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write--and read--compulsively, and those habits led,
in 2001, to the publication of my first novel. I
was thrilled--and then, shortly, panicked. Deadlines
are nasty things.
 our
more full-length novels and two novellas followed,
and then, in late 2005, my publisher discontinued
the sorts of books I'd been writing, traditional Regency
romance. I'd been wanting to take a break for
a while, as I was dealing with some unpleasantness
in my life, and I needed some time to devote, uninterrupted,
elsewhere. But when you're an author, you have
readers, and--ack!--readers expect you to write. Regularly.
Copiously. Brilliantly. And so does
your editor. Once you're published, you can't
just stop for a couple of years and expect your career
to still be there when you come back, unless you're
Stephen King (You go, man!). So, when Kensington
Publishing pulled the plug on its
Regency romance line, I was rather embarassingly cheerful
about it, and I didn't contribute much to the online
gripe sessions in those days. Finally, I could take
time off without shirking my responsibilty to my publisher
or my readers! I did so--and am doing so. And
it feels great, and yet...
 et
the plot bunnies nibble at my toes nearly every day,
and I expect that, sooner or later, I'll be submitting
something to my editor (a truly lovely person who
welcomed me to submit projects from other subgenres,
bless her). Whatever my next novel, it won't
be a traditional Regency, as the market seems to have
dried up for those in spite of the lovely, intelligent,
thoughtful, witty, kind (and Melynda-worshipped) readers
who write to ask when I'm coming out with another
one. No, my next project will be a departure.
Which, come to think of it, could be a whole
lot of fun. Perhaps a Regency-set historical,
one with the odd fairy or leprechaun...?
or
now, though, I'm busy not writing. This
hiatus is giving me a chance to set some pesky personal
duckies in a row, as well as to explore some other
facets of life and to grow as a writer (I really am
compulsive about it).
f
you're so inclined, three of my books are still in
print and can be had by asking for them at any bookstore,
while my out-of-print titles are almost always available
on Ebay.
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