Today,
I wanted to utilize my visit to the Roses Of Prose to say a big thank you to
all my author friends and readers who have supported me and my work throughout
the last ten years. Time goes by, successes and failures happen––I would’ve
given up on my dreams a long time ago if it weren’t for the tens of people I
have met online and in person.
Over
the last decade, I’ve written countless short stories (in the formative
years!), seventeen books and two novellas, all of which are either published or
contracted –all my wonderful author friends both sides of the Atlantic have played
a massive part in my success!
Knowing
there are people out there to support you in your dreams means everything for a
feeling of inner strength and belief. It’s human nature to doubt what you are
thinking or doing, and worrying people will laugh or put you down. When you
meet people who cheer you on, love and admire your work, and most of all, share
your struggles, it gives an incredible sense of excitement and optimism.
Writers
are introverts and happy in their own company, which all too often provides far
too much surrounding silence allowing that horrible voice in your head to shout
loud and clear, “give up!” “You’re not good enough!” “This story is your worst
yet!”
My
advice to aspiring writers? Fill your head with your stories, not your
‘internal editor’. Keep writing. Never EVER give up and believe in your dreams,
ALWAYS! Ten years ago, I was first published and then 2011 brought me an agent,
2012 contracts with Harlequin Superromance and Kensington.
Yes, I
am living a dream I never thought would happen. Am I still shy? Yes. Am I still
a teeny bit scared ongoing success could mean having to stand up in public one
day, YES!!! Terrified, would probably be a better description of how I feel
about public speaking!
I am
happy. I’m loving my work, but more than anything, love my writer friends and
readers so much. Mix up your social circle, reach out through social mediums
such as Twitter and Facebook and surround yourself with optimistic, supportive
and fun people. You will be amazed how quickly you realize your fears are
echoed and conquered every day.
Stand
tall and know you are no better or worse than others out there. Let yourself
grow and shine until you feel as though your star is in reach – because it is!
Rachel’s
latest release is HER HOMETOWN REDEMPTION, book 5 in her ongoing Harlequin
Superromance Templeton Cove series (although all the stories can be read
stand-alone). Here is the blurb & buy links – happy reading!
Blurb:
She's
back to right her wrongs
When
Tanya Todd returns to Templeton Cove, she knows better than to expect a warm
welcome. She burned a few bridges on her way out of town, and making amends
won't be easy. First on her list is the man whose heart she carelessly
shattered, Liam Browne.
Seeing
the successful criminal lawyer after all these years, Tanya is interested in
more than just Liam's forgiveness. As they work together to bring the man who
hurt her sister to justice, the attraction between them sizzles. Suddenly
Tanya's second chance could include a future with Liam…if she can prove she's changed.
Bio:
Rachel
lives with her husband and two teenage daughters in a small town near Bath in
the UK. After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured
agent representation in 2011. Since 2013, she has had five books published by
Harlequin Superromance (Templeton Cove Stories) and three Victorian romances by
eKensington/Lyrical.
Rachel
is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of
America, and was selected to mentor the Superromance finalist of So You Think
You Can Write 2014 contest.
When
she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the
beautiful English countryside with her family. Her dream place to live is
Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.
She
likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow
romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!
Links:
10 comments:
Welcome, Rachel. A great story that spawned some more great stories. As your fellow Class of 85er from way back when, I can certainly relate to the encouragement and support our on-line and in person friends and readers provide. Congratulations on living your own personal dream.
Congrats, Rachel, and best of luck with sales! I sooo appreciate my writer friends (who for a while there might have been my only readers!). I think I spend way more time with them than my in-person pals!
Welcome, Rachel. Best wishes for many sales.
Hello, ladies! So sorry for being so late checking in - it's been 'accounts day'...yuck!! Thanks much for your good wishes - I'd be nothing without my writer friends!
Glad to be here :)
I think so many writers share your inner fears and insecurities. I know I do. Every book I write I think is my worst one yet. Our online writer friends are precious gifts. Wishing you mountains of success. Hugs.
V.
I'm so sorry to be late to respond...even though it's normal for me! Wonderful message, Rachel. So happy for you for your success. Like you, I'm so grateful for my many writer friends.
Well, you know you've been one of my girls for...I don't know how many years now. You're one of the best - love ya! 😘😘
Thanks, Leah - I know none of us can do this writing thing alone. It's hard enough anyway, but without support? No way, no how! 😊
Rachel, so nice to see you here. I've been following your work for some time. Seems like many of us got our first book out there around 2011, but you've mushed forward with amazing speed and success. Congrats...you deserve it. And thanks for the pep talk!
Hi Rolynn!
The WIld Rose Press published my first book back in 2007 so it's been a long journey but 2012 was definitely the year things started to move forward! I am so fortunate to be doing what I love and getting paid for it - isn't that everyone's dream??
Rachel x
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