Crafting Your Career: Brenda Novak
Good morning and welcome to Crafting Your Career. We are thrilled to have NY Times bestselling author Brenda Novak as our visiting professor today. Brenda has three novels coming out this summer-THE PERFECT COUPLE, THE PERFECT LIAR and THE PERFECT MURDER, all part of her popular Last Stand Series. She also runs an annual on-line auction for diabetes research every May at www.brendanovak.com. To date, she’s raised over $500,000. Brenda considers herself lucky to be a mother of five and married to the love of her life.
The thing that is not listed in Brenda’s bio is how big and generous her heart is. As an added bonus for us, Brenda is giving away a Brenda Novak tote bag filled with goodies and a $50 gift certificate to her online auction for diabetes research. Just post a comment or question for Brenda and your name will be included in the drawing.
Learn more about the auction in her post and bid often because she has great items on the list.
Class is now in session.
Adrienne: What strategies did you use to help you become a NYT bestselling author? Do you have a sense of what tipped the scale? Marketing? Writing great books? Diabetes auction? Website? Or did all these things coincide at the right moment?
Brenda: I think the strategy that served me best was to take advantage of every opportunity that came my way. These days it often takes more than being a great writer to get ahead. There are a lot of great writers out there. You also have to be a good businessperson. So I’ve always tried to do that–to be a “complete package.” I believe success in writing starts with a solid book, of course. You have to have a great product to sell or nothing you do will bring people back to your product if they’ve tried it and they don’t like it–but marketing can make a difference if you have that foundation in place. I try to do plenty of speaking engagements, maintain an interactive and appealing web site, run fun contests, making myself available to fans as much as possible. All these things drip into the bucket of success, I think plain old luck plays a part, too. <g>
Adrienne: How did you keep yourself motivated while trying to get published? Did you have an agent prior to being published?
Brenda: I did have an agent. I kept motivated by having my expectations in the right place. I didn’t expect to become an overnight sensation, so I wasn’t disappointed when it didn’t happen that way. I expected it to be a long journey, sometimes painstaking, and filled with disappointment. But I ultimately believed in myself, and I think that has to be there. You have to believe in yourself or no one else will believe in you. Fortunately, I did have an agent for my first sale. I was lucky enough to final in the Golden Heart at the same time an agent was expressing interest, and I think that sort of solidified the deal. She took me on and sold that first manuscript to HarperCollins. It’s the only historical romance I’ve had published because I was orphaned before it ever came out, but I still love that book. LOL.
Adrienne: How long were you writing before you were published? How many books did you write before you hit the NYT list?
Brenda: It took me five years to teach myself the craft of writing and to finish my first manuscript. I had five little kids and couldn’t devote a lot of time to it back then. Now it’s a full-time job for me.
I hit the list with my 8th single title. I’d also written quite a few Superromances by the time I hit, but those aren’t really contenders for the list (they’re only out for three weeks, for one reason).
Adrienne: How did you get started with your auction?
Brenda: When my son was diagnosed with diabetes at five years old, I knew enough about the disease to understand that he would need constant care, and that his care would not be comfortable for him (lots of shots and finger pricks per day), but I was blown away by all the side effects that go hand in hand with this disease. I couldn’t bear the thought of watching my son go through what so many people with diabetes suffer and I really wanted to do something to make a difference. I had very little resources at the time (and all those kids, remember! LOL.) so it took me a couple of years to come up with just the thing–but then, one night I was at a silent auction for the elementary school and as I stood there looking around it hit me that I could do the same thing on my web site and invite my fans and publishing associates to get involved. Since then I’ve watched the auction double each year. Last year, we raised $252,300. And every year I grow more impressed with the people who come together to help me do this. They are amazing!
Adrienne: Tell us about your auction.
Brenda: Every year, in the month of May, I run my online auction for Diabetes Research. The auction takes a full year to plan and pull off, but it’s a labor of love—for all the people who, like my son, suffer from diabetes.
My very first auction ran in 2005 and was a huge success. Together with my generous donors, which included some of the biggest and brightest stars in publishing, I raised $34,982, which went directly to research. In year 2, we did even better and raised $62,705. In year three, we more than doubled at $141,700. Year four, we raised over $250,000. We’re definitely on a roll – each year gets bigger, brighter and better.
You can get involved – either by donating an item or by bidding when the auction starts in May.
This coming year, instead of waiting to add items in the months just before the auction, we’re going to start adding them as we receive them. So keep tabs on the 2009 Auction Spotlight page. We’ll keep you up to date with some of the best and most amazing donations you can bid on next year.
Each year, I offer a fabulous prize package to the person who places the most bids over all (even if that person doesn’t end up winning a single item). The 2008 winner received:
- A brand new Camcorder (retail value of at least $1,000),
- His/Her Name in My Next Book,
- An autographed copy of TRUST ME (6/08–the first of The Last Stand series)
- And Chocolate (lots of chocolate!)
Thank you to Brenda Novak for visiting today.
We’ll see everyone on Wednesday when author Milton Grasle will discuss women writing in the male POV.
(6 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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This is a great site. I hope to visit it often. Well, when I’m not working diligently on my own writing projects.
Brenda, I’m looking forward to reading your novels this summer. You were the speaker at the first Saguaro Romance Writers meeting I attended two years ago. Hope to see you in Tucson again some day.
I took notes! =D Thanks for doing this. And congrats, girls, on a fantastic new blog. I’m going to link it up to mine.
Congratulations on your upcoming books Brenda – I can’t wait to read them…and congrats even more on the Diabetes auction. I’ll be bidding on a few items there myself….looking good!
carrie
Thanks, everyone, for stopping by and making our first day a success!!!
Brenda, you’re adorable! Thank you so much for the time you’ve put in today to make this a great post. I know you’re super, super busy this month. Well, probably every month, but especially this one.
Jeannie Ruesch, aka website/blog design goddess, I WILL accost you at Nationals to give you a big hug and sloppy kiss. The blog design is amazing!!
Walt – Better find a free Wednesday ’cause we’re coming for you!!
FYI, everyone – Romance University donated an amazing “Sampling the World” gift basket to Brenda’s auction. Check it out – http://tiny.cc/VJrTa
Hugs right back at you, Tracey! (and Adrienne and Kelsey.)
And Brenda — I know the pics are fuzzy and I can’t for the life of me figure out why yet. But I will!!! They shall be fixed.
Oh and for anyone else who’d like a picture attached (hopefully soon to be NOT fuzzy)…this website is gravatar enabled. Check out http://www.gravatar.com to get a picture to go with your email address that’s usable on lots of blogs. Thanks!
Congratulations, RU, on a wonderful launch! You couldn’t have had a better guest for launch day than Brenda.
Brenda, I’ve always been impressed with your work both as a writer and with the auction, and thank you for all your hard work and effort!
Congratulations on a great new site! Even though I know both Adrienne and Brenda, I’m being utterly unbiased when I say loved the interview!
Keep up the good works ladies!
Congratulations on such a sleek and professional blog. Great enterview with Brenda, she makes it seem possible to accomplish anything if you try hard enough.
Tracey, Adrienne and Kelsey,
Great website! Sharp and easy to use.
Brenda, wonderful interview! I am a longtime fan, you hooked me with the first book I read of yours years ago, and never fail to enjoy your books. I understand the challenges of raising a large family, we have six grown children now. I wasn’t writing in those days, fiction, anyway! But I went back to school to finish my bachelor degree when all six were home, plus added doing home daycare to pay for my tuition. Talk about harried!
We all survived, (no one starved or went naked) I got my degree (in Applied Behavioral Sciences) and have lots of stories to tell. I even made all six plus hubby come to my commencement ceremony.
Now that all but one are out and on their own, it’s easier. I doubt I could’ve written a book in those days, it’s hard enough to do so now with more time.
Brenda, I’ve participated in your auction since it started and have put in a number of bids this time, too. What a wonderful, win-win project!
I look forward to your next books.
Sherry
Love the whole concept of RU. Great job with the design too, Jeannie.
Brenda–When I complain that I don’t have time to write, I’ll think of you and be inspired. I tried many times to write when my kids were young, but I could never seem to eek out more than a few chapters before I gave up. My hat’s off to you for plowing through during those preschool years and not giving up on your dream.
Do you have any tricks that helped you concentrate with all the chaos around you? With a husband who works from home and no dedicated writing space other than my dining room table, I’m easily distracted. Noise-canceling headphones, turned on but not hooked to music, helps somewhat, but I’m curious to know what you do…other than sequester yourself in a hotel room. I’m totally digging that idea!!!
Hi Brenda,
It’s good to hear how you found success with your writing and it encourages me to hang in there and keep working on improving my craft.
I wanted to mention how much I’ve enjoyed your auctions. I’ve won a few bids for critiques and I can’t begin to tell you how helpful they’ve been. It’s a great way to get your proposals out of the slush pile and you get actual feedback from the agents/editors–not just a form rejection letter. It’s especially valuable for a newbie like me.
I appreciate the opportunity to contribute and am happy to see my money going to such a worthy cause. Also a big thank you for giving new writer’s such a great opportunity to get our work in front of agents and editors.
Good luck with this year’s auction.
Teri Riggs
Hi Jen–
The complexity is definitely one difference, as you’ve noticed. The bigger books are edgier, too. I don’t consciously go into more POVs but the story is bigger and it seems to require it. I only use a POV if the scene has something in it that makes it best told from the perspective of a particular person so I don’t set out to use a certain number. There’s more hearth, home and family themes in the Super books–although becaue those are the things that realy matter I bring a lot of that to my bigger books. To be honest, I wrote my first suspense novel as a Super, hoping that my editor would recognize that it was a little edgier than what I’d been doing in series and publish it as a bigger book. And she did.
Hope that helps!
Hi Judith–
I love your chapter! I’ve been to quite a few, and almost all of them are amazing, but there’s something special about the Tucson chapter. I’m coming back to Tucson for the book fair next March, so I’ll hope to see you then.
Thanks so much, Carrie. I really appreciate your support–of my writing and my fundraising efforts.
And Jeannie, I don’t mind the blurriness of the picture. I just appreciate that you were kind enough to figure it out for me.
Thanks so much, Natalie and Rashda. You ladies rock!
I’m really glad to have had the opportunity to share your big day with you, Tracey. This is the start of great things. I can tell.
Hi Jill–
It is possible to accomplish anything. You just have to be careful not to let yourself get overwhelmed. One step at a time, right?
Hi Sherry–
Thanks for dropping by. What an accomplishment–to get your degree with six kids at home. I think it’s easier to write a book while raising a brood. LOL I need to go back and get my degree sometime. It’s on my list. I left college early to marry and start my family, never did finish.
Good luck with the writing! And thanks for your continued support of the auction!
Hi Laurie–
Not too long ago I was writing on the dining table, too. It was located in the center of the house, the one room anyone had to pass through to get anywhere. LOL I don’t know how I managed to write like that, except that I’m pretty dogged. When I’m determined to finish something, I don’t get up till its done. My husband is the complete opposite. He floats around and takes lots of breaks and gets on the phone. I have a list of things to accomplish each day that I prioritize, and I don’t quit until I’ve hit as many of them as I possibly can. It helps to do the most important things first, whether that’s getting your exercise or your pages written. Then when things start to fall apart as the day progresses, you still get to cross off the top three or four.
One other thought for Laurie. Any chance you could write on a laptop in your bedroom? I recently bought a stand so that the laptop, which used to sit in my lap, doesn’t do that anymore (it would get so hot, you know?). It tilts the computer at the perfect angle and everything, and it was only $30 or so–a Christmas present from one of my kids. I used it at the motel recently, and it worked like a charm.
What a nice note. Thanks a million, Teri. I want to raise money for diabetes research, but I also want all those who shop at the auction to get something out of it, too. I’m a big advocate of win/win situations. LOL We’ve had at least one person get published because of the auction. We’ve had three others get good agents. It’s always encouraging to me to hear about these successes.
I’m glad you’re taking advantage of the opportunities, and I hope they pay off in a big way.
I hope I haven’t missed anyone. If so, please feel free to email me with your question. I’m happy to help.
Thanks, ladies, for having me at the blog today. I’ll be back to check out your other interviews!
What a great new blog ladies. I’ve added it to my Google reader. I’m especially interested in your Wednesday focus on writing from the male point of view. The site is quite professional. Kudos.
Brenda,
I remember meeting you for the first time. I don’t read romantic suspense since I’m a historical-loving gal, so I had no idea you were a famous NYT author. I’m glad, because if I had, I don’t think I’d have summoned the courage to say anything that day.
You and our fellow Sacramento Valley Rose chaptermate Karen Sandler visited the library in Placerville, California. I’d just started writing romances after having dreamed about doing so for decades. When I saw the flier saying two romance writers were going to be speaking in my small town, I got quite excited.
I arrived expecting to see hordes of people. After all, romances are awesome and romance writers some of the coolest people on the planet, right? To my surprise, I was the only one in the room besides you, Karen and the gentleman from Barnes and Noble. Later we were joined by a handful of Karen’s friends and the librarian who coordinated the event–an intimate group.
I sat in the front row and drank in every word you and Karen said and left so stoked my poor husband had to listen to me burble for the longest time. (And he did so without rolling his eyes or banging his head. Yes, I’m blessed.) You and Karen were such an encouragement. I’d never met another writer, let alone a romance writer, and when I realized later who you and Karen are and how many books you’ve sold, my chin scraped the floor.
I’ve been so impressed by your generosity, Brenda. You give back to the writing community in so many ways, and I’m one of many who say thanks.
A big thanks to Brenda for helping to make our launch day so much fun. Brenda, you are a gem and give me something to strive for!
Thanks also to Jeannie for putting up with the million questions we threw at her at the last minute.
Hope to see you all back soon!
Hi Brenda,
My son has autism. I am constantly torn between including or excluding advocacy in my books and writing life. Any advice?
Brenda,
You are an inspiration to us all. I’ve been bidding on lots of auction items, especially the ones for Washington as you have some great prizes. I’m travelling from Australia to my first American conference and can’t wait to see you and all the other inspiring authors there. Best of luck with the auction,
Suzi