Friday 13th August 2004 was not unlucky 13th for me. Quite the opposite At just after 7.30 that evening, I was standing at the Red Dress Ink Cocktail Party for Romance Writers of New zealand in the Waipuna Hotel in Auckland, wondering if anyone would talk to me - or if I could pluck up the nerve to talk to anyone when a tall lady approached me with a warmly welcoming smile.'I'm Yvonne Lindsay,' she said.'From eHarlequin - you told me to come and say Hello.'
That's what I love about the internet links that connect the romance writing world. You can chat to someone in printed words over on the eHarlequin message board and get to know them and then - when you're lucky enough to meet them in person, there's no need for all that awkward fumbling for a topic of conversation or explaining who you are and what you do. I knew Yvonne, I'd chatted with her - and before I knew it, in Auckland, she and I - and the wonderful Trish Morey became the Three Twins (yes - I know - you can't have 3 twins, but whose counting?)
At that stage Yvonne was struggling with her writing. She wasn't sure where her voice fitted -Presents or Romance? - she'd been submitting, working with editors, not quite making it . . .I remember we talked about keeping going and writingfrom the heart - and I told her to be brave.
And she was. And less than a year later she - and I - were celebrating the fact that her first book The Boss's Christmas Seduction had been bought by Silhouette Desire and she had found the place where her voice fitted at last.
And how. Since then she's had four books out - with more - many more, I hope, in the future. And this was after 13 - thirteen - years of trying! And it couldn't happen to a nicer person. I loved her first book and I'm so looking forward to getting her current one onto my TBR pile. And you can have a chance to win a copy if you answer Yvonne's question.
So here's the Tallest Twin - Yvonne Lindsay
First of all, Kate, warmest congratulations on your golden celebrations! What an amazing milestone to reach in your career. You’re an inspiration—not only a great author but a great teacher and friend as well.
Second, thank you so much for inviting me to share the fun at your blog party and hopefully share a little celebration of my own. This year I’ve had the amazing honour of my first book, THE BOSS’S CHRISTMAS SEDUCTION, being nominated for the Romantic Book of the Year Award—a competition run by Romance Writers of Australia and judged by readers of romance. It’s been such a thrill and being a total gem-a-holic I absolutely love the associated acronym for the Award being R*BY (pronounced, ruby). I’ve been reading a lot lately about authors buying milestone gifts for themselves for each book published, or contracted, or specific occasions in their writing career and I think, for this one, I’m definitely going to treat myself to a permanent ruby-coloured reminder to keep this moment in the forefront of my mind.
It’s all too easy to lose sight of the special things that we achieve in our lives, step by step as we reach our goals and milestones, so I think we owe it to ourselves to acknowledge the greatness we’re all capable of. This doesn’t need to be solely for writing related events, it can be for anything in our lives. Let’s live, celebrate and enjoy, and share our joys.
GIVEAWAY QUESTION:
How many of you can t
hink of something you’ve done—personally or professionally—that deserves a mini-party. Share your stories, I can’t wait to hear them!GIVEAWAY:
One will win a copy of my July US release of ROSSELLINI’S REVENGE AFFAIR!
BIO:
After 13 years of submitting to London and New York, Yvonne Lindsay was ecstatic to sell to Silhouette Desire in April of 2005. At the time, working four days a week as a practice manager in a sole practice law firm, the dream of ‘giving up the day job’ was exactly that. A dream. Yvonne has since contracted seven books with Silhouette Desire and at the end of 2006 realised that dream. She now writes full time creating stories she hopes you’ll fall in love with.
WEBSITE:
http://www.yvonnelindsay.com/
My latest news! http://www.yvonnelindsay.com/
My blog! http://yvonnelindsay.wordpress.com/
25 comments:
Something I done for a mini-party. Hmm. I finally finished the book I was reading yesterday. :) Alas, I'm a boring person. LOL :)
Lois
As soon as I'm done with my thesis I'll deserve at least a mini-party.
Nothing that deserves a party, mini or otherwise. Unless taking care of a hubby and an extremely energetic toddler counts as one! Lol
Hmmm, the only thing that comes to mind is last year when my dad had his shoulder surgery. I had to help him do his physio therapy at home 3x a day every day for 2 months and I had to check his bandages and I'm a squeamish person. That amazed even him lol
The only thing I can think of is I went back to school at the age of 48 and got a diploma in Medical Administrative Assistant. Since I only had a high school education it was a big accomplishment for me after all those years.
I worked full time and went to school in the evenings to complete by BA and MBA. Managed to do both by the time I was 27.
That deserved a party -- a long, long time ago. LOL
YVONNE!!! WOOHOO!!! This is the chapter two winner of your WRR. It's great to see you've been busy. :D
A mini party...let's see. I found a breast lump early and am having it biopsied this coming Friday. I'm celebrating taking care of this as soon as possible and not ignoring it. :D
Hugs, Nancy
Hi Yvonne,
Great to see you here and congratulations on your terrific success!
Reasons to pary? Well there's the obvious - publication - which is a major thing. More recently I'd have to say: having all my family safe and sound after being separated in the worst of a dangerous cyclone. Wonderful cause for celebration!
Annie
Giving birth twice to two healthy babies, one almost 4 years ago and the other just 8 months ago, is worthy of a party. I am richly blessed.
Sorry I'm a bit late in here everyone. Have just returned home from watching a netball tournament in another city, just over an hour south of where I live. Nice to be back home and be dry and warm.
LOL, Lois! I guess, since you said 'finally' that it possibly was difficult to find time to read? Any time to read is cause for celebration in my house. :-)
Minna, you'll definitely deserve a party when you're done with your thesis.
Hi, abookworm, family are always important. Good on you!
Lis, I bet your dad was so glad to have you there for him at the time. Men don't do 'helpless' very well, do they?
Virginia! Wow, good on you. That must have been a huge leap of faith in yourself, congratulations.
Lidia, I get exhausted just reading of your achievements. Far out! Did you have time to take a breath or have a life in all of that? :-)
Hi Nancy! Great to see you hear. Yes, I have been busy and plan to stay that way for a long long while to come ;-). All the best with the biopsy. Good for you for taking action immediately. So many people don't, and just hope it's nothing to worry about.
Annie, those storms were horrific. We've only had a mild taste here in New Zealand of what you guys have been through. So glad to hear you and your family are all well.
Cherie, yes, you are indeed richly blessed. Kids are such a gift in our lives.
I think your idea of marking good events with a lasting reminder is lovely, Yvonne. With my first advance cheque I bought a new fridge (hmmm. v exciting...) but haven't done anything special with the second. (There's still some left, so it's not too late to put that right!!)
I think that the best parties are actually the ones that are pretty spontaneous, so I'd have to say that my favourite mini-party occasion is any old Friday night, in celebration of 5 days of getting the kids to school on time (almost), dealing with homework, uniform, after-school commitments, and looking forward to spending two interrupted days together. Friday evening definitely has a celebratory atmosphere which I love!
The first year we bought our house I had no idea how to garden at all so I read magazines and books and was so excited when things started to grow.
I'm having a mini party in about 3 weeks. I'm 35 and will graduate from cosmetology school. YEAH!!!!!!!!!Me.
I love the fact that small triumphs as well as big ones deserve a celebratin - everyone shoudl celebrate life and achievements along the way. I never got a chance to really celebrate my first book - my mother was terminally ill,and died very soon after the diagnosis, and then I was very ill myself for a couple of years so the celebration got passed over.
Perhaps that's why I've gone to town on my 50th. But I have some special things - a set of aquamarine jewellry - an antique embroidered picture - that mark my 20th and my 40th books.
Nancy - I'm so glad that you are getting that lump seen to and I shall be thinking of you hard on Friday - please let me know how you get on. You'll be in my thoughts
Kate
Thanks for the support Yvonne and Kate!!! Is it Friday yet?
My cat Big Guy has kissed my nose a hundred times today. He must know I need cuddling. :D What a purr box.
Yvonne, it's going to be fun watching your career!!!
(Squirming...) I'm having a mini party starting tomorrow. For half the reasons that Kate is. :o)
[And someone owes me a blog post, don't they, Ms Walker? *g*]
But I'm also having a mini party tomorrow when I finish writing my current book and send it to my editor. There is a small Hotel Chocolat bag on my desk... though I may have to share the contents with DH and the kids!
And Nancy - big hugs and keeping fingers crossed for you.
A reason to party - dh and I both have retired. Woohoo!!!
India, I so totally agree on the spontaneous Friday night parties. We ended up with one at our house last Friday, now that you mention it. :-)
Maureen, I truly admire anyone who has the patience and perseverence and foresight to plan, plot and care for a garden. My parents had always been mad keen gardners but I seem to have missed that gene!
Kimberly L, hello! I think I met you on Tessa Radley's blog a while back. Congratulations on your graduation!
Kate, I love the sound of your milestone gifts. I went terribly practical with most of my sales so far... new printer, new computer. When needs must, y'know? I like your idea of saving major celebrations for major milestones and boy oh boy, have you deserved this one! :-)
Nancy, cat's sure have a way of knowing, don't they?
Kate! Congratulations on your mini-party milestone! That's awesome.
Robyn, all the best with your retirement together with your dh! Lovely that you guys can retire at the same time.
Thanks, everyone, for sharing your milestones--and reasons to celebrate them--with me over the past few days! I'll wait and see if there are any stragglers and pick a winner later tonight (NZ time.)
Cheers!
I'm having a mini-party for getting my 5 and 7 year old through their annual doctor visits with a clean bill of health for both. I think their immunizations, blood tests, etc. are more stressful for me than them lol.
Bamabelle, having two healthy kids and keeping them that way is definitely reason to celebrate!
Good on you!
Two moments that I tought I deserved a mini party were: getting my drivers license and graduating college.
Thanks, Kate!!! I visted your beautiful blog. :D
Good for you, crystalg. Getting a driver's licence can be a scary thing, especially if you live in a high traffic density area.
I'm going to draw my book prize winner shortly and will let the lovely Kate know who it is so she can announce it. Good luck everyone and thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Yvonne
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