My guest today is romance author Rebecca J. Clark, who's wanted to write romance since reading her first Harlequin at the age of eleven. She's here to tell us a bit about herself and to share some things from her newly released DELIVER THE MOON.
Tell us, what
is the story behind your book title?
I love coming up with book titles. In
fact, I can’t start writing the book until I have a good working title. DELIVER
THE MOON was easy to come up with. When planning the story, I knew the heroine
would sometime tell the hero, “You promised me the moon before. How do I know
that you’ll be able to deliver this time?” And the title was born.
Do
you ever dream of writing in a different genre?
Actually, I read more action thrillers
and serial killer type stories than I do romance. I love David Baldacci, Tess
Gerritsen and I would love to try my hand at writing a horror, thriller or
something completely different. But I think I would need a police, legal or law
background to write the type of story I love to read. Maybe someday.
What
part of the writing process brings you the most pleasure? The most angst?
I love the pre-writing process, when I
just have the premise and the idea of the characters. I’ll have the greatest
story in my head and my fingers are just itching to get that story onto the
screen. The part of the process that brings me the most angst is when I start
writing that first draft and I realize the story in my head is WAY more
interesting than what’s actually coming out.
Oh, I have soooo been there. What
is one of your most embarrassing or laughable moments?
A few years ago I had a group pitch
appointment with Deb Werksman of Sourcebooks. A couple of the other writers
were super nervous, so Deb was trying to relax us with some small talk. Going
along with this, I mentioned how much I loved Sourcebooks covers. She asked if
I had a favorite so I told her about one in particular I loved. She wasn’t
familiar with it...because it wasn’t a Sourcebooks book. Open mouth, insert
foot. Luckily, she was very gracious about my gaffe. But I never sent the book
she requested, certain she probably wrote in her notes about what a dork I was.
How
do you see your career in five years?
Right now, I write exclusively for small
presses. In five years, I hope I’m writing for a bigger publisher as well as my
small presses (I’m very loyal to those who helped me along the way), and I also
hope I’ve had some success as an indie author. I hope I’m making enough in
royalties to write full time. Now, whether I choose to write full time is another story (I love my job), but I
would love to have that option.
What
are you currently working on?
I’m finishing up the first in a proposed
series of three books involving baseball and weddings. The baseball part is fun
to write, because I love baseball (even though my Seattle Mariners just keep
breaking my heart), and because my husband played in the minor leagues for several
years before I met him. So he’s a great resource. I’ll have him read a scene
and he’ll go, “Uh, that would never happen.” Or, “It’s a myth that ball players
do that/say that/think that.”
Has
your road to publication been a walk in the park or a steep mountain climb?
Give us some details?
It’s been steep and it keeps getting
steeper. I have been my own worst enemy in my 15-year journey to publication. I
made so many mistakes along the way. My first mistake was not joining RWA for
the first few years. Another mistake was not having a critique partner or beta
reader for my first couple of books. Another mistake was trying to write for
the market and trying to make my voice sound like my favorite authors. Another
mistake was taking rejections seriously—if an agent or editor rejected me, even
if their comments were glowing, I assumed they wouldn’t want to see anything
else from me. I could go on and on and on with dumb things I did along the way,
but I think you get the picture.
Tell
us about your current release…or soon to be release.
Once
upon a time, he promised her the moon. It's time to deliver.
Louisa D’Angelo used to believe in
happily ever after—until the tragic death of her son and the demise of her
marriage. Now, five years later, with her life back in order, she has a great
career and a wonderful man in her life. So what if the passion and excitement
isn't there? In her book, passion and excitement only lead to heartbreak. Then,
her ex-husband shows up and upsets her tidy little world.
Gabe D’Angelo never believed in happily
ever after—until he met Louisa who taught him how to love and be loved. But
their happiness was short-lived. Guilt and grief forced Gabe to walk away. Now,
though he's pulled his life together and should be happy, he realizes
something’s missing. After seeing her from afar at a family wedding, he knows
what it is. It’s Louisa.
The problem is convincing her she's
still in love with him.
Where
to find me on the web:
Twitter @rebeccajclark.com
14 comments:
Vonnie, thanks so much for having me on today. The blog looks great.
:)Becky
Great post Rebecca. I especially took note of your list of mistakes. I learned a few things from them. As I've said on other blogs, I think this book will be a winner. Good Luck!
The path to publication is not always smooth.It's great to hear about your writing success! Best wishes for the next five years and beyond!
I really enjoyed your interview. I too love the pre-writing, then when I sit down to actually write the story, what's in my head sounds much better than what's on paper. It took me 10 years to sell my first book. I started reading YA romance novels when I was a teen, specifically the historical romances of Elizabeth Howard. I didn't read Harlequin books till much later. My first adult romance, read when I was 17, was "Bride of the MacHugh." I loved that book. Your book sounds really good too. I'm buying it as soon as I'm finished here. Good luck with your career.
Nancy, thanks so much for stopping by and for taking the time to comment. :) May your path always be smoother than mine.
Cara, you're so sweet. Thanks for stopping by. You had a long road to publication, too. I think we probably appreciate it more than someone who gets their lucky break right away, eh? At least that's what I tell myself. :)
Very interesting to learn more about you and your writing journey, Becky. Similar tales could come from me. I love the sound of your new book/series. :)
Oh, and I read the wonderful historical romance novel Katherine when I was about 17 and it changed my life.
Sandra, thanks for much for the kind words. You're so sweet and always so supportive. Maybe someday I can tell you that in person. :)
Hey Beth--thanks so much for visiting today. :) Yes, I think many of us have similar road-to-publication tales, eh?
I haven't read the book, Katherine. I'll have to check it out.
No one's mentioned it, so I will. I love, Love, LOVE your cover. Very eye catching and simply beautiful.
I MUST get this book. It sounds like a heartbreaking but beautiful story Rebecca.
In answer to your question - I was 11 as well. My grandmother had hoardes of M&B books all over her lounge, in her bedroom etc... She devoured them. I would often find myself reading them, attracted by their covers depicting gorgeous men and beautiful women. Their lives always seemed so glamourous! I often think of my grandmother sitting up there in heaven enjoying the fact its HER fault I write romance. I think I inherited the bug :)
All the best of luck for making your dreams of the future come true Rebecca.
I can relate to so much of what you said, especially the mistakes made. What a gorgeous cover. I'll be looking for your titles.
Great interview! It's always fun learning more about a fellow writer. Good luck with the current release sounds like a good one!
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