So, this is what 2012 is like… *walks around* *sniffs the air*
Okay, not too bad so far. No rejections at least so that’s something. Still, the year is but a nipper which means there’s plenty of time for Rs to come rolling in… Sigh. Positive much?
On the up side, my New Year started beautifully and romantically with the wedding of very dear and close friends of mine. It was organised in a week, the bride made her own bouquet out of felt and wire, drove herself to the wedding, and cleaned up afterwards (along with her new husband and guests!). Even though there was no notice to speak of and it was in the middle of the summer holidays, 65 people still turned up, all bringing a plate of nibbles to share! It was about 3 hours from start to finish and although my friends would shudder with horror at the very mention of them being romantic (they’re far too practical) I actually secretly thought they were. Very romantic. ๐ It quite inspired me to write.ย
I was also pleasantly surprised a couple of days later to meet someone who, when they asked me what I did, burst into a happy shriek and confessed that she was a romance reader and had just bought herself a whole stack of Mills and Boon to read over the holidays. Now since confessing to reading romance in NZ is somewhat akin to confessing you like torturing small animals in your spare time, it was really great to meet another like-minded individual and have a chat about how there was nothing wrong with it! The reading romance, not the torturing of small animals…. Ahem. Of course my unromantic friend (whom we were staying with) then told the romance reader she should read my writing. And you know what? I said no. Because I found out I’m actually quite sensitive about people reading my stuff when it’s not really ready. And the story I was working on wasn’t ready. Plus it had a billionaire in it and this lady didn’t like alpha billionaires (though I mean really, come on, what’s wrong with an alpha billionaire I ask you??).ย
Still, I was moderately tempted to show her because it has been a story I’ve been enjoying writing. Quite a bit actually. And the billionaire isn’t really a billionaire, he’s a prince. And the heroine is a bodyguard who’s one tough chick. It’s the kind of story that makes you feel quite pleased with yourself for like….oh, at least the next five minutes. ๐ Or until the R rolls in. But it would have been quite interesting for someone I don’t know that well to have a look at it and see what she thought. Then again, she might have hated it because it does require some buy-in from the reader to make the fantasy work…
I guess that’s a whole other post though.
Still, a wedding and a nice chat about romance were perfect starts to my year. What about yours?
HAPPY NEW YEAR, JACKIE!!! I’m glad you’ve started the year off so fabulously. May you have a great 2012!
Your start to the year was MUCH better than mine! I had gastro!!! Hope 2012 is awesome for you my dear friend! x
Lacey – You too!!
Rach – hugs on the bug, m’dear. It’s only uphill from there, y’know it. ๐
Happy New Year Jackie – sincerely hoping that 2012 will be your year!
Ohhh I’m liking the sound of your WIP. Want to share? Only joking – I’m like you NO-ONE but trusted critique partners (and then it’s hard to let go) gets to read my WIP’s! It’s too painful – like the first day your kidlet goes to school. You are in tears more than they are at letting go! Your wedding sounded lovely – how romantic and spontaneous – and I bet the stress levels were nil. Caroline x
Scarlet – I’ve been thinking that every year. Gotta be right once eh??
Caroline – Oh, glad you like it! Funnily enough, I have no problems with letting the CPs see it (though I get a little nervous) but this time… I dunno. ๐ And yeah, stress levels were definitely nil!
Like I said Ms A, you have been missed.
What a lovely way to start a year – with a wedding! 2012 is going to be my year……for writing and editing and learning and crafting and enjoying and skill expanding and risk taking. 2012 is about building foundations – in my confidence as a writer and in my skills levels and then we’ll see if those foundations are strong enough to support a successful structure in 2013.
But, as always, I will be following your story closely. Happy New Year mon ami!
Elissa – I like the sound of your 2012. Maybe I’ll join you in laying the foundations. Happy NY back ya, sweetie.
Happy New Year, Jackie! I love the sound of that wedding, it sounds actually really romantic. And meeting a romance reader in ‘real life’ rather than virtual was great! I don’t know why people say ‘romance’ with that snooty tone, but they do to me, all the time.
Happy New Year, Jax! The whole “DIY”wedding does sound so romantic and since it was over in 3 hrs, I hope the happy couple got loads of quality time to spend with each other ๐
On the stories…:gulp: there’s loads of revelations that does happen all along the way and after the sale…well…that’s when we actually learn how much of a newbie we “still” are! So, giving your WIP to read to strangers (or even friends) is a strict no-no in my book…and I can totally relate to what you feel!
Here’s hoping for a fab year ahead!
Sally – hey there girl! Yeah, the snooty tone REALLY annoys me too. As does the ‘so, when are you going to write something else?’ question. ๐
Ju – hi there! Well, no, they didn’t have time to spend with each other – mainly because we were staying with them. hehe. Yep, fab years all round huh?
2012 is going to be stunning. It is going to be THE YEAR no doubt about it.
What a lovely start re the wedding. Just last week my teen daughter pointed out she has never been to a wedding in her life, could one of her older brothers please get married!
Poor thing. The first wedding she’ll get to will probably be her own. I don’t know anyone getting wed at all.
All the best for the year ahead, Jackie.
Ooh, I love the idea of a tough bodyguard chick. This had better be The One, because I want to buy this and read it already!
Hi Jo! Lovely to hear from you! THE year? ๐ Not sure about that. But I remain secretely hopefuly. Could be a good one for both of us with any luck. ๐
Lol on your daughter!
Romy – hey you! Well, I like her. And so does my hero. But I’m not counting any chickens at all (at least trying not to).