Travel Tip

Most you probably know this, and possibly do it, but I've found for road trips, renting a car is a great way to make my own car last longer. Last weekend I made a quick trip to Seattle for a family wedding and rented a Toyota Prius. My first time behind the wheel of a hybrid!
The gas mileage is awesome, but there is a learning curve--a slight one--when you're handed a key bob with no key! I pressed the unlock button, slid behind the wheel and searched for the key. I pressed the sides of the black gadget hoping the key would flip out like a switch blade. Nothing.
Finally I found an attendant...a nice young man who thought he was dealing with a geriatric:) and  he kindly pointed out the key is wireless...something like my iPhone WiFi connection! What a novelty. I followed his instructions, laid the gadget in the cup holder, pressed my foot  on the break and pushed the power button on the dash. The dash display flashed all the information you can imagine and the electric motor made not a sound:)

This is old hat for those of you with hybrid vehicles, but very exciting for someone driving a seven year old Subaru Outback with a regular key, engine and gear shift! Don't get me wrong, I love my Subaru, but it was fun to try out the current technology.

Renting a car for your road trip isn't only a great way to save mileage on your car, but a great way to test drive the latest and greatest!

Just Plain Lucky update

Okay, so I'm terrible at blogging like I should, but I have been busy writing! The galley's for Just Plain Lucky arrived on Tuesday, just as I sat down on my 2nd day  of vacation to work on my new manuscript I'm calling, The New Adventure, at least for now:)

But that's all right! At least I had a couple of days to go through the galley's and make the correction list. They are now winging their way back to my wonderful editor:)

Please check out my facebook page at tesa.devyn1@facebook.com  for a twitter post I found explaining the difference between, which and that. All those little things writer's need to be reminded of!

Romance is Real...

Romance is real...ever get tired of people putting down the romance genre..stating life isn't really that way, it's just escapism? Well in the first place, what is wrong with escaping the cares of our everyday life once in a while? People who read crime novels, mystery, westerns, etc., are all escaping their everyday life too.
Do non-romance readers really know what lays between page one and the last page...the happily ever after? It's the journey of a man and woman who have pasts, who have challenges, wounds to heal, money problems, family problems, maybe work in a job they don't like, or isn't their dream career, want a solid relationship but can't find the right person? Find the right person but their past haunts them to the point of endangering the possibility of moving forward with Mr or Mrs Right? 


Sound familiar? 


That's because it is real life, and it's addressed in our modern romance books. We're not fluff and fantasy. We deal with the real issues but in a way that lends hope to the reader, and the character to find that right fit, that right person to share their life with. 
I can attest to there being a happily ever after...not a life without issues and conflict, but a life where you keep learning and keep falling deeper in love with your partner. Today is the 40th anniversary with my Mr. Right and it becomes more right everyday:) Never give up on the romance genre or on your own romance.  

Where has the time gone? Since my last post in April, a lot has happened. I continue the marketing for Dangerous Disguise www.thewildrosepress.com with a book signing at www.powine.com and one on one sales.
On June 18th, I was thrilled to receive an offer for contract on my 2nd book, Just Plain Lucky. I am lucky to work with The Wild Rose Press once again.
When I got home that night I started to share my good news with my husband and he held up an envelope from TWRP...my first royalty check! I totally did not expect to receive one since my book released on March 23rd and the quarter ended March 31.
 Now I'm marketing DD and working on the blurb and other items needed to put JPL together. Soon, I'll receive the edits from my editor. Somewhere in my schedule I continue to work on my current work in progress.
In the works is a new look for my blog. I plan to customize it into a regular website and include more of my favorite subjects, such as travel, cooking, gardening and tidbits about other interests. Oh yes, eating,  and hotspots in my area you simply have to try!

Lucky 7!

Griffin Asher tagged me on my facebook, so I'm going to tag 7 people..here's how it works: go to your current work in progress, to page 77, count down 7 lines, then copy the next 7 lines. Paste them in your blog, webpage, or facebook and tag 7 ppl! Here's my new adventure not yet formally named:

“Gracie.” Rianna mouthed the name.

Ben held up his hand for her to wait and angled his head to better listen to the sounds in the bedroom. 

Gracie knocked on the bathroom door. Rianna jumped. Ben looped his arm around her and pressed her face to his chest. No, Krol. He couldn’t take advantage of the situation and touch  her the way he wanted to. 

“Ria? I hope that’s you in the bathroom.” Gracie's voice quavered.

Driving to or from Seattle?

If you're making a trip to or from Seattle sometime soon, take a break for dinner or lunch at the Ellensburg Pasta Company! The food is delish and the service top notch. They've taken an old car dealership and transformed it into a quaint, upscale Italian food spot. They also offer Gluten Free items, which is a God-send for people like me who avoid Gluten, but love pasta and sauces!
Take the Ellensburg exit off I-90 onto the main drag, and all the way up to 6th ave. It's worth the drive off the highway and the stop.

Why I live in North Idaho!

Okay, so one reason is because I was born here, the other reason is because the core of my family are here, but the other??? You can't beat the surroundings, the people from here, the people who have gravitated here ,and the sheer quality of life. 
Tuesday, I stood at this spot at the top of a run, overlooking the breathtaking view I never tire of. The warm sun fed our souls as my friends and I skied the 'back side' of Schweitzer Mountain. Every so often we had to stop and just breathe in the alpine scents and the view. (okay, so my legs were tired too) All I could say was, "ahhhhhh, we're so lucky to work, live and play here! Come on folks, it's time for some premium spring skiing!

The first book signing!

Last Saturday was my first book signing! Located at Gourmandie, the gourmet food and wine shop at Schweitzer Mountain Resort, the turn out and support humbled me. Dear friends, co-workers who are quickly becoming friends and even someone I'd just met, bought my book and wished me well on my writing career. Three days later, two of the group thrilled me when they said they'd already read Dangerous Disguise and loved the story! All the hours of writing, re-writing, editing, the highs, the lows, all wrap up in a tingling package of appreciate!

The next book

I apologize if this title is a repeat...it probably is, as I've sent off the next book a couple of times now.
But I hope this is the last revision of Just Plain Lucky, and the editor and publisher like what I've done with it.
I really like this story, from the location in Northwestern Montana, to the struggle of a single mother, supporting her daughter, both mentally and emotionally. From finding love, to settling crisis from the past that just won't leave her alone, JLP has been very rewarding to create and I've become very attached to the characters.

If I've done my job well, Just Plain Lucky will see the light of day and I'll be able to share Liana Campbell's story with you!

When you see the printed copy:)

Yesterday, UPS arrived with the shipment of Dangerous Disguise I ordered for personal sales and book signings. Funny how you feel when you've anticipated something for awhile, something almost too good to believe! I carried the boxes into the kitchen, and in Kate McShane fashion, slit box open with a long butcher knife:) Or would Janet Malone be more apt to do that? Either way, I opened the box and there were my books in lovely shades of purple and brown, Kate McShane's image staring into a mirror with a pensive look on her face.
It's so different when your words are in print, bound in book fashion with a shiny cover. Your name across the front. When you can hold it in your hands, it all become real...and frightening as hell! The pressure is on...I have to sell these puppies and even more. I have to promote and talk up my business as Tesa Devlyn if I want it to succeed. And I do! I hope you're able to read a copy and that you get as attached to the characters as I did:)

More Juggling...still waiting for the rhythm to set in:a

I started this blog to share the ups and downs, ins and outs of writing and maintaining your family, interests and the pesky job most of us have to work. Oh, don't get me wrong, I really like my job and all the people I work with, but after forty hours a week, it's sometimes a challenge to pull out the energy to write.

Once you've sold, there's another juggling act; marketing the first book, while you revise the next and start the third. Switching gears isn't always easy. I'm finding I have to portion my time, so my stories don't get jumbled in my mind. I have to keep telling myself I don't have to rewrite the book coming out in print soon, and I only have to tweak the next one...and create the third one...well you get the picture. Sometimes I hit a wall where all I want to do is go out in the sunshine and walk off my tension. Not a bad idea either! Sometimes that's exactly what I need.

The main point? Don't give up...keep working and finding better ways to organize your time. Find niche's to work on each project and the biggest piece of advice? Never forget; Hey man, you just sold a book!!!

Release Date!!

I say this every time I manage to log onto my blog and write a few words, but I can't believe nearly a month has gone by without blogging. I'm still not good at this marketing thing...but one thing I can share and am extremely excited about; Dangerous Disguise is being released March 23! This month!
I've already ordered books for signings so will keep everyone updated on the locations and times. The Wild Rose Press continues to be fabulous to work with. For anyone who thinks an "E" publisher doesn't help market your book, hasn't worked with TWRP.

I just received a letter from the marketing department requesting more information so THEY can better market my book.
Yesterday, the publisher sent out an email inviting authors to sign up with iTunes and Android for marketing on the down loaded copies. TWRP is sponsoring a retreat on a working ranch next fall, complete with workshops, horseback riding and relaxation. I feel truly blessed to have sold my first novel and to work with such an upstanding, professional company!

Keeping all the balls in the air

When you send a manuscript for consideration, don't feel bad about emailing the editor if you don't receive a confirmation of receipt. Technology isn't always dependable. I emailed suggested changes on January 19th, and didn't check back when my very communicative editor didn't respond. This morning I woke with a sick feeling she never received it, and I was right! Well, I resent, so here we go:) Thank goodness she still wanted to see it! A perfect example of following up and not getting lost in balancing this crazy writer's life!

Missing in Action

The life of a writer who also works full time can be so crazy! I've sadly neglected my blog and facebook page, but HAVE been writing! I have some great updates in my writing world...Dangerous Disguise, which is coming out March 23rd, will be part of a two page spread by The Wild Rose Press in Romantic Times Magazine's Mat 2012 edition. I've seen the proofs and it looks great!
Of course, I paid for the ad, but I consider it a worthy cost of doing business.

Since writing, I also heard from the publisher/editor to whom I submitted Just Plain Lucky, and she asked for the entire manuscript for review. Exciting stuff! I'm anxious to read what she thinks of the book and if it's something she wants to take on.

Part of the life of a writer is juggling projects...marketing for the book coming out; waiting for the next one submitted and writing the first draft of the new book. Time is of the essence to keep the momentum from sagging. My goal is to get the new story roughed before I hear about JPL, and at that point, do edits for this editor or shop for another. I hope it's working with this editor:)
Have a great day!!