RWA Needs 2B Proactive

I’m going to RWA’s National conference this coming week, and I was going to leave Friday evening to come home, but I answered the call for volunteers, and I’m moderating a workshop on Friday AND Saturday. I’ve got a jam-packed schedule, but there’s one circus I won’t miss, and that’s the AGM, where members are trying to get the Board to support a resolution for change in RWA.

I support several of the changes in the document that’s being presented at the meeting, although I don’t agree with the wording of the resolution. But at the heart of the matter, I do support the change these RWA members are attempting to make within the organization. However, I do have a STRONG problem with one issue related to the proposed changes. The changes being requested have been shaped not only by RWA members, but by NON-RWA members too. These non-members appear to have had a lot of say in the development of the things they want to see changed in the organization.

I’ve always spoken up for policy change in RWA. I also firmly believe in and support the dissemination of information to ALL published authors no matter their publication medium. However, I have to confess that I resent individuals who are trying to shape RWA policy without paying RWA dues. And there are SEVERAL people doing this, people I know from different loops who over the years have sneered at RWA on a regular basis. Now I’ve sneered at RWA, but I’ve PAID for that right, these other individuals haven’t. It’s like that old adage, if you don’t vote, you don’t get to complain. In this case, if you don’t belong, you don’t get a say in policy change. Put your money where your mouth is.

I strongly believe that allowing non-RWA members offer up commentary on RWA policy change weakens the position of those working toward a change. Small press/ePub authors already have a hard row to hoe without the input of individuals who don't belong. It seriously negates the validity of the resolution that's being proposed. It would be like me going into a business I don't have stake in and helping someone develop new operational guidelines WITHOUT the organization paying me as a qualified consultant.

One of the things I've advocated for over the years has been one thing. INFORMATION. I've not always been succinct about it, but it's always been at the heart of every arguement I've made about RWA. I firmly believe that many of these brouhahas, could be eliminated or reduced to a whisper if RWA woull just give members information. When people know the full story, they either will understand and not protest OR they'll put their heads together and come up with a way that can make a policy change work (something RWA Change is really trying to do).

I understand there are certain rules the organization has to follow, but unless I know what the scenarios are related to those rules, I’m operating in the dark when I support or protest policy change. Not only that, but RWA is expecting me to just sit back and let the Board decide what's best for me. Ummm, I'm an adult, I don't need a mother.

So….determined to make the Board hear me, I wrote a lengthy email outlining why I think RWA needs to get its act together. By that, I mean I that instead of being reactive every time a bruhahaha erupts on the loops or outside of the loops, the Board needs to proactively provide solid documentation on the RWA website that explains why things are the way they are.

For example, the RITAs are a big bone of contention for a lot of ePub authors. I’ve said here that it pisses me off that outsiders can enter the RITAs, but small press/ePub authors can’t unless their book meets certain criteria. Natalie pointed out in one of our discussions that there was a reason for outsiders to enter the contest. I don't recall whether she knew the specific details or not, but I sure as hell don't remember what they are even if she explained it, which brings me right back to the issue I harp on constantly. INFORMATION. Why is it so difficult for the organization to provide it?? Particularly in this day and age.

We've got an organizational website, why the hell don't we use it. *banging head on desk* Let's face it, in an organization of 10K+ members, people are going to forget this and that, and unless the organization has a solid history archive, there’s no way in hell people are going to remember, let alone understand, why a certain policy has been written the way it is. It makes Board members come across as villians when they keep saying, "Imagine what would happen..." (can't tell you how TIRED I am of hearing that frigging phrase). Lack of information only creates headaches for everyone, people who want the status quo, people who want change, Board members, RWA staff.

So I informed the Board that they needed to save themselves and future Board members a lot of headache by using the RWA website for what it’s designed for, INFORMATION. I stated they needed to put up basic information for members that Board members, past Board members and other members could point to that explain policy shaping decisions. Of course, it can also serve to shoot holes in policy decisions down the road too, which is a good thing. It means the organization can grow and stay ahead of the curve. And it can eliminate a LOT of rumors, because it would be under member resources and anyone could verify the facts, thus pointing out where a change can be made or can't be made.

Here's a fictious example of a Historical Archive Entry that could be listed on the website.

ITA Contest Policy Change 1999
Jane Doe threatened to sue RWA because her entry wasn’t eligible for the contest. Jane Doe alleged that RWA rigs the contest by keeping non-RWA members out. Under advice of legal counsel, and to comply with Federal law, contest rules were changed to allow non-members to participate for XXX fee, which is higher than the membeship contest fee. Contest rules were subsequently changed to reflect this policy change.

That’s all it takes, just a brief, layman’s term explanation. I mean who’s going to argue with that? Ok, someone will, but the romance writers I know are reasonable people. I know the four of us here are smart, savvy women. We’d GET something like this. It’s logical. We might not like it, but we'd be railing at Jane Doe and the government, not RWA.

While I do believe there is a them vs. us mentality in the organization, I don’t think that’s ever going to go away. Let's face it, no matter how generous and thoughtful and kind romance writers are, it's a competitve business. Business always a bit of a hard edge to it. HOWEVER, if the membership has information out there that does or doesn’t support a particular policy POV, it gives members leverage in bringing change to the organization. Change that will benefit EVERYONE, and by everyone, I mean that the change can be positive, but it might not be the change some people (on either side of the fence) expect.

So I'm hoping the Board will take my suggestion to heart. I think that brouhahas are always a pain, particularly when they might be avoided if RWA would JUST SHOW US THE INFORMATION on why policy is what it is. It's logical, it's smart, and it's common sense.

Fast, Faster, Fastest

Time after time I hear readers ask authors to write faster. Most of us wish we could.

Nora Roberts publishes on average five books a year. For her it takes typically forty-five days. For others producing a novel takes months to a year. I can't tell you how many authors I've chatted with that are two years into their book.

There is always an issue between quality and quantity. I think we can all agree we would rather see quality then quantity. Not that both can't be obtained (as Nora shows us), but if we have to choose it would be quality.

Yet, tonight I want to talk quantity. Are you a prolific writer? How many words have you written in a day? How long does it take you to write a full length novel (65k and above)? How many books do you published a year?

I wrote Fallon's Revenge in one month. Lisa's Gift in three and a half weeks. Of course, it's also took me three months to write A Warrior's Witch which was only 18K. A Very Faery Christmas (15K) took me three days.

This weekend I put my nose to the grindstone and wrote 20k words in four days. That's an average of 5k a day! Actually I wrote 5k Thursday, 4.75k Friday, 6.25 Saturday, and Sunday I followed it up with 4k. I have to admit that I was floored by my achievement. In yet it didn't come without some cost.

Not only did I ignore the family this long weekend, I'm still suffering. My memory is shot. I can't pay attention to what I need to do and I'm exhausted. Since Sunday I've only written 1k. Some of that is that I work a fulltime job and by the time I get home I have no energy. Then of course there is the family to feed, animals to take care of, and the list goes on.

I'd love to hear your goals, successes, and if you've paid any prices for lighting the keys on fire. So let's chat.

Mac

I'm Growing Tired of Politics...

..no, not our country's politics but Romance Writers of America.

I'm gearing up to attend the conference next week. Part of the conference is the organization's annual general meeting. I know that lately there's been some flack and discontent among members - meaning I know about it, that it exists, but I'm not immersed in it or even aware of all the issues. Shame on me, right?

Years ago, I was greatly interested in the politics of the organization and greatly invested. To such an extent, I considered running for the National board. In fact, I was asked to step in by the then President when a board member had resigned before her term was up. No more. While I can't say I couldn't care less, I certainly don't care like I used to.

There are several reasons for this. One, my writing schedule is twice as demanding as it used to be, giving me far less free time. For anyone who's ever been remotely involved with RWA National politics, you will understand when I tell you that the emotional and physical toll is excruciating. It's a wonder the board members survive. It's a wonder they have a writing career left to go back to when their term is up.

Two, I weathered some extremely turbulent times in RWA's history while I was serving on the board of a local chapter. This included when Howard Lowery and, later, Tara Taylor Quinn were president. If any of you reading this post were members of RWA during those times, you know what I'm talking about. At one point during Howard's reign, I didn't go a day without receiving a call from an irate or incensed chapter member with an ax to grind and who refused to be satisfied until they'd bent my ear for a good thirty minutes. Trust me, it gets old after a while.

Three, I served on the Awards Ceremony Committee during the infamous Reno conference. Again, if you were a member and attended that conference, you know what hell I went through.

Four, I've unsubscribed from most of the email loops. In part because I'm busy and don't have time to read them. In part because I'm weary of the same argument being rehashed over and over (okay - I'm ducking rotten tomatoes about now). And in part because the ongoing negativity is just too damaging to my fragile emotional balance. All right, the last bit was said with my tongue in my cheek but it's still true.

Last, my perspective has changed. I've come to realize and accept that the organization can't and never will give me every little thing I want and need. It does, however, offer many valuable perks, including the ability to attend a National conference and meet with the people who can and have changed my life, like editors, agents, fellow authors and friends.

I agree that change is good and certainly needed from time to time. I also realize that it won't happen unless people become motivated enough to demand change. I wouldn't mind being part of that change. But before I can, I need for the battle to become less "us against them" and more "united in a common goal" so that I can weather it without it sapping me of every last drop of my energy like it has in the past.

Cathy Mc

Why We Write What We Do

I kind of assume that for the majority of people who write for a living, they do it because it's in their blood. By talent or training or both, words are their "thing."

But for the readers out there who are authors, why, specifically, did you choose fiction? And why the kind of fiction you write?

I thought I chose it simply because I like to read it more. I'm talented and trained in writing nonfiction, too, but I don't have much interest in reading it, and keep my writing of it to a minimum. But I was thinking about this more intently, and realized that the primary reason I love fiction is that it allows us to be who we're not, whether we're writers or readers.

Forget "write what you know." I write what I want to be, but only kinda.

In real life...

I hate guns. I see the need for them in certain arenas, and I'm not totally anti-gun, but there's too much negative associated with them. Other weapons take a lot more skill and effort to do damage with. Guns can kill a lot of people very quickly, and it's much easier to accidentally shoot someone than anything else. I believe in the right to defend yourself, but a loaded gun in the house is too dangerous (especially if you have kids), and an unloaded gun that's locked away might as well not exist.

But man, are guns sexy in fiction. I write romantic adventure, so my characters regularly use them. And almost every TV show I love has them. Sam and Dean would be sexy without ever carrying a gun on Supernatural, but they add a layer of power that's intoxicating--even when the guns just contain salt. And a woman with a gun is just as sexy--in fiction.

In real life...

I am generally nonconfrontational and bruise easily. When provoked far enough, I'll fight my battles, but I don't like dealing with people when it's pleasant and happy, never mind over something horrible. And I have a "stain" on my shin where I slid on a rug when running down the hall at work and slammed into the doorjamb. Three years ago.

It's therefore logical that my heroines kick ass and brush off injury as if a dislocated shoulder barely tickles.

In real life...

I'm not much into travel. I like visiting other places, but getting there is a chore. Driving is soooo tedious, and while I like flying, it's too expensive, so I rarely do it. However, my characters are always in a car or on a plane. I have four recent books that take place all over hell and gone.

In real life...

Real life interferes. Every year for the last, like, decade, my husband and I have tried to plan a camping trip. Pinning down a weekend that works has been impossible, and we eventually gave up. We haven't had the tent or camp stove out in forever, so probably all our equipment has deteriorated beyond use.

Plus, camping = bugs.

And finally, there's always...

Falling in love. In real life, I have zero interest in going back to that world. My husband is perfect for me, so even if those guys on my List came around, I'd say thanks, but no thanks. (I think.) But in my books, I can fall in love over and over again. I can mold a heroine into a person I think I'd like to be if I wasn't me, and mold a guy or two into the one who's perfect for her, and experience the thrills (and sure, even the frustrations) of their journey.

Especially if it involves guns, fights, and no bugs.

~~~~~~~~~~
So how about you? What does writing enable you to do/be that you aren't in real life? And if that's not part of the appeal of writing fiction, why do you do it?

Blurbs and Money, Oh My!

I got an email from my editor on Monday. In the email, she said she was sorry that she forgot to get “this” to me (meaning the attachment). I barely glance at the attachment name, and as I skim the short email, a line pops out at me that reads along the lines of ‘I don’t think this really works for the setup of the series.”

IMMEDIATELY, my heart slams into my chest. O-M-G, she's talking about the Book 1 of the series. She hates the book. I’m going to have to rewrite the entire book. I almost didn’t open up the attachment because I didn’t want to see what my editor had to say as to why the book was so bad….but I bit the bullet and opened the attachment.

The minute it opens in Word, I almost passed out. It was the cover blurb copy for the paranormal series that she wasn’t happy with. Talk about getting on my knees and weeping for joy! So I then read the cover blurb. And Cindy was RIGHT! Great Balls of Fire this copy totally sucked. THIS is where one understands why some books DO NOT fit the cover copy.

Anyway, Cindy asked me to take a look at the copy and makes changes. I spend most of Monday night doing rewrites, trying to figure out how to do a Readers Digest version of the book. Somehow I managed and I sent it off to her, taglines and all. She wrote back and said it looked good. Then she said she didn’t like the title I’d suggested. It was a bit too blah (my words not hers). She suggested something else, so I pondered it, and then realized that we’d both be satisfied with the title. Reason we'd both be satisfied was because she wanted a specific word and I wanted another specific word. So we married the two together.

Ta DUM!! New Title

Assassin’s Honor, Book 1 of The Order of the Sicari series.

I haven’t been told it’s “Official,” but I feel it's official enough to post here.I know that in ePub I wrote my own blurbs and taglines all the time. It was just what you do. But I didn’t realize I’d have a little bit of control over my blurbs for a NY book. I LOVE that my editor is so open and flexible. It feels like a great partnership I’m building with her.

<>

Show Me Da Money

I turned in Kismet back in February. Sometime in March, my editor informed me via email that she loved it the way it was and would only have line edits. So I waited, waited and waited some more. No line edits. So I just happened to mention to my agent that my editor had indicated there would only be line edits and Deidre said, well that’s D&A (delivery and acceptance). Let’s see where your check is.

So yesterday I get a nice email from the agency’s accountant who says, “LOOK what we have for you!!” Once more I’m on my knees weeping for joy. I don’t have to worry about lumping the National OUTRAGEOUS hotel bill onto a credit card. That puppy’s going on American Express and earning POINTS. LOL I will probably be conservative and change my arrival from Tue to Wed to save almost $300 If I leave Wed morning around 9am, I’ll be there at 11am and I should be able to get into a room, or at the least just park the car and keep things in there until I can get into my room. Book signings not until 5:30pm anyway.

WOOT!

For those in the US, have a Happy (and Safe) 4th of July.

Refreshing...

Several weeks ago I made a comment about my local RWA group. In the resent years I have become less than enthusiastic in attending meetings. Some of the reasons were personal (health, work, and family issues), while others were the content of the meetings.

Last night I attend my local RWA meeting and I have to admit that I really enjoyed myself. Why? Because I had the opportunity to speak to several aspiring writers whose enthusiasm was simply a breath of fresh air. I loved their excitement, the twinkle in their eyes, and listening to their hope and fears.

There is so much to be said about networking. A local writing group can provide the friendship, support and education a writer needs to advance his/her personal and career goals. A good writer's group is invaluable, while a bad one can sour a person's desire and creative flow (but only if you allow it).

Another thing I noticed last night were so many different faces. As much as I enjoy meeting new people, I do have to say that I was sadden so many familiar faces were not in attendance. There appears to be an undercurrent that I'm trying to understand, because this chapter is filled with exceptional individuals who have a lot to offer in both friendship and support. Of course, summer time does play a part as many individuals are off on vacations.

If any of you have experienced a shift lately in your writing groups I'd be curious to hear about it. Is it the economy? Is it the time of year? Is it the weather? *g*

Putting that aside, I'm very thankful for the opportunity to meet the two woman I did last night. Their excitement rubbed off on me. I'll be attending each meeting with a brand new attitude, because I love seeing people achieve their goals.

Mac

So Many Questions

If no one minds, I'm going to repost an interview I did a few days ago at the Harlequin American Authors Blog. It's a little lighter than the last couple of topics we've been discussing :)

Hello Everyone,

First, I want to thank the other Harlequin American authors for inviting me to participate in this interview. I had a lot of fun answering the questions. Secondly, please accept my apologies for posting late. I was on deadline for revisions on Taking on Twins, my next release, and couldn't seem to get everything done (darn day job).Well, here it goes. I tried to pick questions to answer that were the most fun because that's the kind of mood I'm in today.

1) What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten?A honey bee. I was six, riding my bike down the street, laughing at something my brother said. The next thing I knew...mrumph, hack, cough, cough.Oh, you probably meant food I've eaten on purpose.

2) What comes first: the plot or the characters?For me, it's usually a very broad story idea that comes first, and I build on that. For instance, when I wrote His Only Wife, it was when Arizona was having its worst ever forst fire. I was driving on the highway, watching the fire in the distant mountains, and wondered what it would be like to be a wilderness firefighter caught between his job and duty to his family. From there, I begin thinking about the kind of people who would inhabit the story. The plot comes next, but it's bound closely to the characters and from then on, both develop simultaneously.

3) Do you re-read your books once they're in print?Ugh! No, I don't. By the time my book is in print, I've read it seven or eight or more times. They very idea of reading it again makes me break out in a severe case of hives. However, when I get my author copies, I read the back cover, all the front and back matter, the first couple of pages, and the last couple of pages. Then, I hug the book to my chest, close my eyes and squeal like a school girl.

4) If you were locked in a closet for one hour, who would you want in there with you?This is an easy question. No one. Between work and family and committments, I get so little time to myself, I'd relish being totally alone for an hour. If possible, I'd bring a good book and a book light.Which leads to...

5) What book are you reading now?I just finished Sandra Brown's "Play Dirty" and am ready to read Susan Elizabeth Phillip's latest.

6) Did you ever eat paste or Elmer's Glue when you were a kid?Yes, both.7) Can you taste the difference between Pepsi and Coke? If so, which do you prefer?Yes, I can absolutely taste the difference and only Pepsi will do. I can also taste the difference between paste and Elmer's Glue, and I much prefer paste.

7) Are you working on anything at the present you'd like to share?Yes, I'm working on something and, yes, I'd like to share (grin). My -- as yet untitled book -- is part of Harlequin American's first ever continuity. How cool is that? The story centers around the Codys, a modern-day western dynasty. My hero, Dusty, is the yongest son and a champion tie-down roper. While he's pure country, my heroine Maryanne, a marketing executive from L.A., is pure urbanite. The books will be out starting in July of 2010. I hope readers will like them!

Thanks ago for stopping by and checking out my interview, my friends. I would love to give away a free copy of my June release, Waiting for Baby, to one lucky poster here. I'll pick the winner next week.

All my best,

Cathy McDavid