If you can't say anything nice...

"Come sit by me," says Clairee Blecher (played by Olympia Dukakis) in STEEL MAGNOLIAS.

Of course it can be fun to sit and gossip. Yes, I've been known to do it myself, but I doubt the southern lady Clairee would approve of making those comments outloud so that others could hear them. And in this electronic age, our ability to be outloud includes writing, posting and commenting on blogs.

I didn't attend this years Romantic Times (RT) convention, but I havent been able to avoid some of the controversy that happened during and after. Blogs abound, but more... the comments to the blog go on for pages. Some nasty stones are being thrown and some good people are getting hurt.

It seems to me that some blogs can be like the tabloids. Uncensored, they comment on the the big racy/juicy/newsy stuff as if these were big, bold headlines, and if they have to "print" a retraction, that part is done smaller and more hidden. Not that it matters - the damage is done. Tempers have be raised, things have been written in the heat of the moment, feelings have been bruised.

And perhaps worse than feelings, which heal, sometimes reputations are hurt, which takes longer. Things posted on the internet can last a long time. Blogs are searchable by friends, family, fans, as well as future editors and agents. A lot of folks use screen names to hide their identity - or the names of others (there is a poster who uses Nora Robert's name and I have come to doubt that this is the famous author). I dont blame them, but I have noticed that those are the folks who make some of the most scathing comments. While the posters authority is questionable (due to the anonimity), it doesnt seem to make their comments sting less.

If there is a reason to make a public opinion of something known, I agree it should be written. There are many writers (and reporters, politicians, and humorists) whose thoughts I appreciate. It's those who talk/write to hurt or condemn for the sake of doing it that concern me. If my future fans want to know my take on something, I'll put it in a newsletter to them directly. Not somewhere more public where it can start the rumor mill running or be misrepresented.

Just like positive events aren't what leads on the evening news, positive blogs aren't the ones that get 100+ comments on a single post, hundreds of hits, and related posts on other blogs. But I'm going to hold out for the ones that do and post my comments there.

Then again - I also hope that one day we'll see the cable channel ONN - Optomist News Network, which will report on how many planes landed safely, how many kids are snug in their beds well rested and fed, how many people fell in love, and how great it is that tomorrow is a new day waiting to be filled by our positive choices.

No wonder I write books with happily ever after endings.

Optomistically yours,Rowan

Dreaming about the future

A year ago, my first book ROLL PLAY was newly accepted and I was just finishing signing the contracts. It was released in August 2007. And now as the Romantic Times conference goes on in Pittsburgh without me... I can't help thinking about the future.

Next year at this time I want
- to be at the RT in Orlando
- to have at least one (and preferably more) print book to sign
- to have at least three new e-books on my back list
- to have a new laptop computer
- to have my writing income support my travels!

Those are definitely my writing goals.

Nothing else new here, fans. I've submitted a new book to Ellora's Cave and I am waiting to hear back from my editor and I'm working on a very sexy retelling of the Cinderella story.

Hope your spring finds you and your dreams blossoming!

Happy Spring - Happy News

Hello friends,

Spring is here, well sort of, and I am working away on several new stories. Having this dream career has been as wonderful as I hoped.

*ROLL PLAY continues to sell 7 months after it's release.

* My first print story will appear in September 2008 in Ellora's Cave JEWELS OF THE NILE anthology, one of four annual anthologies they do. RETURN TO XANDER is the story of Mia Belmont and Xander Alessio and how Mia learns that been seen for who she is and taking risks for love is worth it.

* Ellora's Cave's editors have their own blog called REDLINES AND DEADLINES. They have been discussing strong opening lines of books and in their March 27th, Thursday 13 list, the opening of ROLL PLAY was listed as one of their "Starts That Sell". You can read it at: http://redlinesanddeadlines.blogspot.com/. I'm number 8, and thrilled to have made the list.

* My dark fiction story, PRAY, (written as R.E. Gofstein) will appear in the Dark Hart anthology TERRIBLE BEAUTY, which will be available early this fall. It is the story of a hollywood mom (think Lindsay Lohan's mom) who will do anything to protect her child - even bargain with a demon. It is a very different story for me, one that was challenging to write.

* I will be submitting a new story for consideration to EC at the end of next week. If they like it, you'll see DESTINY'S JEWEL available this September as part of their birthstone series. Kiera starts the book as a naked sushi platter and ends up the captive of a very sexy alien.

And that's the news from here. I hope you, too, are passionately pursuing your dreams.

Things in my world I love

Happy Valentine's Day!! I am so fortunate to love my world. I really feel that at this time in my life I have let go of the things that dont work, that dont make me happy and what is left is... WONDERFUL!!

- I have a loving supportive husband who is a phenominal father to our two sons.
- I not only love my sons... I really like them too.
- I love that I am close with both my parents, my brother and his family, my sister in law and her family.
- I love having several close girlfriends with whom to share the ups and downs of being a woman. - I love creating new characters and seeing them come to life om the page
- I love seeing my name on the cover of my books.
- I love the writers that I am blessed to share this creative journey with.
- I love coming home when I've been away
- I love the writing space that my husband created for me (my muse salon).
- I love time to scrapbooking
- I love chocolate, sushi, champagne, chinese food, and good pizza
- I love shopping (yes, I believe in retail therapy).
- I love learning new things.
- I love surfing the internet
- I love that I could make this list even longer

I love that each day I get to choose to do the things I love most!

Three words that would best describe me are...

CREATIVE

Being creative, leading a creative life, and encouraging creativity in my children is a big part of my world. I knew I wanted to be a writer since I was in my teens, but before that it was acting (and acting up, and acting out...). I've always been attracted to the ability to create and even my hobby - scrapbooking - has that aspect. My boys have inherited this fun gene from me and I love seeing what they come up with.

PASSIONATE

From what I write to how I love - if there's no passion involved, I dont do it. I was once at a seminar where they asked us to think about our purpose. One of the ways they guided us to the answer was by asking us to think about what we wouldnt live without (chocolate not included). Or what when it wasnt in our life, made our lives dimmer, duller. The answer for me is PASSION. That driving heat, that intense desire. A life without it is hardly worth it to me. One of the reasons I know I enjoy writing erotic romance is because I have seen too many women ignore the passionate and, yes, sexual side of themselves. That is like ignoring one of our great gifts, great powers as women. I believe that erotic writing, and reading, helps to put us back in touch with that part of ourselves.

HUMOUROUS

I have a great sense of humor. Laughter is another big part of my life. Hey, I live with my husband and two sons - I had better laugh a lot. When I look at some of the long-lived celebrities I notice two groups: dancers, which makes sense because physical activity is good for you and comedians, because I really believe laughter is so good for you. George Burns, Don Rickles, Phyllis Diller, Lucille Ball. Stay off the dangerous stuff (yes, drugs) and laughter can really extend your life. I've always been told I have a great sense of humor and I do make people laugh a lot. One of my writing goals is to try to create that more in my stories. And when life's frustrations get to me (they get to us all), finding ways and reasons to laugh helps me to move forward.

Embrace who you are. Look at Julia Child - she ate whatever she wanted. Drank alcohol in moderation and regularly, and was a breast cancer survivor. I dont doubt that one of the reasons she lead such a long life is because she did what she loved. She did what allowed her to create what she wanted in the world, what she was passionate about, and have love and laughter in her life.

I wish you all the same, Rowan

The Velcro Mommy

My house is a good size. Not huge, but there are six room totaling 1,800 square feet plus lots of room in an unfinished basement. My sons have their own rooms. There’s a television in the living room and basement. We live on a quiet street with a nice green backyard. So why, I ask you, does it seem that my boys must always be within a 12 inch radius of me? You’d think I was covered in double sided tape the way they stick to me.

I wasn’t one of the fashionable girls with my own clique growing up so you might expect me to appreciate my ongoing popularity now, and I do to a degree. But that fact that I can’t walk without tripping over someone, write without needing to referee, or read without there being a snack crisis drives me crazy some days. I sit, they sit. I move, they move. If it weren’t sweet, it would be a little disconcerting. It’s like having three shadows, two of which are corporeal.

And what is it about the ringing of the phone? If my kids have, for some reason, been leaving me alone, as soon as I pick up the phone… whoosh! There they are. Next to me, needing me, and forcing me to have a minimum of two and frequently three conversations. Does the ring set of some sort of internal kid alarm? “You must go to mommy, now!” it says, and they do. Suddenly everything is urgent other than my need to talk to another grown-up.

I know that all too soon my sons (who are almost 8 and almost 5) will be ignoring me plenty. They will want their own space, their own friends, and an invisible mom. I know to cherish this time where they still fit in my lap, want to be tucked in, and need my hugs and kisses when something hurts. I will miss reading to them, playing Candyland and Trouble with them, and yes, tripping over them.

Still - I’d like to go to the bathroom by myself, please.

Proud to be e-pubbed.

I recently entered my first book, ROLL PLAY, in the EPPIE awards, which is sponsored by EPIC, the electronic publishing internet connection. I am up against some very talented writers. Yes, there are talented writers who the NY publishers have never heard of.

When I dreamed of being a published writer of course I dreamed of seeing my book on the shelf of every bookstore I walked into, reviews in major papers, and the title rapidly rising up best seller lists. It didnt happen that way. I read my first book from Ellora's Cave years ago and thought that my writing "voice" would fit their needs. It took several years to actually finish a book that I wanted to submit, but I was right. We were a good match and I enjoy writing shorter erotic romances. What I write and enjoy writing is not what NY is currently publishing. So what... there's a market for me with e-publishing and I am happy to be there.

I think of the indie/e markets like independent films. In indie movies, filmmakers take chances and tell stories that Hollywood wont, and some of these movies are amazing! When indie films became more popular, Hollywood took notice, hiring some of the actors and directors and even making some smaller films themselves. Some of these people have stayed in Hollywood. Some go back and forth. I'd like to be the Laura Linney of the publishing world, enjoying the best of both sides.

Indie/e pubs have such a great reaction and response time. When something works, they can go for it right away. NY responds as fast as a cruise ship making a turn. Slowly, carefully, over time. In indie/e... we're waaaaay ahead by this point and off looking for the next exciting adventure.

NY pubbed doesnt necessarily mean better. It means "found an audience". 'Cause let's face it - even Hollywood has it's share of bombs (what were they thinking making some of those Rob Schneider movies!). I am proud to be e-published and hope I always will be.