A Departure of Sorts: Priorities

Beth VogtContemporary Romance, Quotes, Reality, Writing 39 Comments

“A simple life is not seeing how little we can get by with—that’s poverty—but how efficiently we can put first things first. . . . When you’re clear about your purpose and your priorities, you can painlessly discard whatever does not support these, whether it’s clutter in your cabinets or commitments on your calendar. ” ~Victoria Moran, American writer & …

What’s a Tired Contemporary Romance Writer to Do: My Kind of Mad Lib Fun (& a prize!)

Beth VogtContemporary Romance, Fun, Writing 38 Comments

So yesterday was all about this: 🙂 And in between replying to a steady stream of comments on this blog — thank you one and all for celebrating my book cover with me! — I also edited a magazine and racked up almost 4300 words in my work-in-progress. So, yes, I’m tired — but in an oh-yesterday-was-a-wonderful-day kind of way. …

Contemporary Romance Writer: Behind Every Dream is …

Beth VogtContemporary Romance, Quotes, Writing 19 Comments

“It is by sitting down to write every morning that one becomes a writer.” ~Gerald Brenan, British writer Dreams take a whole lot of work. Who knew? At first you hum a few song lyrics: Life is but a dream … Daydream believer … Dream a little dream of me … (OK, I admit it: I need to update the …

Contemporary Romance Writer: Why There are No Aliens in My Novel

Beth VogtContemporary Romance, Writing 20 Comments

There are no aliens in Wish You Were Here, my debut novel. Llamas, yes. Aliens, no. This fact greatly disappoints my husband. Whenever I hit an I-don’t-know-what-to-write-next moment, my husband always suggested aliens. And I always, always overrode his suggestion with a polite “I don’t think so.” Or a flat-out “Not gonna’ happen.” I’m all for surprising my readers. My …

Contemporary Romance Writer: With Apologies to Friends and Family as I Write Book #2

Beth VogtContemporary Romance, Writing 29 Comments

Dear Family and Friends, I’m sorry. Truly and deeply sorry. I’m sorry for the washed-but-not-folded laundry. If you’re looking for a clean pair a jeans, check the dryer. I’m sorry that I’m not cooking. Again. Well, for me, the truth is I’m not cooking still. Thank you, God, that my husband loves to grill even during the winter months and …

Contemporary Romance Writer: My (least) Favorite Word

Beth VogtContemporary Romance, Writing 19 Comments

  I’ve informed my family they won’t be seeing much of me for the next few months. Why, you ask? I’m diving into my second novel. Which is due to my publisher, Howard Books, in May. Yep. Four months from now. No. I am not panicking. Much. My editor approved the synopsis for my next inspirational contemporary romance — but …

Contemporary Romance Writer: A Glimpse at Setting #2: The Stanley Hotel

Beth VogtContemporary Romance, Reality, Romance, Writing 26 Comments

httpv://youtu.be/85qgvXkts14 My friend Dee Topliff corrects me on some misinformation in the vlog: Author Stephen King stayed at The Stanley Hotel (in room 217) when he wrote The Shining. The Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood in Oregon was used for all the exterior shots. Thank you, Dee! 😉 Last week I ventured into the vlog-o-sphere and gave you all a …

Contemporary Romance Writer: A Glimpse at Setting #1 — Estes Park

Beth VogtContemporary Romance, Reality, Romance, Writing 25 Comments

httpv://youtu.be/uxpwvgRdyTU I took the plunge into the vlog-o-sphere! Thanks to the inspiration of my debut buddy, Katie Ganshert, who is a vlogging trailblazer, I took my FlipShare with me when I wandered through Estes Park right before Christmas. My debut novel, Wish You Were Here (WYWH), an inspirational contemporary romance published by Howard Books (May 2012), takes place in both …

Contemporary Romance Writer: You are Here — Choosing the Setting of Your Novel

Beth VogtContemporary Romance 26 Comments

I spent a few days in Estes Park, CO right before Christmas. While wandering through town, my 11-year-old daughter looked up at me and said, “You should write a book set in Estes Park.” My reply? “I have.” To which she replied, “Oh. Well … I haven’t read your romance novel yet.” Perhaps she now understood why we were traipsing …

Contemporary Romance Writer: How Do I Achieve Success as a Writer?

Beth VogtContemporary Romance, Reality, Writing 31 Comments

Some days the writing road is lined with ledges. Ledges perfect to climb up and then stand and ponder the “why” of my existence in the writing universe. And yes, these ledges are ideal to throw myself off of when my hopes are dashed, my dreams seem nothing more than taunting specters, and my efforts seem … wasted. (I need …