2013 Goals in Review

Every year I sit down and reflect upon my goals for the year to see what I have accomplished and to figure out where I am going. This year has been pretty momentous in loads of ways. I've had to redo my goals at the mid-point due to signing my first contract. As always goals are flexible. They should be flexible because life happens, different roads become available to trod upon, and if we are too rigid in our thinking, then we won't be able to see the opportunities that are available to us. With that in mind here are my checkpoints at the beginning of 2013:

 

Writing Goals for 2013

*clean and organize office to get ready for the new year CHECK

*finish first draft LHD by end of January CHECK

*revise MINO by mid February. HALF-CHECK: partial is complete, but full was put aside. Will revisit in 2014

*check in with editor by Feb. 1 regarding MINO CHECK

*revise first three chapters of LHD and be ready to query to editor by mid February CHECK

*March: revise and query MAVERICK CHECK

*April: revise and query HPOL DID NOT DO THIS DUE TO OTHER EVENTS

*May: revise and query TYCOO: DID NOT DO THIS DUE TO OTHER EVENTS

*build query list for above three books: CHECK

*go to both readers’ luncheons and participate with Digging Out of Distraction basket CHECK

*brainstorm 2 new category books with CP CHECK

*write 2 new category books CHECK plus wrote one Novella

*Attend the RWA National Conference in Atlanta CHECK

*Attend Moonlight & Magnolias CHECK

*Pitch at both conferences if necessary NOT NECESSARY

*build name bible of all names I've used in my books STILL WORKING ON THIS

*maintain personal blog KIND OF LET THIS SLIDE AFTER SEPTEMBER 14

*add new feature to blog for recipe rut DIDN'T DO IT

*continue to build my brand name via social media, web page, professional presence in writing world CHECK

*coordinate the Linda Howard Award of Excellence for 2013 CHECK

*get a publishing contract CHECK

*continue building professional mentor relationships CHECK

*continue to streamline writing and business of writing with proper schedule STILL FIGURING ALL THIS OUT

*Review digital and e-publishers for submissions ONGOING

*take at least two master classes in craft; one with Margie Lawson CHECK

*judge at least two writing contests CHECK

*set Top 5 Priority List and review every quarter CHECK

*read for fun CHECK: READING AN AVERAGE OF 3-4 BOOKS A WEEK

*continue to analyze published books in my genre CHECK

*continue learning and growing in my craft with online courses and craft books CHECK

*attend chapter meetings which aid in my professional development and in my goal for achieving publication CHECK; AM PRO LIAISON FOR ONE, NOMINATING COMMITTEE FOR ANOTHER ONE

*build my new critique partnership: DID NOT GO FORWARD AS PLANNED. HAVE ONE MAIN CP AND THAT WORKS BEST FOR ME

*be courageous, strong, and focused in pursuing my dreams and goals CHECK

In addition to the goals that I had at the beginning of the year, I also added new goals at the mid-point of the year to reflect the sale of THE MAVERICK'S RED HOT REUNION. 

*Write and complete my first novella CHECK; SENT IT IN NOVEMBER
*Brainstorm sequel with CP: CHECK; BLURB AND SYNOPSIS WITH EDITOR AND WAITING FOR FEEDBACK.
*Quarterly check on Website: CHECK; AM GEARING UP FOR SOME MAJOR CHANGES TO THE SITE.
*Continue building CP relationship: CHECK PLUS: CP HAS SOLD!!

I'm pleased with all that I have accomplished this year. Many wonderful things happened and I'm thrilled that I've sold. That shifted a lot of my focus and energy into a new direction. And, looking ahead to 2014, I will have to incorporate what I've learned about myself into building my career as well as managing my time more efficiently. 

What goals did you set this year? Did you accomplish them? Did you veer in a different direction? Do you even set goals? If not, why not?

Fate, Fortune Cookies, and Faith

I got what we writers like to say is "The Call." In my case it was an email. And I was sitting in my trusty Ford Escape getting ready to go to my morning Zumba class when it arrived on my iPhone. So what did I do after my new editor at Entangled Publishing sent me the email that stated my manuscript was approved?

Frankly, I trembled. It was unbelievable, surreal even, after all these years of seeking a home for my stories.

I emailed her back-thanked her so much and then I forwarded it to the Physicist and my critique partners, Sharon Wray, Karen Johnston, and Pam Mantovani. Sharon and Karen have worked with me since 2006 and they're talented writers whom I value beyond measure. Pam and I met through a contest that she was coordinating in 2009: the Maggies for the Georgia Romance Writers RWA Chapter. I finaled that year and the following year I wooed her to become my category romance writing partner. We haven't looked back. She's an incredible writer, a fantastic critique partner, and a dear friend.

I would not be the writer I am today if fate had not lead me to these women. Our relationship is special and I love them all.

Fate also lead me to a fantastic writing group. The Romance Writers of America. My first manuscript was requested by an editor at Harlequin and then rejected. Rightfully so. It was a hot mess and I needed to learn a lot. But in that rejection, the editor encouraged me to join RWA. So I did. Then I found Karen and Sharon and then I found more writing chapters with my subsequent move to Alabama. Southern Magic, Heart of Dixie, Music City Romance Writers and Georgia Romance Writers of America have given me so much support throughout these long years. Fate also led me to a fantastic group called GIAMx4 (Goal in a Month) after I emailed the loop's creator about a PRO post. Amy Atwell is a dynamo and I adore her for including me in this group. They are so good to me. Finally, fate also sent me a multi-published author who literally took me by the hand and said she'd read the first three chapters of the book I just sold because she knew how hard it is to get published. I finally plucked up the courage to send her this book and she fell in love with it. Though it didn't suit her publishing house's line, it lead me down an interesting pathway. And her faith in my writing kept me going when times got dark and I wanted to give up writing for a shopping vocation.

But I couldn't quit writing because then I would be--as Sharon so wisely and gently said--rejecting myself.

This brings me in no clear way to Fortune Cookies. For some reason I like saving certain fortunes that come in the cookies. I've kept two in my jewelry box for at least four years. I used one in my short bio because it suits me to a T. I kept the other one because it describes my internal motivation. Here they are:

Your ability to find the silly in the serious will take you far.
Your skills will accomplish what the force of many will not.

There were days when I'd open my jewelry box to get my hoop earrings and heart necklace and I'd read these fortunes just to jump start my day and keep my motivation going.

I came home and showed the College Kid the email who then promptly hugged me three times in a row (a record!) and said she was proud of me. I still get all weepy when I recall that moment. Then it was off to PF Changs because the day I sold to Entangled Publishing, the Physicist and I had already arranged a SWG with one of our favorite couples at the restaurant to catch up. SWG stands for Scotch Working Group. The servers there keep The Marine and The Physicist's  favorite scotch on hand and know them by name. So one minute I was signing a contract and the next I was off to eat Chinese and hang out with friends while the College Kid started fooling around with my Tumblr account to make it look better.

When the Marine and his wife learned the news they were very excited. But really? I was so dazed, I was almost overwhelmed. They insisted on me tooting my own horn a bit. So we had a big piece of cake on the house (because the server was happy for me after they told her I had sold a book). After we ate the cake (which was super yummy and completely sinful) the fortune cookies arrived. We each opened ours and I'm saving them all in my jewelry box. Here's what they said:

You will receive a surprising gift very soon.
You should have a talk with a friend today.
Treasure what you have.
A small gift can bring joy to the whole family.

Somehow, in the dim glow of the low lights at PF Changs these fortunes reflected my entire day. I loved that moment when each member of the table read their slip of paper, then handed me their fortune.

Their friendship leads me to Faith. I could not have gotten to this point without the company of faithful friends and without faith in something greater than me guiding my destiny. My family, my dearest and oldest friends (two who read the first ill-fated manuscript and encouraged me to go forth), my new friends, my Zumba Sisters, my writing friends, my awesome critique partners, the mentors and teachers who have guided me (Mary Buckham, Dianna Love, Margie Lawson, Michael Hauge to name a few), the published authors who have given me so much encouragement--all of them have filled my internal faith jar with hope for the future.

And I have a real faith jar. Years ago someone gave me a prayer jar. You write down your prayers on slips of paper and date them, then you put them in the jar and let them sit there. When things change, you check the jar and pull out the prayers that have been answered. OK, so now I'm crying as I write this because this weekend I pulled out two slips of paper. Here's what they said and the dates they were written:

I  pray that someone will publish my works 2005
I pray for strength to write strong even when I'm not published. 2012

The top of my jar is inscribed with the following words:

Faith is the substance of things hoped for... Hebrews 11:1

It's been a long journey from that first tiny slip of paper to today's new slip of paper. The journey's not over, it's just different. I'm making new connections and finding new friends who are in this extraordinary world that I've just entered. But I'm so glad that the companions I have known throughout my life will be cruising on this pathway beside me. They are why I have the courage to sit down to write stories which believe in the power of love binding two hearts together.

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE TRIANGLE: Guest Blogger Marilyn Baron

Hi Everyone! Please welcome back my special friend Marilyn Baron who has a new book debuting with the WILD ROSE PRESS this August and a lot of cool information about the Bermuda Triangle. I hope you enjoy her blog post today as I share the Veranda with her. 

Author Marilyn Baron

The Truth About The Triangle

By Marilyn Baron

People can’t seem to stop talking about The Bermuda Triangle, but not many people are aware of the other things Bermuda has to talk about. I’ve spent many wonderful vacations in Bermuda, which is why I chose Bermuda for the setting of my new novel, Under the Moon Gate and the prequel Destiny: A Bermuda Love Story.  The place is almost a central character in the book. So, courtesy of the Bermuda Department of Tourism, I thought you might find these little known facts about Bermuda interesting.

1. Bermuda is NOT in The Bahamas. Contrary to popular belief, Bermuda is not in The Bahamas. It’s located 650 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras, N.C. and is less than a three-hour flight from Atlanta. It stretches for 21 miles along turquoise waters and is surrounded by a 200-square-mile coral reef plateau.
2. Pink sand beaches. Bermuda’s signature pink sand comes from a combination of crushed coral, calcium carbonate, and foraminifera. There’s a picture on my Web site.    
3. Bermuda is the oldest British colony.
4. Visitors cannot rent cars in Bermuda. Tourists can rent motor scooters, but if you’re not careful you’ll get a bad case of road rash. 
5. Bermuda does have its own currency, but Bermuda dollars are only usable on your Bermuda vacation, so it’s a non-exportable currency. Bermuda dollars are pegged to the U.S. dollar at a 1:1 exchange rate.
6. If golf is your game…Bermuda is home to more golf courses per square mile than anywhere in the world.
7. Love-Love. Thank you Bermuda for introducing tennis to America. 
8. Bermuda has a rich literary heritage. Bermuda has attracted and inspired Mark Twain, Noel Coward, James Thurber, Eugene O’Neill and John Lennon. Before publishing The Secret Garden in 1911, Frances Hodgson Burnett stayed at the Princess Hotel, giving rise to the rumor that the secret garden was located somewhere in Bermuda. William Shakespeare’s The Tempest was inspired by a shipwreck that occurred near St. George in 1609, the year before he wrote the play. That shipwreck was also the inspiration for my book Destiny: A Bermuda Love Story, which will be released in September. Michael Douglas, one of my favorite actors, and his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, have a home in Bermuda. In fact, he is a shareholder and board member of Ariel Sands, a resort on Bermuda’s South Shore, whose property has been in his mother’s family since the 1840s.
9. Bermuda Shorts. Bermuda shorts, made of Irish Linen, are an acceptable part of the everyday wardrobe in Bermuda and are worn by most businessmen. 
10. Bermuda remains the world’s number one wreck diving destination.

Moon Gate Pendant

Best buys in Bermuda include Bermuda cedar, Bermuda Longtail Jewelry, Bermuda Moon Gate Jewelry and Bermuda Rum Cakes.

If you haven’t been there already, I hope you get a chance to go one day. But reading my book is the next best thing to being there.

Here’s a blurb about Under the Moon Gate, a romantic thriller set in contemporary and WW II Bermuda, now out in e-book form from The Wild Rose Press at AMAZON. The book will be available in print format August 9.

Dashing sea captain Nathaniel Morgan sails into the life of prim and proper Bermuda heiress Patience Whitestone and threatens to expose her family secrets—ruinous secrets she wasn’t aware of. The two are immediately at odds when Nathaniel moors his vessel in front of her estate and refuses to leave until he finds the cache of Swiss gold he’s convinced was buried somewhere on the property during World War II. Can Patience save herself and her family’s reputation when she finds herself reluctantly drawn to this determined “pirate”? Or will someone from the past make good on his threat to destroy them both? Their fate is inextricably linked to Nazi plots and to the beautiful moon gates of Bermuda in this compelling tale of love and intrigue.

Now the prequel to Under the Moon Gate, Destiny: A Bermuda Love Story, a historical, was just released on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Destiny-Bermuda-Love-Story-ebook/dp/B00D0RABAY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369666497&sr=8-1&keywords=Destiny%3A+A+Bermuda+Love+Story 

Here's the blurb: 

Destiny: A Bermuda Love Story

Prequel to UNDER THE MOON GATE

The relationship of star-crossed lovers Elizabeth Sutton and Edward Morgan founders off the coast of Bermuda with the shipwreck of the Sea Venture in the seventeenth century. Edward is seduced by the captain’s daughter and trapped into an unhappy marriage, but he and his new wife continue the voyage to Virginia to rescue the starving Jamestown Colony.

Elizabeth, still in England and pregnant with Edward’s child, receives Edward’s letters telling of the shipwreck but knows nothing of his marriage. When her child is old enough, Elizabeth follows Edward as far as Bermuda. Will he return and will the lovers be reunited, or will their eternally entwined souls search forever to fulfill their destiny?

If you want to read more about my other books and stories, please visit my new Web site at http://www.marilynbaron.com/.

****2013 LINDA HOWARD AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FINALISTS****

****Permission to Forward Granted & Appreciated****

Announcing the 2013 LINDA HOWARD AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FINALISTS

PARANORMAL/URBAN FANTASY

*Key to the Lair by Heather Leonard

Sanctuary by Jennifer Hover

Watchtower by Jennifer Hover

Dangerous Dreams by Abbie Roads

Hidden Magic by Shelly Chalmers

Final Round Judge: Latoya Smith, Editor, Grand Central Publishing

HISTORICAL

Wicked Things by Laura Huskins

*The Seduction In His Smile by Louisa Cornell

The Devil to Pay by Kate Larkins

*The Curious Proposal of Lord Fitzalan by Julie Hinz

Since Their Affair by Marnee Bailey

Final Round Judge: Chelsey Emmelhainz, Editor, Harper Collins/Avon Impulse

SINGLE TITLE

Mesmerized by Madagascar by Amani D'Shan

Someone Like You by Sandra Tilley

Wicked Dante Quinn by Lisa McKinney

*The Agreement by Angela N. Blount

The Inner Fire by Jackie Delecki

Final Round Judge: Lisa Dunick, Editor, Samhain

CONTEMPORARY SERIES ROMANCE

Chasing Damn by Denny Brice

*Against All Odds by Marie Campbell

Unbuttoned by Ella Audrey

Homecoming by Jo Anne Banker

Return to Love by Kerri Carpenter

Final Round Judge: Alethea Spiridon Hopson, Editorial Director, Entangled Publishing

THE WRITE MAGIC FOR SOUTHERN MAGIC FINALISTS

Key to the Lair by Heather Leonard

The Seduction In His Smile by Louisa Cornell

The Curious Proposal of Lord Daniel Fitzalan by Julie Hinz

The Agreement by Angela N. Blount

Against All Odds by Marie Campbell

Final Round Judge: Beth Miller, Agent, Writers House

*denotes Southern Magic Members

If I'm Not Writing, I'm...

-at the local YMCA where I meet my Zumba sisters, hang out with the Pilates crowd, and try not drop a weight on my toe in the Body Sculpt class.

-cuddling the Fur Babies--Tonks and Mischief need lots of attention.

-shopping for groceries, cooking meals, preparing high energy and low calorie snacks.

-entertain the Physicist's colleagues.

-attend and/or host a monthly book club.

-cleaning the house--it's a big house and I'm the current Commander in Chief of House.

-talking on the phone with my friends in other countries and states.

-traveling with the Physicist to see our friends or just have a romantic getaway.

-managing the household budget and bills--another struggle.

-texting the College Kid and sending her pictures of cool stuff.

-taking care of the College Kid, going to doctor appointments with her, trying to help her find the balance she needs to live a long and full life that's filled with happiness.

-wrangling medical information, insurance information, the CK's long distance medical issues.

-running a contest for my writing chapter.

-helping my Goal in a Month group as a scheduler.

-decorating the house with fun little bits of whimsy.

-looking for interesting recipes to try out on the family.

-planning my getaways.

-yard work--the struggle is real.

-hiding in my tornado shelter with the fur babies.

-reading a great book.

-fritzing around on Pinterest, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitterville.

-meeting a friend for lunch.

-encouraging others and listening to them.

-critiquing and beta reading books.

-running a gazillion errands.

-watching reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond.

-watching movies with the family.

-going to friends' houses for dinners and drinks.

-just being.

What do you do when you're not where you're supposed to be?

Great Expectations

On Monday I wrote about my tools to battle back the world pressing in and battling the demons of doubt and despair. Part of the reason I'm so tough on myself right now is I have set the bar very high this year. And another large part of the reason I am driving myself so hard is I've redirected the focus of my writing energy.

This is the first year I have taken a sabbatical from entering contests. I love contests. They give me deadlines. They validate me as a writer. They provide useful feedback. Last year I was a Triple Finalist and winner of the Linda Howard Award of Excellence. I've experience lots of high moments with other contests as well. I love contests so much I decided to help my Southern Magic Romance Writers out by coordinating the Linda Howard Award of Excellence this year.

So why have I sworn off contests? Easy answer: they focus my energy only on the first three chapters of the book and, in some cases, the synopsis. And I have a different goal this year. I want to polish and hone three full manuscripts to the best of my abilities at this point.

I want to take what I've learned during the last two years and implement that knowledge. I want to revise my full manuscripts with my new writing eyes. Eyes that see things differently. Eyes that understand what is expected of the manuscript's promise. And eyes that are HONEST about the quality of the writing.

I also want to take two monthlong online courses that will require me to expend my energy in learning more about the business side of the publication industry and more about the craft of writing a complex novel.

My critique partner says I'm harder on myself than anyone else. She's right. I wouldn't be where I am as a writer and as a person if I didn't push myself to succeed. But I also strive to have a balanced life. A life that includes hanging out with people who aren't writers, spending time with the Physicist on the Veranda, and building my relationship with the College Kid as she transitions from home to the world.

So if I want that balance and I want to achieve all of my goals, I must say no to something that isn't necessary to my life as a writer. And as much as I crave the validation of a contest final, I know in my heart that my time is better spent shaping my novels into amazing stories and generating new stories and building strong bonds with my family.

Have your personal and professional goals changed? Why?

The Outside World Presses In

Writing is a solitary profession. Period. Yes, we can meet with our writing colleagues at meetings and gather at conferences, but for the most part we act alone. No one can write our books for us. No one can revise our first drafts for us. And no one can force us to query or submit even when we are filled with doubts about achieving our goals.

Published or unpublished, we all fight demons. For the published authors there are real deadlines. That's great. Puts a fire under one's bottom and presses that author to work.

But me? No one is waiting for me to meet any deadlines right now. So I have to set my own deadlines which, to be honest, have been shifting daily due to outside world pressure and different expectations of myself as a writer.

I'm working hard, but real life has pressed in and I've had to fight for my writing time. Occasionally, I have to surrender to the outside pressure because it's immediate and important and intrinsic to the well-being of my family. And every interruption to my schedule impacts my ability to get back in the chair and diligently pursue a publication career.

And then there are my own demons. Personal ones that every writer, published and unpublished, struggle with all the time. Am I good enough? Have I really got what it takes to write well and write much? Did I say no to an opportunity only to lose the one chance I might have had to be published? Did I start too late? Is the story I'm working on right now good enough? Am I wasting my time? Am I wasting my family's time? Will I ever get paid for sitting here at this computer for hours on end to generate stories and ideas and more?

Do I care about the answers to these questions? Of course I care. However, I live in a delusional, imaginary world so I propose my own answers to these questions all the time. I need to otherwise I might quit. And if I quit, I reject myself.

Here are my answers: I become a stronger writer every time I sit down to write. I am a self-motivated and self-disciplined person who has the drive to work hard and work smart. There's more than one way to get published and I'm not shy about looking down every avenue. I have a wealth of experience to draw from whenever I sit down to write a story. My current story will become better as I continue to revise it and mold it into shape. If I am happy doing what I am doing, the time I put into it doesn't matter. My family is proud of my endeavors and they support me just as I am proud of their endeavors and support them. I will get paid for generating these stories because I have a plan of action which I am actively pursuing every day.

How do you beat back the world pressing in? How do you fight the demons of doubt and despair?

Break Out the Bubbly & the Dark Chocolate: Celebrating Larynn Ford's Debut Novel IN MY WILDEST DREAMS

Debut Author Larynn Ford

Hi Everyone! I met Larynn Ford at a Southern Magic Romance Writer's chapter meeting. She's a lovely person and man has she moved fast into the realm of publication!! I couldn't wait to interview her about her debut release IN MY WILDEST DREAMS when I heard she'd signed a contract with Soul Mate Publishing. Her paranormal romance is the first book she's ever written and she's proof that everyone has a different journey toward publication. Please join me in welcoming Larynn to the Veranda! 

*pop*pour*sip*

Larynn, I'm so glad you're here to share your story toward publication. Tell me, how did you end up becoming a writer?

It was actually reading that led me to the idea of writing. A friend gave me her copy of Twilight to read on vacation. “You have got to read this. It is so good,” she said. Since I hadn’t read in a while, it took a bit but when I got into it, I couldn’t get enough. I craved paranormal and sought out as much as I could read. I’m following at least twelve different series now and somewhere along the way I thought how much fun it would be to create a fantasy world and bring my own characters to life. So began IN MY WILDEST DREAMS.

Wow! That's so wonderful that one person's book recommendation lead to sparking your desire to write. What is your favorite genre to write?

Paranormal romance.

Of course!! It's your inspiration. Are you a plotter or do you follow the muse?

Plotting can only get me so far (maybe I’m doing it wrong). For me, it’s the sudden, unexpected spark of an idea that gets the words flowing.

Everyone has a different process. From what I've learned, most writers think each book they write has a different process toward the end result. So after you're done writing, how do you relax? 

I sleep.

Sleeping is good. I love to sleep whenever I can. When you're not sleeping or writing, what do you read? What are your favorite genres? Who are your favorite authors?

I fell in love with paranormal romance in 2006 and enjoy reading Christine Feehan, Kerrilyn Sparks, Charlaine Harris, and Lindsay Sands to mention a few.

I adore all these authors. They're wonderful storytellers. Tell me, what is your current project?

IN MY WILDEST DREAMS, release day April 17.

 And afterward will you  have any new releases? (For later)

My current WIP is called RESCUED, a paranormal romance about a couple of P I’s (were-cougars) hired to investigate the disappearance of young people. Their findings lead them to discover a widespread operation to harvest and sell body parts. Along the way they discover fate has decided they are life mates and they must deal with their attraction while solving the case.

Oooohhhh, how cool!! I love the premise. Where do you get your ideas for your stories?

 Sometimes, I call on my own memories and say, “What if…” Sometimes a song lyric or in the case of RESCUED, the blue eyes and long, thick, blond lashes of the singer set a scene into motion and the story blossomed from there.

Stories I heard as a child or something as simple as a bridge on Highway 80 that haunts me every time I drive by and begs for its story to be written. Ideas are everywhere.

That's so true, Larynn. Ideas are everywhere. I'm glad you were able to turn your idea into a story. How long were you trying to get published before you got the “call?”

I wrote my first words on June 12, 2009 and signed my first contract on May 21, 2012.

Bam!! Super fast!! I'm so excited for you. How did you celebrate the new book contract?

I checked email before I left for work that morning and found the offer then. After I caught my breath, stopped the happy tears, and calmed down enough to drive, I went to work… with a permanent smile on my face.

A permanent smile sounds lovely. Do you have an agent?

I don’t at this point have an agent. I’m just getting my feet wet with the whole road to publication. I think I need to wade in little deeper before thinking about an agent. As I learn more about the business, I may change my mind…we’ll see.

Yes. There are pros and cons and each writer must make her/his decisions about their career accordingly. Good for you that you're adaptable. What is the most difficult part about writing for you?

Finding the time. I work a more than full time job and am wiped out by the time I get home so weekends and an occasional sprint at lunch are my most productive writing times.

I'm in awe of your dedication to writing given that you have a day job. What advice would you give aspiring writers?

The best advice I got was read, write, read, write. Sounds too simple and I was skeptical but reading really does answer many writing questions

Reading is my muse. All genres. Excellent advice. What encouragement can you give writers who face rejection? 

Never give up. Rejection only means the right person hasn’t read your work yet.

Never give and never surrender are my daily mantras. Thank you so much for popping over to the Veranda to celebrate your debut novel release IN MY WILDEST DREAMS. May all good things continue to come your way. And looking forward to the next book's release as well.

Larynn Ford's book IN MY WILDEST DREAMS can be purchased at the following sites:

SOUL MATE PUBLISHING

www.larynnford.com