Back to Romance

Last weekend, I was busy with romance.  Not personal romance, although I did spend some quality time with my husband.  But mostly it was with Romance Writers of America.  The two local chapters I belong to both held meetings, and I attended them.

And that's a good thing, since my writing is more on the romantic side than mystery at the moment.

My next release will be a Harlequin Romantic Suspense novel called COVERT ALLIANCE.  It will be published in August.

 

And the next book for which I'm under deadline is a Harlequin Nocturne, the eighth in my Alpha Force paranormal romance miniseries about a covert military unit of shapeshifters.  In fact, I finished some edits I was working on for my next Barkery & Biscuits Mystery, UNLUCKY CHARMS, and immediately had to change my mindset to start writing my paranormal romance which for now, at least, is called HERO WOLF.

That's some change, since although I wrote a proposal for that book a few months ago, it's a shift to get back to writing romance after keeping my mind mostly in mystery gear for a while.  Definitely fun, though.  And I've also written a proposal for another miniseries, this time for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, that looks very promising... hopefully, more to come about that soon.  My mind is used to doing that kind of shift, although I have to tell it to get busy!

And as you know, if you read my posts here, I'm into attending writing conferences--and the next two I've got coming up are romance oriented: the Romance Writers of America National Conference in San Diego next month, and I just signed up for next year's California Dreamin' conference, given by the four Southern California chapters of RWA every other year. 

So romance is sort of at the top of my list at the moment.  But as I've said often, all my romances contain some element of mystery or suspense, and all my mysteries contain some romance,

Guess I'd better think some more romantic thoughts for now, though.

So Much to Do. So Little Time?

Last week I blogged about the California Dreamin' Conference and how much I enjoyed it.  I left on a family trip soon after returning home.  Did I enjoy that?  Oh, yes! 

But while I was traveling I didn't get much writing or editing done.  What I primarily accomplished was to start my latest to-do list, which I typed on my computer when I got home.   

Yes, I have a lot to do.  Much of it involves promotion, since my first Barkery & Biscuits Mystery, BITE THE BISCUIT, is a May release.  Some of it, unsurprisingly, involves writing, since the second Barkery & Biscuits Mystery's deadline is looming in the not-too-distant future. 

Can I accomplish everything?  I certainly hope so.  But it's frustrating to realize that having only one career at a time doesn't somehow make it easy to do it all.   

Previously, I both practiced law and wrote, in addition to raising a family at home.  I juggled and managed it.  Now, I'm an officially inactive lawyer and a very active writer.  I do get ordered around a lot by my canine family members.  And, yes, I'm juggling and managing that, too.  It seems as if I should have more time available with the more limited obligations.  But everything takes time!

So, as much as I enjoy blogging, I think I'd better get back to my novel writing now. 

What's on your agenda today?

California Dreamin' Retrospective

Happy April, everyone.  And my wishes are no April Fool's joke!

I mentioned last week that I was attending a writing conference last weekend: California Dreamin', the conference hosted by all four Southern California Romance Writers of America chapters.  It was fun!  It also stimulated my thinking.  

My panel on writing series went well, and so did my reading at the Lady Jane's Salon.  I even sold some books at the book signing. 

Then there were the talks and panels that I attended.  It was fun to see a lady cop give demonstrations on how crime scenes are actually investigated and hear her perspective on other aspects of law enforcement.  I heard more about what Amazon is up to.  The mealtime speakers were enjoyable.  I also connected with some long-time friends and met some new ones, too. 

Then there were the other talks I attended.  I mostly went to those on social media and promotion and, fortunately, there were several.  I knew I still had a lot to learn, and now there's even more I need to think about and learn more about and incorporate into my online approach.   

That's what I hope to do in what passes for my spare time for the next few weeks.  Wish me luck, and I may even mention what I'm up to here and request your advice.

And of course if you have any suggestions, please feel free to pass them along!