"To Thine Own Self, Be True"

Would you compromise your personal values in order to sell books? Would you allow an editor or book critic to cause you to change your writing "voice"? Would you hide behind a pen name in order to write material you would be embarrassed for your friends and family to know you were associated with? Would you mimic the styles of other writers just to land a publishing deal, even if it wasn't a style or genre you felt comfortable with?

While I'm not here to judge anyone, I must honestly say that I hope you answered no to the above questions. As authors, we all want to enjoy some level of success with our work and build a substantial fan base of readers. Some of us might like to be associated with big-name traditional publishers or see our books on the NY Times bestseller list. Some of us may even want to land positions writing for major magazines or see our names rolling with the credits at the theater or on TV. Goals are great, and it is my sincere belief that all dreams are worth pursuing. But if reaching those goals or fulfilling those dreams means giving up who you really are to "go along with the crowd," then I must ask, is it really worth it?

I believe that we as writers need to stay true to who we are and what we stand for. Each of us has been blessed with a unique and wonderful gift that we can share freely. We have the potential to change lives and bring joy into the hearts of hundreds, even thousands, of people simply by placing words on paper. Along with this gift comes our own unique areas of talent and our own ways of delivering those words to the readers. Whatever your genre, whatever the level of intensity you want to give to the story, whether you write in first or third person(or both!),fiction, non-fiction, etc., make it your own. Develop and keep your own voice. Do what you feel comfortable with and what your heart tells you is right. Don't give in to the pressure to follow the crowd. Don't be a cookie cutter author just to get sales or land a contract. Stay true to yourself and what you believe in, and don't let anyone take that away from you. It's then, I believe, that you will find the true success you have been looking for. Here's wishing you all the best!

Remember the "Little People"

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I am a HUGE fan of country music star Chuck Wicks. I love everything about the man--his voice, his looks, his personality, his music, his looks--okay, okay, I know I already said that, but c'mon, the boy is GORGEOUS! So much so, in fact, that I decided about five years ago when I first saw the cover of his CD that, if the Forever Love series ever makes it to the big screen, Chuck's the shoe-in to play Mitch Tarrington. (all right, so Chuck doesn't have Mitch's blue eyes or silver-rimmed glasses, but hey, Hollywood can step up and take care of that, can't they?) Yep, he's definitely my "real-life Mitch." Of course, I know it all seems far away, but a girl can dream, can't she?

Well, God smiled on me a few weeks ago at the Shelby County Fair in Sidney, Ohio, and made one of my dreams become a reality. I sat with my husband (the TRUE love of my life!) three rows away from the stage at a concert by none other than Mr. Wicks. As any good author would who wants accurate characterization, I studied his every move and took plenty of pictures to use as reference for my future writing. (oh, all right--they weren't REALLY for reference, but it sounded good, didn't it?) But, that's not the best part. During the last song, Chuck announced that he wanted to meet his fans after the show at a table next to the stage. After practically throwing the camera at my dear sweet husband--thankfully, not a jealous man--I eagerly made my way, Chuck 8 x 10 portrait in hand--to the meet and greet line. Standing there, I silently rehearsed what I would say in an effort to avoid fumbling over the words once we were face to face. When my turn finally arrived, I know I must have blushed as he shook my hand and I looked into his sultry brown eyes. *Sigh* But my words came out strong and clear--"I write romance novels, and I wanted to tell you that I pattern my male character after you." Oh, the smile that I got in response was worth every nerve-wracking moment! He was truly flattered as he passed the news on to his sound man(who was waiting for me to shut up so he could take our picture) and mentioned that he "would have to look into getting those books." As I placed an arm around him for the shot, he thanked me for thinking of him, handed me my autographed 8 x 10, and I flew into the arms of my hubby who was laughing at his middle-aged teeny bopper. Can you tell I'm still reeling?

Okay, so I may have drawn out this post, but here's the point. Naturally, someone like Chuck Wicks has tons more fans than someone like me, a little romance novelist from smalltown Ohio. But even though he has reached fame and fortune, he hasn't forgotten those who helped get him there--his fans. He could have easily crooned the last line, headed for his tour bus, and called it a night. But he didn't. On a 95 degree evening, hot and tired, no doubt, from an almost 2-hour show, he took the time to greet and talk to each and every person there who ducked into that line. He let us each know he appreciated our support, that he was glad we were there, and that we meant something to him. He was sweet, kind, and most of all, genuine--exactly the person I want Mitch Tarrington to be.

We as writers need to remember our fans, too--the readers who take the time to come to our signings, who purchase and read our works, and who sometimes even send fan letters or refer our works to their friends and family. Without them, where would we be? Why would we even have a need to write? I vow to always try to remember the "little people" who mean such a big deal to me. To them, I say, thank you with all my love!

The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of

I'm going to see Rick Springfield in concert tomorrow night. I can't wait! As I sit here at my computer, I glance up to my right and feast my eyes on a lithograph showing the two sides of the man--a mature artist whose life experiences now influence his music; and the much younger, dream-driven teen idol I fell in love with so many years ago at the tender age of 14. As I stare at the photos for a moment longer, I suddenly realize why the younger Rick's picture is larger than the two older Rick images--because that's the way he wants to be envisioned by his fans. That's the Rick he wants people to remember--the Rick I remember. The man who chased his dream and caught it.

Back some twenty-plus years ago at the height of his career, he had it all. He was the steamy, dreamy Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital, one of the most popular soaps of all time. His voice filled the airwaves as he coveted Jessie's Girl, and he tried his shot on the big screen as cocky rocker Jamie Roberts in Hard to Hold. After a few failed relationships with famous actresses (one of them being Linda Blair of The Exorcist fame),he found love with a record company receptionist, married, and had a son. His live-in-concert video, Beat of the Live Drum was flying off the shelves, and he took home a Grammy. His life was finally all he had hoped for. He dreamed big, and it all came true--simply because he never gave up.

We all have dreams, but how many of us actually pursue them? How many of us sit idly by and watch them fade away? I was blessed with a beautiful dream involving a man I call Mitch Tarrington. He came to live inside me, and by God's grace blossomed into a wonderful, beautiful part of my life that makes him so real I can hardly believe sometimes that he isn't. He drives me to be more than I am. He takes me to places I've never been before, to the very corners of my imagination. He fills me with such excitement that I just have to share him with everyone I know. He not only lives on the pages of my books, but in my heart. I'll never actually get a chance to shake his hand, give him a hug, or share dinner with him in a physical sense, but as long as I can dream him, I can be with him. I'll follow him wherever he wants to take me, as long as God is willing, and if you're up for it, I'll take you along, too.

Follow your dreams and let them take you into a whole new world full of possibilities. As the saying goes, if you can dream it, you can achieve it!

**Photo of Rick Springfield--still lookin' hot at 60!! (courtesy of Photobucket)