Wildcard Weekend - Juggling The Day Job

Brigid Coady surfaces briefly to talk juggling

As we all know, no one goes into writing to make a fortune. And if you are still on the other side of the publishing door as a Gonnabe then you are not making any money at this at all.

Which means you need a day job (or a very rich husband that can afford staff so you don't actually have to look after the kids or clean or stuff). I have neither the husband or the kids bit I do have a mortgage and an addiction to books (and expensive makeup... need to keep up appearances if I want to find the man). This means that most days of the week between the hours of 9 and whenever I am allowed out I will be found doing something else. I will have my mind filled with other things which drown out my characters and make me lose that all important thread of motivation. It is hard to hang on to creativity when you are schmoozing.

So how do I keep going? How can any of us keep juggling with the day job? What I have learnt it that I must take the time when I can. If work isn't too busy then I'll leave on time and refuse to sweat the small stuff when I get home. I know that in a few weeks time it will go manic again and swamp me so I make the most of the times when it isn't.

I try not to think about work first thing in the morning when showering and commuting. I use those minutes to think on my book, work out problems that I might not get to implementing to the weekend but it means that there is less thinking to worry about when I get down to writing.

But mostly I try and get rid of the guilt. I refuse to feel guilty that my writing sometimes gets overtaken by the day job, the day job is my bread and butter and in this economical climate I can't let it slide. I also refuse to feel guilty for taking an hour for lunch and doing some writing if I get a chance. The happier I am, the better I will be doing.

How do you juggle the day job?

This month Brigid is querying agents with her YA book, The Stone Voice.

A Date With Kate - New Beginnings

Columnist Kate Walker starts the New Year with the first of her monthly columns A Date With Kate
Hello and welcome to the very first Date With Kate 2011.

I have to admit that it’s really rather a scary proposition – this brand new monthly column, just waiting for me to write things in it – and yet with no agenda as to what I’m supposed to write about. When I have been writing for the PHS before now, I’ve known in advance that I was thinking about a Male on Monday (they take a LOT of thought those posts) or Writing on Wednesdays or perhaps a film or a TV programme for Must Watch Friday. But – a Date With Kate (thank you again Laney for coming up with that title) . What am I going to write about – especially when Donna gave me such a fanfare and a write up – Bless you Donna but now I have to live up to that reputation!

You’re probably thinking, ‘How hard can it be?’ After all, I’m a writer – so I write! Words are my business, so putting them together should be so easy. But there are so many different types of writing – so many different subjects. Styles. Fiction or non-fiction? And who is my audience? All you lovely PHS readers out there – I know you’re out there because the stats say so. But the stat5s don’t tell me whether you are readers or writers. Published or unpubbed. Established and settled into your writing career - or just beginning, just starting out.

I remember once when I was at school, the English teacher decided to give us a topic for an essay to write over the weekend. I don’t know whether he was feeling inspired or just plain lazy – but what he actually said was – write an essay on any subject you like. You choose. I also remember how that paralysed me. Here was a blank page, just waiting to be filled - and I had no idea what to put on it. I now spend my days doing just that – filling empty pages with stories that I hope readers will enjoy when they are finally published.

But there’s a long journey from that first moment of writing Chapter One at the top of a brand new page and the moment when I add the very last full stop to the revised and reworked version of the novel I’ve written and know that it is now finished. Done. Ready for publication. The start of a new year is something like that too – there is the calendar with all those fresh, new, wonderful days stretching ahead with so much potential. Everyone talks about resolutions, discipline, diets, detoxing, denial (does everything that’s restricting and healthy begin with a D?)

But now here we are at the 21st of January already – how did that happen? Have you kept to your resolutions? Lost any weight? Written 60,000 words? Exercised every single day? No – me neither. But if there’s one thing that being a writer has taught me it’s that you don’t have to be the first, the fastest, the frantic writer to be able to fill those empty pages with wonderful words, the most fabulous stories, to create a novel that readers love and are so happy they read it from start to finish. In over 25 years (no I don’t believe it either) of being a published author, earning my living by my words, I’ve learned that filling those pages at an incredible rate isn’t what makes a success – it’s filling them well, giving the readers the quality their looking for, creating a story that they want to read and that – here’s the important thing – makes them want to read more. Some writers (think of Emily Bronte and Wuthering Heights or Margaret Mitchell and Gone With the Wind) only ever write to one book – but everyone remembers those stories, hundreds of years after they were originally published.

And as I said in my post in December on resolutions for writers – burn-out is real, cruel and savage. I want to avoid that – and I’d love to think that you can avoid it too.

So I’m not going to set myself ridiculous targets - and I hope you won’t too. I’m going to remember that life is just a candle and if you burn it at both ends it burns out fast. And if you are too busy concentrating on work – even work you enjoy like writing - one day you’re going to look up and find that a lot ofbeautiful things have slipped by while you had your head down – and you can’t get them back.

But that doesn’t mean I’m going to let things slide. I wrote another post for my other regular column on We Write Romance which was all about Balance. Keeping things in balance so that I can write and read and relax and refresh – seems the good words, the comfortable words all begin with r (if you’ll allow me to get away with ‘riting’!). I’m not going to crack the whip over myself or scold myself if I don’t write XX words a day. But I am going to make sure that I do something about the things I most want to do – a little and often builds up just as much - and without the risks and exhaustion of overdoing it – as rushing to get ‘there’ – wherever there is.

If there’s one thing that 25+ years of writing, 25+ years of new beginnings, blank pages have taught me it’s that so long as you begin – and then keep putting one foot in front of another (or one word after another . . .)then those blank pages, the longest journey, the project you thought was never-ending, will all be completed . What is it they say – the way to eat an elephant is slice by slice.

But you have to do it. A lovely friend of mine, Holly Jacobs quoted a joke when she was talking about her goals – as opposed to her dreams – for 2011 - and I’m sneaking it in here toot:

So, there was this very religious lady who prayed every day that she’d hit the lottery.

And she never did. Not for millions...not even for a dollar.

Years went by and she prayed more fervently, begging God to allow her to win the lottery, promising all the good she’d do if she won those millions.

One day, in frustration, she cried out to God, “Why won’t you answer my prayer?”


God answered, “Why won’t you buy a lottery ticket?”

And that’s it – you can’t just sit there and wait for it - whatever it is – to happen. You have to do something about it. To get from a blank page to a book, you have to write the first word and then another and another . . . until you end up with 55,000 of the things – or more. I just proved that. I sat here today, not knowing what to write for this very first column – and here I am finishing it off with 1,202 words behind me.

So that’s how I’m going into 2011 – my 26th year as a published author. And the words I’m keeping in my head are another string all beginning with the same letter – Balance – books – beauty - doing my best – and of course that important word beginning.

I know we’re already well into the first month of 2011 – but the other thing that being a writer teaches you is that there is always a brand new start to be made – if the writing has gone terribly wrong – the book is going nowhere – the idea is dead in the water – there’s always a brand new, fresh, clean page to be turned and you can start again. But do start. All the thinking, planning, dreaming, setting goals is no good unless you begin.

To quote Goethe -

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!

I’ve made a brand new start with this column - but I’d still like to know if there’s anything special you want to know about - any subject –writing or not – that you’d be interested in, please let me know. I have plenty of blank pages to fill in my day job so any suggestions for blogs will be really interesting.

Kate Walker's latest Presents title - The Good Greek Wife? - was out in Presents Extra in October and is still available now on Amazon, eHarlequin etc. her next Presents Extra title is The Proud Wife (her editor has been on a 'title with Wife in it kick!) is out in March in the UK and April in America. 

 Her latest book, part of the The Powerful and the Pure mini series - The Return of The Stranger -  has just been scheduled for September 2011.

You can get all Kate's news and read the latest updates over on her web site or her blog.

What are you Reading Thursday: Terri Reed

Terri Reed here.  Not only am I knee deep in the throes of a deadline (book due March 1) but I’m in the middle of reading several books... yes, I read more than one book at a time.  I keep one by my bedside, one in the car, and one in the living room.  I can’t stand to not have something to read! 

But the most recent book that I finished (it’s hard to recommend a book until you’ve hit the last page) is The Cowboy’s Convenient Bride by two-time recipient of Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award and finalist for Affaire de Coeur’s Best Up-and-Coming Romance Author Wendy Warren.

I have to say it was a fabulous story with endearing characters that made me laugh, cry and root for them as they skirted around their feelings until finally risking their hearts to love. Wendy’s use of language and imagery really brought this story to life. Full of angst and joy, this was a heartwarming and enjoyable read.

Hungry Ranchers? Messy House? Filthy Barn? I’m your woman...
Claire Dobbs needed a job—and she needed it yesterday. But when the single mother of three arrived at Pine Road Ranch, she didn't expect to be greeted by six-foot-plus of scowling, growling cowboy….

After being injured in a bullfight, all Fletcher Kingsley wanted to do was slink home to Honeyford, Oregon, and lick his wounds. The former rodeo champ didn't need a housekeeper. He needed a wife! It was either that—or forfeit his beloved family home.

It would be a cold day in Honeyford before Fletcher ever got hitched. But having the pretty, spirited widow and her lively brood underfoot could change a man's mind in a hurry. Especially when sweet Claire started him thinking about home and hearth…and love?

Daughter of Texas on sale NOW!  Book 1 of the Texas Ranger Justice: Keeping the Lone Star State safe.

Duty, Honor...LOVE?

Texas Ranger Ben Fritz would give his life to protect Corinna Pike.  After all, she’s his captain’s beloved daughter-and the only witness to her father’s murder.  When the assassin targets Corinna, Ben dedicates himself to her safety...while keeping his distance.  The beautiful ballerina deserves better than a rough-and-tough ranger.  Yet Corinna refuses to ignore the draw between them, just as she refuses to give in to fear as danger grows.  Ben will need her courage-and love-to guide him through the line of fire when the killer strikes again.

Slushing Through : Focus

The Pink Heart Society editor Jenna Bayley-Burke is coming clean. She may love to spin eight stories in the air and once time...but they tend to shatter.

There was a time when I had eight different stories going at once. And they would have all been for different lines. The Mediterranean Princess for Presents, the hotelier for Desire, the telekenetic vampire hunter for Nocturne, the girl scout cookie sisterhood for American, the widow and the rake for Historical, the grieving father for Supers, and then I had this brilliant idea to write about one family with the sister in Romance, one brother in Blaze and the third in Medicals.

The ADD shows right there, doesn't it?

I was so excitable and the words were flowing. It was like I had so many words and my poor fingers could only go so fast...and then...I read over what I had written.

Wow. Everything was happening on the surface. Great plots...little emotion. And isn't that what we're after when we read romance? That soul stirring feeling of connection, either with the characters or between the characters.

Mine said and did the right things, but even if I'd finished those stories none of them would have garnered much interest. It was all fluff and gloss. Glorious window treatments when the glass is missing.

And so I slowed down. WAY down. And focused on characters until they made me feel something intense. Think about all the characters you start out hating but wind up loving. It's that intensity that keeps you reading (or throwing the book against a wall, whatever).

By focusing on a single story, which line my natural style worked best with became more clear (I hope). Which is good, because editors aren't looking to buy a single story, they're after a style, a voice, something they can count on...at least until the next change in line direction!

Happy Writing!

Jenna Bayley-Burke is a best-selling author recently featured on Good Morning America. Kinda. Compromising Positions made the best seller list for Kindle for a few weeks, and GMA did their daily top ten list of Kindle bestselling ebooks and Compromising Positions made the list. But doesn't it sound better the first way? Keep up with Jenna's spin on things on her website & blog.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Kate Hardy

The lovely and talented Kate Hardy joins us to kick off 2011's first Author Spotlight...

Tell us a little about your latest story? What inspired it?

My latest release is “Champagne with a Celebrity”. It was inspired when I decided that it was time I got out of my perfume rut and tried a few different ones, and then I had this lightbulb: wouldn’t it be interesting to write a book about a parfumier? (I did a course on how to make perfume, and it was fascinating!)

Who are a few of your favorite authors to read?

Liz Fielding, Kelly Hunter, India Grey, Caroline Anderson, Maggie Kingsley, Nicola Cornick, Sarah Morgan, Judith Lennox, Barbara Erskine, Susanna Kearsley, Lindsey Davis

When the writing is done, how do you kick back to relax?

I love going to the beach for a walk (especially in winter); to the cinema with the kids; and fossicking around museums and stately homes. I also love cooking – and my family always knows where I’m setting a new book because of what they get for dinner! (I’m not alone there – my mate Sarah Morgan does the same thing.)

What’s your favorite flavor of romance? (Sweet? Spicy?) Do your tastes vary when it comes to reading versus writing?

Probably more on the spicy side, for both reading and writing; but as long as the hero is someone I can fall in love with and the heroine is someone I’d want to be friends with (so I can root for their happy ending), I don’t really mind whether the bedroom door is open or closed.

Do you see yourself in any of your characters? Can you tell us which ones? Were you surprised to find yourself there or was it intentional?

I think there’s a bit of me in all my heroines, to be honest. Readers have said that my books are full of warmth and heart, and I think that’s why – I put myself in my characters’ shoes and the reactions are how mine would be, if I had their backgrounds.

When pursuing that first sale, what line did you target?

Medical Romance. My husband pointed out that I was a freelance journalist working on the health pages and wanted to write romance – plus I watched lots of medical dramas on TV. I started reading Caroline Anderson, Maggie Kingsley and Sarah Morgan, and I was hooked! And then, at the age of 7 weeks, my daughter had bronchiolitis and spent her first Christmas in hospital. As a journo, I knew too much about her condition; the only way I got through it was to pretend it was happening to someone else, so I started my first M&B at her bedside. My agent loved it, M&B loved it, and they bought it on her first birthday and published it on her second birthday.

What inspires you?

Anything and everything. It’s usually something quirky that starts a ‘what if?’ train of thought in my head, and by the time I’ve finished it’s developed into a plot.

Plot or Pants?

Absolutely plot. I have tried pants, and it’s way too scary! I think this is probably the non-fiction writer in me: I work best when I have a structure in place.

What’s the best piece of advice you have to offer to an aspiring author?

Read, read, read, read, read. (And if you’re writing category, read the latest books in the line because it will help you see where the line is headed. Target the line you enjoy reading most as that’s more likely to fit your writing voice.)

How would you describe what writing is to you? (Habit, hobby, outlet, obsession, sanity saver…?)

Breathing. (I have to do it.)

Kate, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us today!

Kate's latest, CHAMPAGNE WITH A CELEBRITY, is on the shelves now.

Beautiful socialite Amber Wynne is constantly featured in the press—usually for her spectacularly bad love life! But when Amber meets gorgeous Frenchman Guy Lefèvre at a wedding, she begins to wonder if her very public persona could be stopping her from finding love….

Darkly mesmeric parfumier Guy shuns the press, and he feels he must shun Amber, too. She might be stunningly attractive, but a heated affair with her would risk the media discovering the secret that could shatter his world. But now that he's getting to know the real woman behind the celebrity facade, how can he let her go?

You can find out more about Kate on her website (http://www.katehardy.com/) and her blog (http://katehardy.blogspot.com/)

Male on Monday : : Tim Kang

Anne McAllister is coming up for air between finishing revisions and plunging into a new book. During her brief look around, she watched a little television -- and found this week's Male on Monday.

Anyone who has watched The Mentalist knows that Simon Baker's quirky, not-exactly-a-psychic, Patrick Jane is the man to keep an eye on. He and his acute observational investigative techniques coupled with a penchant for making uncomfortably accurate comments to all and sundry are the focus of the show.

But he's not the whole show.

And the group of investigators surrounding him have come into their own over the past couple of years.

One of the most compelling and watchable is Tim Kang. Tim plays straight-arrow, hard-ass, never-crack-a-smile, CBI Special Agent Kimball Cho.

It's a little bit of a disconnect to watch Cho week after week and then go looking for material on Tim Kang.

For one thing, Tim smiles a lot more.

He even laughs. His face is expressive, definitely un-Sphinxlike, which makes his acting ability all the more apparent -- because Kimball Cho would make Dragnet's iconic detective Joe Friday look like a laid-back sort of guy.

Obviously, then, there is a great deal more to Tim than we know about Kimball Cho.

Tim Kang is described on a Korean film database as one of the most sought-after Korean actors. He was born in San Francisco nearly 38 years ago, and grew up speaking Korean at home. And after studying the language at Yonsei University, he says he "pretty much understands Korean."

He doesn't play only Korean parts, though, and for a long time he didn't intend to be an actor at all.

His resume sounds a bit like the all-American kid. He broke his arm twice skateboarding. He likes to scuba dive. He's a bit of a risk-taker (note: he ran with the bulls in Pamplona). He was the lead singer for a rock band that once opened for Primus. And he has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

He studied political science at the University of California at Berkeley and afterwards went to work for a securities firm. Not exactly the straight line to an acting career.

But, he says, "Nearby where I lived, there was an American Repertory Theatre (ART), Harvard's professional theatre in residence. I would pass by the ART on my way to and from work, and this idea of wanting to become an actor suddenly overwhelmed me."

So he decided to go for it. (see: running with bulls, risk-taking, etc).

He studied at ART and eventually got an MFA in acting from Harvard.

But even with exalted credentials, acting jobs were not easy to come by. He says he barely got one role in a hundred that he auditioned for, in part because there were not a lot of roles for Asians in Hollywood.

But if you look at his list of credits on IMDB, you can see that he didn't let type-casting stop him.

For every character with a typically Asian-sounding name that he played, there were others called Liam Kelly, Chaplain Alan Lantz and Mr Brenneman.

In the past nine years years he's had roles in such films and television shows as Rambo, Two Week's Notice, Law and Order, The Sopranos, The Office, Third Watch, The Unit and Monk.
He's delighted with the success of The Mentalist,

The trick to succeeding? He just never gave up.

And that does sound quite a bit like Kimball Cho.

Anne hopes you'll look for her book, Hired by Her Husband, from Harlequin Presents this February. It's the story of George Savas, who turned out to be an unexpectedly sexy physicist. He also turned out to be married. Who knew? Well, George did. But George plays his cards close to his chest!

He'll be blogging over at her site once she lets him out of the lab. Stop by and say hi!