Dress Rehearsal

I glanced over my shoulder into the bedroom full-length mirror and observed how I looked in the cocktail dress.   Then I quickly turned forward and smoothed the fabric as my hands glided over my hips.  How will I look entering the room?  Or leaving it? Can I move the way I want? 

I checked the garment’s fit…looking over the seams.  Do I look good in this outfit?  Is this color okay? What will he think?  

Preening …all girls do it. 

Nothing in the world beats the look your guy gets when he finally sees you.  When his eyes light up and that sexy smile covering his face means he only has eyes for you.  That’s the response women hope for when they get ready for a night out.  Women enjoy a few hours of their guy's undivided attention. 

Getting dressed for a date is a cakewalk compared to introducing a novel.  No matter how many times you write, read, edit, re-read and revise you feel the pressure of the reviewers and potential fans waiting to give their opinions.  Will they compare my writing to some literary giant?  Will the reviews be favorable or horrendous?  Will they email my editor and have her tear up my contract? The pressure mounts with every cheerful “I can’t wait to read it” and “you can count on me to buy a copy.”

I’m starting to get nervous. NORTH STAR is a great story.  I had a wonderful time writing it but I wonder if it will be enough for potential fans to read more of the Sheridan series?  Will every woman long to have a 'Graham' in her life and in her bed?  Will they be able to relate to Caresse’s struggles with romance relationships and balancing life as a single parent?  Will readers enjoy the subplots of Laila and Yvette?

Am I doing the literary equivalent of preening? Or am I ready?

(Sighs)

I guess I need to relax, breathe, and remember I wrote NORTH STAR for my romance fans --the readers that believe if the premise is good, the heroine is sympathetic, the hero is irresistible, and there’s a happy ending then they’ll buy it.   They're loyal, funny, good-natured, and delight in helping my challenge myself with each sequential novel.

Speaking of NORTH STAR, I decided the first novel in the Sheridan series would be for the people that give back to their communities.  People that provide wonderful activities for children --after-school and on the weekends.  They make sacrifices because they believe it’s better to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. 

One of the novel’s main settings is the Mason Community Center; it’s there that readers learn community involvement and strong family bonds dominate the lives of my characters. I must say, to have a love story grow out of the fundamental belief of ‘each one, teach one’ was very rewarding.   I just have to keep believing my readers will enjoy that aspect of NORTH STAR.

Wow, my nerves are finally starting to settle down.  I feel better now.  Writing a message to you always helps.   NORTH STAR is almost ready to make a grand entrance so I hope you’re filled with anticipation and ready to grin the moment it arrives.

Enjoy what your day brings.

---