Writing what you love, but not being able to get published because the book doesn’t fit into a neat category is frustrating. I enjoy romantic suspense, but prefer series over stand-alone books. This creates a dilemma for my writing because mystery readers don’t like too much sex in their books and most romances don’t have series that are focused on the same two characters. But that is what I really want to write — a mystery involving two characters who are in love and do what people who are in love do.

The first manuscript of Deadly Valentine had all the mystery and romantic elements, but I toned down the “good bits” because I know most mystery readers don’t want explicit intimate scenes. I thought by watering down the love scenes I would increase my chances at getting published. After making the rounds and being told I have a “page turner”, “a great writing style” and “it could make a great romance if you elaborated on the intimacy”, but not getting an agent, I’ve decided maybe it’s time to just do what I want. So I’ve added the heat. It’s still a mystery, but offers more than a little cozy. One could consider it a romance, except that I have completed drafts of two more books in the series. Each has a mystery while also continuing Jack and Tess’ romance.

I’ve discovered that many e-publishers are open to books that don’t necessarily fit within one genre, and I’m hopeful one will take a chance on Deadly Valentine.

I love this comment about writing love and murder:

“It’s just as much fun to murder someone off as to marry them off.” Houston Chronicle

With 200 books, I’m not sure anyone has as many stories rattling around in their head as Roberts, but I know I have quite a few and would love to be able to start writing and just keep going:

“I always have stories running around in my head. Once I start putting them down on paper, I just keep going; I just keep writing.” Book Reporter.

This one is posted at my computer! When asked by Claire E. White at Writers Write about how she writes love scenes, Roberts said

“Exactly the same way I approach writing any other scene. Action, reaction, motivation, emotion, all have to come from the characters. Writing a love scene requires the same elements from the writer as any other.”

In the end, writers write:

“You’re going to be unemployed if you really think you just have to sit around and wait for the muse to land on your shoulder. That’s not the way I work. I build a story.” WTOP.

Celebrity in Death steps back from all the drama and angst that occurred in New York to Dallas, but doesn’t spare the banter and sexiness particularly between Eve and her billionaire husband Rourke. While it’s not the best book in the series or a place to start if you’ve never read the books (you absolutely need to start at the beginning with Naked in Death (In Death, Book 1)), the book is still good, albeit predictable. For me, the books are all about Eve, Rourke and the other characters. The mystery and mayhem is secondary. And for that reason, I have enjoyed all the books.

But then this week I got the dreaded, “no thank you” email. Waaaa! The email was positive overall. She called the book a “page turner” and said there were “strong elements to the narrative”. She said it was “very good” but apparently it wasn’t “great”. She suggested I up the intimacy between Jack and Tess and turn it into a romance novel. The problem with that idea is that I already have two drafts of additional books about Jack and Tess. Romances don’t do series, so it wouldn’t work. At least I haven’t seen a romance series that wasn’t also a mystery series.

The book is still with a publisher and while I know I can still get a ‘no’, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a ‘yes’.

Have you gotten a rejection? I’d love to hear your tips for dealing with it!

I first sent the query through the submission form on her website about a week before Christmas. I got an automatic message that the submission was received. In the beginning of February, I couldn’t wait any longer, so I emailed asking if she got the submission. Turns out it got lost or didn’t go through after all. So I sent my short pitch and few chapters. A week later I got an email in which she apologized for the delay and indicated she’d get to it soon.

I emailed back thanking her for the update. By then I had a publisher ask for the full manuscript, so I mentioned it to the agent, who then wrote back and asked for the full manuscript as well. That was February 15. Today I received an email in which she wrote, “Just to keep you posted, I thoroughly enjoyed your manuscript so I passed it along to a coworker to get another read. We’ll have an answer for you as soon as possible.”

I know that it could still be “no”, but each little step closer is exciting. And it’s validating. I love my story. My mom and sister like my story. But let’s face it, what we think doesn’t count. When an agent says she liked it, that tells me I might be able to do this writing thing after all.

On the other end, agents and publishers are probably working non-stop, answering queries, reading manuscripts, working with writers. They are busy, busy, busy. But as the writer who’s sitting and checking her email every few minutes to see if someone wants to buy her work, the wait is excruciating. I find myself wondering, what part of the book are they at. Have they even picked it up to read yet. How much longer do I have wait….

But every great goal requires work and patience. Losing weight takes time. Saving money takes time. And hearing back about a pitch from a publisher or agent takes time.

I would not describe myself as a die-hard Janeite. I don’t mind when directors have the characters kiss in the movie adaptations. In fact I like it. But, when I read a book (or see a movie) I want the characters to behave the way they were originally written. That’s where Death Comes to Pemberley falls short. While some of the characters are written true to form (Jane, Charles, Wickham, Lydia and Darcy), James fails to capture Elizabeth’s wit. Granted, she’s married with two children and a large estate to manage, which could mellow her out a bit. But I don’t believe she would have settled into the role expected by society. While Pride and Prejudice is a love story, it also pokes fun at late eighteenth century social norms. Elizabeth isn’t afraid to point out social rules that make no sense or stand up for herself against people who are in a higher station than her. P.D. James’ Elizabeth doesn’t do any of that. In several situations she could speak her mind, but doesn’t. There are only a few occasions in which James’ captures Elizabeth’s wit. In fact, Elizabeth doesn’t figure very prominently in the book at all, which makes sense since as a woman she wouldn’t have been allowed to participate much in a murder investigation. Although we see a lot of him, Darcy isn’t very involved either. I expected the two of them to investigate and solve the crime, but in fact the resolution comes in a Perry Mason type last minute testimony.

Having never read P.D. James before, I can’t compare it to her other works.

I enjoyed the book overall. Austen fans might get a kick hearing about Captain Wentworth and Anne (Elliot) Wentworth from Persuasion, although I think the timing is off. Death Comes to Pemberley takes place in 1803 and I’m pretty sure Persuasion doesn’t take place until 1811 or there abouts (I remember a quote in which Wentworth says something to the effect he wasn’t in a position to get married in ’06 which is about the time Anne turned his first proposal down). James also lets us know about the Knightley’s and Harriet Smith of Austen’s book Emma.

I don’t think reading is going away. But the question about whether or not writers can make a living is a valid one. While Morrison talks about people’s expectations of “free” in the digital world, I think avid readers will always be willing to pay for a good books. Maybe not $25. Maybe not even $10. So I believe the change we’ll see is that except for the current big names (i.e. Grisham), authors won’t be getting the same deals they once had. But that doesn’t mean they can’t make a living. One thing that the Internet has done is leveled the playing field for writers. Amazon and Barnes and Noble are filled with new authors that were turned down by publishers, self-published, did well and now have traditional book deals. This suggests that authors who write well and market (which you have to do in the traditional world anyway) can have a successful writing career. Take HP Mallory, who now has a three-book deal with Random House after selling nearly 200,000 self e-published books.

Clearly traditional publishing is going change. And while the big advanced might go away and book prices may drop, that doesn’t mean authors can’t make money. HP Mallory’s books sell for $0.99 to $2.99. At 100,000 books, that’s not chump change. What will change, which has already changed anyway, is that authors will need an existing audience and do their own marketing.

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4) Please contact me through this site or by hitting reply to my email with feedback on what you love, hate, suggest or other ideas you have for the book.

* Reader will be asked to answer a short 3-question survey to insure that the Valentine mysteries are a good fit for your reading preference. While I want all feedback I can get, if you’re expecting a full-blown romance (ala Nora Robers) or a hard-boiled detective novel, you probably won’t like the Valentine mysteries.

So far the only book ready for publishing is book one, Deadly Valentine, although I keep thinking of things to add or cut. Still, if one of the agents that I have sent a pitch to responded with “Send me the book”, I’d have no trouble sending it to them.

Book two, Old Flames Never Die, is in it’s first draft form as well. After finishing book three, I determined it was time to edit book two. Boy does it need work!! But again, the bones are there. I just need to flesh it out.

Although much work is needed, I’m proud that I’ve completed three full-length novels. I’ve written over 200,000 words…over 600 pages.

I’m still vacillating on whether or not I want to self-publish or not. I suppose I’m hoping one of those four agents that have my pitch will help me make the decision (preferably by wanting to represent me).