This question came up last week on the Bella & Spinsters Authors Forum. My first reaction was that I write for myself, but the more I thought about it, the more complicated my answer became. With 12 books now in press with Bella, I believe I've built a relationship with my audience that entitles them to have certain expectations about my books. My challenge is to keep things fresh while meeting those expectations.

I write for the romance reader who wants to see two complex characters overcome realistic obstacles to find themselves on a road to happiness. That doesn't always mean I'll walk them down that road to convince you of the Happy Ever After. Sometimes I'm just going to leave you with hope.

I write for the lesbian who wants to see herself, her friends & her family reflected back at her. My characters may not be rich & successful, but if they are you'll see them earn it. Real people don't always cast a pretty image, but I'll work hard not to be exploitive or cliche.

I write for readers who want to forget their troubles for a few hours and step inside someone else's world. I can't always promise a light and airy journey, but I'll always try to make the journey worth taking.

This is what I try to do with every book. If you like it, then I wrote it for you.

Just a reminder for those of you headed to Provincetown for Women's Week -- I won't be able to make it this year after all. My fellow Bella author Karin Kallmaker will be there signing her books, and smiling because she's just gotten a book off her desk. I told her she could sign my books too, but I was just kidding. Stop her.

Speaking of finishing books, I sent Photographs of Claudia off to the formatters earlier this week.  I've already started pulling together notes for my next one, Mother Load, the 4th in the Shaken Series. I wrote most of Sea Legs last year during National Novel Writers Month (NaNoWriMo), and I'm thinking about taking another shot at it with this next one. I'll keep you posted.

A special welcome to those who found their way over from THE LESBIAN LOUNGE! Thanks for listening and for following Donna & Denise's pointers to my website. If you find something on the Books page that piques your interest, you can take advantage of a BUY ONE -- GET ONE FREE offer from my publisher Bella Books. Just go to the Bella website, choose two titles by Bella authors, and at checkout enter the promotional code imetanauthor. Pay for one book, and enjoy the 2nd with our compliments. Offer expires Tuesday, October 13th.

Comments (0)

Show/Hide comments

Show/Hide comment form

Write comment

Name (will be published)

Email (will NOT be published)

Comment

smaller | bigger

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment