Breathe!

Writing a book is easy.
Writing a good book, a bit more difficult.
Writing a great book, a lot more difficult.

I'll always remember the night I got my first acceptance on a manuscript. I checked my e-mail and there it was – “Congratulations! We'd like to publish your book.” I forgot to breathe, and I’m not sure I’ve taken a deep breath since.

It's astonishing to look back and see how many years ago that was. Writing has changed my life in so many ways. My world expanded exponentially. I learned, and grew, and I blossomed in ways I could never have anticipated. I've met so many wonderful people along the way, and a few, like our blog hostess, Brenda Williamson, have become friends.

Being a published author is about more than just writing the book. Once we finish the manuscript there is a submittal process to go through. After that, we go through contract acceptance, which is a very important step. Then we wait, and just as we’re hot and heavy into the next story, we get zapped with the edit. And sometimes another edit. Release day rolls around, and it's time to promo, promo, promo. And promo some more.

Website updates, mailing lists, Yahoo chat rooms, blogs, Twitter, Goodreads, facebook, MySpace, reviews- the list gets longer and longer, and we get more creative. It's truly a labor of love. And while all the promo is happening, we are writing, or corresponding, or plotting; we’re e-mailing, or taking care of children, spouses, parents, day jobs.

But when do we breathe?

Other authors make it possible for us to breathe. They know our passion, they speak our language. They know the things we'd like to do and are sometimes forced by things we cannot control to leave undone. No explanation is necessary. They sense when we are close to a burnout, and they remind us to breathe.

When we’re stuck on a story, call a writer's block or whatever you like, we can turn to them and say, “Help!” When we have a great idea, we turn to our critique partners and they applaud us. And then they tell us to breathe.

If you spend any time in the blogosphere of authors, you'll see a lot of guest spots, just like my being here on Brenda's blog today. Sure it's one way to promo our latest release while driving traffic to a different blog, but it's more than that.

It's a step back from the pressure to write a thousand words a day. It's a break from all the rules on those infernal lists and groups. Its e-mails back and forth with a friend joking a kidding and grousing about having to write a blog. It's a chance to take a much-needed night off.

It's Brenda saying, “Girl, you need to breathe.”

* * *

DOUBLE DEUCE
Contemporary gay romance mystery
available now at Amber Allure
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/DoubleDeuce.html

Free spirited Ian Coulter works hard and plays harder. An ex-cop turned private investigator, Ian enjoys meeting new men and making new friends. A night out ends up with one man on the floor at his feet, and another asking for his help. Big trouble’s brewing in little Amethyst Cove, and Ian’s a step behind. He’s quick to see Rick Mohr is the man holding the flare at the end a long, dark tunnel.

Undercover agent Rick Mohr walks a fine line, serving two masters. Insider trading, counterfeit printing plates, and a blown-up yacht have Rick stuck between two Federal agencies, one of which has been compromised. Rick has to discover the mole before it’s too late. When Ian Coulter walks into his life, Rick grabs the chance to salvage his assignment with both hands.

It doesn’t take Ian and Rick long to discover joining forces, and sharing resources, has definite perks - ones not found in any departmental manual.

__To read an adult excerpt, please follow the link below.__

DOUBLE DEUCE
ISBN-13: 978-1-61124-185-3
Contemporary gay romance mystery

KC Kendricks
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