Hi, I'm Harlie Williams. I'm a married stay at home mom to a second grade son. Jeez, I sound like I'm at a AA meeting. *waves* to everyone! I haven't written a word since before Christmas. Yes, since before Christmas. I'll try to explain...
As an old reviewer and still owner of my own review site, its been a tough road for me as a published author. Most authors can't believe that I even wrote a book, some authors have mocked me and haven't been the most supportive. Some reviewers won't read my debut because they consider it too short. Okay, its 20 pages but most Decadent 1Night Stand's and The Edge series are maybe 5-10 pages longer than that. Umph! Nice, I know. My confidence has been shattered to bits and its taken me this long to even think about writing.
Oh and let's not forget that it released two days early, it was the week of Christmas, out of town at the in-laws that have sucky Wi-Fi and I had the flu, too. I'm not looking for sympathy but the road to my second book has been rockier than writing The Couple. I have two great stories started. One is a possible book 1 in a contemporary series set in Oklahoma and my second book is a romantic suspense with a paranormal thread set in Chicago. I even have the synopsis done for both of them, too. But the words are just not coming for me.
I have the story in my head and its itchy to come out and be told. Unfortunately, my heart right now is just not into writing them. People have told me that I'm only has good as my back list. Okay, I'll buy that line but if no one is reading my debut then what is going to get them to read anything else that I publish? Oh, yes, people love my reviews and guest blogs that I do but no one seems to get a crap about my book.
Have I promoted? Been on blog tours? Have a FB page? Yes to all and again, people still see me as a reviewer/owner than a published author. I've even tried to post o FB as Harlie, the author and crickets are louder. Hell, it was tough just finding a critique partner for The Couple. Both of my crit groups hated the story. But hey, that's a whole another blog.
So, I guess that I'm looking for answers to questions that I still have two months after my debut release. If anyone out there has any ideas, please feel free to send them my way. Because my way isn't working.
Blurb:
A woman has one thing on her mind tonight…sex. Dirty, sweaty,
kinky sex with a cowboy. With her man gone more than he is at home, she needs
the release.
After being away for two weeks, a cowboy goes looking for someone
to play with for the night. Being away is part of the job but not having
someone to come home to is hurting his soul. Feeling disconnected in his love
life, the red head will be perfect.
Once they meet, can one night of pure passion led to more than
just a one night stand for either of them? Communication is the key to every
relationship. Can these two find a way to connect emotionally or are they
destined for heartache.
Excerpt (PG-13 for language)
“What’s
a girl like you doing at a bar like this?” he asked.
Her
voice was a purr, like a cat well satisfied with its stolen pitcher of cream.
“I’m looking for someone special.”
Hoping
that she meant him he asked, “Did you find him yet?”
“Maybe.”
The glint in her eye told him he was definitely in the running. However, I’m not looking to hook up with just
any old cowboy. He must be able to go
the full eight seconds and come back for more.”
She eyed him from head to toe.
“Think you can handle that?”
Oh, I can most definitely handle you
sweetheart.
Not
wanting to seem too eager he replied, “I’m not sure but I’m willing to try.”
“Do
or do not. There is no try.” He struggled not to let his grin escape. The fact that she was trying to seduce him
made his dick twitch.
“Let’s
just say I’m looking to burn off some pent up frustration. A little excess
energy. And I’ve got plenty to burn.”
The
way she shivered at his words, he knew he almost had her. He winked as she licked her crimson lips and
blew out a small breath. Damn what this woman is doing to him.
He
pushed her knees apart with his left leg and was rewarded with the amazing
scent of her arousal. The knowledge she
was wet for him had him close to going off in his jeans.
Houston, we have lift-off!
“Why
don’t you have a seat cowboy and we’ll talk about it.”
She
gasped when he shocked her with a brush of his lips against hers; fighting with
everything he had not to deepen the kiss.
Patience, patience.
He
would play her game for the moment but sooner or later, she would be his. Tied up and begging for more.
He
asked her, “Now about that eight second ride?”
Author
links:
Buy Link from Publisher:
https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=636&category_id=69&manufacturer_id=295&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
Posts
14 comments:
Thanks for having me today!
Harlie
20 pages and people said they wouldn't read your book? That's loony.
I write tons of shorts and get lots of compliments, even "I hadn't read shorts until you."
Keep up the good work, girl!
Keep plugging away is the best advice I can give you - never give up your writing and never surrender to other's negative opinions! Long or short - you have a voice and you need to use it:)
Congratulations! I didn't know you'd written a book. I'll have to check it out. Sounds hot, hot, HOT. Keep writing.
Hang in there Harlie. The truth is there may be more authors than readers now. In the past there were two hard filters before you could even publish a book. (Getting an agent who could get a publisher to publish you.) Cost was high and few were chosen.
Now there are no filters which means the reader inundated with too many books to choose from. Most do so by the recommendations from their friends and authors they already know.
Getting yourself noticed in the sea of authors is getting harder every day.
You are in a down moment. This will pass and writing will resume. Hang in there and don't give up.
Girl, you know they are all right. I especially like what Liza said. I think DARA will help you a lot. And we have PLANS. Mad Planz! We are going to get you noticed it I have to start standin' on the rooftops and hollerin'! You wrote well. You WRITE well. You WILL WRITE well. Repeat after me...I am an author and have something worth writing. I will let it out. Now find that Muse before I have to kick her but!
You can't help what others say and do, you can only help what you do. Trust me, been there, done that. i have allowed FAR too long people to bother me and bring me down. It's not an easy road, but DONT let it get to you! Breaking into any business is difficult and right now the writers market is crazy, but I think you are strong and if you kick that slump in it's deadbeat @ss, you'll get there. You want a crit partner to run by your stories with you? I'm right here. I fully support you. I mean that. So, do me a favor- pick yourself up, dust off the dust, and kick some butt!
Take it from someone who has been there- I haven't been taken seriously in many aspects of my life and have hated it. Somehow, that only fuels my determination to beat those odds.
Hugs.
Harlie, listen to no one except your heart!! If you want to write, WRITE!!! Tell that story, girl, because if you love it your readers will to! It breaks my heart that you have so many naysayers in your life. Ignore them and follow your dream :) I believe in you!
@Vicki - its a vicious cycle for me in getting reviews. *sigh* The blog tours have helped me. :)
@Maria - My voice is coming back somewhat. Its just slow...
@Linda - Yes, I did write a book and I'm proud of it. It features a cowboy in Oklahoma. :)
@Liza - Thanks. Pink is kicking me too. She brags to all her friends that her sister wrote a book.
@Liberty - Yes the muse is coming back but she's just so damn stubborn right now. And yes, the Plans, the Plans! LOL!
@Nikki - Oh my sister in writing. It is a tough business right now. With blog hops going away, it will be even tougher for new authors to get the word out.
I hear you! I've been in the same boat but it is just a passing phase! You will keep writing and the muse will flow. I have every confidence in you! And you know that everyone's advice on here rocks!
@Melissa - I've been kicking the muse around some and she's coming around. I have an editor appointment at my RWA chapter conference in late March and the book needs to be finished. Whew!
@Jennifer - I hear you. My heart's working on getting there again. Its just being too slow for me right now. UGH!
I'm with everyone else; don't give up! We love you both as reviewer AND author:)
It sucks. Being an author that is - we pour our hearts into our stories and people stomp on them. Then someone comes along and makes a bizzion bucks on something you wouldn't even read.
Every author gets into a slump - I think it is actually part of the creative process. And yes - been there done that. I've written stuff few have has liked. Did it hurt? Crushed me.
I healed and got up and wrote something else.
On final thing - you can't be a horrible writer - the pain you are feeling poured through your words. Save this post you wrote - 5 yrs from now - dig it out. I bet you'll be amazed.
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