Spring has sprung!

PS Not the view outside my window, this is of St, Thomas in the Virgin Islands. One of my favorite places.

Outside my window it looks like Spring has finally come to Michigan. And with it the robins, the starlings, the rabbits and the skunks. Yup, every year we get the rabbits setting up shop under the deck, and the occasional skunk who would like to rid them of their home. My vote is for the rabbits.

Hard to believe it’s almost April. Where has the time gone? For me, it’s been spent writing, writing and more writing. And I am loving every minute of it. But I did meander through the local bookstore on Friday and spent a little money helping our economy. It is so hard to go into the bookstore and not find a half a dozen or so titles I want to bring home. But I was a good girl this time. I only bought one book.

Lately I have found my reading to be so diversified. I’ve been reading every Silhouette Desire I can get my hands on, as well as books on astrological signs for my upcoming novella series that debuts August 1st, The Zodiac Club. And my friend Stephani loaned me a copy of Stolen Innocence, growing up in a polygamous sect, becoming a teenage bride, and breaking free of Warren Jeffs. So I’m all over the place this month with my reading. And sad to say but I am also looking forward to reading Brett Michaels autobiography. Oh yeah and the next Jude Deveraux release as well.

What about you? What’s on your to be read list? Hopefully my books. (G) But if not, that’s okay too. There are so many excellent authors out there to choose from. You can go broke just trying.

I’m looking forward to breaking out the lawn chairs, and sitting on the deck while the sun shines (it will do that in Michigan eventually) and reading. That’s my favorite thing to do next to having a ton of friends over for a bbq. Then we all sit around and discuss what we’re reading, writing and doing.

But until that time, all I can do is dream of warm days, cold drinks and beautiful sunny skies. Till next time, Patti

Interview with Jenna Peteresen

I am pleased to showcase fellow Greater Detroit RWA chapter member Cheryl Smith and her interview with Jenna Petersen in the Heart of Detroit newsletter. Jenna will be coming to speak at the Greater Detroit RWA Chapter on Tuesday, February 17th. Jenna is a historical romance author for Avon Books and also writes erotic romance for Red Sage as Jess Michaels.

Enjoy!

Chick Chat with Cheryl Smith… Jenna Petersen

Jenna Petersen is a multi-published Avon historical romance author and also writes erotic romance for Avon Red and for Red Sage as Jess Michaels. She also speaks to chapters and will be discussing “The Anatomy of a Love Scene" at our February meeting. I'd like to thank her for her time and look forward to her workshop!


We as authors usually have an author or book, something, that started our love of the romance genre and inspired us to try to pen our own first novel. What made you decide to become a writer?
Well, back in first grade I actually won a Young Authors contest for my school. I always wanted to write. However, I came to romance pretty late in life. I didn’t really start reading them until after I started writing them. I really fell in love with Julia Quinn and that set me off to romance. Many authors have a first novel they’d rather not have the world see but took satisfaction in getting to “The End” anyway, just to prove they could actually complete a book. Do you have a manuscript tucked away you hope never sees the light of day?
I have about twelve manuscripts like that. I think you learn a lot about writing from writing and I definitely did that! If one of your books was made into a movie, which hero would you like to see portrayed on the big screen and what actor would you love to see play him, and why? I think Justin from LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN (July 2008) would be a beautiful thing to see on screen. I always picture him as Julian McMahon. Actually, the cover of LESSONS was inspired by an h-o-t photo of JM. As you can attest, Avon is a premier publisher of historical romance. Can you tell us how you felt when you got “the call” and how long you’ve been with Avon?
Actually, my first sale story is good. My husband had been on a very dangerous whitewater rafting trip and had gone a little… missing. I spent Monday, September 20th calling everyone in the universe trying to find him and picturing all the horrible things that could have happened to him (bad imagination… BAD!!). So he called me finally at 6pm. There had been an accident, the guide had been pretty badly hurt, but was ultimately okay. There was no signal, so he couldn’t call while they waited for evict to take the injured guy out. So I cried and he headed home (long drive). He pulled in the driveway at about 6am on September 21 and I hugged him and said, “I think that’s enough excitement for the rest of my life.”

Flash forward about five hours and the phone rang. It was my fabulous agent, Miriam Kriss, telling me I’d had an offer for two books from Avon. That was September 21, 2004 and my first book, SCANDALOUS, came out in October 2005. Since you write as both Jenna Petersen and Jess Michaels, you must be very organized to keep it all straight, and very busy. Do you ever hit a wall where you’d like to burn your computer and how to you get past writer’s block?
I don’t really believe in writer’s block. If I’m blocked I either just need to write through until I hit a “good” spot, or I’ve messed something up along the way, so I need to backtrack a little and figure that out.
The awesome part about writing under the two names is that it almost gives me a break of sorts. Generally, I write a Jenna and then move to a Jess. It gives my brain a little shift, which helps keep me fresh.
I also find that taking a break when I can between books (usually a couple of weeks before I get really antsy) or traveling with my husband and completely unplugging… that keeps the love for writing really visceral and fresh.It seems like every author has experienced a crazy fan, or dealt with someone who has made a snarky comment about their books or the romance genre in general. Have you ever had anything strange happen to you directly relating to your publishing career? Oh gosh, definitely. Amazon removed a review for my first book that basically said that I shouldn’t be allowed to live for writing such a crappy book. I didn’t feel like it was a threat, but apparently Amazon did (I didn’t report it, I figure people are allowed to have their opinion). That’s probably my best story, but there are definitely more. I’ve tried to develop a thick skin about it; sometimes it’s harder than others. But it’s one of those things you just… do. For self-preservation. Do you have an agent, and if so, do you feel having one is beneficial to keeping up the business aspect of your career while giving you more freedom to focus on the creative end? Do you think an agent is helpful when targeting a big publisher like Avon? I do and the woman is a saint. Seriously… the things she puts up with. Really, though, I think especially with the big houses like Avon or the other NYC houses, you have to have an agent. You can make a deal yourself, of course, but there is so much else an agent does. From dealing with contracts to being a buffer between you and your editor when problems arise, to helping you plan a career to moving you from one house to another… there are a million reasons to have a publishing professional on your side. Finding the right one is really the key.


There are many myth’s that go around about publishers, like if you misuse a comma your manuscript will be instantly rejected or that editors use manuscripts to prop up the uneven corners of their desks and don’t read them at all. What is the biggest myth you’ve discovered wasn’t true about editors since you became published? Before I published I was so, so scared of editors and agents. Seriously, I never pitched, I felt so uncomfortable around them. And… they are just people. Really nice people generally. Now I have nice, normal conversations about things outside of writing… and I think I would have been a happier unpub if I’d been able to do that before hand. When you aren’t working, what do you like to do for fun? Not… working? What is this not working you speak of?
No, seriously, we’ve been traveling a lot. Last year we went to China, which was amazing. We also went to Seattle, Hawaii and a bunch of other places. This year we’ll be spending some extra time together in DC after the conference. So traveling and spending time with my husband is really important to me. If you could go back to any time in history for a month, when would it be? What modern convenience would you miss most? I’d probably go back to the Regency, since that’s the period I write in. It would be cool to experience it… but only for a while. I would miss toothpaste. Shampoo. And INTERNET!! Could you imagine wearing corsets and hoops for a week much less your entire adult life? Well, luckily there wasn’t much of that in the Regency. They were much more comfortable undergarment-wise. But seriously, all the clothing stuff would be tough. I am such a jeans and socks girl.What books do you have coming up?
2009 is CRAZY for me. In January, the anthology A RED HOT VALENTINE’S DAY was released. It features a novella under my Jess Michaels name, “By Valentine’s Day”. Then on March 31, my next historical, HER NOTORIOUS VISCOUNT is out. April 21, TABOO (Jess Michaels) hits shelves. And to end the year, in November 2009 I begin a series called The Billingham Bastards with the book WHAT THE DUKE DESIRES.
So busy, busy, busy. And I’m so excited that going to Detroit is going to be part of my busy year!

Cheryl Smith is published in short romance fiction, a multiple contest finalist, and member of The Greater Detroit RWA. You can find her short stories at thewildrosepress.com. www.cherylannsmith.com

Happy Holidays One and All!

Well, it’s just a little over a day before Xmas and I can safely say all my shopping is done, my wrapping done and my presents to the family are under the tree. That leaves just the big family meal on Thursday. Tomorrow is crunch day. I’ll make stuffing, bake pies, and get my game plan ready right down to the tiniest detail. I even have the ingredients all set aside for gorilla bread on Christmas morning once we open presents.

This year is a tad bittersweet. My 23 yr. old son is home on leave from the Army. As soon as he goes back January 3rd, they will start Deployment Training. He is headed to Iraq in June 2009 unless they are pulled for Afghanistan earlier. Trust me; this is not something a mother wants to hear right before the holidays. But I have known about it since August and it doesn’t make it any easier. My hat and heart go out to all the families with children in the military. My son hasn’t even left yet and I’m a basket case. I know he can’t come back home before then, and I hope I am going to be able to get to his base before he deploys to say goodbye.

Where did my little boy go? My youngest that had the sweetest brown eyes, brown hair and the most adorable belly laugh. The eyes are still brown, the hair has been shaved per to military regulations, and the laugh is more mature. Now instead of mothers say what an adorable boy he is, its teenage girls and older admiring his ‘baby browns.” (G) And that’s the last thing a mother wants to know. What can I say, he’s my baby boy!

So, this year we’ll celebrate and rejoice that the immediate family is all together. My 25 yr. old daughter lives less than 20 miles away and she will be here with her fiancé to celebrate. The rest of the family will be over in the afternoon, though there really aren’t too many left. My grandparents are in their late 80’s, my mother and stepfather don’t drive down from northern Michigan because of weather and other issues, my sister and her family live on the other side of town and have their own traditions to deal with. But we will see my aunt and uncle who live about 15 minutes away and they will bring my grandparents along with them for the afternoon. So with limited relatives to celebrate, this means more turkey leftovers for me.

I envy those with big boisterous families and wish mine were more like that. But we can’t always have what we wish for. Yet there are things we can wish for and receive. A son proud to serve his country in what ever way they need him. A daughter still willing to go out with her parents and laugh hysterically as they make fools of themselves. A husband willing to put up with his wife’s ‘menopause mood swings” and a wife wiling to put up with the every Sunday and all the time sports habit of her husband. (Hubby, son, daughter, future son-in-law are out tonight watching the Detroit Pistons as I type this.)

So to each and every one of you out there, enjoy your family, enjoy your holiday meal and most of all, Happy New Year!
Patti

After Thanksgiving Turkey Talk

Hey everyone, I hope you had a fantastic holiday with your loved ones and ate tons of turkey! I know I did.

I’m not the speediest at updating my blog but that is going to change right now. It’s high time I kept you all in the know on me, my writing life, my writing friends and more. In the coming months you’ll see guest bloggers, links to writing related sites and other writers, and info to keep you in the know.

I am ending this month with a promise to do just that. As such I’ve included a few sites that are near and dear to me. First and foremost, the Greater Detroit RWA website www.gdrwa.org . This is my home RWA chapter. And I am now in my final year as President. I have been on the board for a total of 11 years, not all in a row though. Egads!! This will also be my final year as the Booksellers Best Award Chair. While I love both the chapter and the contest we sponsor for published authors, it’s time for me to take a backseat and heckle the new board from the crowd (G) and turn the reins over to another competent chapter member for the BBA. But don’t worry; neither event will take place till September of 2009.

Another link that is very near and dear to my heart is this one - http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/tpc/ERA_112908_ARS Once there, I also click on the other tabs and do the click through to give free food, mammograms, books, whatever is there I'll click on it.

And of course you can’t forget this holiday timewaster. (G) http://www.elfmovie.com/snowball-fight.html I know I have spent more than my fair share of time on this one. I have made it to Level 3, but only twice. (G)

Ok, ok, I get the message. What about the other important sites out there? I frequent all my favorite writer’s sites, I frequent the agent’s websites and I also pop in and out at the publisher sites as well. But in the past month this is where I’ve been checking things out.
www.eharlequin.com For news on Harlequin and Silhouette books
www.stephanihecht.com A GDRWA author and friend
www.michellecelmer.com A GDRWA author and friend
www.lucymonroe.com Lucy spoke at our GDRWA chapter in Sept 08
www.lucygordon.com I am a big fan of Lucy’s Harlequin Presents
www.thewildrosepress.com This is my publisher’s website
www.devinedestinies.com This is also my publisher’s website.
http://www.bradfordlit.com/ Agent website
http://www.threeseaslit.com/ Agent website
www.evangelinecollins.com A new and upcoming author
www.brendanovak.com Love the auction Brenda runs in the spring each year
www.starrambrose.com A dear friend with her debut release out now Lie To Me

I could list hundreds more for you to explore, but I also know that you all have favorite sites of your own that you visit on a regular basis. Drop me a note and let me know what they are. Sharing is a good thing.

Well, to all my near and dear writing friends out there, I’m off to write. Playing is fun but it doesn’t pay the bills. At least I haven’t found a way for it to do so. Take care everyone.
Patti

Procrastination!

The above title says it all. Webster's Dictionary defines procrastination as to put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done.

Me, I define it as what I do when I want to be doing anything other than writing. Laundry, scrubbing toiles, sorting through old papers. You name it, I'll find an excuse to do it and not write. (G)

Well, that was me today to a tee! Actually, it was only the morning that I was avoiding writing. Once a year our small town puts on the Taste of Clarkston. This is when all the local businesses and restaurants get together and have a street fair. You buy a book of ten for $10.00 and sample food from the restaurants. I plunked down my $10.00, got my ten tickets and off I went.

Now, I was not alone in this adventure. Along for the sampling was my friend Stephani, her 7 yr old daughter Joie, her 15 yr old son Cody, my 25 yr old daughter Amanda, and her 24 yr old fiance James. We ate our way up and down the street, heard the band play, admired all the dogs on leashes and then we spotted it. The spray paint your hair booth. Yup, a salon was spray painting streaks in your hair for free. Joie was the first to get colored. She chose red, purple, blue, and pink. Then I figured what the heck - so I asked the gal for just one nice chunk streak in my bangs. Low and behold minutes later, I was green, burgundy, purple and glittered. My daughter was loving this and then she ended up getting hot pink highlights! We had a blast. And no you will not be seeing a picture of this on my blog anytime soon (G).

Ok, this is what I mean, procratsion at its finest!!! I came home with good intentions of writing and found myself doing everything possible to avoid the keyboard today. I cooked, I cleaned, I talked on the phone, you name it. But while I was doing all this I also realized that I was talking aloud to myself and working my way through snags in my current work in progress. It's funny because at times like this I have been known to write my best pages, spill out serious angst and heart wrenching emotional pages that might not have been drawn from me otherwise.

I am also very good at walking away from the computer and picking up the trusty old pen and paper to write. I really enjoy putting the words on paper and crossing things off and rewriting and seeing it happen before my eyes. In fact, that's how I am writing my blog. It is all down on paper before me - bright neon green and orange recycled pieces of paper. Just like my highlights!

While I was bad for the first half of today, I am now being good and catching up on my pages for the day. So far, I'm at 4 and counting. Oh yeah and I made homemade mac and cheese for dinner too. (G)

Thanks for listening, I'm off to write.
Patti

Dog Days of Summer

Well, I don't know if it's true or not, but these are definitely the dog days of summer. At least to me, that is. While I enjoy summer, I don't enjoy temps in the high 80's and low 90's. But I should be thankful we have sunshine at all. We have also had a lot of rain here in Michigan.
I hope you are all having a fabulous summer, enjoying time with friends and family, vacations and weekend trips. Anything that involves rest and relaxation.

I just got back from five glorious days in San Francisco at the Romance Writers of America National Conference. What a beautiful city! Did some sightseeing which included Alcatraz, Angel Island and the sea lions at Fisherman's Wharf. Also shared good meals and great company with other authors that I only see once a year.

Over the coming weeks, I will be sharing some of what I learned at conference. And of course I'll be busy getting my own projects ready for submission to editors and agents. The Greater Detroit Chapter held their own award ceremony for the Booksellers Best Award. We were up again some stiff competition on Thursday night as some of the publishers held their own parties, and other chapter functions were going on as well. But it was great to meet, greet, and present some of our winners with their BBA pins and posters. You can see the complete list of winners and the poster at the www.gdrwa.org website under Contests.

More later, I'm off to finish chores. The mower is calling and I offered (silly girl) to help out with the yardwork this week since hubby is working 7 days straight! Keep those fingers flying, Patti

Happy Summer! Well it looks as though summer is finally here in Michigan. We went from temp's in the 50's to temp's in the 90's in the past two weeks! Yuck! But stick around five minutes and it's sure to change. (G)

My writing has gotten off to a slow start this month. Last Sunday my hard drive crashed and burned, taking with it literally over 100 of my document's, jpgs, pdf's, personal photos and items I can't replace no matter how hard I try. So take warning, back everything up! I hadn't done a back-up in about 6-8 months and really hurt myself with the loss. So learn from a dummy, BACK EVERYTHING UP! I had to learn this the hard way, and to top it all off my computer will be in the shop two weeks getting the hard drive replaced. (Insert big sigh here) But my daughter and her fiancee were kind enough to loan me their pc in the interim. So I'm now saving everything on my jump drives, burning things to cd and generally being smart (G)

But I will persevere. Next month I am off to RWA National to reconnect with authors I haven't seen in a few years, pitch to an agent and an editor, present awards at the Booksellers Best Award Ceremony, and sit in on fabulous workshops to get my creative muse up and running at full speed.

And in the next week or two I hope to hear a release date for The Laird's Lady from The Wild Rose Press. This book was truly a book of my heart to write and one I hope you will all enjoy. You can read an excerpt for this one and all my books on my website. For right now, if you'd like a great read with a fabulous sea captain hero, please check out The Captain's Wench from Devine Destinies. You can learn more about it and even read an excerpt on my web page at www.pattishenberger.com

Ahoy maties, till next time!
Patti