nancysweetland

Almost Christmas!

2010-12-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

Obviously I don't blog often - my last entry was in May. But a lot has happened (of course, with a large family that's just the way it is) and I really have been working on my sequel - at least I thought it was going to be a sequel - to THE DOOR TO LOVE, which came out in 2009.

But this book is giving me all sorts of trouble. I seem to have written myself into a corner and can't figure out what to do to make it right! I have an undercover man with lots of secrets, a second character who isn't who she seems, conflict diamonds that cause a kidnapping...oh, well, just keep slogging along and see what happens.

Merry Christmas!

A few successes - finally!

2010-05-24T07:38:00.000-07:00

I've been really lax lately about getting my work out where it could be seen - went on a two week vacation to Europe and just haven't gotten back into the business. Maybe my head needed a vacation as well as the rest of me? But I had entered a couple of contests before leaving, and was rewarded with some success.

I won a first prize award in the Bo Carter Contest from the Waukesha Writers for short fiction with "My Husband's Keeper" (a cantanterous old man nearly drives his wife to distraction - all because his doctor said 'only one beer' and his wife makes him stick to that. He doesn't realize--until the end--that it's because she loves him). And another win from a humor contest with an essay about "The Day Gramps Tamed the Tractor."

So, maybe I won't quit. Not just yet.

A bit discouraged with the Romance Writers having to move the national meeting to Florida after Nashville was flooded out - not sure whether I want to add the extra cost of airfare. But it is an investment in my business, and I have to look at it like that.

Writers weekend

2010-04-14T07:50:00.000-07:00

Just back from a terrific writers' weekend in Madison WI with 6 other writers and a New York editor for Putnam children's books - lots of book talk, questions and answers about the 'real' side of the book business. Everyone has read and critiques each writer's submissions for this weekend - always a positive experience but of course daunting when you think you've 'got it right' and the others don't quite get it, or outright disagree with what your oh-so-independent characters do! It's difficult to be out here in the boonies as Wisconsin writers; great to have New York come to us.

Now to get back to work and 'fix' that story!

Rain and Writing

2009-10-23T07:26:00.000-07:00

Today is one of those gloomy, cold, rainy ones that give me great pleasure. Why? Because I'm not tempted to go outside and garden, or walk, or golf, or do anything that I could use as an excuse to keep from writing. I can put all my energy into breathing life into my characters. However, they are as bad as I am! They seem to want to get outside my story (where the heck do they go?) and do anything possible to keep from moving it along. I will persevere, though, and steer them in some direction by force. (I AM in charge, after all. I think.) If they don't like it, well, they can just get in there and show me what they want to do instead.
We'll see how it goes.

Later...

Online Conference is great

2009-10-14T07:15:00.000-07:00

I'm attending the MuseItUp online conference this week and am finding that it's really informative and a lot of fun - and this morning I pitched one of my mystery novels to an editor. What was interesting was that I was as nervous as I'd been when pitching an editor face-to-face! It turned out to be a good experience (of course that's because she asked to see my whole manuscript!).

Since writing last I've had a couple of book signings here in Green Bay and one in Door County, where my romance is set. We sold 38 books! I (and the bookseller) was very pleased!
I have another set up next week, also up in Door County - hope that goes as well.

I have so many different irons in the fire (writers shouldn't use cliches!) right now that it's difficult to find time for each. I need to get a middle-grade novel done soon for a retreat that's coming up in spring, have a romance and a mystery going, and am trying to find time to do some marketing of all those manuscripts lying around. Now that the weather's getting too cold to golf I'll have more time. Still lots going on with all my kids, too, but that's a plus in my life. And today the sun is shining!

Romance Lives!

2009-09-20T17:24:00.000-07:00

I'm just back from attending my grandson's wedding at beautiful Lake Tahoe, California, and if anything can make you think romance is alive and well, a wedding can do it! Sunshine on the beach, water sparkling, blue sky and mountains, and two young people bringing families together to share their future. Wonderful.

And so it's back to work. I've joined the Muse It Up Online Conference that's slated for October and spent today deciding what publishers to pitch my mystery novel to, and which workshops to attend - there are lots, and since I've never been part of an online conference before, it's a bit daunting. If you're interested, log on to the www.museonlinewritersconference.com for information. Registration is closed for this year, but maybe it's just what you'll need when next October rolls around. I understan they have thousands of participants.

Door County Book Tour

2009-08-30T07:36:00.000-07:00

Hello again - I'm back from my second tour of Door County to replenish books in the stores. At Egg Harbor, where the manager had asked me to bring 6 more books, she asked whether I could leave her 24! She said they were 'flying out the door!" We've set up a signing for October, during their Pumpkin Patch festival. At Sister Bay (where the novel is set), the manager took more books and set up a signing also....a new store, Hedgehog Gifts in Gills Rock, took some books, and Novel Ideas in Bailey's Harbor also took 6 more. The Pioneer Store in Ephraim took 10. So... the tour took most of the day and 250 miles -- but my book is out there and people are buying -- what more could I ask? Now readers are asking for a sequel and don't I wish I had one in the works. What this is all about is, don't be shy! Writers need connections, and the only way to get them is to get into the stores, shake hands with the managers and ask, "What can I do for you?"

Catching on!

2009-08-25T09:12:00.000-07:00

I admit it, I'm a dunce! For the longest time I couldn't figure out how to post new information to my own blog. Finally, I caught on that I have to sign in. As the kids say, "Duh!"

I've been busy since my novel, "The Door to Love" came out. I've had one really successful signing and I'd like to pass this idea on to other authors. Working with a fine restaurant that hosted a "Girl;'s Night Out" one evening from 5:30-8:30, which included items by a jewelry-maker and a couple of some skin product reps, I sold over 40 books. The $10 charge at the door got the girls a glass of wine and fine appetizers, along with samples of specialty products including a cosmetic clutch. The only advertising was word of mouth and some promotion by me to my friends, but it was a fun time for all. So...think about a change of venue. Book signings don't always have to be in bookstores.

I've also been on a small book tour up into Door County, where my book is set in Sister Bay. The stores (6 locations) have been more than open to carrying the book, (some on consignment, some bought outright), and I'll be back up there this weekend to deliver some more copies to the stores that are running low. I never thought I'd enjoy stumping my own books, but you know what? It's actually fun!

Hooray! My novel's out!

2009-07-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog! I'm excited today - the shipment of my first romance novel, "The Door to Love" arrived at my door. I was almost scared to open the boxes. What if there was a mistake? What if it was my story, but my name was spelled wrong on the cover ? (I've been told that happens.) So, holding my breath, I ripped off the tape and there they were, my books. With my name front and center. Now what? More questions: What do I do next? How do I get signings set up? And, what if (omigosh)nobody likes it? You get the picture. Set in Door County, Wisconsin, "The Door to Love" is available from Wild Rose Press www.wildrosepress.com - or Amazon.com.