Meet 2011 Golden Heart Finalist Robin Perini

Posted by 2011 Golden Heart Finalists Jun 24 2011, 12:01 am in 2011 finalists, perseverance, writer's advice

Over the course of the summer, the Ruby-Slippered Sisters are giving the 2011 Golden Heart finalists an opportunity to introduce themselves and share a bit about their writing life. Today’s guest is Robin Perini, a double finalist in the Contemporary Series Romance – Suspense/Adventure category for IN HER SIGHTS and STOLEN LULLABY. Please join us in congratulating her and welcoming her to the blog!

Seven Golden Hearts – Seven Lessons to Sold!

I’m so honored to have been asked to guest on the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood blog.  Thanks so much for having the Starcatchers (2011 Golden Heart® Finalists) visit and share their stories, advice and inspiration.  I’m following some amazing women, who will be a tough act to follow.

I thought a lot about what I could possibly say.  Not because I don’t like to talk.  My critique group and friends will tell you that for an introvert, I yammer much too much!  But, you see, during the past eighteen months all my dreams have come true.  After being a Golden Heart Finalist seven…yes—a dubious distinction if ever there was one—seven times, I’ve finally caught my falling star, and now it’s soaring.  These days, there are moments when I am speechless.

How did this happen?  How did I go from seven Golden Heart finals in three different categories to sold?  I’ve looked back and found seven lessons I’ve learned since that very first final in March of 1999 with a vampire romance when vampires were…pun intended…dead.

Lesson 1.  Study the craft…always. This may seem obvious, but life can interfere with writing and learning, as I’m sure many of you know.  Over the last decade I’ve worked full time, gone to school at night for my master’s degree, and survived a serious illness.  The most important thing I’ve done, however, is study the craft of writing and storytelling.  I’ve been lucky enough to teach an amazing online class with author Laura Baker called Discovering Story Magic.  The class required me to analyze other writers’ stories.  One of the best ways to learn is to teach.  I highly recommend developing workshops that require you to understand the craft.  It’s been a blessing to me.  This advice goes hand-in-hand with my second bit of advice.  Never stop learning and growing as a writer.

Lesson 2.  Revision is more important than writing. Somewhere along the way, I figured out that I can write.  But that didn’t get me sold.  It got me a lot of contest wins and finals.  What makes the sale?  In my case, it was revision.  And I’m not talking about change a word here or there, I’m talking about understanding what makes a dramatic story and making the tough choices.  Like cutting out that paragraph—or scene or chapter or character—you love so much, because it simply doesn’t drive the story forward.  Understand your strengths and weaknesses enough to play to your strengths and deal with your weaknesses.  If you can step far enough back from your writing to recognize how to strengthen your story, you will find the path an easier one.

Lesson 3.  You’re not alone. Writing is a solitary career, but it doesn’t have to be lonely.  Develop a support system within your family and friends.  Ask and accept support (which I’m not particularly good at, by the way).  Lastly, give to others, in whatever way you can.  Friendship and relationships are a two-way street.  Sometimes you need the help and sometimes your friends need you.  But let people in.  You’ll be glad you did.

Lesson 4.  Trust yourself. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I look in the mirror and wonder how I’ve fooled everyone for so long.  Don’t do it!  Trust your instincts.  Believe in yourself.  Listen to your gut.  I had to learn this lesson the hard way.  I had to really decide who I wanted to be as a writer.  I tried writing numerous books in numerous subgenres.  But I finally discovered the kind of stories I really want to tell.  I love optimistic stories of suspense.  I love heroes and heroines who grow and change and win. I love poignant love stories.  That’s what I do.  Heart-stopping suspense and heart-wrenching romance.  That’s a Robin Perini book.  Know who you are as a writer.  It will help when you doubt yourself.

Lesson 5.  Persistence. One of the reasons this year’s class chose the name Starcatchers is because of the song…”catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, never let it fade away”  Our class is full of writers who have faced the odds, and have come through trials and tribulations.  They inspire me.  They remind me that I can do this.  Our motto could be, “Never give up, never surrender.”  Our song could be Tubthumping – “I get knocked down, and I get up again.”  Don’t get me wrong, there are times I almost quit.  Once I stopped writing for several months, but then I dreamed the stories again.  And I knew.  I am a storyteller.  I am a writer.  Are you?  If you want something badly enough, don’t let the setbacks stop you.  Learn more, grow more, find your path, find yourself.  You’ll be glad you stuck with it.  I know I am.

Lesson 6.  Figure out how to make writing part of your life. One of the changes I made in the last eighteen months is to really look at my priorities. I realized I had to make more choices if I wanted to have a career as a writer.  One very difficult choice was to cut back on teaching writing classes.  I love teaching, I love sharing my passion for the craft of writing, but teaching now comes second to writing.  I also looked at life and determined when I could write so that my production was consistent and predictable.  I chose to write every day.  Weekdays, for ninety minutes before work (even if it means getting up while it’s still dark outside).  I write for at least four hours on weekend days.  This has become routine, and it works for me.  Find out how to make writing part of your life so that when you sell your book, you know that your writing career is integrated into a life where you still have time for the important people in your world.

Lesson 7.  Give it your all. My two grandmothers were huge influences on my life.  One of them told me, after reading my first book, that I had a gift.  Just so you know, this manuscript will never see the light of day, but she believed in me, and I will be forever grateful.  My other grandmother told me that if I wanted to write badly enough, all I had to do was give it all my heart and soul and strength, and I would succeed.  She was right.  Listen to her.

Some might say that being a Starcatcher has been lucky for me.  Perhaps.  To me luck happens when preparedness meets opportunity.

So, yes. I am lucky, because I had two grandmothers, and have a wonderful family and generous friends (as well as a fire-breathing unicorn or two) who taught me how to catch those stars and run with them.

Seven Golden Hearts.  Seven Lessons.  Two Sales.  And counting…

—

Robin Perini’s love of heart-stopping suspense and poignant romance, coupled with her adoration of high tech weaponry and covert ops, encouraged her secret inner commando to take on the challenge of writing romantic suspense novels.  Robin’s strong characters and tightly woven plots garnered her two Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® finals in 2011.  Her Golden Heart Finalist, In Her Sights, will be one of Amazon’s Montlake Romance’s launch titles on November 29, 2011.  Her Golden Heart Finalist, Stolen Lullaby, will be published by Harlequin Intrigue in May, 2012.  Robin loves to interact with readers.  You can catch her on her website and blog at http://www.robinperini.com or interacting with her via Facebook. (www.facebook.com/RobinPeriniAuthor), Goodreads or Twitter (@RobinPerini).  Her agent is Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

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Meet 2011 Golden Heart Finalist Nan Dixon

Posted by 2011 Golden Heart Finalists Jun 21 2011, 12:01 am in 2011 finalists, inspiration, research, travel

Over the course of the summer, the Ruby-Slippered Sisters are giving the 2011 Golden Heart finalists an opportunity to introduce themselves and share a bit about their writing life. Today’s guest is Nan Dixon, a finalist in the Contemporary Series Romance category for SAVANNAH SIGHS. Please join us in congratulating her and welcoming her to [...]

71 Comments

Meet 2011 Golden Heart Finalist Aislinn Macnamara

Posted by 2011 Golden Heart Finalists Jun 17 2011, 12:01 am in 2011 finalists, writer's journey, writing romance

Over the course of the summer, the Ruby-Slippered Sisters are giving the 2011 Golden Heart finalists an opportunity to introduce themselves and share a bit about their writing life. Today’s guest is Aislinn Macnamara, a finalist in the Regency category for A TALE OF TWO SISTERS. Please join us in congratulating her and welcoming her [...]

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Meet 2011 Golden Heart Finalist Tracy Brogan

Posted by 2011 Golden Heart Finalists Jun 14 2011, 12:01 am in 2011 finalists, inspiration, motivation, writer's advice

Over the course of the summer, the Ruby-Slippered Sisters are giving the 2011 Golden Heart finalists an opportunity to introduce themselves and share a bit about their writing life. Today’s guest is Tracy Brogan, a finalist in the Novel With Strong Romantic Elements category for TOTALLY DODY. Please join us in congratulating her and welcoming [...]

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Meet 2011 Golden Heart Finalist Valerie Bowman

Posted by 2011 Golden Heart Finalists Jun 10 2011, 12:01 am in 2011 finalists, goals, motivation, productivity, writer's advice

Over the course of the summer, the Ruby-Slippered Sisters are giving the 2011 Golden Heart finalists an opportunity to introduce themselves and share a bit about their writing life. Today’s guest is Valerie Bowman, a finalist in the Regency category for SECRETS OF A WEDDING NIGHT. Please join us in congratulating her and welcoming her [...]

107 Comments