Wouldn’t you know it!!

By Qaey Williams

Here I have to post on Tax Day! For those of you in the United States, you all understand the importance of April 15th. Well, I’ll tell you, I have just completed my taxes and I’m warning you now, if you are an author you will definitely need to start getting organized.

Why do I say this? Because the information you’ll have to have on hand when you do your taxes after you start making a little money on your books will require a lot of careful record keeping. If you have the chance to talk with an accountant, make sure you take notes!

I am not an accountant, but I do know that as an author, I can write off my membership dues for Romance Writers of America (both the national dues and the chapter dues). I can also deduct conference fees, mailing costs, contest fees, mileage to and from meetings, travel expenses for conferences, etc.

Here’s my advice for today– get a notebook and envelopes and begin saving every receipt! Keep a detailed list of information associated with the receipts. Identify all expenditures in your notebook. I’m getting all my paperwork together now for next year (tonight’s 3 hour session to get my federal and state income taxes done was a big wake-up call.)

If any of you have advice for keeping the receipts and information organized and such, I would be most appreciative. Take care all and have a great tax day!

Let It Not Be Said I Didn’t Try!

by Qaey Williams

These are the words I’d like to make sure I never forget: Let it not be said I didn’t try.

In my day job the words “I Can’t” seem to be the mantra of many of my students. I wonder why that is? I wonder why kids feel they have to do it right the very first time, every time, or else it isn’t worth it. The feeling of success and accomplishment is one of the greatest feelings a person can experience, yet, because of our increasing demands on kids to do everything faster and better and more efficiently I believe we’re destroying that sense of adventure and exploration all kids are born with.

Don’t tell me a child is born being afraid to try new things–I won’t believe you. Kids are born curious. They want to know everything. They want to explore the new world around them. They want to investigate each nook and cranny they can get their little fingers and toes and noses into. Grown-ups are the ones who create the fear in the kids.

“Oh, be careful, honey, you might fall!” “No, don’t touch that, it could be hot!” “Get down off of there, you’ll hurt yourself!”

Yes, I know as grown-ups we’re supposed to protect the kids from being harmed, but tell me, what kid who’s burned him or herself on the stove ever touched the burner again (hot or cold)? Keeping them safe is important, but stifling the curiosity and adventurous spirit in them is just wrong.

Why, might you ask, am I going off on this when I’m a romance writer and I should be talking about the craft, or my next book, or the million other little things that drive a writer’s life? Well, I am a writer, but I’m also a teacher. I love watching kids explore the world around them and create their own understanding of how things work. What I don’t love is the defeat I see in a child’s eyes every time they try something once, fail, and then refuse to ever try something new again. (You try getting 21 Kindergartners to type in their user name and password on a computer–then talk to me about adventure!) 

Failure is part of life, but everyone is so determined that kids’ lives be sweet and wonderful and full of positive self-esteem society is ruining the individuality in the children entrusted to us. Let the kids fail. Let them fall down once or twice or a dozen times just so they understand that they CAN get back up BY THEMSELVES. That they don’t need someone walking around behind them taking care of them and boosting them up with positive reinforcement.

As writers, the American Title V authors are all very familiar with rejection and failure (at least I know that’s been my experience), but every one of us persevered. We kept going and worked harder to improve our craft.

Each of us will sell. I have no doubt of that. We’ll reap the benefits of all those “I’m sorry, but it doesn’t suit our line because…” due to our analysis of the “because”s and how to implement changes in our manuscripts.

Ladies, my hat is off to you (metaphorically speaking of course–I suck at wearing hats) and the great example you represent for writers and students everywhere.

Cheers!

(Now, if I’m very lucky, that dreaded April Fool’s Day virus warning will have been a hoax and I’ll actually be able to keep all my work on my computer. LOL. Have a great day everyone!)

Blogging at a Distance

My oh my, the days are getting shorter. We’re getting closer to the end of the contest and I’m really looking forward to seeing who’s going to win in April.

All of the ladies who’ve participated have great stories and I’m sure they’ll end up in print. Even better, through this contest the readers have had the opportunity to get a peek at authors on the cusp of publication.

Unfortunately, this particular author is currently 800 miles from her computer and using a hotel computer to post her assigned blog because A) she forgot she was supposed to blog today, and B) she didn’t want to lug her laptop through the airports between Raleigh and Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Here’s hoping readers have made notes about future authors to look for and genres they don’t usually examine.

I’m signing off now, have to get ready for another round of training sessions and the freezing cold.

My hat is off to you fellow American Title V finalists for sticking it out and continuing to support one another.  I am off to see if my editor has sent me another email about my next Diablo Blanco Club book (due out in May 2009)

Qaey Williams

A bit of dialogue

I’ve had a lot of fun posting my entries on Love Conquers because I don’t have to worry about comments from judges or votes–less stress. LOL

I do appreciate all the comments given on my previous posts and the wonderful support the ladies of Love Conquers have provided.

Today, in honor of the fourth round for American Title V, I’m offering up the dialogue scene I had selected for the contest.

Set-up: This particular scene highlights the attraction between my characters and the attempts the heroine, Wynne, makes to convince the hero, Seth, that she should be allowed to return to her apartment to get some items. Seth’s reason for refusing her–just a little thing like a serial killer who has targeted her and even proved he was watching her in her home when the killer called.

Enjoy, and please, let me know what you think.
Qaey

 

The instant she straddled his lap he knew he was in trouble. “I thought you didn’t like seduction as a distracter?” His body hardened in arousal and the flush in her cheeks told him she could feel it too.

“If you use it, no.” She scooted closer. “When I use it, it’s a negotiating tool.”

“Negotiating tool.” Seth nodded and fought to keep his grin hidden. “What if I’m not inclined to negotiate?” Like hell, his thoughts chortled, especially if she keeps moving against me the way she is.

“Let’s give it a shot before you decide anything.”

He was sure his expression was intimidating, but not intimidating enough to dissuade Wynne.

“Point number one.” She smiled, draping her wrists over his shoulders. “By letting me retrieve some of the things from my apartment, I’m saving you money so you don’t have to buy toiletries and other supplies.”

Seth allowed his arms to unfold and his hands to settle on her hips. Shaking his head he assured her. “Money isn’t an issue. I’ll be reimbursed for any necessities you require while under my protection.”

She lowered her lips to his. “Point number two. Having my books and laptop here will allow me to focus on something other than the situation.”

“You can do that,” he whispered back, his fingers dipping beneath the banded hem of her sweatshirt to caress the silky skin on her back, “without your books and laptop.”

“Are you offering to keep me entertained, Deputy Vassar?”

He could feel her smile against his lips. It took him longer to remember his name than it took to figure out offering to keep Wynne entertained for a week was a dangerous proposition. “I’d be more than happy, Miz Smith, to keep you company.” But he did it anyway.

Another Round Down

Well, Round Three ended, so we can breathe a brief sigh of relief.

I have to admit in many ways, I’m glad I was eliminated in the first round.  LOL. With the pressure growing after each subsequent round I wonder how I would have been able to juggle the responsibilities of promoting my entry, my day job, and moving on to new writing projects.

I mean, I know how I get through every day promoting my newest book, preparing for the first round of edits on the book I just contracted with Loose Id, LLC (my fourth with the epublisher), and working on the other two books I’m writing. But, if I’d had to include promotions on my entry to American Title V, I don’t know if I’d have been able to do it.

My hats are off to the ladies left standing. I’m rooting for you all! You’re all so talented and capable of great things.

I just have to ask–How do you all do it?

Another Story Summary

Okay, first things first. Heidi Betts was our guest on January 21st (that’s why I’m posting today rather than last Wednesday). There were three winners of an autographed book from her backlist. The winners are:

Evelyn, Kelly, and our own ATV finalist Tami. Ladies, please check out Heidi’s list of titles at http://www.heidibetts.com/books/index.php#back
Send your choice to Heidi at http://heidibetts.com/bio.php#email

Now, I figured I had a choice for todays post. I could either ramble on and on about my new release, Diablo Blanco Club: Unfair Advantage, with Loose Id, LLC or I could give you a peek at the story summary that would have been posted about my American Title V entry, In A Lover’s Silence.

I chose the story summary (I’ll save the sample of my new release for another day, LOL)

Each of the ladies’ story summaries are great and make it a very difficult choice for the voters. Which allows you all to just sit back and enjoy my summary without worrying about voting for it or not.

Good luck on your choices until Friday. Hope you like this brief respite.
Qaey

Story Summary:
In A Lover’s Silence

A Deputy US Marshal asking questions butts heads with a stubborn bill collector looking for answers. In the Land of the Midnight Sun it may be impossible to determine a winner in their battle of wills–the quirky Alaskan or the by-the-book Texas lawman.

Wynne Smith was too curious for her own good and too headstrong for Deputy US Marshal Seth Vassar’s peace of mind. While he’s trying to prevent her from being next on a killer’s list, she’s more concerned with figuring out where the madman will strike next. His attraction to Wynne makes protecting her almost as hard as trying to stay one step ahead of her determination to find the murderer. Even more difficult than keeping the spunky bill collector out of the clutches of a serial killer is fighting Wynne’s adamant refusal to acknowledge the connection growing between them.

Puzzles can be deadly and piecing together the trail of a murderer proves easier to solve for Wynne than unraveling the tangle of emotions Seth stirs up inside her. After years of being on her own, she’s comfortable being on the outside, what she isn’t used to is a man whose touch makes her forget that no one sticks around for long. The second Seth showed up on her doorstep, Wynne knew falling in lust was inevitable—falling in love was the last thing she expected or wanted.

I would love to know what you think.
Have a great day!

Some more characters

Even though I was eliminated in the first round, I’m still excited about the remaining seven entries. The character descriptions are interesting and it will be difficult to decide on just one. At least for me.

Lucky for you I’m just going to be mean, LOL, and give you two more to check out. I’m very proud of my characters and thought I’d share them with you all. Fortunately, you don’t have to vote on them.

PSST! Flavia, Hilary, and Leslie, feel free to comment if you’d like. I’d love to know your opinion.

Enjoy!
Qaey

Character Descriptions:

Heroine:

Wynne Smith is a thirty-year-old Alaskan bill collector with a passion for puzzles and a love for good mysteries. Her impulsive and curious nature tends to get her into trouble, but this time, she may have gone too far. Nothing she’s researched before has ever been this intriguing, and she certainly did not expect to fall in love with a by-the-book Deputy US Marshal, bent on protecting her from the serial killer she’s tracking.

 

Hero:

Seth Vassar refuses to talk about his past. A phone call concerning a murdered childhood friend changes that. He wants answers even if it means going to Alaska to get them. After meeting Wynne, the Texas lawman ends up with more than he’s bargained for. Trying to control her has Seth calling on skills cultivated in the military and fighting the need to stake his claim on the firecracker even with a killer stalking them.

Memory Loss–How Sweet It Is! NOT

**Qaey Williams sneaking in the back door**

Oh My Goodness. I cannot believe I did the ultimate brainfart! I completely spaced my post for the blog today–My deepest apologies to the ATV finalists and our readers…

Let me just blame it on the day job–yeah, that’s it, it’s all the fault of my day job. That and the excitement of everything.

I’m totally stoked to be one of the finalists in American Title V. Helen Scott Taylor interviewed me on the Title Magic Blog yesterday and today, I open my December issue of Romantic Times and what is in the MailBag section, but a picture of Helen with Wendy Corsi Staub and the copy of RT that initiated their conversation.

As if that weren’t exciting enough, I turn to the back cover and lo and behold there, in the full page, full color advertisement for Loose Id, LLC is a picture of my most recent novella (under my pen name Qwillia Rain), Meeting A Neighbor’s Needs! It is fantastic, I have to admit–check it out:

The cover was done by Croco Designs.

If that isn’t enough to get the old heart pumpin’ I don’t know what is… (other than being named an AT finalist, that is, LOL)

I appreciate your patience and I’m really looking forward to reading Tamara’s interview at Title Magic today. Heading that way now so I don’t forget. Take care all and have a fantastic night.

Qaey Williams
American Title V Finalist
In A Lover’s Silence