, sometimes it's difficult to concentrate.  I have to walk to find my quiet space, and then lose myself in the world I've created inside my books.  I just turned in a Harlequin Romantic Suspense that will be out in 2020 and started my next one that's due 12-15-19.  I adore writing for this line.

I'm also slowly getting up books for which the rights have reverted to me.  I just had covers made for The Wolf Prince as well as The Wolf Princess.  Look for them on Amazon soon.

I love October.  Halloween decorations, fall colors, and lower temperatures (soon, please, soon!)  It's the last quarter of the year, which happens to include my favorite holidays - Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!  Decorations, parties to attend, lots of good food.  Yumm!  There's little I like better than curling up in my recliner next to the fireplace, with a cup of hot cocoa and a good book!  I can't wait.  But first, summer has to let loose of Texas!

CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO -- https://youtu.be/-H1auoGa30A -

I'm giving away a paperback copy of my Harlequin Romantic Suspense book - Texas Ranch Justice. (Unless winner is outside of the continental United States, in which case I'll send an ebook)  The deadline for entering this Giveaway is Sunday, October 5th.

NO TRICKS—JUST TREATS

Every Day is Treat Day in October. Each author will give away a prize of her choice on her posting day. That's 31 days of prizes! 

To be entered in the random drawing for a paperback copy of  Texas Ranch Justice, leave a comment with your email address written out (not as a hot link) on this post.

The deadline for doing this is Sunday night at 8:00pm Central time. I’ll draw the winner's name Monday, October 7, and notify the winner by email and by leaving a comment on this post.

By the way, in case you wonder why Authors give away books, it’s simple. We want to introduce new Readers to our writing.

If you want to say thanks to the Author, please post a review of the book. Just a few sentences saying why you liked the book is all that is needed! Do this, and Authors will adore you!

But Wait, There's More

Yes, indeedy! We're not just doing a daily random drawing for a prize. We're also doing a Rafflecopter with 4 Amazon Gift Card Prizes. Whoop! Big money! Visit our Monthly Giveaways Page for all the details.  

The Process of a Book by Karen Whiddon #RomanceGems

Over the years, friends and relatives have often expressed surprise when they learned I was working on edits or revisions.  This post, I thought I'd discuss the path one of my books takes from inside my brain to publication.  Bear in mind, I'm traditionally published for new work with Harlequin, though once I get the rights back to some of my older books, I sell them as e-books too.  This post will touch mostly on my Harlequin books.

First, I think of a story.  For me, I'm contracted for books I haven't even thought of yet, so I spend a couple weeks working on a synopsis that describes my hero, heroine, secondary characters, and story.  (See my other post on writing a synopsis.)

Once the synopsis is done, I email it to my editor with a cc to my agent.

My editor will send back an email (usually after a week or two) approving the synopsis.  At this point, she might suggest a few tweaks.  By now, I've started writing the book as I have pretty tight deadlines.

Over the course of three months, writing 5 days a weeks (sometimes 6 if it's not going well,) I will write the book.  For Harlequin Romantic Suspense, this comes out to 70,000 words or for me, around 315 pages.  

I turn in the book.  They ask for a dedication and a dear reader letter, which I write and provide.

And work on another synopsis, at which point the process starts all over again.

Eventually I will get back edits from my editor.  At Harlequin, frequently two or three people will have already worked on the book.  They are very thorough.  I'm given a time frame (generally two weeks) to work on this.  I do and email it back.

Finally, I get what are called AA's (Author Alterations.)  This is the final stage of the book, where it appears exactly as it will in print.  At this point, I look it over and when I read it through, I send it back with any corrections I might find.

At some point, the publisher sends me the cover art.  Usually, it's beautiful and I'm thrilled.  Every once in a while, it might not be exactly what I pictured, but I can't do anything about that, so I just cross my fingers and hope for the best as far as sales.  I truly believe great cover art can help sell a book.  

And then I wait for the publication date.

My previously published works where rights revert back to me are different.  Once I have the rights back, I convert the file.  I have to remove all the metadata from Harlequin.  I purchase my own cover (in my case, since I'm on a budget, it's a pre-made cover.)  And I put it up for sale at Amazon.

Right now, I have just put up one of my favorite books that I've ever written.  It's called Profile for Seduction.  It can be read for free in Kindle Unlimited, or purchased here: Amazon

Another Great July Celebration

Last, but definitely not least is our fabulous July Giveaway.

Our Rafflecopter, BEACHES and BOOK BOYFRIENDS, starts July 5 at midnight and runs through July 25.  Contest link

Check out the giveaway'svideo in Movie Theater or onYouTube. (Please click LIKE and share it on your social media pages.)

Visit the Monthly Giveaway page to see all the prizes. Enter often and tell your friends. There are some great prizes up for grabs. Visit me tomorrow on Romance Gems for a Pop-Up Giveaway.

Summertime by Karen Whiddon

All around the country, school is out or getting out.  Children and teachers are ready for the summer months - the heat, the pools, vacations, and fun.  For me, the Texas heat means I must move my outdoor walk to earlier in the morning.  And since all the television shows we watch regularly go on summer hiatus, once we've exhausted Netflix and HBO, I get to do some reading.  I get LOTS of reading done in the summer.

My husband has to watch TV at night. He doesn't want to read or talk, though when we're at the lake place, he plays Scrabble with me.  At home, he sits in his recliner and watches television. Often, he dozes.  I can go sit out by the pool with my Kindle and indulge my reading passion.  I love trying new series and authors and I've recently found some new-to-me, good ones.  I read romance true, but also fantasy and young adult, and horror - in short, whatever catches my fancy.

And as always, I write.  I have an old Alphasmart that I enjoy using outside.  I also have been known to take pen and notebook and go sit in my backyard swing.  Oh, only in the morning or after dusk here because it's too brutally hot in the heat of the day.  These outdoor writing times are sometimes productive, sometimes not, but they're for me.  Diary entries, ideas for future books, or a special project I'm working on to send to my agent.  Fun writing.  It feeds my soul.

Weather wise (and temperature wise) I'm more of an Autumn, Winter, Spring person.  I'm not a fan of heat, which might seem amusing since I live in Texas. Ah well, it is what it is.

What are your favorite summer activities? Do you love or hate the heat?

You Are Cordially Invited...

Our June Wedding promotion, is open. Watch our Wedding video, You Are Cordially Invited. You'll find it on our Movie Theater page and also on YouTube.

Visit the Monthly Giveaway Page to see the gorgeous prizes and to enter.

 (You can also click here: Enter RomanceGems Rafflecopter. Enter often.)

Celebrations! by Karen Whiddon #RomanceGems

My regular day to post every month is on the third.  Today, May 3rd, is also my birthday!  I'm celebrating by hanging with my beloved husband and later my daughter.  We'll eat out and shop and just make today different than a regular, routine day.

In our family, birthdays always are a big deal.  It's a special day.  I don't write or work much.

Lately, I've been trying to celebrate every day - to try and find something to be thankful for, even in the mundane and routine.  There is so much.

A funny or cute picture on Facebook or Instagram.  The amazing book I'd bought several months ago because it was on the NY Times Bestseller list and finally got around to reading (Where the Crawdads Sing.)  The awe inspiring cloud formation in a stormy sky.  The ladybug I rescued from the pool and how she crawled around on my hand before I released her into the grass.

Flowers and puppies, a good belly laugh.  That first, hot cup of coffee in the morning.  So much more.  I could go on, but I figure you've got the picture by now.

Celebrating and constantly attempting to seek joy also brings me inspiration.  When I read a really great book, the writing or plot inspires me.  Same for an interesting TV show or movie.  Sometimes, just sitting in a crowded restaurant and listening to the ebb and flow of conversation around me, makes an idea germinate.

Speaking again of birthdays, the older I get, the more I realize there is to be grateful for.  The things we take for granted when we're young (our health, mobility, fast metabolism, etc.) are not quite as much of a given as we age.  I have to say, my fifth decade so far has been great.  I'm more confident, athletic, and worry less about what others think.

It's also more difficult to get by on less sleep and harder to get my body in the kind of shape I want it to be.

Though my next Harlequin book won't be out until later this year, I do have several older books for sale on Amazon.  I'm giving away a copy of one, The Perfect Soldier, in our next giveway for me.  It's the second book in a series called The Cordasic Legacy.  Check out book one here, called Blacksheep PI - free to read on Kindle Unlimited. On Amazon

Here's the cover image

And our blog is having its own celebration!!!

Part of our May Celebration is a Rafflecopter that goes "live" on May 4 so be checking the Blog and the Monthly Giveaway page to see if the Rafflecopter is there and "alive."

The Grand Prize is one (1) $20.00 Amazon Gift Card.

2nd thru 5th Prizes: Ebook Bundles by our bestselling authors. The books being given away are shown on the Monthly Giveaway page. 

How To Enter?

You have multiple opportunities to enter.

When the you see the Rafflecopter or the link to it, simply click over and start clicking buttons on it and do the tasks. That's one entry. You can click all the buttons, and you can enter multiple times.

Our policies concerning Promotions and Giveaways, Eligibility, and Prize Award Procedures are shown in detail on our Policies Page. Please read. We strictly adhere to those policies

Beginnings by Karen Whiddon

Ten years ago, I had never set foot in a gym and didn't even own a sports bra.  I was inching closer to a big birthday, but still had a few years before I hit it.  I was out of shape and slightly over-weight.

For my birthday, my husband gave me membership in a new gym that had opened up and a month's worth of personal training.  I was intrigued.  I was also terrified.

Hey, I'm female so my first worry was what to wear.  I went to Academy and purchased a new pair of sneakers and some workout pants and shirts, but still no sports bra.  Not sure why that didn't even occur to me.

I showed up at the gym, which felt like a foreign country with all the scary equipment, and reported for my first personal training session.  It was eye opening.  And I realized then that I needed a sports bra.  Hah!

I ended up getting in shape, losing weight, and when I hit that big age milestone, I was good.  Now I work out at home (and yes, I did slack for a number of years before picking it back up in 2017.)

Writing can be the same way.  You want to write a book.  You have a good idea for a plot, you have characters even.  But you're not sure how to begin.  Some folks just go to it, figuring they'll learn as they go.  Others read up on the craft, attend workshops, join critique groups.  Many do both.  And along the way, they write.

I began writing because I was a voracious reader.  I read everything I could get my hands on, and I read fast.  This was in the days before there were e-readers, so I had TONS of paperbacks and hardcovers sitting around.  I estimate I've easily given away three thousand books over the years and I still have a large collection at home.  Not including what's on my Kindle, which is where I do most of my reading these days.

I know many of you reading this blog are readers.  Some are writers.  And maybe there might be a few who are wanting to become writers, but just don't know where to start.  This is for you.

Don't let fear hold you back.  Even published authors experience fear when beginning a new project or trying to write something out of their comfort zone.  Believe me, I speak from experience.  Get out there, find other writers, whether on-line or in person.  Learn.  Read.  But most of all write.  Like just about every other single author out there, I have five completed, unpublished manuscripts that I wrote while I was learning.  Just like me learning to do push-ups or burpees, you can't nail it until you practice.  So practice.  Get those words on paper.  WRITE!

~ ~ ~

Let's keep April's contest going!

If you haven't seen the details on this month's Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt you can check out all the information, including how to enter, on the "Giveaway" Tab at the top of the blog page.

There's an egg out there somewhere. Here are the possibilities for today's search: FACEBOOK WEB PAGE INSTAGRAM   GOODREADS

Supportive Women by Karen Whiddon #RomanceGems

I've been wanting to write this post for a long while now.  Because my life is full of supportive women and I'm supremely grateful!

I'll start with in the writing community.  I've been trying to learn how to do the entire self-publishing thing as a side gig while still writing for Harlequin.  There's a LOT to learn.  One of my writing friends took me under her wing and is teaching me about how to promote.

Then there's this group of authors who do this blog.  Talk about supportive!  We cheer each other on, help each other promote, and teach each other things about the industry we might now know.  I'm so grateful to know you all - even though I've never met most of you in person.

On the fitness side.  I keep fit by doing challenges online.  Right now I'm doing a free one called Lean Body for Her.  We have a Facebook group and all keep each other accountable.  I've done the Oxygen 3 and 4 challenge and we have a Facebook group there too (Oxygen Challenge Alumni.)  We constantly cheer each other, even for NSV (non-significant victories) because sometimes it helps to celebrate the small things.   And as we prepare for the Oxygen 5 Challenge which starts May 5th, it's fun to have others with whom to share the anticipation and decisions over which coach to choose.  I have never met any of these people ever, but they're all my sisters in fitness.  We even call each other Oxysisters!

Writing is a solitary profession and my office mates are often other writers on Facebook.  I share their triumphs, both personal and professional, and without them I think I might be quite lonely.  Social media can be a huge time sink, but sometimes it keeps me sane.

I have a book out April 1st.  It's called Texas Ranch Justice and it's my 45th book for Harlequin.  You can purchase it here if you'd like.  Buy here

And here's the cover for your viewing pleasure.  I love this cover!

What is your favorite way to be supportive of other women?  I'd love to hear your sisterhood stories!

LUCK O' THE IRISH Giveaway: 3 Ways to Win 

1. Comment & Win

Leave a comment on any post in March + Your Email Addy—written out, i.e. Mary at yahoo dot com. (We need your email to verify you are who you say you are and to contact you.)  

The more comments you make; the greater your chance of winning. Winner selected by random draw from eligible entries.

Prizes: $5.00 Amazon Gift Card at the end of each week beginning March 8 for a total of 4 Amazon Gift Cards.

2. Friends Tell Friends

To enter, send your friends to visit us. When your friend visits and reads a post, he or she should leave a comment with their email address written out and include the name and email of the friend who made the referral. (Readers, coordinate this with your friend.)

Both names/emails will be entered in Friends Tell Friends Giveaway. The more friends you bring; the greater your chances of winning. Winner selected by random draw from eligible entries at end of March.

Prizes: Romance Readers Tee & Audiobook by Nancy Fraser

3. Luck O'The Irish Rafflecopter

1st Grand Prize Winner: Name a Female Character in an Author's upcoming Book plus $10.00 Amazon Gift Card.

2nd Grand Prize Winner: Name a Male Character in an Author's upcoming Book plus $10.00 Amazon Gift Card.

You can find all the Rafflecopter prizes on the Monthly Giveaway tab.

Writing the Dreaded Synopsis by Karen Whiddon #RomanceGems

As part of my writing gig with Harlequin Romantic Suspense, I'm required to turn in a detailed synopsis every 3 months.  My editor reviews and approves this and from that synopsis, I write my next book.

When I first started writing, I hated writing a synopsis.  Despised them, in fact.  Now, I don't see how I ever wrote a book without one.

Since I have a synopsis due in two weeks, I thought I'd share my process with you.  Disclaimer:  this may not work for you or even resonate with you.  We all have our own methods, and this is simply mine.

Let's say I don't even have a glimmer of an idea for my next romantic suspense.  What I do know is that there will be a hero and a heroine and either a murder or a threat.  I focus on the people first.  I list out a description, their job, and what they want in the beginning of this book.  I will also try to come up with at least one reason why the hero and the heroine cannot be together.

After the basic character sketch, I spend a few moments on the setting.  Fictional town or real, where it is located, what kind of place it is.  Time of the year, and the duration of my story. (Two weeks? A month?)

That done, now I can finally list out my plot.  Please understand, I don't do all this in one setting.  I have to let it percolate a bit.  I might spend time one day working on my heroine and hero, the next day the setting.  And then I have to think about the plot.  Not only what's going to happen externally (the threat, the murder, whatever,) but the progression of the romance between the couple.

Usually for a 70,000 word Harlequin Romantic Suspense, my synopsis is 6-7 pages long.  Single spaced.  Early in my writing career, I'd try to be a vague as possible, citing the fact that I was a "Pantser" and liked to write by learning as I go.  I'm working on my 59th published book (yikes!) and my 49th Harlequin and if there is one thing I've learned after writing all these books, the more I know before I begin, the better.  The characters will still find ways to surprise me, I won't get bored, and I won't spend time trying to figure out how to get out of a corner that I'd managed to write myself into.

And I learn a lot when I writing a synopsis.  I write down random things that might happen and see if the book will need them.  It's easier to plot the entire story in advance and then write it, especially since I have such tight writing deadlines.  My next venture, writing a new three book series for myself to self-publish (while continuing to write for Harlequin,) won't require a synopsis for each book.  But guess what?  I'm going to write them anyway!

Happy writing!

PS - check out one of my short Pack stories - on .99 to buy on Amazon or free with Kindle Unlimited! I just love this cover!

 Mate of the Wolf

Book Covers by Karen Whiddon #RomanceGems

As part of my journey into the oft-perplexing waters of self-publishing, I've been trying to learn Photoshop Elements.  But, because I'm impatient, and I have a lot of back list books I wanted to get up, I purchased three covers from different sources.

I've learned that cover prices - and quality - vary greatly.  However, I do know what I love in a cover and once I found what I was looking for, I jumped on it.

The first cover I purchased was for Secrets of the Wolf. I like this cover a lot.  It fits the mood of the story and makes me happy.    The second cover I purchased (from a different artist) was for Touch of the Wolf.  Similar theme, different colors.  I still love it.

And the third cover - for Cry of the Wolf - I was looking for something different.  I wanted a female shape-shifter, since the story belongs to my heroine.  I found the perfect cover and purchased it.

What do you think?  Which cover do you like best?  What draws you to a book cover?  I'd love to hear the answers, as I have more books for which I need to purchase covers.

Purchase Secrets of the Wolf on Amazon here          Purchase Touch of the Wolf Here

Purchase Cry of the Wolf here

Remember the Comment & Win and Rafflecopter Contests!

To be entered in Comment & Win, all you have to do is read the post of the day—or any post you may have missed.

Then leave a comment with your email address written out. That means like Mary at yahoo dot com. (Don't leave your email as a "hot link" or web crawlers will harvest it and flood your Inbox.)

The more comments you make; the greater your chance of winning.

Grand Opening Rafflecopter

Be sure and enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win a Kindle Fire and Ebook Gift Bundles.

Wearing Many Hats by @KarenWhiddon

I am a full-time author.  After years of working in the insurance industry and writing on the side, in 2011 my husband and I sold our insurance agency.  He retired and I wrote.

In 1996, I sold my first book to Kensington Precious Gems.  I wrote 5 books for them, and then 5 for Dorchester (Leisure).  Finally, in 2003, I sold to Silhouette Intimate Moments (Now Harlequin Romantic Suspense.)  My 55th published book will be out in April 2019 (45th for Harlequin). You'd think by now, writing would be easy, right?  Hah.  Not so.  I think the more you know, the more you question.  But I still love my stories and my people and the happily ever after.  So there's that.

2019 is 8 years after I quit working in the insurance agency.  This year, I've been toying with the thought of going back.  The benefits - steady income stream, health insurance, getting out of the house - balance out the negatives - having to leave the house, working for someone else, less time for my writing and working out.

Then I started talking to a friend who shifted from writing for Harlequin to self-publishing.  Bear in mind, I went to the Ninc Conference in White Plains where Bella Andre spoke.  I heard all the tales of big money, huge money.  I put up 10 books from my backlist and, while they earned some money, it wasn't a huge amount.  Granted, I didn't do any promo or advertising, inured against this since I wrote category for HQ with a short shelf life.  I'd heard that self-publishing had a glutted market and it wasn't the same.  I should have gotten into it in 2012.  Instead, I kept writing new material strictly for the traditional market.  I did ok.  Enough to live on, though nothing to write home about.  Until one of my Harlequin lines closed and I only had one to write for.  Since I write 4 books a year and they can only publish 2 per year from me, you can see the problem.

Self-publishing?  I spoke to my friend, read the new bestselling authors with whom I wasn't familiar.  There seems to be room for another author, though it certainly sounds like a lot of work.  But my friend was doing well.  Really well.  Not Bella Andre, millions of dollars well, but certainly way better than my annual salary writing for Harlequin.  And so a new job was born.

To be honest, since quitting insurance, though I kept my license active, I'd taken it easy.  Too easy.  I acted as if I too was retired most of the time.  I slept in, walked, worked out, and then spent 3 hours per day writing.  That was enough for me to write 4 books a year.  Since I'm contracted for the remainder of 2019 with Harlequin (last deadline 12-15-19), I'll continue to keep my 2-5 pm writing time for those books.

Now, I'm up at 5:30, just like I was going to an outside job.  I'm learning Photoshop, so I can design my own covers.  A couple years ago, I'd gotten back 10 more backlist books from Harlequin, so I'm putting them up.  I've purchased a couple of covers, but I'd prefer to do my own. I've asked for more rights to revert to me.  I'm going to plot out a new three-book series and once I have those all written, hire an editor.  I'm going to have a second career as a self-published author, while continuing to write for my beloved Harlequin.

Can I do this?  I'm full of doubts, but also full of hope.  I'll have help - the romance writing community is full of generous women who share knowledge.  I'm aware that it will take time to show a profit.  Time and money.  But years ago, when my husband I and started our own insurance agency, there were a couple of lean years until we got up and running.  We had to spend money to make money, and I will have to do the same thing now.  Wish me luck.  I hope to have all my backlist up on Amazon by the end of February and the new series up by the end of the year.  I can do this!!!