If you’re not aware of the #CopyPasteCris Twitter threads…

A romance author seems to have been mixed up in a convoluted plagiarism and ghost writing scheme. A reader discovered the theft and since other authors have found their words stolen and repurposed.

The whole thing is shocking. As a fellow Kindle Scout winner, I thought the writer was publishing her own words. The betrayal runs deep. I have questions all starting with why? I want answers that I don’t think will ever come.

This is beyond awful. Real romance authors write from their hearts. Our stories are emotional because we put everything on the page. We relive pain and fight through fear to try and craft a story that will resonate with someone who needs it.

I write my own books. I aim to make my stories as effective at delivering the core story as possible. My novels aren’t perfect. If I didn’t have deadlines, I would never finish any. I work hard to improve every story and the fact someone thinks they can lie, cheat, and steal in the most encouraging and supportive genre in a tough industry pisses me off.

I write my own books.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

This month has been a blur of winter weather headaches. Days off school for cold, snow, holidays, and teacher institute days have thrown me for a loop. In typical fashion, I bought a bunch of Valentine’s Day “things” (cards, candy, table decor) at the end of January and then forgot all about the holiday until this week. Luckily, I got it all together in time (including Tuesday, sitting down my kids to write out cards to their classmates before swim lessons) and tonight after a dentist appointment (nothing says romance like clean teeth) we’ll order a heart-shaped pizza and snuggle on the couch with a movie.

If you can’t tell, as much as I love love (hello romance author), I love being with my family. Family is a recurring theme in my books. I’m blessed to have been born into wonderful support system and fell in love with an amazing man and together we created our own family. In my books, I explore the concept of family and how it can be created through our choices, good or bad.

I’m currently editing a project to submit before the end of the month (the deadline is the 28th). It’s a story that has gone through a major evolution. From the second in a trilogy (that, to be honest, didn’t fit my sweet style) to a standalone (but of course, now I’ve come up with ideas for a sequel), this is a story I can’t shove in a drawer. I have to finish and publish. Family is again at the heart of the story alongside the romance.

For consideration as a submission, I am aiming to add about 15k. I write lean first drafts and always realize I’m missing scenes. Currently, I’m deepening the emotion and settings and the theme of family is popping up again and again.

Do you have any recurring themes? What’s your core story?

Wishing you a very happy Valentine’s Day and a reminder, we are half-way through February!!! Good news indeed that spring (and a thaw) is inching closer.

My husband refers to January and February as deep winter. In our neighborhood, the first day back to school after the holiday break is the unofficial end of holiday lights. We live far enough north that the sun rises an hour after I wake and sets so early I confuse 6pm with midnight. To be totally honest, it’s a time of year that used to depress me.

Until I started my writing journey in earnest four years ago.

The longer I continue on my path seeking to develop my craft and publish my stories, the more I understand and appreciate persistence. On my morning walk with our dog, I repeat the mantra “I’ll love this quiet time in June.” During cold days when I just want to cuddle up on the couch and hibernate, I remind myself to keep writing (no matter how few the words). The dark days end up becoming my most productive.

It’s tough to keep going. Bad reviews, unexpected critique, and the very lengthy process of publishing a book from the first draft through submission to appearing in stores can be defeating. I’m not alone or unique. The one commonality I’ve seen among the authors I admire is how well they adapt and persist.

Four years ago, I set up a pre-order on Amazon and had no idea what came next. Everything that has happened since has reaffirmed to me the importance of continuing to work hard and make the most of every opportunity. I’ve also come to value the quiet times. The winter months are frigid, but my office is warm, my kids are at school, and I can spend my time writing and forging ahead.

Persistence is a practice. And maybe–after a few more passes–I’ll love this current work in progress in June too.