One day, I got this funky, crazy idea. The timing was right, so I decided to give this romance writing thing a shot. The analytical side of me took over and I spent three months researching the industry. Terms like ‘unique voice’, ‘interesting story premise’, and ‘strong characterization’ kept popping up. Did I know what any of this meant? Uuh…didn’t have a clue.
Interesting story premise, huh? Hmmm…let’s see. What if I took a real-life issue and put a romantic spin to it? After all, I’d spent years in community public health as a health educator. Folks this profession is a battleground, especially if you’re on the frontline, working in the trenches with underserved communities like mine. Every day, I teach individuals struggling with health issues or waging war on the social injustices within our healthcare system. Despite the failures, many have overcome issues we couldn’t wrap two thoughts around. Why? Someone came along and dared to love them during the most hideous time in their lives.
That’s when I decided to use domestic violence as the premise for my debut novel. For my latest release, When A Man Loves A Woman, the story line focuses on a woman who after eight years, is still battling the pain and humiliation of finding her ex-husband in bed with another man. By golly, I found it, I found it! I’d discovered what the industry deemed an ‘interesting story premise’, right?
There’s no need to get too excited, so remain seated, please. “Nice writing, but touchy topic†or “the premise is a little too outside the box†rejection letters landed in my mailbox faster than a cold slot machine sucks in coins. Rejection letter number…heck I can’t even remember the number now, from agent what’s-his-face came along. That did it. The rebel side of me, the side my late mother and I fought over for years, surfaced. Ever had a conviction hit you to the point you couldn’t let it go? Touchy topic or not, a person knows what they know, when they know. I knew I had two good stories. Forget what’s-his-face and all of the other agents before him. If I couldn’t get through the front door with an agent, I’ll try the back by myself. Hey, what did I have to lose? You’ve probably figured out by now that the gamble paid off. It’s like I said before, I didn’t have a thing to lose.
Will I ever write a story with a traditional premise? Maybe, but you can bet the bank I won’t stop writing stories with the touchy topics.
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Great post, LaConnie! It still surprises me the amount of things we are told “can’t” be included in a romance novel. It almost seems to dilute the power that romances could have. Showing that people can fall in love in spite of all the ugly realities around them is powerful. And after reading your first two novels, I have to say you handle those touchy topics skillfully and show the awesome power of love. So keep on doing what you’re doing.
Gwyneth
Hi, LaConnie: I know exactly what you mean. It was suggested that I delete my prologue and know that the suggestion was made in order to help me get past the many rejections). It was a powerful chapter that included a death. The book has been published, but I couldn’t let the chapter “die.” I posted it on my blog instead
Hi LaConnie -
As a reader I have enjoyed both of your stories – they were entertaining and informative. You brought fought issues that need to be discussed openly in our communities. I am sure that your books have provided comfort to women in similar situations and has made others aware of the realities of others.
Please keep writing your wonderful stories.
Beverly
LaConnie, that was a great post. I really enjoyed reading both of your books. You did a great job with both of those tough topics and how you can overcome them. Again you did a great job and I can’t wait to read more from you
Tiffany
Good post. You go, girl!
As a writer who has continually written books that don’t fit the mold (and I have the rejections to prove it) I’m all for courageous writers who stick to their convictions.
LaConnie, does Genesis Press publish electronically? My Instant Gratification problem is rearing its ugly head.
Nebber mind. Answered my own question and bit the waiting bullet.
Great post and I agree.
The trouble with agents is that they (not all, but most) see “limited appeal” (even if it’s not) and they see less bucks for them. You can’t really blame them I suppose… I have the same problem with m/m romance believe me, and I gave up trying to get an agent now, because I was getting sick of “there’s no call for this genre” (even though there very obviously is)
So my advice, ditch the agent idea and just pitch to the publishers, not all publishers say “no unagented submissions” after all.
Good luck!
I understand completely. I have story out for sub that has a heroine who has been in a emotionally abusive relationship before moving on to the nice guy (yes, they actually do exist). The r’s keep telling me that no one would stay with a guy like that, unless they were stupid. No my heroine is not TSTL, emotionally abusive leaves scars that aren’t visible. Very bright women get sucked in. It’s hard to overcome. But it happens. Doesn’t make those women stupid.
I say, good on you, for perservering. For writing what you felt was needed to be out there. And good on your publisher for recognising that there’s a market for those stories.
Hi All:
Whew!! Truth be told, I can blow two winds south of crazy at times, so I’m glad I’m not the only one who has gone through something similar.
To everyone, pub or unpub, keep writing those stories from the heart!! One day, they’ll find a home.
Have a great one
Hey, that subject (husband cheating with another man) is not “too outside the box.” It happened to my mother-in-law, after 42 yrs of marriage/ It happened to two other women I know, and a girl I worked with married a man who divorced his first wife after finding her en flagrante with another woman. I live in small-town Indiana, and so do these other people–so I can bet that this is not an uncommon experience. In fact, the yr this happened to my MIL (2000), I stumbled upon an article on Salon.com in which a woman talked abt her own situation (only in her case, their kids were still young). What has stayed with me after all this time is her observation that, after her husband “came out,” he had all these new friends and support groups and helpful literature, while she had nothing and no one to talk to who understood. I imagine there is a place for a well-written, perceptive novel on this topic.
Great post LaConnie! I have a friend who after 26 years of marriage ended up separated from her husband because he was fantasizing about another guy at work (the hubby’s decision, not hers). It happens, and it’s great that there are authors out there who are willing to take a risk and write about them.
Cheryl
Hi Leah:
Yes, you’re right, the topic isn’t new to the world. It’s been around a long, long time.
However, trying to match it with the romance industry was a tough moutain to climb.
LaConnie,
What a wonderfully inspiring post! Sometimes editors don’t understand that people can find romance in and as a result of all types of situations, including wartime (actually, they probably do understand that, but think their readers might not).
Keep up those interesting storylines!
[...] novel, When a Man Loves a Woman, will be stopping off at The Romance Readers Connection and Romancing The Blog!  What do you do when you are in love with someone who won’t give you the time of day? How [...]
Hey LaConnie! Sometimes I wish certain publishers would stretch a bit in storylines but then I realize that that would change who they are in the industry. Each has their publishing brand, so to speak, and as with too many things, change happens slowly.
So yay, that you were undeterred! Our gain, their loss. Funny thing is that I think readers are usually ready for more long before the publishers figure it out.
LaConnie,
Excellent post indeed! I believe the “real” life issues that you’ve included in your debut and now this one is what’s making you a favorite among romance readers and particularly among those readers who often feel that most romances are a little too fanciful and not a true depiction of how love prevails in the end.
So KUDOS to you for staying the course and not letting the rejections keep you from your passion! I wish you continued success!