Am I a Romance Writer?

I am beginning to think that my book Conquering Passion is not really a historical romance! While the story does revolve around two people who share passion, but who have difficulty admitting they love each other, the book is about much more than that.

I prefer to categorise it as a historical novel about a love story. It is also about the founding of a powerful dynasty, the Montbryce family, and my second book, Brothers In Arms relates the adventures of the next generation of the family.

Writing Contest Results

One of the advantages of belonging to the RWA is hearing about the writing contests the various chapters hold. I entered my novel Conquering Passion into my very first contest in May and have just received the results.
Although I did not make it to the finals, I am buoyed by the encouraging remarks of the judges who saw potential in my efforts. As well they gave me many great suggestions and ideas which I have incorporated into my novel.
It is a great way to get professional feedback.

Manuscript Submitted

Heart in my throat I submitted my manuscript for Conquering Passion to a major publisher. Fingers crossed. The sequel Brothers in Arms is going well.

Hello from Panama

The creative juices are flowing as I sit in a beachfront house in Panama pounding out the lives of my characters on my keyboard. This is a great place to relax and simply do nothing but write. I have conjured up two new characters in my story about the medieval Montbryce family featured in my book Conquering Passion, and its sequel Brothers in Arms. Rhys ap Rhodri is a Welsh rebel in the 12th century, but he is known more for his diplomacy skills than his prowess as a warrior. His wife Annalise, an orphaned Norman noblewoman can never love him because he arranged their marriage as a way to guarantee the freedom of his brothers arrested for treason. They share passion, but will they know love?
If you would like to experience this Panamian Paradise visit http://www.laslajaspanama.net/. Today I walked the incredible beach for an hour and did not meet another person, except of course my sexy husband.
But that is another story!

Amazing What You Learn

I am finding that as I do research for my second book, a sequel to "Conquering Passion", that I am learning an enormous amount about all kinds of things. For example, in this book, tentatively entitled "Brothers in Arms" I incarcerate one of the heroes in a dark, dank cell in Caen in solitary confinement for months. So I did some research on the long term effects of solitary confinement, which turns out to be a huge issue today in the United States penal system. Who knew? I lead too sheltered a life!
I am off to my beachfront retreat in Panama this week for some R&R and maybe some inspiration for a third book?
Enjoy freedom.
Anna