Enjoying Every Minute of the Ride
Even with all the ups and downs of the writing life, it’s worth every minute. There are so many little thrills along the way to enjoy. For instance, today, my second book went up on Amazon for pre-order. 
Selling one book was a dream come true. Selling a second book is overwhelming. And you know you lead a sad and boring life when an ISBN number excites you. 
Another bit of excitement is my first booksigning. I’m a member of Washington Romance Writers, and in April I’m attending their annual retreat at Harper’s Ferry, MD. I’ll be signing copies of Her Irish Warrior on April 27th from 11:30-2:00 p.m. at Turn the Page Bookstore and Cafe, a bookstore owned by Nora Roberts:bow2u: and her husband Bruce Wilder–located in Boonsboro, MD. If you are anywhere in the area, I’d love to see a familiar face. If you love historical romance, don’t miss out on all the great authors! Nora Roberts and Julia Quinn will be there, along with Madeleine Hunter, Diane Gaston, myself, and 8 other authors. I will be the writer in the corner just smiling from ear to ear, happy to be there. Details are here.
As for the current book, I’m wrestling it to the ground. I’m on the homeward stretch and today I found a pretty key bit of Irish history that needs to be in the story since it happens near my fictional setting. It would be the equivalent of having the Revolutionary War in your backyard and whistling like it wasn’t going on. Um…so, have to include that. The question is, whether I want to handle it as a threat to the hero or whether I want it to be secondary. I haven’t decided yet. In any case, I am going to finish this book in the next 30 days (hold me to that promise!) and then May will be revision month. It’s rather frightening how many drafts I go through on each book. I’d say I’m on draft #5 right now. 
But it works for me.
I’m teaming up with two other authors to host a very cool April contest. We’re not only giving away copies of our first books, we’re going to make up a “pamper me” type of goody basket. So what would you like to see as part of the goodies? Chocolate? Lotions or scented soaps? Handsome hunks? (Okay, can’t promise the last one, but my thought train went down that track…)
Michelle posted in Writing @ 6:55 pm | Viewed 2586 times
Lexi Connor Says:
Wonderful news, Michelle! Are you the type of person who will go into the bookstore and watch your bookshelf for a while just to see if anyone picks up your book? I can imagine myself doing that.
It’s nice to hear from someone else who has “made it” who also writes several drafts for each manuscript. I can’t imagine less than 5 drafts!
As for goodies…chocolate ALWAYS works. I’ll think on some other stuff.
Lexi Connor Says:
Oh, wait. I haven’t “made it” yet. I just meant someone else who go through so many drafts.
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
That’s so exciting, Michelle!
Kelly Says:
Congrats on the booksigning - how exciting!!
Heidi Dahlquist Says:
what is the april contest?
Heidi
Donna Alward Says:
Ok, so if I were you I’d spend the entire signing in starstruck mode.
You’ll have a ball! Awesome!
Melissa Mc Says:
Wow! Sounds like you’re all set! Enjoy the ride:smile:
Robyn Says:
Sounds like you may not have to teach too much longer. (Unless you want to, of course.)
Melissa Says:
How awesome - your first book signing! How cool!
Robyn L Says:
I’d love to attend a book signing by an author but alas, I’m toooo far away. A big wahoo to you!!!
As for goodies, chocolate, book thongs, journal, notepads, pens, books or GC’s, lotions/soaps; many things would pamper me.
Karen B Says:
:book:Congrats on your 2nd book and enjoy the booksigning, which should be so much fun!
:scream:Goodie basket - Books, GCs (Amazon.com is my favorite), Chocolate, a nice mug. “Smelly stuff” is OK because I give it to a neighbor (I have allergies to scents.)
Carol M Says:
Congrats on your first booksigning! I wish I lived closer so I could attend!
Chocolate is always good! Books, gift cards mugs and coffee or tea are nice, too!
Michelle Says:
Thanks so much for the suggestions, Robyn, Karen B, Carol M, and Lexi! I think chocolate will definitely be involved.
Heidi–It will be a Name That Hero contest. Donna Alward, myself, and Natalie Anderson are giving away goodies. I’ll put details on the contest page and in my newsletter at the end of the week.
April Says:
Good luck with the book signing!! I’m sure it’ll go great! And congrats on the success! An ISBN is enough to make any of us excited!!!:scream:
jeanne s. Says:
Congratulations. I am dying to get to a book signing but so far there haven’t been any in my area - one day.
Books first of course and anything that could tie into the book is nice, GC’s, mugs, chocolate - almost anything
Diane Gaston Says:
Hey, Michelle! Thanks for mentioning ME in the same breath with Nora Roberts, Julia Quinn, and Madeline Hunter!
I know we’ll have lots of fun.
If any of you are close by, it is worth the drive!
Cheers!
Diane
(Diane’s Innocence and Impropriety is on sale in bookstores right now! But hurry. In April it will be hard to find.)
Michelle Says:
Diane–hey, you won a Rita award, so you deserve to be mentioned in the same breath.
It will be fun.
Heidi Dahlquist Says:
thanls michelle, im good woth celtic names so I hope I can help….
Heidi
Heidi Dahlquist Says:
please excuse my SEVERE mistype. I am great with male and female celtic names so I hope I can help!!!