My Sweetest Dream

I overheard a conversation the other day that got me thinking. It was a conversation about some Oprah book...something about a Secret...something about the power of positive thinking...I'm sure many of you know what I'm talking about. I haven't read the book, but I understand enough about the principle to get by.

Now, I tend to be a glass is half empty kind of gal...some might say pessimist...realist...whatever...when I focus on myself, I usually veer toward the negative. I can be the biggest cheerleader for everyone else but deep down, for me, I'm usually expecting the worse...it's hard to be disappointed in people that way. Not great, I know.

This conversation I overheard got me thinking about my sweetest dream as writer...I desperately desire to hold my own book in my hand one day...like a paperback...(or hardcover) copy of my own written word. My journey toward this dream has been a slow one and at times (especially lately) I've gotten pretty disheartened, despite the progress I've made. I've seen so many of my writer friends get their own books in print...tucked back my jealousy at seeing their hands curled around those precious copies...all the while longing for it to happen to me.

I'm not one to buy into pseudo-psychology mumbo jumbo...I don't read self-help books or "secret" Oprah picks...but I will tell you something...that conversation reminded me that sometimes you've got to take a chance and put yourself out there...sometimes you've got to give yourself over to the positive side.

So...I've got this dream to hold a printed copy of my own book in my hand one day and from this moment on that is the only reality I am thinking of.

 It. Is. Going. To. Happen.

 I promise you that.

The Unlikely Romance Writer

It's kind of ironic that I've found such passion for writing about love and romance considering that I'm one of the least romantic people around. That's right, it's confession time --Angela Addams does not do romance in real life...all that corny, lovey-dovey, hearts and flowers crap makes me want to barf...seriously...my husband has it easy...I don't like flowers (they just die and make a mess anyway), I'm not big into remembering anniversaries and whatnot, Valentine's Day? Yeah, not really a big deal to me (other than for the kids)...I don't insist on over the top public displays of affection (I mean, I like holding hands and stuff ;-) but some couples...well, let's just say no one wants to or needs to see that kind of thing ;-P )

So why do I write in a genre that centres around such things?

I write about passion and lust and magnetism...and that I believe in. That I've felt. I write about characters who find their soul mates, their best friend, their other half...I write about the real stuff...the fights, the down and dirty, the need and want and desire. In my stories the love is there --it's obvious, it's perfect in and of itself...but I make my characters work for it. I do that because in real life love and relationships are things you have to work at -hearts and flowers are not going to fix everything all the time --Valentine's Day...it only comes once a year.

I might cringe and gag when I see or read over the top romantic nonsense but only because, to me, that isn't the real thing...that's smoke and mirrors and fantasy. When I write an erotic romance I write it with the real thing in mind --two people, drawn together, unable to stay apart who have to work to make it work. Two people who cherish each other. That's what romance is to me. That's the real thing.