We welcome back Christy Reece, author of romantic suspense, who talked with us last August about breaking in as a new writer. Christy’s first Last Chance Rescue trilogy was released in 2009 and the series continues with three additional books this year. Recently, her publisher offered a third deal for three more Last Chance Rescue books to be released Spring/Summer 2011. Christy is generously giving away two copies of NO CHANCE and two copies of RESCUE ME to lucky commenters today!

Christy, thank you for taking time out of your incredibly busy schedule to be with us today!

Hi Kelsey, it’s great to be with you today. Thanks for asking me back.

Kelsey: Christy, would you explain back-to-back book releases for our readers who might not be familiar with the concept?

Christy: The books are released in a short time span, usually one a month. My first trilogy was released April, May and June 2009. The second one will be released February, March and April 2010. 

Kelsey: How was the decision made to release your first trilogy back-to-back?

Christy: When I pitched to my agent, I had one book completed and had started on the second. Since the backdrop of the books is an organization, Last Chance Rescue, she saw the potential for a series. When she submitted to editors, she pitched it as a trilogy. Ballantine has been enormously successful with introducing debut authors with back-to-back trilogies. I was fortunate that they made the offer for three books and wanted to release them back-to-back.

Kelsey: How much time were you given to complete the first series? Subsequent series? And did you have any input in the time frame? 

Christy: For the first trilogy, I had a lot of time. I sold in July 2007, but the first book, RESCUE ME, wasn’t released until April 2009. When I sold, I was almost finished with RETURN TO ME, so I turned it in early. That gave me almost a year to write RUN TO ME.

The second trilogy was a much shorter time frame. I contracted for the books in December 2008 and the due dates were June, August and October 2009.

I won’t say it was easy, because it wasn’t. But Ballantine wanted me to have six books come out within a twelve-month timeframe. I was thrilled with their support and never considered saying no.

Kelsey: Can you give us a feel for your start to finish timeline with each book and how that overlaps with other books? For example, marketing the first book and writing the third while editing the second.

Christy: Ninety percent of my time is spent on writing and only about ten percent on marketing. Other than my website, which I blog on twice a week, the only other thing I’m active with is Facebook. I have a special page, Dark Romantic Suspense by Christy Reece, I use for special announcements such as contests and new releases.

For the first trilogy, I did no advertising or promotion. With this new trilogy, I am doing some advertising and a blog tour, but most of my focus must still be the writing. Since I don’t always know when copy edits and page proofs will arrive, taking advantage of open time is especially important.

Start-to-finish timelines depend upon the book. Each story has its own personality and depending on how the story comes to me, that’s the amount of time it takes to write it. Of course, I have to pay attention to the deadline of each one, but I love to finish a book a few weeks before deadline so I can let it sit. Going back a few weeks after finishing and reading it again can give such a differently fresh perspective. However, it’s been a while since I’ve had that luxury. There is a definite overlap of writing one book and having to stop because copy edits or page proofs arrive on another book. But that’s the nature of the job. You shift gears and do what you have to do.

Kelsey: You mentioned in your first interview with us that you completed Rescue Me in two weeks by using Candace Haven’s fast draft method. Do you use that method for drafting all your books?

Christy: Oh, I wish I could. I’ve learned that each book has its own process. RESCUE ME was in my head for months, so when Candy’s class came along, I was ready to write it and it came quickly. RETURN TO ME took about five months to write and RUN TO ME took more than nine months.

In my new trilogy, NO CHANCE took only about seven weeks and that included two revisions my editor suggested, but SECOND CHANCE took a year. I wrote LAST CHANCE in about ten weeks, which included one revision. So, for me, it really depends upon the story itself. How well do I know it and the characters? Is the story headed in the direction of my vision for it? It’s all about the individual’s story process and not so much about my writing process.

Kelsey: How do you keep track of your characters and storylines while working on more than one book?

Christy: Five of the six books I’ve written so far in the series were secondary characters in the books before them. So I know the characters well enough that I don’t get them confused. Noah McCall, the head of Last Chance Rescue, is the only reoccurring character. I’ve enjoyed watching him go from a hard, seemingly heartless man to the happily married husband and father he is now. But there’s still a steely streak he maintains to get the job done.

Though Last Chance Rescue is the backdrop, the characters and circumstances are varied and unique to the plot, making them distinctive enough that there’s no way to get them confused.

Kelsey: Do you have a specific system for managing your time each day? For example, writing new material at a certain time, working on promo activities at another time?

Christy: I wish I was a more organized writer, but my brain has a mind of its own. (smile) My routine is to check email, Facebook and blog comments before I start writing. Write for as long as the story flows, which could be ten minutes to two hours, take a break and then get back to it. Since Facebook is such a big promotional tool for me and I truly enjoy talking to people through it, I spend a lot of time on it, especially at night. Often, by nightfall, my mind is blurred so I can’t write. That’s when I do what little promotional things I do.

Kelsey: What do you like most about writing and releasing books in a back-to-back format?

Christy: I love the immediacy of pleasing readers. I understand getting invested or involved in a series and wanting the next book in my hands as soon as possible. It’s wonderful to be able to give them that.

With back-to-back books, the characters stay fresh in my mind, so I think that makes writing them a bit easier. And since new characters for the trilogy are introduced in the first or second book of each trilogy, I know them quite well.

Kelsey: How has your book release schedule impacted your personal life?

Christy: I’m fortunate to be able to write full time and my husband works long hours outside the house, so my focus can be on writing. When I started writing in 2001, other than working as a bookseller at Borders, it was my focus. In 2005, we relocated because of my husband’s career. I chose to not pursue another job for a while and concentrated fully on writing. When I sold, writing was already a full time job, I just wasn’t being paid for it.

Kelsey: Is it realistic to release three books a year on an ongoing basis?

Christy: I think it’s become much more common than one book a year. And some authors can write more than three. So far, three – four has been my limit. As long as I’m asked to write three a year and I can do it, then that’s what I plan to do. 

Kelsey: What advice do you have for other writers about back-to-back releases?

Christy: If you have the opportunity to have back-to-back releases, I think it can be a great boost to your career and garner attention you might not receive as a single release author.

However, it’s not for everyone and certainly not the only way to build a solid career. There is the added pressure of producing books faster than an author might want to write. You have to do what’s best for your lifestyle and what you want from your career.

Thanks so much for inviting me back again, Kelsey. I’ll be checking back frequently, in case anyone has questions. Feel free to ask me anything. And just a reminder that NO CHANCE, the first book in my new trilogy, comes out Tuesday, February 23.

RU crew, take this opportunity to pick Christy’s brain about back-to-back releases and her series. Don’t forget she’ll be giving away two copies of NO CHANCE and two copies of RESCUE ME to lucky commenters today!

Be sure to join me on Wednesday for a peek at men’s definitions of romance and how they’d like to be romanced by a woman!

Christy’s Bio:

Growing up in a tiny community in Alabama boasting only one stop sign and a gas station gave Christy ample opportunity to create daring adventures in her head. When she wasn’t thinking of her story characters, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys kept her entertained and out of trouble. Later came the chills of Stephen King and the thrills of John Grisham, but the romance genre always held a strong place in her heart.

After leaving her career with a major insurance company, the characters in her head came alive again and Christy decided to write her own stories. And now, she and her characters couldn’t be happier.

A member of Romance Writers’ of America, the Southern Magic RWA chapter, the KOD chapter, and International Thriller Writers, Christy lives in Alabama with her husband, two incredibly cute canines and one very shy turtle.

I’m so pleased to welcome award-winning author Hank Phillippi Ryan to Romance University. Through sheer good fortune, I met Hank at the RWA conference in Washington D.C. this past summer. She didn’t even blink an eye when I accosted her in the Borders checkout line.

In addition to being a consummate professional and a talented writer, Hank’s generous. Extremely so. She’s giving away four (4) signed ARCs of her Agatha award-winning novel Prime Time! Leave a comment or question for your chance to win.

Okay, Hank–three, two, one–time for your Romance University live shot! Lights, camera–You’re on the air.

After 30 years as a TV journalist—writing only the absolute facts about the real world, how did Hank Phillippi Ryan make the 180 into writing fiction?  She says, at first, she thought it would be difficult. After all, in television news, you can’t make stuff up! But then she realized  in writing novels, you’re still writing the truth—you just have to first create your own “real world.”

And then, she says, she discovered there are a lot more similarities between writing fact and writing fiction. The first one? How to handle deadlines.

DEADLINE SECRETS

I could not believe what my friend the novelist was telling me. And it was all I could do not to burst out laughing. And then, finally I couldn’t resist.

Are you actually saying, I asked between gasps, are you actually saying you asked your editor for three more weeks to finish your book? Asked her to move the deadline three weeks ahead?

My friend, a perfectly lovely and wonderful author, quite successful I might add, looked perplexed. “Well, sure,” she said. “I’m having trouble feeling the muse, and I couldn’t get finished, and so I asked her to move the deadline. I do it all the time.”

Okay, forgive me. As a veteran (okay, old)  reporter, the idea of missing a big deadline is –well, it makes my stomach hurt.

I’ve been in TV for 30 years. And I just shook my head, thinking about her extra three weeks. Can you imagine if I went to my news director and said—you know, could I be on the news at ten after six, instead of six? I’m not really…feeling the muse.

Hey, listen kid, the news director might have said. The news is on a 6 o’clock. That means your story is ready at 6 o’clock. If you can’t do it –I’ll find someone who can.

So it got me to wondering about deadlines. And even the dreaded writer’s block. And how people in TV news deal with that. Sure, there are days when I’m trying to bang out a story for the 6 o’clock news and it’s not quite as wonderful as I hoped. I sit at my desk glowering at the computer monitor, wondering whose idea this stupid story was anyway, and why I ever wanted to be a reporter, and if I could just write the story, maybe, tomorrow, how much better it would be.

Then I look at the clock, and it’s a little after five, and if I’m going to get my video edited and on the air at six—I’d better just go with what I’ve got. And hope it’s good.

In fact,  the phrase “go with what you’ve got” has propelled me into making many a deadline. And the more I think about it, the more the lessons of deadline reporting for television translate to the pressures and deadlines of writing a book. Even if you make the deadlines yourself! It’s just one of the ways writing for television for thirty years has prepared me to face the rigors of writing romantic suspense and mysteries.

Deadline secret number one: If you’re sitting at your desk, brain numb and unable to decide what comes next—say the magic words: “I’ll just go with what I’ve got.” Just—write down what you think might work. Go from there. “What you’ve got” might be the next word or the next line, or the next sentence. You certainly have that. Just put it down. You can always tweak it later.

Another deadline secret that always works: ask yourself: what am I really trying to say here? When I have a complicated investigative story, and I feel I’ve somehow written myself into a corner (have you been in that corner?) I stop. I regroup. I ask myself: where am I in the story, and where do I need to go next? Do I need an action? An explanation? An emotion?  What does the reader need to know, or to understand? And often, the answer will emerge.

Deadline secret number three:  Ask yourself: Why do I care?  The goal of a great TV story, as well as a great novel, is that people arecompelled to hear it. That it’s just—as they used to say in The Front Page—a hell of a story. So if you have a hell of a story—why isthat? Who do you care about, and why? And that can galvanize your thoughts to figure out what has to come next.

And one last secret—remember why you loved your story in the first place.

After working on an big story for maybe months and it’s finally time to write the thing—sometimes I have notebooks and files full of information, and I think—ah, whose idea was this anyway? I hate this story, I can’t think about it for one more minute.  Then I take myself back to that shining moment when I had what I knew was a terrific idea. I remember how I felt about it when it was newly hatched. And always, always, there’s a rush of enthusiasm…and I knew exactly what to say next.

And PS:  If you’re having difficulty with a deadline? Pat yourself on the back. There’s not a writer who doesn’t.  Having a tough moment at the computer? Yay. You’re a writer.

Do you have any deadline secrets?

* * *

Thanks, Hank!

RU Readers, be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win one of four ARCs of Prime Time.

Don’t forget to check back in on Wednesday when Wayne Levine returns to explore all things male.

Hank’s Bio:

Award-winning investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan is currently on the air at Boston’s NBC affiliate, where she’s broken big stories for the past 22 years.  Her stories have resulted in new laws, people sent to prison, homes removed from foreclosure, and millions of dollars in refunds and restitution for consumers.

Along with her 26 EMMYs, Hank’s won also won dozens of other journalism honors. She’s been a legislative aide in the United States Senate (working on the Freedom of Information Act) and at Rolling Stone Magazine (working with Hunter S. Thompson).

Her first romantic-suspense mysteries, PRIME TIME  (which won the prestigious Agatha Award for Best First Novel, was a double RITA nominee for Best First Book and Best Romantic Suspense Novel, and a Reviewers’ Choice Award Winner) and FACE TIME (Book Sense Notable Book), are current best sellers. The newest in the series is the already-bestselling AIR TIME (MIRA Sept. 2009) (Suzanne Brockmann says: “I love this series!”) Watch for DRIVE TIME from MIRA in February 2010–it’s just earned a starred review from Library Journal!

For those of you who missed Jack’s original post, click here to learn about his orientation to RU. We had such a great time that we challenged Jack to read another romance book. This time, he had to go into it knowing it was a romance, unlike his first venture into romance reading land.

Read on to learn what Jack thought about Suzanne Brockmann’s Into the Storm, a New York Times bestselling novel. Here’s Jack!

Some of you may recall that this past June I was interviewed by RU faculty member Tracey Devlyn to provide a “male” perspective on romance novels (A Male Perspective — 06/17/09). During the interview, I shared the fact that I had read two romantic suspense books without knowing they were in fact, romance books. I was then asked if I thought I would read another one. I believe that as a result of my wishy-washy answer RU faculty promptly challenged me to read and respond, from my male perspective, to another romantic suspense novel chosen by the results of a readers’ poll. I readily admit that I am totally unqualified to do so other than by virtue of my maleness. In hindsight, I should have given more thought to this request before agreeing to the challenge, because as I write this response I can’t help but feel that unless I say that I loved the book and have become a romance fan I will be worse than “Jack Russell Terrier crap” in the eyes of the RU faculty.  I really believe they want to convert me to a romance book enthusiast. I imagine their desire is similar to a woman who is convinced they can turn a gay man straight after they’ve have had sex with him.

The road to my current dilemma started in July after the reader poll identified Suzanne Brockmann as the author I would read. RU faculty recommended that I choose one of three books: Flashpoint, Over The Edge or Into The Storm. Ok, fine, now what? I was lost. Fortunately, my wife came to my rescue and suggested I look on Ms Brockmann’s website and read the book blurbs and choose the one that sounded interesting to me. After doing so, I keyed in on the book Into The Storm:

In a remote, frozen corner of New Hampshire, a Navy SEAL team and the elite security experts of Troubleshooters, Incorporated are going head-to-head as fierce but friendly rivals in a raid-and-rescue training exercise. Despite the frigid winter temperatures, tension smolders between veteran SEAL Petty Officer Mark “Jenk” Jenkins and former cop turned Troubleshooter Lindsey Fontaine … the Troubleshooters’ new receptionist (Tracy), vanishes while playing the role of hostage during a mock rescue operation.

Teaming up with the FBI to launch a manhunt in the treacherous wilderness … The trail is colder than the biting New England climate until a lucky break leads to a horrifying discovery—a brutally murdered young woman … Suddenly there is a chilling certainty that Tracy has fallen prey to a serial killer—one who knows the backwoods terrain and who doesn’t play by the rules of engagement.

In a race against time, a raging blizzard, and a cunning opponent, Jenk and Lindsey are put to the ultimate test. Risking everything, they must finally come together in a desperate attempt to save Tracy …

Navy Seals, elite special operations experts, former L.A. cop, serial killer, FBI, and treacherous wilderness. Yes, I decided, I can read this book. And, truth be told, the book cover didn’t look like a romance book and the other two books did. Off to the book store I went, but only after my wife agreed to go with me and search the romance section for the book in question. I mentioned in my interview that men don’t peruse the romance section of a book store unless they’re willing to give back their “man card.” I know there are exceptions to every “guy” rule, but I’m not willing to step out on this one. So, while I hid behind a copy of a Guns and Ammo magazine, my wife went in search of the book.

It didn’t take her long and she soon strolled over to the magazine stand and gave me a thumbs up sign.  She slipped it to me on the “down low” and I took a quick glance as I was adjusting the book in my hand to make sure that the cover side would be held against my hip — it wasn’t. Whoa there, and hold on one second! Unlike the book cover depicted on the website, the paperback in my hand had a background photo of a sultry woman lying on her back with a shirtless muscular man on top of her. Both the man and woman had their eyes closed and blissful contented looks on their faces. How nice for them. “Not fair,” I whispered. “This looks way too much like a romance book. I can’t take it to the cashier.” My wife’s eyes gleamed and the corner of her mouth turned upward in a nefarious grin. “Well, I suppose I could buy it for you,” she said. Isn’t she wonderful? I thought so until the moment we were in front of the cashier and she said in a loud voice, “Honey, is this the only romance book you wanted to buy today?” Knowing that in the wit department my wife can slice and dice me like a Ginsu knife I elected to not attempt a witty comeback, I turned and slowly walked away.  

Once home, I opened the book and flipped through the pages. “Holy crap” the paperback was 500 pages and there wasn’t a lot of white space. This was going to be a longer than normal read. The book then sat patiently on the bedside table waiting for me to resign myself to the task. I didn’t lose interest in the “assignment” or the storyline, but come on this was a romance book. How many words does it take to lay out a passionate interest, which leads to sex that turns into a fight that awakens a romantic spark and ultimately love? Throw in some suspense and a happily ever after ending and you have a romance novel, right?

As it happens, Suzanne Brockman wrote a story that, for me, would have otherwise languished had it not been for the interesting and appealing characters she created. A few of them were quirky to say the least and others burdened with emotional scars, which seems to be an element of romance books. The emotional baggage was a little too complicated, in my opinion, in regard to the main female character (Lindsey). My “guy” reaction to Lindsey was that she was irrevocably emotionally damaged and Mark, the love interest, should have cut his losses and ran.

But the storyline is intricately woven around several characters and they all play off of each other’s personalities very well. I also liked the way Suzanne Brockmann presented the underlining suspense of the serial killer who is holding a woman captive for use in his private and deadly “chicks only” fight club. As I read the story, I felt certain that at some point this subplot would collide with the main storyline and my assumption kept me very interested in reading the final outcome. As a side note, the serial killer is seriously disturbed and reading about him will cause women to look twice over their shoulder when walking alone at night.

My biggest surprise was that parts of the book were really funny. There were several one-liners and a lot of dialog between characters that caused me to laugh to myself and on a few occasions I actually chuckled out loud. I’ve read so many books over the years that it’s not often I come across fresh humor. It was a pleasant surprise.

Having said all this, is it time to share my “guy” response? I think by inference you can tell that I believe Suzanne Brockmann wrote a very interesting story. The out of the ordinary and appealing characters and the humorous dialog made it a good book. The romantic relationship between Mark and Lindsey, however, detracted slightly from my overall enjoyment. Remember this is my “guy” response and personal opinion. The development of their relationship and Lindsey’s conflicting emotions became a little too much for me. It got to the point were I thought Lindsey should schedule an appointment with Dr. Phil and get back in touch with Mark after a couple of years in therapy. I know what you think I’m thinking and your right, I think as far as their relationship was concerned, the guy had it together and the girl was the “head case.” Nevertheless, I knew they would eventually work things out, realize that they loved each other and would overlook her (oops, I mean their) emotional deficiencies. As a result, I lost interest in the romance part of the storyline. Outside of the romance, I really enjoyed the book.

Have I become a romance novel fan? In truth, no. BUT, I enjoyed the three romantic suspense books that I’ve read, but not because of the romance. I liked the suspense built into the stories. Will I read more romantic suspense in the future? Maybe. I am pretty certain, however, that you won’t see me perusing the aisles of the romance section at the bookstore. And I’m absolutely certain I won’t take a book to the cashier that has a picture, drawing, photo or other visual illustration of a woman and man embracing or any depiction that seems to be customary for romance books. Sorry, it’s a guy thing.

I would, however, like to repeat a thought I shared during my past interview with Tracey. I think it’s important to weigh my belief against any negative comments you may feel that I’ve made about romance books. I believe that romance novels merit an equal status in the literary world. I don’t consider them to be fictional stories less deserving of readers and fans. I believe good books touch something within us, stir emotions and evoke response and internal debate. Therefore, by virtue of their popularity, I would say that romance books are doing what good books do. I think a lot of romantic suspense fans would certainly place Suzanne Brockmann’s book, Into The Storm, in this category.

So there you have it. A male’s perspective on romance. Again. This time with his eyes wide open. Do we have any females out there who have read Into the Storm? Do you share any of Jack’s opinions, or do you think he’s full of dog poo?

Managing Editor Theresa Stevens returns on Friday to discuss passive voice and how to avoid it.

As writers, we’ve all been there or are still there. In the BS stage. Although BS can stand for many things in the publishing industry, in this instance I mean “Before Sale.” Those of us who are pre-published love to hear two types of stories: those of overnight success and those of multiple manuscripts and long years of submitting. Misery does—after all—love company. However, the story of a writer’s first success is always captivating and today Christy Reece, whose Last Chance Rescue trilogy was published this year, will talk with Romance University readers about her path to publication, bumps and right turns included.

Christy has generously offered to give not one, but THREE signed copies of Rescue Me to lucky commenters.

Welcome, Christy!

Kelsey: Christy, when you sold your romantic suspense trilogy, how was the market for RS?

Christy: Better than it is today. Romantic Suspense is still selling well, but paranormal is probably hotter right now. However, I’m huge believer in writing what you love and enjoy, no matter the market. When I started writing romantic suspense, I did it for the story I wanted to tell…not what I thought would sell.

It’s true that you have to be aware of what’s selling, but if you’re just writing to the market, depending on how fast you can write, the market might well have changed by the time you’re ready to submit. Also, if it’s not what you love, it’ll show in your writing.

Kelsey: Would you share a little about your experience as a pre-published writer?

Christy: I’ve always had characters running around in my head and story ideas popping in my mind, but other than writing a chapter here or there, I didn’t pursue it. I had a successful career with a major insurance company, but after eighteen years there, I realized it wasn’t something I wanted to continue to do. It wasn’t my passion…it was a job. So I quit. It sounds simpler than it was. You don’t quit a well paying job without some regret…especially when your husband works for the same company and you have no idea what you’re going to do to earn an income.

I’ve always been an avid reader, but hadn’t had time to enjoy it as much as I would have liked during my career. So, after I left my job, I read a lot. Then one day, I issued myself the challenge of actually writing and finishing an entire book. An obsession was born. I finished my first manuscript in 2002, and started submitting. Of course the rejections flowed in, but I couldn’t quit. While I continued to write, I went to work for Borders as a bookseller. That was a blast. Everyone was so supportive of my writing career and I was the romance expert for the store. It was the second best job I’ve ever had. Writing being the first, of course.

Fast forward to 2006. My husband and I had move back to my home state of Alabama and I was seriously reevaluating my writing. Rejections were really wearing me down. So I decided to forget about writing for publication and just sit down and write a story that had been running through my mind. One that I never really planned to submit, but would love to read. I wrote three chapters and stopped because quite honestly it scared me. The story was in a completely different voice and writing style and I didn’t know what to do with it.

In January 2007, I took two online courses, one taught by Candace Havens and the other by Laurie Schnebly Campbell. These two classes changed everything for me. They helped me focus on the reasons I started writing in the first place and helped me identify why I wanted to pursue publication. Then, I took Candace Haven’s Fast Draft class and finished RESCUE ME in two weeks.

I attended the Southern Magic conference here in Birmingham in March and pitched RESCUE ME to my dream agent. She saw the potential for a series with the Last Chance Rescue organization as a backdrop. I sent her the full manuscript in May, she offered representation in June and sold the back-to-back trilogy to Ballantine in July. Though all of this happened rather quickly, it took over five years to get there. And then almost two years from selling to the actual publication.

Looking back, I’m glad I had that extra time. It helped me focus and think about what I wanted out of the incredible opportunity I’d been given.

Kelsey: You sold two years ago, with your first book released spring 2009. Would you take us through what happened between the time of the sale and the release date?

Christy: Since these were back-to-back-to back releases and I only had one of the manuscripts completed when I sold, I had to write the other two. Then came revisions, copy edits and page proofs for all three. In between those deadlines, I wrote blurbs for a new trilogy, as well as completing the first draft of another book. Since I sold a second back-to-back trilogy before my first book came out, I had plenty to keep me busy.

One particular day stands out. I was in the midst of revisions for RUN TO ME and looked out the window to see the Fed Ex man at my door with two packages. Page proofs for RESCUE ME and copy edits for RETURN TO ME. After a five minute panic attack, I dug in and actually had fun.

Kelsey: Could you tell us about the back-to-back release concept and what you see as the pros and cons of releasing three books in quick succession?

Christy: I think it’s an awesome way to introduce a debut author. I feel so fortunate to have had that opportunity. However, it does come with a bit of extra work, as in while writing one book, you get revisions, copy edits or galleys and have to stop and work on those.

The majority of emails I get from readers have mentioned how much they appreciate having three books come out so close together. Seems like back-to-backs are really catching on and not just for debut authors. As a reader, I love it too. Because, if I have to wait a year for the sequel of a book I’ve enjoyed, chances are I’ve forgotten what happened in the first book.

Probably the only con I can think of and it doesn’t apply to everyone, is the need to be able to write fast. With the first trilogy, I had two years from the time I sold to write the other two. Now that I have three more coming out early next year that are also back to back releases, my writing has to be kicked up several notches.

Kelsey: What do you wish you had known before moving from the ranks of the pre-published to published?

Christy: Oh my, that’s probably a book in itself. When I look back on it, it’s hard to say what I didn’t know that I wished I’d known. I do remember thinking that I was as prepared as anyone to be a published author, but I’m not sure you can be totally prepared.

A few vague things come to mind. Like verbiage I wasn’t familiar with, or the process of what happens when, such as when I turn in revisions…what happens next? Or when should I expect copy edits and then, once they’re done, when do page proofs arrive? What kind of input do I get with covers and titles? Should I use a pseudonym? Should I get a professional picture made to put in the back of the book with my bio? Lots and lots of those kinds of questions.

I also didn’t know how much publishing slows down in the summer until my agent started submitting. Though it was about a month from submission till I sold, it was in the middle of summer and things did seem to go in slow motion. Of course, when you’re sitting at home, waiting for that one call that can change your life, any amount of time feels like too much.

I now understand the importance of having an agent. And not just a good agent, but one that totally loves your work. It’s true that not everyone wants or needs an agent. Each writer must take his or her own path. For me, I would not want to do this without one. I feel so blessed to have mine. To know that she’s in my corner 100 percent is a great burden off me. And all those things I didn’t know…? Well, she does! I must have asked the dumbest questions but she was always so kind and didn’t once let on that my questions were stupid or silly. 

What did surprise me was that the worry and angst doesn’t go away. There are still problems and worries aplenty; they’re just different. I honestly thought that once I sold, the words would flow easier, my confidence level would soar and all the self-doubt would magically disappear. I was wrong!

So far, the best part has been the emails from readers. I LOVE them! They are so encouraging and when I have a bad day of writing, I pull them out and read them again. I get so inspired by people who have loved the books and characters. And it just makes me want to write even better books.

Something else I didn’t expect were the readers who would tell other people about my books. Not sure why that was such a surprise. When I read a book I’ve enjoyed, I tell others. But it’s such a nice feeling to have people tell you they’ve recommended you. Or when you see a review by a reader and they express how much they’ve enjoyed the book, you realize what you’ve written spoke to them in some way. That’s an incredibly uplifting feeling.

All in all, it’s been an exhilarating, wonderful experience and though writing is the most difficult career I’ve ever had, it’s also the most rewarding one I’ve ever had.

Thanks again for the interview. I’ll be happy to answer questions if anyone has any.

RU crew, be sure to pop in on Wednesday when Adrienne and our Guy Panel talk about the Shug, otherwise known as the “man hug.”

Christy’s Bio: Growing up in a tiny community in Alabama boasting only one stop sign and a gas station gave Christy ample opportunity to create daring adventures in her head. When she wasn’t thinking of her story characters, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys kept her entertained and out of trouble. Later came the chills of Stephen King and the thrills of John Grisham, but the romance genre always held a strong place in her heart.

After leaving her career with a major insurance company, the characters in her head came alive again and Christy decided to write her own stories. And now, she and her characters couldn’t be happier.

A member of Romance Writers of America and International Thriller Writers, Christy lives in Alabama with her husband, two incredibly cute canines and one very shy turtle.

Some of you might remember Jack Russell. He was a guest blogger a few weeks ago on Anatomy of the Male Mind and, after a few prods of a hot iron poker, agreed to read a romance book and give us his honest, male opinion of it.

RU Faculty polled readers to see which romantic suspense author they’d like Jack to read. And the winner is…Suzanne Brockmann.

After much sniffing around back cover blurbs, Jack has selected Into the Storm. He’ll spend the next month reading the book and typing up his manly review to be posted on August 26.

Please stop back on 8/26 to see what Jack has to say about Into the Storm. You’re sure to be entertained and enlightened!

Please help me welcome author Shannon K. Butcher to Romance University. Shannon’s best known for her enthralling romantic suspense books: No Escape, No Control and No Regrets. However, in May 2009, Book One of her The Sentinel War series, Burning Alive, debuted with resounding success.  

Without further ado, here’s Shannon…  

Tracey: What factors played a role in your decision to write in a different subgenre? 

Shannon: I grew up reading fantasy books, so I’ve always loved a bit of the supernatural in my fiction.  In fact, several of my first awful practice books were paranormals romances.  I hadn’t quite gotten the hang of balancing world building and storytelling at that point, so I moved on to romantic suspenses, which I also love.  Once I felt like I had some of the basics of writing craft down well enough to give paranormals another shot, I decided to dive back in to all that otherworldly goodness.  The fact that paranormal romances are so popular now gave me the opportunity to try my hand at something I’ve always enjoyed.

 Tracey: Will we see any more romantic suspense books?

Shannon: Absolutely.  I have a romantic suspense coming out in October of this year titled LOVE YOU TO DEATH, and I’m currently working on a new series centered around a mercenary company.  It’s still too early to go into too much detail, but I plan to continue writing them for as long as there are folks wanting to read them.

Tracey: Did you break into romantic suspense by writing category or single titles? Did you have an agent when you finally broke through?

Shannon: I started writing single titles since that’s mostly what I read, and I am one of those people who strongly believe in getting an agent first and letting them sell the work.  I’d seen my husband’s 10-year struggle to do it the other way (try to sell his work directly to an editor, which never panned out) and I knew I wouldn’t last 10 years before giving up and moving on to a different line of work, so I went for the agent first.

Tracey: What do you love best about your agent? Your editor?

Shannon: I think the thing I love most about Nephele Tempest is how she balances personality and professionalism.  She’s caring and funny, and I love to hang out with her, but at the same time she can take care of all of the business stuff-making deals and helping grow my career-without breaking a sweat.  She’s a mix of sweet and ruthless and I love it!

My suspense editor is she’s really great to make sure to point out what she loves about the book.  So, even when she’s asking for changes, the sting of not having done it right the first time is lessened by a bunch of glowing praise.  And although I haven’t been working with my paranormal romance editor long, so far I really appreciate how she gives me the creative space to tell the stories I want to tell.  She trusts that I have an idea where the overarching story is headed and gives me the creative room to let that unfold. 

Tracey: What can you tell us about your newest release, Burning Alive?

Shannon: BURNING ALIVE is the first book in my paranormal romance series, The Sentinel Wars.  There are three races of Sentinels, and they were put here to fight off the growing number of evil Synestryn, who want to break through the only gateway into another world.  That gateway is here on Earth, and despite their dwindling numbers and a heaping helping of suffering, the Sentinels do their best to protect the gate and any humans who happen to fall victim to the Synestryn. 

The first book in The Sentinel War series is about Helen, who sees visions of her own death.  The man who watches her die comes into her life and she knows her time is up.  She tries to run, but gets caught up in a world where magic is real and she’s the key to helping a dying race survive. 

The rest of the books feature different couples, but all of them are filled with hot, tattooed, sword-wielding warriors and the women who have them wrapped around their fingers.

Tracey: When did you go from writing “great piles of suckfulness” to writing great piles of publishable romance?

Shannon: I had started 36 bad books and finished 8 of them before I’d finally gotten enough writing craft through my head to be good enough to show my work to any professionals.  I got a recommendation for The Knight Agency and, about a year after submitting to them, got an offer for representation.  Once I’d cleaned up NO REGRETS enough that it was sellable, Nephele took it out, sold it and I’ve been writing ever since. 

Tracey: You mention on your website that your husband, Jim Butcher, played a key role in your success. Can you tell us how?

Shannon: If it weren’t for Jim I still wouldn’t be published.  In fact, I never would have even tried to write since I never would have believed I could.  He taught me the craft of writing, showing me that anyone can learn to write a decent book if they’re willing to put in the work (in my case, lots and lots of work).  I went from being an engineer who couldn’t spell her way out of a paper bag and thought conflict was icky, to being able to write publishable work because of his lessons (Some of which he’s posted for whoever wants to read them on his Live Journal.  There’s a link to it from my website.).  Not only that, but I also watched his loooong struggle to become published and learned what worked and what didn’t.  Namely, I realized that once your work is of publishable quality, getting out and meeting people is one of the best ways to go from a name on a query letter to a real person who is much more likely to hear a yes.  I also learned that having an agent greatly speeds up the process of getting editors from big publishing houses to consider one’s work. 

Tracey: When you’re not writing, what do you do for fun?

Shannon: I love to play with beads.  I think I must be part magpie, because if it sparkles, it must be mine.  I have a whole room dedicated to crafting and often use my engineering skills to find new ways of storing all those fabulous tiny bits of colored glass. 

I also like to play Rock Band and City of Heroes, though I have to be careful not to get sucked into the video game vortex where time ceases to exist and no work gets done.

Thanks for inviting me.  It was fun!  I wish you all the best!

Shannon

Thanks, Shannon! We really enjoyed having you here. 

After spending too many years as an Industrial Engineer, Shannon learned to write from her husband, bestselling author Jim Butcher.  She learned writing craft in order to help him with his stories, but found the idea of writing her own too compelling to resist.  She lives in Missouri with her husband and son, where conversations at the dinner table are more often about things someone made up than about anything that’s actually happened.  Feel free to contact Shannon via her website: www.ShannonKButcher.com

Please be sure to join Kelsey on Wednesday when she talks to our latest male victim, er, guest blogger about Looking for the “One”…or Not.

Jack Russell, from our Wednesday, June 17 Anatomy of a Male Mind post, was a great sport and has agreed to give Romantic Suspense another shot.

So we’re asking you, our Romance University readers, to decide which author’s work Jack will read.

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