THE FORBIDDEN ELEMENT

I have now received three reviews for Lancaster House. These reviews are from book reviewers and not from friends or family. I have many more reviews to come and I look forward to hearing what people think about my novel.

Two of the reviews were amazing. One, however, was not bad, but it wasn't great either. As a newbie author, a not-so-great review is . . . well, devastating. But, it's part of the business and something I have to learn to live with!

The funny thing about this not-so-great review was this: the reviewer (who I did not ask for a review from, she did it all on her own--which is exciting, she actually bought my book!) didn't like a certain paranormal element in Lancaster House. It ruined the book for her. She felt it was unnecessary. Little did she know that this paranormal element was the topic of many discussions before I published my novel!! I repeatedly discussed with my husband and my daughters (and my son--but he didn't care either way) how to remove this certain paranormal element. We worried that it was an overused paranormal element right now, maybe even a FORBIDDEN ELEMENT because of all the hype. (Sorry, no spoilers allowed!)

After much debate, we all concluded that it couldn't be removed and still have the story make sense! And while I admit that this certain paranormal element does come out of left field and is very unexpected in the novel, it is NECESSARY to the story. It was also meant to be in the story from the very beginning. It wasn't an afterthought. I wanted it to be a surprise.

Okay, I feel better. I just had to get that off my chest. Thanks for listening!

What do you think? Do you like the unexpected paranormal twist in Lancaster House?

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A challenge

At this point in my writing journey, my daughter calls me and issues me a challenge. Keep in mind, her favorite genre is anything paranormal. I write romance. She says to me, “Mom, let’s both write a paranormal story and try to get them published.”

“I don’t write paranormal,” I say.

“Oh, come on, it’ll be fun, we’ll do it together.”

I hang up with the promise that I will think about it. And the more I think about it, an idea comes into my mind. I begin to write my story. I hash it out, rehearsing every plot element with my ever-patient husband. I ask advice from my psychology-degreed daughter. Soon, I end up with a 90,000 word paranormal romance entitled, “Lancaster House.” But, I feel kind of silly writing paranormal, even though I end up loving the story. Maybe like everyone else in the world, I’m just a little bit tired of vampires—yet I LOVE Twilight. I admit it.

However, feeling like my book wasn’t really all that good, I don’t query it. I don’t send it to ANYONE. Not one single query letter.

Instead, I move on and write my next book, entitled, I Have People. Once again, it’s too long, but I don’t know that. It was in the 130,000 range. I do query this book, but only hear rejection.

But, one of the rejection letters is PERSONAL.

And this is HUGE.

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