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If we let weeds overtake the mailbox, will the bills stop coming?
Posted by Suzanne McMinn | PermalinkArchive for May 20th, 2005
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Yesterday’s giveaway question–How old was I when I sold my first book? (Info on today’s giveaway–more autographed books and a PAX mug–is below.)
When my first child was born, I quit my newspaper job to stay home and write. Five months later, I hadn’t written a word. HOW COULD I? DIDN’T YOU HEAR HIM SCREAMING? I was doing dishes one evening, looking out the window over the sink, thinking about my writing dream. We were planning to have two more children, spaced a few years apart. I said to my husband, “When will I ever get to write?” You know, with ALL THE SCREAMING. 
He said, “I guess when the youngest goes to kindergarten and they’re all in school.”
I did some quick math in my head about how many years that would be…and–NO! I started writing the next day, in spite of all that SCREAMING. I sent my first book to Silhouette Romance. I thought it was so lovely. They wrote me back and explained gently that it was actually quite ugly. Repeat same scenario with a second book. And a third one. Then I heard about a new line called Meteor Kismet Romance. They were looking for books. So, I sent them manuscript number three, thinking that had to be my best one. Apparently, they thought it was just as ugly as Silhouette thought it was–but! A wonderful and generous editor, Kate Duffy, took the time to write me a detailed letter explaining WHY it was so ugly and what I could do about it. I sat down at the computer, opened a blank file and wrote that book over from scratch, using not one sentence from the original manuscript, just using the same idea and same characters–and sent it back.
In November 1992, a few months after I sent that book back to Meteor–and thirteen months after I’d stood at the kitchen sink and vowed I was going to write NOW–Kate Duffy bought my book. NEVER SAY GOODBYE was published in May 1993.
After that, I completely rewrote the first book I’d sent to Silhouette Romance and sold it–to Silhouette Romance!–who didn’t think it was so ugly anymore. Then I went on to write for lots of other lines that folded up just like Meteor Kismet Romance did a couple of months after my first book came out. I am the Fiery Kiss of Death. I’ve written for seven lines and all but the line I’m currently writing for have folded up shop. ALL I HAVE TO DO TO KILL A LINE IS SELL TO IT.
And so now, the answer to yesterday’s contest question is: 28! First person to guess 28: Anna! Anna, send me your address! You’ve won a PAX t-shirt! Other people who guessed 28 after Anna and who win an autographed book of their choice: Elizabeth M, Ruby55, R. Marie, Laurie, Cheryl (the one with the hotmail address), Alyssa, Marcy, Julia, and Robyn. Look for my book titles here (scroll down to see the book list) and send me your addresses and your pick! (And if I missed anyone who also guessed 28, please tell me!)
Now for today’s giveaway!
When I was twelve, I read my first romance novel. It was a Harlequin Romance. I already knew I wanted to be a writer when I grew up, but I didn’t know what I wanted to write. Well, the instant I laid my hands on that first Harlequin Romance, the heavens opened, a choir of angels sang, and a light shined down upon me. I WAS GOING TO WRITE ROMANCE. I loved Harlequin Romances all through my teens. I was going to go to London, drive a Mini, marry a tall, dark, dangerous man with no POV of his own (remember how in those old Harlequin Romances we never got into the hero’s head?). This week it was announced that Harlequin Romance, along with Silhouette Romance, will cease publication after next year. I feel like my Mini just got totalled. I’m particularly sad about Harlequin Romance dying–the line that made me fall in love with romance and inspired my life’s dream. It’s truly the great-grandma of romance. :love:
So in homage to Harlequin Romance and Silhouette Romance, today I’ll give away your pick of my three Silhouette Romances. All you have to do is raise your hand, tell me which one you want! (Click here and scroll down to see the Silhouette Romance titles.) I’ll give away 20 (if that many people want one). If you don’t want one, please still stay and tell me about the first romance novels you fell in love with, and why. I’ll have my daughter draw one name randomly from today’s comments to win a PAX mug! (You don’t have to ask for a book to be in the running for the PAX mug.)
Today is the last day of the “Celebrating My New Design” contests, but please stick around and talk to me! I love your company and your comments! I’ll be running another week of silly games and giveaways in June leading up to the release of my first PAX book. And finally, I want to say a BIG thank you to everyone who participated this week–you made this so much fun! Thank you!!!:bananadance:
Posted by Suzanne McMinn | Permalink
