REFLECTIONS ON RWA2015

Experiencing the RWA2015 Convention in New York City was, as usual, a wonderful thing.  I had a great time, met new people, and saw old friends from my previous Charlotte RWA Chapter; rubbed elbows with new authors and established authors, some of whom remembered me and congratulated my PRO status.  It was, as my former middle school students would say, A W E S O M E!  I was super excited, as well, about attending this convention with two published novels under my belt and looking forward to the workshops, the trade shows, the signings, and the general camaraderie you find in this venue.  The only thing I wasn't keen on was returning to the Big Apple, where I had lived in for many years.  Can't help it.  I have one of those love/hate relationships with the city, where I can only resist it a few doses at a time, but, at least, I had the best traveling partner one can have, my sister Victoria Saccenti (whose novel is about to launch in September).

I was a bit apprehensive, as well.  Not about the flight, or the accommodations, or the avalanche of women writers (and men.  Yes. There are men in the RWA.  As a matter of fact, there was a man nominated for the KOD's RWA chapter's DAPHNE awards!) which would be surrounding me.  I was personally concerned about the new trend I had been experiencing with other author friends, and authors in general in the industry:  the writing frenzy, the rush to not only write twenty thousand words in a day, but also to publish six to ten (sometimes even twenty) novellas and novels in a year, sometimes in half-a-year.  I had felt the pressure to mimic, almost similar to witnessing neon signs the size and brightness of those in Times Square flashing:  GET ON BOARD.  RUSH!  RUSH!! IF NOT, YOU WILL BE LEFT STANDING ALONE ON THE PLATFORM.

To say I was flabbergasted was to understate my concern.  What was the rush?  Trust me, I understand the need to get your work out there, if not, you don't earn much, especially as an Indie author.  But my question always revolved around the why.  Why the frenetic pace?  What can be crafted in such a rush and done well?  Personally, when I am on a roll, if I write five thousand words in a day, I am ecstatic!  And, lately, some of the works I had read had many mistakes, oversights from editors and proofreaders with a rushed timeline, or no revisions to speak of.  What product were we, as authors and professionals, sending out there?  And, particularly, should I jump on the train, even when I felt uncomfortable about doing it?

Surprisingly enough, I received my answer with the first keynote speaker, author Barbara Freethy and the third, author Nalini Singh.  And the theme was repeated over and over, with every presenter and keynote speaker I heard throughout all the workshops and conferences I attended:  STOP.  TAKE A DEEP BREATH.  Remember the craft, the telling of your story.  Shape it.  Hone it.  Send out a perfectly faceted jewel so your readers follow you rather than a title.

TAKE YOUR TIME.

I am glad I was there.  It was as if they had read my thoughts and had directed their comments  directly at me.  Maria Elena, don't rush.  Don't forget you are a storyteller, the weaver of your dreams.  Do it at your pace, at your timing, and do it well.

Please, don't get me wrong, some authors can write fast and come out with a very good product.  I am not one of them.  When I write, the characters and conflict drive the story.  Those, in turn, shape the scenes, the dialogue.  The setting, as well, drives the action.  And it is work...hard work.  Not easily crafted at all.  Sweat and tears, literally, for me.  Not like the comment I heard from one of the speakers, who nailed it for me:  it's not as if you were writing an already rehearsed template you use over and over, changing names and setting, and then creating filler around them.

I can't write that way.  I am glad those writers, with more than 20+ years of experience under their belts, validated my personal writing system.  I am not here for the instant fame, the bragging rights to selling millions because I wrote twenty books in five years, although I WOULD ABSOLUTELY LOVE THAT!!!

I can't write fast, period.  And it is all right for me not to rush or get on that fast train.  But more importantly, I am here to tell my stories the best way I can so that my readers share my fictive dream and follow me because they trust I will tell them a great story, no matter what genre, even if I can only give them a novel a year.

IND'TALE JULY MAGAZINE REVIEW

What wonderful news to receive when arriving home from the RWA Convention. Happy.

The Book of Hours Review on InD'tale Magazine

OFF TO ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA 2015 CONVENTION

Off to the RWA2015 (Romance Writers of America) Conference in New York City. Will be rubbing shoulders with some wonderful writers and enjoying all kinds of workshops, literacy signings, and award ceremonies. Will also be meeting chapter members, doing some research for WIP, and spending time with NYC friends. 

For those who want to follow my steps, I will be posting photos on Twitter, Pinterest, and will post thoughts on my blog. 

And, as Jackie Gleason used to say: And away we go!!!

Follow:
Twitter: @MariaElenaWrite 
Pinterest:  www.pinterest.com/elena8094
Blog:  www.mariaelenawrites.blogspot.com

WELCOME TO THE AUTHOR-4-AUTHOR BLOG HOP!!!!!

Welcome to Our Blog Hop!

This is the first Author-4-Author group Blog Hop, and you will have fun!  There are really great writers in the group, with a wide variety of styles and genres, so you will not be bored.  Hop once or hop multiple times.  Have fun.  Read what our stories are about.  Leave a comment.  Tell us what you think of our work!  The links to all the authors participating in this Blog Hop are at the bottom of the post, for your convenience.

At the end of the hop, I will choose a winner from all those who left comments.  The prize?  An e-copy of The Book of Hours.   How sweet is that?!?

This month's theme is:  FIRST LINES

My first line, from my second novel The Book of Hours is:
The past, figuratively, had been stooping over Gabriela Martinez's shoulder all morning long.


THE BOOK OF HOURS

I chose The Book of Hours as the novel for my first line because it completes the story begun in The Coin.  It is also a novel about sacrifice, duty, Love, and, especially, deserving second chances.  The novel completes the story of Gabriela and Richard, but only after some wild rides.  There is something to be said about a gorgeous hunk coming to save you, while, at the same time, the heroine is also kicking a bit of butt while danger surrounds them.

BLURB

Another psychopath, another threat.  What has Gabriela ever done to deserve this?

An unscrupulous arts dealer covets Gabriela’s work to the point of madness and Richard wants her back in his life.

A LOVE IN JEOPARDY

In 1993, artist Gabriela Martinez almost lost her life to a sociopath’s twisted vision.  If not for Richard Harrison, the operative sent to protect her, she would have ended up dead.  The dramatic showdown pushed them together, but there were too many obstacles temporarily pulling them apart.

A NEW THREAT

After catching a glimpse of Gabriela’s new work, The Book of Hours, Arnold Wickeham has been like a man possessed.  Now, he will do anything—anything—in order to claim it, and nothing, especially not Gabriela, will stand in his way.

THE PAST IS CATCHING UP

Richard Harrison has never given up his true love, Gabriela.  Now someone new is threatening her life, and he will risk everything to protect her.  But the stakes are now higher, and there is much more to lose.  And, if he doesn’t stay one step ahead of the danger, her life, but especially, their future, may very well go up in flames.

A LOVE TESTED

In The Coin, Gabriela and Richard were cruelly used by fate—and destiny isn’t done.  In the shadow of this new threat, their choices may not just save their lives, but also their love.

Set in California and London, The Book of Hours is a story about sacrifice, love, and second chances.

EXCERPT BOOK OF HOURS

            Gabriela’s body stilled at the soft sound of her name. For a moment, she stood listening, then shook her head like a wet dog shaking off water. You are such a fool, her mind supplied. Disgusted, she stabbed at the cerulean blue on her palette. Her mind had deceived her yet again. She slobbered the paint on the canvas, realized what she had done, and hissed. Since agreeing with Jean-Louis to call Maurice later that evening, she’d been a nervous wreck. Throughout the noon hour, her brain had staged all sorts of encounters with one infuriating, unforgettable man. Like a dutiful stage manager, her mind had supervised every possible scene, every possible emotion under its tutelage. She’d jumped from rage, to indifference, to haughtiness, but longing had finally won, hands down. No matter how hard she tried to avoid it, she could never escape the terrible need she felt for him, a need that went deeper than the instinct to breathe.

            The lyrics from the song she’d impulsively put on swirled around her, teased her. The singer, in his soulful tenor voice, sang about the moment of encounter with his beloved, anticipation heating his blood, nerves tingling in expectation of the seduction. His words mimicked her own guilty longings, her desires. Oh, God. How would she ever get through this day? How would she find the courage to do what must be done?

            “Gabriela.”

            This time the voice penetrated, took form. It called out to her, familiar and unmistakably real, a living entity that caressed her skin and raised goose bumps on her warm flesh. This was no figment of her imagination, no mistake. She felt him, her nerve endings suddenly electrified, awareness shaking her. Panic sent her heart scurrying. Hope and love made her turn around slowly, ever so slowly.

            She blinked, thinking her eyes were deceiving her, but Richard’s tall frame stood static before her, his chestnut hair combed by the soft breeze, his eyes intense, pinning her and caressing her all at once. The embers of irrational hope fanned to life like a conflagration. For an unguarded moment, her eyes reflected her hope, her joy, but especially her hopeless love for him.

            Richard watched those powerful emotions play across her face and relief slammed him.  Gotcha.  She’d always had such an expressive, beautiful face.  Now, no matter what she did, but especially said, he would know the truth.  The love was there, and it flared like a beacon.


ABOUT ME

I'm a romantic suspense author with a unique point of view, I think. My adventure novels take place in locales across Europe and the United States, reflecting my international upbringing and extensive time as a global traveler. In my duology, The Coin and The Book of Hours, my wonderful characters, Gabriela and Richard, walk the same paths as moi, though my life was never in so much danger.

I began my writing career circa age thirteen with a very juvenile science fiction short story, but the writing bug hit, and I have been writing, in one capacity or another, ever since.  I have worked as a professional dancer, singer, journalist, and literature teacher (and not necessarily in that order—they say variety is the spice of life, and I like variety).  I hold a Masters in English literature, speak several languages, and love to hear from readers.  When I'm not writing, I'm either reading or roaming around the area I am currently living in in order to discover new places to set my novels.

I am currently working on my third novel and live in North Carolina with my wonderful husband and my dog, Amber.  Empty nester...he, he.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MY NOVEL

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/14kNQbI

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/15vMMlv

Amazon Australia:  http://ow.ly/PoN6D

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1sWiXFm

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1wNfaFr

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1rPDrPy

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1xFHlKs

CreateSpace: http://bit.ly/1uyLl1t

All Romance e-Books:  http://ow.ly/PoPee

http://Smarturl.it/tboh

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME

Web:  www.mariaelenawrites.com

Blog:  www.mariaelenawrites.blogspot.com

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/MariaElenaWrite

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/MariaElenaAlonsoSierraWrites

Goodreads:

www.goodreads.com/author/show/7093896.Maria_Elena_Alonso_Sierra

And if you want, you can sign up for my newsletter: 

www.mariaelenawrites.com/newsletter.html

LINK TO OTHER BLOGS

Now is YOUR time to hop.  So...post a message before you leave (so you are entered in the giveaway), and GO!

THOUGHTS...

Series are hard to write. One of my biggest fears, when writing The Book of Hours, was that I would not do justice to the first novel, that I would either give too much information, or not enough, and that I would not show the growth of the characters, or develop them enough for those readers who were not familiar with the first novel. Could (and would) it stand as an alone? Would I spoil things for those readers? Would I give too much information from my previous novel for those readers familiar with The Coin?

When Terry wrote this in her reviews blog (http://terrysbookaddiction.blogspot.com/…/review-coin-and-b…), I was not only pleased, but also relieved.

(Following excerpt is from Terry's Book Addiction: Review!! The Coin and Book of Hours...  See link above)

"The book of hours is book 2 in the series, not really series, but a duo-logy. I however mistakenly read this book first! What was amazing was that the author wrote book 2 in a way that I immediately understood the story and the characters without having read her first book yet, which is impressive to say the least! I did read the coin immediately following this book and loved that I was able to get more of Gabriela's story and it definitely played as backstory for this book."

It is extremely gratifying to see I didn't mess it up. Thanks, Terry Mitchell, for making my day.

Reviews of both THE COIN AND THE BOOK OF HOURS @ TERRY'S BOOK ADDICTION BLOG

Hi, everyone.  Super excited about this.  5-Stars for both novels!!!  Go to Terry's Blog and read her reviews.  Excited!

Terry's Book Addiction: Review!! The Coin and Book of Hours By Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra

VIDEO OF NOVELS

Hi, everyone!  I'm very, very pleased to announce that Author-4-Author, the group of authors of which I'm one of the members, has created a new video of some of the group's awesomely talented authors (I'm one of them!!!).  The video displays the novels and a review for each of the books we shared for the video.  Take a look at this fabulous roster of creative talent.  Privileged I can be part of this.

Author-4-Author Presents Their Novels

AUTHOR-4-AUTHOR BLOG HOP -- COMING SOON

Hi, everyone!  This is exciting news.  Members of the Author-4-Author Group is setting up a monthly blog hop to showcase all our members - published and unpublished.  Please stop by on Monday, July 20th.  It will be great fun.

Are you a writer but not a member yet??  No problems.  You can ask to join here:  Author-4-Author Facebook Group or stop by the group's blog:  http://www.author4author.blogspot.com

If you are a member, but don't have a blog to link via the link tool list, please submit your information to author4author@gmail.com and the administrators will post it directly on the Author-4-Author blog.

Last, but not least, all Blog Hops have rules to follow.  Here they are, taken from the group's blog.

Monthly Blog Hop Rules

July’s Theme is Opening Lines.

The rules are simple.

1.) If you’re a member of the Author-4-Author Group and have a blog, you’re eligible to participate in our monthly blog hop.

2.) Sign up on the linky list below

3.) The link for the code is below. You can also link to us at http://www.author4author.blogspot.com. Please link back to us either way.

4.) Sign up opens at 12:01AM on Sunday, July 5th and closes at 11:59 PM on Wednesday, July 15th.

5.) This is open to both unpublished and published Author-4-Author members

6.) Please help to promote our blogs hops via twitter and Facebook. Our twitter handle is @author4_author….we need hash tags and or key words.

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