Big Changes, Fast Company

Love this photo. I'm keeping some pretty fast company here.

That's me on the left, with Tawna Fenske, Kristina McMorris, Delilah Marvelle and Jessa Slade. All successful published authors who belong to the Rose City Romance Writers chapter of RWA.

I finally feel I really belong in this picture, because I did it. I quit teaching elementary library media to write full time!

Pinching self. Is this really me? Can't quite believe it's true.

I mean, it is June, which always means the cessation of my school year schedule - Up early and off to school. Teach all day, then stop by the gym on my way home, finally arrive home at about  tired out and ready to have dinner with the DH, and put my feet up with a glass of wine and a good book. But instead, head to my office for a couple of hours of writing, until my husband reminds me that I have to go to bed in order to get up the next morning and do it all again.

This summer, I've begun a new routine, and I could get to love this.

Up at about the time I would have been heading off to school, breakfast, strong coffee, and to my office to check in on social media and write until lunch time.  Lunch with my husband, then more social media and write for another hour or two. Go for bide ride, walk or to gym. Dinner, and then, since I am on deadline with Hawaiian Heroes, Book 3, back to social media and writing for another couple of hours.

I don't expect my schedule will always be this stringent. And I have not, to be really honest, held to it seven days a week. I mean, it is summer (part of the time, 'cause it's only June, and this is the Pacific NW). One Must Make Time for bike rides, long walks, leisurely meals on our deck to watch the birds who flock to the feeder and hang out in our trees.

And this last weekend my DH and I went out to the Oregon Coast. Fabulous. There is nothing like a walk on the beach, with sand underfoot, seabirds flying and the surge of the surf, deep and rhythymic and sure, to lower my tension and calm my soul.

Came home rejuvenated, a few pounds heavier from too much good food and Rogue micro-brew, and ready to get back to writing. And strangely without that panicky feeling of 'Time to check the calendar. Already been out of school for two weeks, so how many are left before I must go back?'

Not saying I don't have a panicky feeling about my writing deadline, but I can work with that. Because there is nothing, nothing, nothing that I would rather be doing full time than this.

And here's a shout out to my friend, Monica Knightley, as she begins her writing journey with a very nice compliment for me and a big decision for her on her very funny blog, Random Musings of a Fledgling Writer. I think you'll agree, can't wait for a book from her, whether it's Fifty Shades of Red, Green or some new color she hasn't invented yet.

This change of careers can only be good for me ... and I hope, for you.

I look forward to sharing so many more stories with you. Another change is racing toward me, but I'll share that another time.

For now, how about you? Summer bringing any big changes your way? If so, I hope they're good.

But if not, come on in. Lose yourself in a great tropical romance. Sigh, cry some tears along with the heroine, and hero, and smile as they get their happy ever after.

When you return to your life, I hope you'll be refreshed, rested and rejuvenated, yourself.

Best,
Cathryn

Samhain Publishing, Cathryn Cade, Hawaiian Heroes

A Writer's Dream ... with Michele Stegman

As a writer I had a dream.  I wanted to be published.  I couldn’t believe it when I finally sold my first book.  The one thing that would make it real for me would be to see my books sitting on a shelf in a bookstore.

          I made careful note of which day of the month the new Leisure releases appeared on bookstore shelves and which day they showed up at Kroger’s. 

          The month my book was released, I was patient.  I waited for two days after the day they should be at Kroger’s before I went down to “shop.”  I got a cart and wheeled through the produce, the deli.  I didn’t rush right to the book aisle.  I savored the moment.  When I got to that aisle, I casually strolled along the shelves, looking for that cover Leisure had sent me. 

          I did a double take.  It wasn’t there!  I looked again.  All the other new Leisure releases were there, but not mine!  I was so disappointed.  What had happened?  I didn’t find out for a couple of weeks that the store had put MY books on the end cap, in a special place because I was a local author!  But the point was, I didn’t see them that day and went home with a sigh.

          A couple of days later my husband and I went to a book store.  This time I hurried directly for the romance section.  There were Danielle Steele’s books.  I should be right after…nope!  No books!  I looked all over the romance section.  No books by Michele Stegman!

          I went up to the counter and asked.  Yes, they told me, there should be two of my books back there.  She went to help me find them.  The clerk couldn’t find them, either.  The conclusion?  They had been stolen!  They would reorder.  Come back in a few days.

          Three days later hubby and I went to a mall where there were TWO bookstores.  Surely, one of them would have my book!  I went to the one downstairs and Ron went to the other. 

          I looked all over that bookstore and they didn’t have my book.  When I inquired, they checked their records.  Yes, they had ordered eight copies—but they had sold out!  Well, that was good news, but frustrating because I still hadn’t seen my book on a bookstore shelf.

          Ron came in and told me there were copies upstairs.  I hurried up there, and sure enough, FINALLY, I saw my book for sale in a real bookstore.  There they were.  Four brand new, lovely copies!  I basked in pride for a moment or two and then I looked at my husband and wailed, “Why haven’t they sold?”

          Well, while I was there, I signed the copies and sold two of them so at last I went home happy.

          If you are a writer, what is/was your dream?  What made it real for you?  Was it getting “the call?”  Signing your first contract?  Connecting with readers at your first book signing?

                                    

Michele Stegman writes warm, sensual romances.  Check out her website for more information on her and her books at:  www.michelestegman.com

Can she give up the man she loves before her secret destroys them both?

As long as no one knows who Irish really is, she will be safe.  But Tyrus Fortune seems determined to uncover all her secrets.  Can she fully love him without revealing her true self to him?  And if she does, will it also put him and his family in danger.


Tyrus Fortune returns home after two years determined to unmask the woman who has found her way into the hearts of his family.  He is sure she is a fraud—until he begins to fall in love with her.  Now he only wishes she will trust him with her secrets and her love so they can face the future together.

Read an excerpt