October 2009

Dear Readers,

Those of you who look for a book from me every six months or so have undoubtedly noticed that the bookshelf is bare this year. That's because in 2008, I did something I hadn't done in over fifteen years--I took a break from writing.

I was tired. I had no ideas. I didn't even want to write a grocery list, so I decided to walk away from it. I'd never been one of those writers who said she COULDN'T quit writing. Writing is hard work! I thought it would be easy, and do you know what? It was. I turned off the computer, shut the office door, and didn't look back.

It was heaven. I gardened. I joined a gym. I volunteered with a boxer rescue group. I took up quilting. I went antiquing with my sister and I became a Lady who Lunched. I was a happy, happy girl.

Then, after six or seven months of bliss, something unexpected happened. Story ideas started fluttering through my consciousness. Characters began cropping up in my brain. A new and different setting--a new world--teased my mind. For the first time in a very long time, I started playing with story ideas as I went to sleep at night.

Darn it. I'd quit writing. I didn't need this. I had GREAT tomatoes growing in my garden. Unfortunately, John Callahan wouldn't leave me alone. I wanted, I needed, to know what happened to him!

Finally, eight months after shutting down my word processing program for good, I clicked on that Wordperfect icon and wrote a few pages. Just for me. Not because I had a deadline, but because I wanted to write. Then I wrote a few more, and a few more, and a few more.

Again, it was heaven.

I fell in love with writing all over again. I couldn't wait to get to the computer in the morning. I gardened a little less, slowed down making quilt tops, gave up lunching and antiquing and talked my sister into helping me with the puppy dogs. Before I knew it, John's story was told. I had a book written.

I guess I hadn't quit writing, after all. (My husband told me he knew that's what would happen all along.)

Something else happened during those months away.  What happened, readers, was you.  When I decided to walk away from publishing, I frankly didn't think too many people would notice.  After all, I wasn't writing in one of the hot sub-genres that attract legions of faithful and sometimes rabid fans.  I've never written a vampire in my life! :)

Boy, was I wrong.  You did care.  Since ALWAYS LOOK TWICE was released a year ago, I've received more reader emails and letters and Facebook queries than I've received in the past ten years put together!

I cannot tell you how much your encouragement, your enthusiasm, and even your demands meant to me.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  As I added pages to John's story, I realized I wasn't just writing that story for myself, I was writing for you, too.  You helped to reinvigorate my love for writing as much as anything.

The time away from the computer was wonderful for me. I recharged my batteries and found the joy in my work once more. The result, I believe, is worth waiting for. In the meantime, please don't forget me! John's book has a publishing home and actually begins a new series for me. Follow me on Twitter and fan me on Facebook and I'll keep you up to date as I learn details like titles, cover art, etc.

A new and wonderful world is coming. I invite you to ride along with me. Just be prepared, we're taking the scenic route.

Happy reading,

Geralyn