I thank the parents who brought me into this crazy world.
I thank my inspiring heritage that gave me the skills to write, sew, and create things from glimpses into my imagination.
I thank the DNA that made me a unique individual.
I thank the friends and family that are at my back when I need a little shove of support.
I thank the men in my lives who love me, flaws and all. (mostly :-))
I thank the teachers who forced knowledge into me.
I thank the publisher who took a chance on me.
I thank God for the faith to strive for more while not losing who he made me.
What are you guys thankful for this year? Did you learn something of value that will help you get through the next year? I learn so much that I have to take inventory of the things that I'm thankful for.
Take a minute and think about it. It doesn't cost you anything and could be worth more than you know.
After having several requests for my corset making to be blogged, here it is.
It all started about 11 years ago, when I took my love of corsets and granny boots to a whole new level. This was my first corset and it was made from bridal boning and upholstery fabric. It still looks great and has only had the bones changed out as I found a great supplier for spiral steel boning.
I love corsets so much that I would get one tattooed on myself. Seriously.
I've made several over the years and this one was for me to play the part of Jesse from Toy Story at The Pirate Ship on Memorial Day 2012.
I wore this one as I worked the ticket booth at The Georgia Renaissance Festival in 2011.
This was my first attempt at one of the ones I borrowed for the job at The Pirate Ship and was given to my wonderful friend, Noelle Pierce. If you've been paying attention, she's the one who designed this website and my business cards.
I made this one for Linda Joyce to wear to Mardi Gras this year. I was proud to have her wear it for me.
This is one of my favorites and has a leopard print on the other side. I wish I had pictures of me wearing it in a steampunk outfit from the Moonlight & Magnolia Conference in 2012. If anyone has pics, please send them to me.
I've even tried my hand at making them into pillows and my old critique group gave this one away as a monthly prize.
This was my first try at zippered ones, but I have to find a better zipper to do anymore of these beauties.
I want to get so professional at making these that I can try the following two on here.
This is a pic of me, Bryonna, and Noelle from one of our Georgia Romance Writers meetings. As you can see, I've turned this love into my very own branding. Combining this with my love for pirates and Renaissance festivals and the Wench Writer was branded as my own persona.
Corsets are my crime of passion when it comes to apparel. I'd wear them constantly, if my job allowed it. But when I can, I whip these steel boned babies out and lace them up. It's who I am.
October 2011 was my first attendance at the Georgia Romance Writers Moonlight and Magnolia Conference. My mentor talked me into it and I was beside myself with anxiety. This particular conference is for aspiring and published authors. They primarily deal with romance but it’s open to most genres within that realm.
The workshops that they have are all about improving your skills while cheering you on. That being said, I went into my second day of the conference as I pitched to Harlequin. Oh my! I’d been reading their books since I was fifteen and here was my chance to try my hand at getting into their publishing house. Can we say Vapors, boys and girls?
I was lucky enough to get in on a pitch workshop that would allow me to fine tune my pitch before I went to the editor/agent that your appointment was with. Mark Al was quiet and kind but gave me enough courage in that fifteen minutes to walk right into my allotted time with Victoria from Harlequin.
The appointments are only 8 minutes each, so you have to go in with the words to grab their attention, quickly. She was intrigued with what I proposed but it didn’t quite fit into her division with the company. If I reworked it with the male being the main focus of the book then she was sure it would sell oversees, but I had already written this one from the woman’s point of view and was saving her brother for the next book (if I was ever able to write it).
She was insightful enough to ask what else I had written and I was surprised at her asking. She “knew” that I had to have more than one item up my sleeve and I did. I proposed my paranormal series and my romantic suspense. Of course, that was taking more than my 8 minutes (with introduction). Victoria told the moderator to give me five minutes and smiled as she didn’t take No for an answer. She was determined to hear me out. I was fumbling over myself with pride.
The tale ends with a formal rejection from Harlequin that following year but I appreciated the kindness that she extended to me for my “babies”. She understood and even saluted me at the banquet dinner that we had that night. I was welcomed enough to go into a pitch with St. Martin’s Press the following morning.
And that manuscript that was rejected by Harlequin? It was Andromeda, and was soon published by Secret Cravings Publishing. I’m pleased with my dealings with this small press in TN, enough that I submitted Just to be Left Alone to them within months. That was accepted as well, and started my wonderful career as a serious writer. Now, I’m slowly writing on three books as I finish college. Two of these, will be sent to SCP, as I know they’ll be well taken care of. For the series, have no fear, I’ll find the perfect home for it once she’s grown up enough to be sent out on her own.
Message: Sometimes a small home is the best thing for you. Cozy and personal.
I thank the publisher who took a chance on me.
