Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you had a really wonderful holiday. Here’s to the best possible year for all of us!
This article is about the little concessions that most writers make to have that contract that we all crave—to see their work in print. How do we as writers view the choices we make? How do the readers view them?
This is an opinion piece. But it’s also a topic I’ve wanted to broach for several months. Seriously, it has taken me longer to write this article than it has to write a book. I’ve rewritten it so many times because I’m fully aware of the implications of some of the things I wrote. Just this morning when I was reading the printed copy of this to edit for mistakes it just wasn’t doing it for me. I then went to “My Documents†to see if I had anything already written that I liked. I looked at a blog that I did for Parker’s blog last Feb, Why do Writer’s Write? I still liked and agreed with what I had to say. I then reread an article I’d saved (probably from RAW) Are You Token Negro Romance Queen Material?
This was perfect. It was just what got me fired up again. It detailed all the reasons I shouldn’t be submitting this article. First off, I really like the ‘Token’ article, or I wouldn’t have kept it. But like my Parker blog post said, “I write because I’m contrary. So… remember that going in and treat this article like a buffet. If you like it fine, if not, ignore and see if what I write next is more appealing. I like a bit of dissension from time to time, something that makes you think.
Because I know that the members of RAW (and RAW4ALL) are members of every conceivable racial group I’ve tried to write this article being politically correct. My aim is never to offend. But in working so hard to achieve that goal the article was hard to write and I’ll admit it, it was downright boring. But I think I’ve figured out how to finally finish this. I’m sure you’ll let me know later.
Since a good portion of the RAW family (specifically RAW4ALL) are writers I’m thinking that at least a few of you have had this issue. The idea for writing this article started at least a year ago when several friends said to me that they believe they’d sold out their muse for money. I just about had this article where I wanted it to be when I received an email from a friend yesterday saying the exact same words.  So I threw out a lot of what I’d written and started over.
The message from the friend took me back to my original point for the article. I know dozens of writers who would give anything to be in this particular friend’s shoes, me included. But that doesn’t make her feelings on the subject any less valid. Yes, she’s having four books a year published by major publishers, but she’s not happy. She’s had to make concessions in her work that warred with her inner spirit. In essence she feels she’d sold out her muse.
Several writer friends and I have discussed at great length writing under a pseudonym and writing about characters that did not resemble us or share our experiences. We’ve wondered how the work would be received and how it would affect sales. Would we in fact be selling out, or trying to make a sale? In other words we talked of writing strictly fiction. Would writing fiction move us into the sell out phase?
As writers are we under an unspoken obligation to tell the stories of people of color? Are we allowed the freedom of writing simply to entertain? What if we’re writing to put food on the table? (Okay, for most writers that’s a big laugh) Still, the worry over what our peers and readers would think colored our conversation thus the talk of writing under pseudonym. That in itself produced another problem. If we started over we’d have to start with building a new fan base. If we were in fact selling out would doing so in that instant to make a sale be worth it? Would we be stalling the progress other writers had made in staying true to their muse. Would we be selling out if we wrote something that the mainstream publishing housing would find acceptable?  Is it our responsibility as writers to try and uplift people of color by the kind of stories we write? If we write to make a sale how much damage will we do to our own cause and to the cause of future generations? In 2010 and beyond is this the writer’s burden to bear?
There was a time when many major publishers rejected out of hand stories from writers of color simply because the characters were people of color. It wasn’t uncommon. Still, some writers were given a choice—change the ethnicity or forget it. Some did. Some didn’t.  I’m sure those writers wondered the same thing, is making concessions, even major life altering concessions selling out or making a sale? Now here we are in America with significant changes all around us. There is an African American family living in ‘The White House.’ Our president is a man of color. Yet and still, I find the need to ask the question: If the stories we write would become an instant NYT Bestseller if we changed ‘Something’ (I’m leaving that to your imagination) would we be selling out or making a sale?
We all know this isn’t the first time this question has been talked about by a group of writers. Who knows maybe that’s one of the reason many writers have chosen in the past to self-publish their work. Perhaps it was in order not to make concessions. But what of the ones who have not chosen this path? If they make a different choice will they not only have to deal with their own conscience but the voices of their peers reminding them of the struggle? Will they hear words much to the effect that what harms one of us harms us all?
To be continued…
-Dyanne Davis
Dyanne.. you have said a mouth full and a lot to think about. I often wonder about the role of the reviewer and the impact my opinion as a reader play on the type(s) of story writers create.. Hmmmmm
Great Food for Thought !! 
Hi Cilla,
IMHO, I believe the reviewers do have a hand in swaying the writer for his/her next book. Though writers know that you can’t please everyone and no matter what you do someone isn’t going to like it, the smart writer I believe will read the things the reviewers didn’t like and see if they can keep the integrity of their story by addressing those issues.
(Note: I’m not talking about those times when reviewers mention typos or mistakes in unedited work.)
Dyanne
Your article gives us all food for thought. As an aspiring soon to be published author I have not been faced with the questions you posed, yet. To be honest I can’t say I would never sell out my writer’s voice just for a sale. You can never know what you will do until faced with the choice.
If ever faced with question I would have to ask myself this question. Why do I write?
A. M. that’s the thing. No one ever knows what they will do until faced with a situation. But think about this…You’re about to be published, you’re doing your first ever edits. Now, the editor and publisher have agreed if you don’t make what to them what may be a small change (but to you is the meat of your story) they will not publish it. You’ve waited so long to have your dream come true. What do you do?
Say for instance your story is an interracial and they need it not to be. You don’t have to change a word, just skin color. Some things for writers are battles, some are the entire war. By the way congratulations on your recent sale to Red Rose Publishing.
Dyanne
Dyanne, well since my story is interracial and all of the story I’ve written thus far are interracial I would more than likely say, thank you, but no thank you, leaving my story with characters as written.
Food for thought: I appreciate that, Dyanne
There may be some things I’d change (not sure exactly what at this time) but I would not change the ethnicity of my characters to have a major publisher accept my story. Nor would I take God out.
Wow! What a powerful article. I think everyone who has a job has to make a choice in their lives of what they will do for money. Do you take this promotion even if it means that you won’t be home as much with your family?
We all face tough decisions when it comes to our professional careers and I think ultimately, you have to make the decision that you feel most comfortable with. Now and in the future. People often make rash decisions focused on the here and now, but how will your decision affect you say ten years from now?
It is up to the writer what they are willing to give up on. If you change a character, sure you might get the money you desire, but can you live with the decision that you might have sacrificed some of the soul of your story?
If you decide to stick to your guns and don’t change your character, can you live with the fact that the novel may not be published, or if it is published see lackluster sales? Will you constantly ask yourself, “What if?”
Everyone must make the decision that they can see themselves being comfortable with in the years to come and must remember that every decision, good or bad, has consequences. Just be sure that you can live with those consequences.
Great article.
Katrina, then those things would be the deal breaker. That would be the writer’s war. For myself I don’t think I could take God out of my writing even if I tried. It was never something that I did deliberately, but after several books realized that God is a part of my everyday life and it showed through my writing. ( In the mentioning)
Even in my vampire novels, God is present.
Actually, I just remembered that I did change the ethnicity of a character. Forever and a Day was going to be an interracial but it was brought up that because of the mood of the country during Hurricane Katrina it might be better to change the ethnicity of the male character. I had him originally being Caucasian because of the strife. My point was going to be that no matter what is happening love can and still does blossom. But changing it to reflect the prejudices of African Americans against each other based on the brown bag test worked just as well, or maybe even better.
Dyanne
So, Katrina, where are you all finding the smiley faces? I want one. Just so you know you’ve just given me the title for an article. “Living with the consequences.” Thank you.
Dyanne
Thought provoking article, Dyanne. I understand your hesitation to write it and the struggle to put it out there for the masses to read, but I’m so very happy you did.
The first three romances I wrote featured white characters. I was asked by a very well-respected industry professional if I would be willing to change the characters to African American. The books are still on my computer. It’s not as simple as just changing skin color (the hero of the third book is from a big Italian family, I couldn’t just change that). I hope I can one day publish those books as is, under my own name, but until that day comes they will sit there.
Farrah,
You’re a fantastic writer and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you that those books can be published as written and under your name. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? My mind is blank and I can’t think of the names of several white authors who write black characters. But you will know who I’m talking about.
The guy who writes the black detective series, hugely popular. There are also white female authors who write black characters. At the moment I can’t think of them or the books. LOL. I should have waited to answer you when I could remember, but who knows how long that would take.
There is one book that I do remember, Across The Road Home. It was a story about a black family that had ties (as former slaves and now workers) to the white family across the road. My sister and I were both reading it. She went to the back of the book, saw the author’s picture and refused to read the rest of the book. The author’s white. She will only read black authors.
I’m going off course here. SORRY. My point is that writers of other ethnicity can do this and not have to worry about whether they’re letting down themselves, or the entire race.
For that reason alone I would be pulling for you to sell those books. But the main reason is because you deserve to have them published.
Dyanne
This was a great article! Thanks for sharing. The points that you brought up leaves a lot for me to think about.
As an aspiring to be published African American author writing sometimes about multi-cultural and interracial romances, I cannot really say what I would be faced to decide if I were asked by a prospective agent or editor to change my characters’ skin color. I also write paranormal and as an avid reader of that genre I think it, and the sci-fi genre in general, is underrepresented in the AA community, whether it is the lack of a character of color or an author of color.
I think that in the long run, the decision would affect that author. Would he or she regret the fact that they changed or did not change “something†about a particular character to make a sale? On the other hand, if I had an agent tell me that “skin color†was the only thing keeping my novel from selling…I would have a hard time believing that and would need some statistics and data to back it up.
Gabrielle
Gabrielle,
The more people that comments makes me remember things that I’d forgotten. For instance my first published novel was an interracial romance. At this point it was suggested (at least I think it was a suggestion) that I write one AA and one IR a year as some readers refuses to read one or the other of them. Okay cool.
All of a sudden I I had a title I had never thought about or went after. I was now classified as an interracial author. When I write interracials it’s to prove a point. I have some lesson I’m trying to teach. I had no idea that some readers who think I was writing from reality instead of fiction.
This incident I will never forget. A library invited me to come to give a talk to their bookclub and had bought more than a dozen copies of the book for their library. I was thrilled beyond belief to have been invited. The readers were thrilled to have me there.
Then it happened. Bill, my husband of over 39 years, the love of my life walked into the room and it was like a cold wind blew threw. I observed the women as they looked at my handsome husband with extreme disappointment. They had expected that I would be in an interracial marriage.
It was then I realized that as a writer of color, my work had to pass through a lot of unseen barriers that I had never known existed. I know I’ve made compromises, but I don’t think I’ve sold out. And if I have I’ve conveniently forgotten it for the moment. (smile)
Good luck with your writing. Let me know when you make that first sale so I can support you.
Dyanne
Wow…Dyanne this is a very interesting article!! I read books by many authors, but my main support is to our African American authors. I’m sure that will be a hard decision for the author to make if faced with that situation and be able to deal with the outcome.
Now will I stop buying books from my favorite authors if they chose to take a different route…..hmmm…I don’t know because certain topic I will not read.
Sharon,
Believe me, my friends and I are totally aware that some readers would not read the books we wrote, “IF” we decided to go another route and take on another persona. But that would be one of the consequences.
We talk about those things because things are not even in the publishing world and we wonder from time to time, what if………………….
Dyanne
Interesting topic Ms.D. Here’s the other side if you want to call it that. I was asked early in my career if I would change the ethnicity of my characters from Black to other. I was told it might increase my sales. My response: Nobody is asking Danielle Steele to change her characters to Black – so my answer was, no. Has it kept me from making the lists. Probably. Do I care? In the face of what I create and the blessings I have received as a result – nope! Just my two cents. B
Hey MS. Bev,
A few months ago I interviewed Donna Hill for my cable show. She told me the same thing and I was stunned. Like I said, I’ve wanted to write about this for sometime but I know it’s a touchy subject for a lot of us.
I know how hard it is to get and stay published. I also know about wanting a dream to come true so badly that you’re torn between making deals with God and giving up. But you can’t do either.
Just so everyone is clear on this, I believe it’s up to the writer what they’re willing to live with. But I’m also aware that certain expectations are put on writers of colors regarding the subject matter they chose to write. I also know that some authors who chose a path that maybe their readers or peers didn’t agree with are thought of as sell outs. Many, many hours of conversation with friends about this topic.
By the way, Happy New Year.
Dyanne
I think that your spirit always speaks, it’s just a matter of learning to listen, and if you feel like you’re selling out, then of course, you’re selling out. It’s no different than the way we sell out everyday, sitting in jobs that we hate for the sake of a paycheck, knowing, but not wanting to really think about how much it costs us in health, peace, life, time with friends and family…. isn’t that selling out for money?
It all depends on the kind of person you are and why you write. What is most important? The art? Wider distribution? More income? The answer may differ from book to book. Depending on what’s important, your goals and where you are in life, one author may be quicker to roll over than another. Whether rolling or taking a stand, no one looks back in the mirror at you like you do. We know what we need to do to keep peace in our spirits. How many of us are at a place where we know we would do it? I don’t think I am there yet, but who knows?
D.J.
You’re preaching to the choir. If my spirit rebels I don’t do it, no matter what the consequences might be. As far as my writing goes there was only one time my spirit rebelled and that was with my vampire series.
My agent, first editor and someone in my agent’s office were offended that I took my vampire to church and that I made him a former priest. Their attitude offended me greatly. To me, they were behaving as though they knew my relationship with God. What they thought was so far from being true that they might as well have been talking from another planet. There is a purpose for everything that I do including write. And no, I don’t just write to entertain.
That was the one point in my writing career when I said I would not change the direction of my characters and and was prepared to void the contract. Lucky for me(I’ve been doing a lot of name dropping maybe I should stop.) an arrangement was made that S.R. who’d edited most of my books would do this one also. She hates vampires and didn’t want to but she loves me.
Anyway, she asked me had I decided to stop trying to teach. For some strange reason I hadn’t known anyone was aware of what I was trying to do. But I should have known she would. We are so in-tuned. As I said earlier in an answer, God is prevalent in all of my works. So to have people critiquing my walk with God was something that wasn’t going to happen. That time I felt it involved more than my writing. It involved my spirit.
Once S.R. got into the editing, she understood that I was still attempting to teach, only this time, I was using, Adam Omega.
Dyanne
Well, Ms. Dyanne, you’ve got the wheels spinning. Thank you for the thought provoking article!!!
For a while I wondered how authors felt about the works they create. Is it easy for them to have their work critiqued and if changes are to be made how would they feel about that? If I was faced with the same challenges how would I feel. Would I be willing to make the suggested changes after I put my heart and soul into my work? The answer for me is I’m not sure. If I took the time to research and create what I hope to be a masterpiece, would changing something like the race of a character be possible? All I can say is I don’t think so. To imagine that authors that I’m continuing to meet and learn about are faced with this, is mind blowing. How do we expect to have worthy stories if the author has to choose between sales or quality of their work?
Jaime,
IMHO, I believe ALL authors love every piece of work they produce. It’s personal, the characters are real to them and talk to them. About being critiqued…hmm. Again, mind you this is just my opinion. I think most authors (I said most people, not all) are sensitive and even though to survive in this business you have to develop a thick skin I believe authors are rather prone to having their feelings hurt.
I think having critique partners is about trusting the people who you’re entrusting your work to. You have to give them what you’re looking for from them, making it clear.
For several years I had critique partners and each brought something different to the mix. I also gave mss to readers . They look for something totally different than other writers. I bounce ideas off of Barb and if I need to have something read I will ask Lisa G.
Writers sometimes tend to to put the answer to things in the book because they know the answer in their head. Lisa is very good at asking WHY?
Back to being critiqued: If you’re wanting to make sure to catch and fill holes before you send the work to your editor, or you’re having problems with a scene and need help, having a trusted critiquer give you their take can make a world of difference.
Jaime, I’m not talking about quality versus sales though. I’m mostly talking about writing something, or making changes you may not have wanted to make. I think no matter what they write writers strife for quality.
Dyanne
Interesting and certainly food for thought
Linda,
Honestly, I couldn’t remember all of my own incidences of selling out until I started answering comments. LOL.
Dyanne
Wonderful and thought provoking, I am going to say what constitutes selling out is relevant to the individual. When I started writing four years ago I was several years away from a good retirement, so I knew I could do this my way and let the chips fall where they may, for others it is different. And like with any job we have to sell a bit of ourselves if we work for other folk~
Angelia,
There you go. We all sell out at some point in life, whether it’s going someplace with your spouse you positively hate going to because( insert any reason). The thing is if it makes your stomach knot up then, whatever it is, then you have to wonder if maybe you sold out. (Adam’s on his way to you)
Dyanne
Miss Dyanne wonderful article!!
Recently I’ve wondered about this topic, and I came to the resolution, what is in the heart of the writer? Sometimes, as a writer, you can’t help how the characters come to you. You might start off writing an African American novel, and a little Caucasian girl pops in your head with her own story. Are you to deny the girl her story because you’re an African American writer? How is that being true to your muse?
Not being a published writer or any where near it, I can’t comment on what if the publisher makes a suggestion of change. If ever I’m placed in that situation, I’d like to believe that I would stay true to my story, true to my characters, and true to myself (muse). Which may mean holding out a little longer and finding another publisher who would accept the characters as they are. Which is where writing under a pseudonym may come into play. As this person I write these books, and as another I write another kind of book. Am I selling out? Maybe to others, but to myself, I’m staying true. I’m published and I’m happy because I’m doing what I’ve dreamed of doing, becoming a published author. I think it’ll be a bigger disappointment to myself if I didn’t get the stories that came to me in print, how they came to me.
Jacki,
First off, I want to wish you good luck with your writing career. Hang in there and never give up. I love how you put it because that’s the way it is. You’re writing about one thing and a character pops up and says, “Hey, that’s not me.”
In Forever and A Day, when the character came to me he was definitely white, no doubt about it. But remember I have my own personal points to make when I write, like you and all writers. There was so much turmoil that I wanted it to be a Caucasian man my female character fell in love with.
When it was suggested that I change the race I’d only written fifteen pages. Still, it took me a couple of days to agree to the change.
I want to make a note here. When I wrote this article I had not thought about my having changed the race of a character because I was asked to. I didn’t think that I had. But, hey, I was wrong. But since my stomach didn’t cringe at the change I guess it’s safe to say it didn’t trouble my spirit.
Dyanne
Bravo, Dyanne! I have discussed this topic ad nauseum with friends–some are authors, some are not. Of course, you’re one of them. It’s a conundrum, all right. However, I love to listen to my muse and when it doesn’t feel right, it just doesn’t feel right. Recently, a friend and I submitted a short historical piece. The editor intimated that both characters should be A-A. Well, it didn’t feel right for that particular story, so we submitted another story that has two A-A characters. We were lucky b/c it was accepted, but I’m well aware that this doesn’t always happen.
So, I guess what I’m saying is that an individual has to do what she feels is best for her. And sometimes even that is hard…
Lisa G.
Hey Lisa,
Since we’ve been discussing this for years, generally after something significant happens in the publishing world, I’d agree with the ad nauseum part.
You and your writing partner are great writers on your own, we can only imagine what you’ll do together. Okay, I read both stories and loved them. As partners your voices blend seamlessly as the story transfers from you to her, or vice versus.
I’m glad that you two got the opportunity to submit an AA story and have it accepted. I’m going to give your editor a half pass though, since she wanted something for African American history month, and was open to a different story that fit the bill. Congratulations!! And good luck with your historical future.
Dyanne
Dyanne…first things…I received my gift and THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH. I was jumping up and down like a little kid in here. LOL
Thank you and the others for sharing this thought provoking issue. I was just telling the sistaz that I went to Borders and there were so many books that I wouldn’t even pick up b/c of the title alone and they may have been some very good reads that I missed out on. Swearing at me in the title insults my intelligence and is not IMO very creative but I do understand the marketing side of it. I guess that some authors (and the publishers) feel that if they shock you with the title , you’ll be curious enough to buy it. (and that has some truth to it for some readers).
This whole compromise thing has been going on long before Michaelangelo, I guess.
Wonderful article and definately food for thought for any artist in any artistic genre.
Mary,
LOL. I’m glad you were jumping up like a little kid. And you’re welcome. To the ladies who are getting copies of Destination Romance, give it about another week I’m thinking. Amazon has already sent the entire order to me and I will send them to everyone. They wanted an extra $4.00 per person to send them straight out to everyone.. Now at least I can sign the books.
Mary, I’m trying to think of some books that swear in the title but I’m not going to ask you to name them. We don’t want to offend.
You’re right. Titles and bookcovers are intended to draw attention.
Dyanne
I think that no matter what there are always going to be people who critique your choices. Thus far, in my fairly abbreviated career, my most controversial character is a stripper. Knowing people as I do, I knew there were people who would have a problem with me writing about a stripper, especially a black one. I spent an absurd amount of time trying to change that, but it simply wasn’t happening. She was a stripper and that was that. My characters come to me, as they are. I don’t think it would be possible to change their race, even if I wanted to. Of course, I haven’t been offered a huge contract or anything of that nature. Baby does need new shoes, so I wouldn’t dare say never, but I doubt I would or could do it.
I do however, reject the notion that I must somehow “send a message” or “uphold the race.” That’s more than any single writer should be required to do. Would I write a story that degraded women or degraded my race? Of course not, but I certainly feel no need to create perfect characters with no flaws simply because “they” think all black women are whores. Look, “they” believe such things because it’s to their benefit to do so. All black women could boot their genitalia and take up wearing burqas tomorrow, and those people who want to think negatively about us will continue to do so. I refuse to be hobbled by their negativity.
Good morning Roz,
Happy New Year. Congrats to you on all the new books and to your new partnership. Roz, I’m laughing because I’m picturing you having this phone conversation with our mutual friend and I can see yo getting heated.
You did bring out things I’d only hinted at and laid them smack dab on the table. Thanks.
About your controversial stripper character, was it badly received because the story is a romance? If so, that brings another question to mind. Food for thought. Do you think if the storyline had been used in street lit the response would have been more favorable? I know that’s not the genre you right, I’m just wondering right now. There seems to always be another box that writers are put in.
Dyanne
Actually the book has sold well for me, but I’ve gotten lots of email from people who think I’ve “let the race down” by making her a stripper. She’s only a stripper for the first third of the book, after that, she’s a microbiologist, but there you go. I’ve joked several times that if I’d written a story about a stripper and her drug dealer boyfriend who start a war with another strip club over territory I would have a bestseller on my hands. (Of course, my husband then asked, “And you didn’t write THAT book, because?”) I think strippers and other questionable occupations are more acceptable in street lit. Maybe some people thought I’d crossed that line. Of course, even a cursory glance at the book itself makes it clear that it’s not street lit, but who knows.
Roz,
I’m glad to hear the book has sold well. I had no idea readers were writing you about your character’s occupation. I haven’t read the book yet, but I most definitely will. I like supporting books where people have complaints about something. I’m contrary that way. LOL.
Roz, I got letters telling me that I couldn’t write about vampires. I wasn’t told I was letting down the race by doing it though, but they did think I was letting the readers down when I started to write about Adam.
I remember Anne Rice and the public lynching she received when she bunched several different series up and ended all of them in a nice and maybe not so neat bundles. Readers were furious. I understood she’d had enough and wanted to do something different. I was glad that she decided to bring them all together so I’d know what happened to all of the characters from all of the different series. If she’d continued writing vampire novel, I never would have started.
The idea to write and tell her I was disappointed she’d changed genres never crossed my mind.
Dyanne
Dyanne,
Great articles and a lot of food for thought. I write because I love to write. I’m retired, so I suppose I have more liberty than others who depend on getting a pay check from writing. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ll take that extra paycheck (LOL). As I read your article and the many responses, I feel some authors are selling out everyday, especially when I hear they write, not what they love to write about, but they write about what’s selling (FAD). With my first book, non-fiction, several people suggested that I turn the book into a work of fiction and in doing so it might be picked up by a publisher. The book was near and dear to me based on my experiences, and so I would not even consider furning it into a fiction piece. My second book is fiction, and it has an interracial couple as the hero/heroin. That book has been accepted by Red Rose Publishing. The next book that I have to edit, all the characters are AA. And the book I’m currently writing has an interracial couple as well. My point is, I’m writing what my muse is guiding me to write. If they are picked up, so be it…if not, there’s always self-publishing. I truly believe if it’s meant to be, then it will be. Thanks for sharing such a thought provoking dialogue.
Good morning Vanessa,
Happy New Year. I’m really glad to read all of the responses. I’ve wondered what others thought about this subject. I already knew the opinions of my friends concerning this. First though, I have to believe all writers write because they love it, even if they didn’t say it. I think that’s a given. There are far too many tribulations for writers who didn’t love to write to do it.
But you’ve brought up another interesting point: Older retired writers. At my husband’s suggestion I retired from nursing to write. (Any wonder why I’m crazy about him?) I think women of a certain age have reached their line in the sand. We’re more set in our ways of what we won’t and will do maybe. Though like Roz said, never say never.
I wonder if the younger writers are having a harder time with this issue. To the younger writers in the house: Are you?
Dyanne
Vanessa,
I forgot to tell you CONGRATULATIONS on your sale to Red Rose. Deatri has lots of good things to say about them. And so do I. I don’t know many, or any other publisher who would donate 100% of profits to a charity.
Dyanne