Like many writers, I graduated from college with an English degree. And, like many of those same writers, I assumed that I would eventually produce and sell a work of literary fiction. It wasn’t that I was reading loads of lit fic. Nor was I writing it. But the goal seemed to go hand in hand with the degree.And then I found myself in the enviable position of working as the Romance editor at Amazon.com. Oh, I knew the Romance genre. My mom is a bestselling romance author and I’d devoured endless pages of delicious historical and contemporaries, paranormals, and romantic suspense throughout my life. So it seemed a challenge that would be both interesting and doable.
Whoa, was I wrong. It was so much more. A typical work day included interviewing authors, discussing promotion plans with publishers, and figuring out how best to hand-sell the books that I’d grown to love. Honestly, it was an honor just to walk in the door every morning, knowing that I was, in some small way, helping to spread the word about a genre that lifted the spirit, warmed the heart, and, well, put the tingle in all the right places!
After leaving Amazon I made the decision to write. And I haven’t looked back—other than to thank earth’s biggest bookstore for the opportunity to find my path and follow my dreams.
In my third Regency Rogues novel, The Sinner Who Seduced Me, James Marlowe and Clarissa Collins must choose between the safety of distance and the danger of desire.
Have you ever held tight to a goal though the outcome looked questionable? Tell me about it, and enter to win a signed copy of The Sinner Who Seduced Me.
And please visit me online:
http://www.stefaniesloane.com
http://www.facebook.com/stefaniesloaneauthor
http://twitter.com/#!/stefaniesloane
23 comments:
I began studying music at the age of nine, studying voice at the age of sixteen and didn't sing my debut role as an opera singer until I was twenty-nine. Twenty-nine, by the way, is considered OLD for a coloratura soprano to debut. I have since retired from singing, but I achieved that childhood dream and it took me all over the world.
My current dream is to become a published historical romance author. I've only been at it five years, but I am determined to achieve this dream as well.
Fortunately my opera career gave me some of the necessary tools to succeed in writing romance - a really thick skin when it comes to rejections, creative thinking and stubborn determination!
I wanted to be a great chef. Circumstance prevent this goal from getting a reality but I'm cooking at home, reading every recipe or cookbook I can find. Watch all those shows on tv.
I invite people to try my cooking, have a nice meal/evening while at the same time giving me feedback.
Voluntere to cook for a family party and have Christmas at my place... Dreams can change and that's ok.
Being a good "homecook" is different, not the goal I planned to reach but I now want to be the next best thing & I enjoy it every step of the way.
Louisa,
It's not easy in any art form... come to think of it, with your background, you might know a friend of mine. He's an art/opera director ... know any Canadian ones with the last name Diamond? Now that would truly make this a small world and talk about six degrees of separation!
It's absolutely wonderful that you achieved that goal! And are moving onto another just as exciting goal!
Jo's Daughter, I love food. I have a friend 'in charge' of all our girl night get togethers that is an amazing cook. Dinner parties with friends as fun, and awesome when you get to host it! And it's not that your dream of being a great chef isn't realized, it just evolved into something that makes you happy.
My mum (while I was growing up--she's an amazing cook and even more amazing baker) used to have these big bibles of recipes that she clipped out of various places and put in the cook book. She has cooked all those recipes! Do you do something like that too?
My goals in life/with my life... I've had a few but changed course. Thought I'd be an ornithologist shortly before finishing up high school. I did not go to university for one reason or another and entered the work force instead.
Before my high school days I wanted one of two things: to become a famous clarinetist or a writer. I've realized one of them :) And as for the clarinetist... I guess it's always possible, but I haven't picked it up and played it for about five years--so the likelihood is well, nil. And I'm okay with that.
It's great that you were able to work in a field that you love. I have two kids in college and I told them that now is the time to pursue what you want.
Hi, Stefanie! I loved "The Devil in Disguise", and "The Angel in My Arms" is winging its way to my home! I would love to win "The Sinner Who Seduced Me", and then I would have all three of those rascally "Regency Rogues" ; )
I live in a small town with few job opportunities. Years ago, I worked as a call center customer service representative. This was a high-paying non-labor job for my home area, which is dominated by factories and manual labor jobs. After seven years of business, the company closed its doors. Since I have a background in advertising and sales, I decided to promote not only the empty call center building, but the town, the people, and the whole way of life here in my home area. For five years, I worked on my own as an unpaid economic development aide. I made over 1000 contacts to possible employers for the call center, legislators, print and broadcast media & etc. Emails, snail mail, phone calls, person-to-person–however I could get the word out. I gave speeches, rode on political floats in parades, and was featured in a newspaper article by our largest regional newspaper. Some people applauded me, some people snubbed me, and some people asked me to run for office! After five years, a company did come to the call center. For the grand opening ceremony, I was the one who cut the ribbon. I worked for the company for over three years until they began to downsize and eventually lost their contract with our customer. I was unemployed for eighteen months. Losing your job through no fault of your own during the middle of a global recession is not for the faint of heart. What I have been through these last two years has left some permanent scars. I just went back to work a couple of months ago at the same facility for a different employer.
During my time of promoting economic development, I went through an amazing learning experience, not only about the ways and whys of the world, but also about myself. At the time of my great campaign, I also went back to school. One of my biggest milestones, and greatest celebrations involved starting college at age 43. I skipped a grade in elementary school, and graduated high school with honors at age 16. Due to family responsibilities, I immediately started working. Twenty eight years later, I finally became a college student. I was so worried that I would not “make the grade” in my college studies, but I pulled it off. I graduated “Summa Cum Laude” with a 4.0 grade average. Whew! Unfortunately, my studies only slightly improved my work situation, but they greatly improved my self-esteem. It’s never too late to try to improve yourself. One should never stop learning!
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@ Tiffany,
Oh how lovely that your mom also enjoyed cooking so much!!! I too have clipped out recipes & I put them in a scrapbook where I also added notes and small changes I made. I've written other recipes in it & even a few succes story pictures. It's just like any other scrapbook but I use it almost every day for inspiration.
Stefanie, I can honestly say that I've hung onto goals with white knuckled determination even after I knew that reaching that goal (a) was not what I wanted anymore for whatever reason; and (b) was not the best road for me because either I had changed or the end result wasn't what it would have been when I set the goal.
Not sure that makes sense, but either way, there came a time when I couldn't ignore it anymore and had to let it go...or not so much let it go, but allow myself to switch focus to a version of that goal that was more in line with my life and the way I had grown and changed.
First, thanks to the Vixens for inviting me to chat. And thanks to all of you for stopping by.
I think you've all touched on something vitally important--mainly that goals morph as we grow, and this is a good thing. The tricky bit is accepting the change and seeing that it's still just valuable, just as valid--but different.
Sorry to be late to welcome you to the Dark Walk! Congrats on the beautiful books. Do you want to know that I have The Devil in Disguise in my bathroom right now, LOL?
I also graduated with an English degree. It took me a LONG time to put it to use. I didn't start to write until 2003, but I had always thought I might write "someday." And so I have!
Sadly I have never had goal that I worked hard at besides graduationg form Highschool. I know now with two young children at home I'll have new goals. It will be interesting and I know a lot hard work for me but I'm looking forward to see what the future holds!
Hey all you Vixens!
Goals! WOW! I had so many throughout my life, but I do regret not becoming a Kindergarten teacher.
When I was 15 and still in the 'old country' I was accepted to the Teachers Academy (had to have 6 yrs. of it) but my parents decided to come to the US of A, so poof went my dream.
Five years later I married, had children one after another, and all else took second place, school included.
Almost 40 yrs. later, I'm an office manager to someone on par to THE Donald, but in my heart of hearts I still wish I was a teacher to small kids in a small village of a third world country;)
BTW: Stefanie I loved your post and I'm having too much fun enjoying your Rogues. When are the other three coming out?! I'm itching for their story!!! WHO is your mom?! Looking forward to watching your career blossom :)
Mel from www.bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.com
Well, my wish is your wish. I've wanted towrite for years and years and years. If I lived anywhere close to any publishing house, I'd have done like you and worked for them. Instead I live in the sticks. Now with self-publishing (which I know is a sore spot for many authors), it makes it easier to reach my goal. I'm working on a novel right now which is basically finished just needs the tweeking parts done to it, and have another one to start. So that's my dream and that's how I'm able to accomplish it. Hey, even if no one buys the thing I can still say I'm a published author with pride!
After I lost several factory jobs one of them I had for twenty year I went back to school for medical office. I study really hard and done real well in school. After getting out of school and getting a job I hated the work. It might have been just where I got the job but it seems it was a lot more head ach then my other jobs I had in the past. I think doctors are just bad to work for.
Oh Maggie, I love that DID is in your loo!:)
Johanna, do not discount graduating from high school! That is an amazing achievement.
Melanie, book four is scheduled to release next May, with book five following in September and book six the following February. Thank you so much for asking!
Marie, I think self-publishing is a wonderful thing! And I say go for it!
Virginia, maybe you just haven't found your calling yet. I'll be sending good thoughts your way!
My story is more of stumbling into something and then having a goal to complete it. I stumbled/was pushed into computer programming and then had a good career for years until my job went offshore. I stumbled into getting an MBA because a friend asked me to take a class or two with her; I finished, she didn't.
Hmm... the only thing that I can think of would be running... It was hard at first. I remember huffing and puffing... I sticked to it though and it's a lot easier now...
Congrats on your books! :) I read your first book and enjoyed it. :)
Must be I'm not too terribly ambitious; my goals are small, simple & mainly achievable.
Thanks Stefanie for the words of encouragment. I have a short story on amazon now, but haven't sold one copy!! I'm not real sure about how to get word of it out, for one thing, and it is a short story and I don't think many people are into them. But what makes me the most upset about not selling one single copy? This means not one single person in my family bought one from me. That's a real confidence boost...NOT!!!!
I moved 600 miles from my hometown even though I didn't have a job when I moved. I presevered, and successfully found a job. Your books sound really good!
Robin D
robindpdx (at) yahoo (dot) com
Di, I stumble into stuff all the time--and am convinced this is a good thing! Stumbling, running, walking, falling--whatever gets you to the experience, you know?
May, I want to be a runner! But it's so awful--like, really awful. I huff and puff like a stuffed pig and have yet to find a sports bra that will wrangle the girls properly. So kudos to you!
Linda, you sound like the only sane one among us.;)
Marie, send me the url for your book. I'm going to be the first one to buy it! Awesome! I'm never the first one to do anything. It's an honor.
As for you, Robin, moving away from home is often one of the most difficult things we do in life. And 600 miles? You're my hero. Congrats on the job, too!
I know what you mean about keeping to a goal when it looked a bit unlikely - I've done it when I was waiting for Mr. Right (he took a long time to arrive!), when I changed careers and when I had my son - all things that took time, for a while looked unlikely and that worked out - Yay!!
Congrats on your books Stefanie.
I gave up on dreams/goals a while ago except the ones I had for my two children. I wanted them to be able to go to college unlike me and both succeeded with my youngest just graduating - yay! Your books sound wonderful!
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