Welcome
to Lizbeth’s Birthday Weekend Author Spotlight Extravaganza!
All
right, I admit that’s totally misleading. In truth this is my Shameless Name-dropping
Birthday Weekend Indulgence. Three short posts about my relationship with several
of the (very few) A-list authors I’ve been blessed to more-or-less befriend.
I interacted with each of these at the Romance Writers of America convention
last month, and each has inspired me in my own writing with
the something special that makes her a superstar in the world of romance novels.
I
don’t like to drop names. It isn’t impressive when others do it and I don’t
intend to try and impress you here. I haven’t interviewed these ladies for
these short blog posts--they are, simply, fan girl posts. But these women are among my author heroes, and the fan girl moments
with them have turned into mentorships they probably don’t even know about!
Today’s
dropped name is Lori Wilde. Lori writes western/cowboy romance for Avon Books
and I met her at my first Avon signing at RWA 2012. She’d been tapped to read
my Avon debut The Rancher and the Rock
Star, and blog about it on release day. I was so thrilled with her review
and the way she asked her readers to check out The Rancher and the Rock Star. I thanked her profusely both by
writing to her and in person when I caught sight of her name tag. A day later I
proceeded to embarrass myself when she asked me to sign a paperback copy for
her mother. “And your name?” I asked.
OMG—I’d
just totally flaked on Lori Wilde. The word “mortified” doesn’t begin to
describe my desire to sink through the floor. But gracious and beautiful Lori
brushed it off and never once rolled her eyes the next five times I saw her and referenced
my faux pas.
Three
years later, when I was at a crossroads in my career, wondering whether to try
indie publishing or find a new commercial series to pitch, I got up the nerve
to write to Lori and literally asked her to dinner at RWA in San Diego. I wanted
her take on the industry, on our mutual publisher, and just plain ask her opinion on what
my options were.
That
dinner was a highlight of my career. Lori was open and honest and giving of her
time and thoughts. It doesn’t matter
what those thoughts were—what mattered was that she showed me I wasn’t alone no
matter what I decided to do, and that every author at some time in her career
faces tough decisions. (And that's an insight for all our readers: writing is rewarding but not always an easy or even fun endeavor!)
I’ve
never forgotten the talk from that night, and I’ve stayed in touch with Lori, asking her for quotes
for author friends, sharing details of both of our inspirations and story ideas, and getting to know her better. This year at RWA I met her for lunch and got the skinny on
her latest adventures and experiences and how she intends to use them for new books and even a new writing direction. I’m so grateful she’s now a
friend.
(Check out Lori's latest book
pre-order Christmas book
From Lori I’ve learned that it’s a wonderful trait for an author
to be open, giving, friendly, honest, and generous with fans and colleagues. If I can ever share those
virtues with a fellow author I’ll be blessed beyond belief. Thanks so much Lori
Wilde – for your books and stories, but mostly for showing me how to be a
better author-person!
Tell
me about someone in your life who’s given of him- or herself, and shown you the
very best ways to be a giver yourself. And tell me, too, about a favorite
author of your own!!
I’ll
be giving away four books on Monday August 13th (my actual
birthday!) to commenters over this weekend!Come on back tomorrow when I'll tell you how I feel about the amazing Grace Burrowes!
Check out my two most recent releases!
and
