For authors, re: trigger and content warnings.
My middle kid and I were talking about content and “trigger” warnings in books. She said, from her perspective, if someone includes a trigger warning for something like suicide and self-harm, she can pretty much take for granted--
“If an author has first hand experience with self-harm or thoughts of suicide, or attempted suicide, then they’ll make sure there’s a content warning because they know what stumbling upon that content can do to someone who has been through it. They won’t want to--
--disclosed because the author considers them “spoilery”) then those concepts are almost always used for shock value and as trauma porn, and are furthermore not represented authentically or realistically within the story.
She then went on to say the following--
--that those topics won’t be used for shock value or as “trauma porn” in the story, and will be dealt with authentically and realistically.
But, she said, if the book doesn’t include the content warning (and if the book has those concepts within, but they aren’t--
I usually read/respond to all my reader mail. I'm going to stop.
Do me a favor, y'all. If you hate a book, leave a review and/or return the book. Don't send hate mail to the author, questioning their integrity and calling them evil.
It's a book, not summoning spell for Satan.
Please, stop feeling shame when enjoying books about love. Normalize the enjoyment of happy endings, celebrate them, recognize them as valuable.
We've normalized despair as more meaningful and valuable (than hope) for far too long. . . is my opinion.
Most recently at a kindergarten moms get together, someone said, “Oh! Aren’t you that mom who writes those trashy books?”
Honestly, it just made me feel so sad for her. Poor pumpkin.
@AuthorCFeehan
Christine,
If you do this, and if
@romancewriters
doesn't take action to stop you, we'll have to write a Dark Leopard Ghostwalker Carpathian anthology to raise money to stop you. Just FYI.
-Cocky Collective
This is your friendly reminder that the views expressed by a fictional character seldom reflect the views of the author who writes that character.
Because the character is fictional.
Fictional.
FICTIONAL.
... fictional.
#Fictional
I've seen my books called "trashy romance," "fluffy," "a pallet cleanser," "smut," etc
And you know what?
I'm cool with that.
I write what I write, but it's never going to be what *you* read. That's the beauty of a book, it's a different story to each new set of eyes.
At some point, hopefully soon (now?), it is my wish that we can all agree inclusion of a gay/lesbian couple in a book is not a "political statement," but rather merely a representation of reality, an accurate portrayal of the world around us, and that love is simply love.
I have NEWS!!
Last week, I signed my first ever trad pub deal (
@amazon
Montlake): "THE WEEK BEFORE THE FUNERAL, in which a woman returns home to Texas following her mother’s unexpected death. There, she encounters her estranged husband, who is still very much in love with her."
For the record: If you see another author hating on me or my books, please don't tell me. In this, I prefer to dwell in ignorance, even if I recommend her/his books often. Just let me love people. <3
I've never been this in love with a book. Ever.
Reiders, this story I'm writing may never end. It might just go on and on, my friends.
How do you feel about 3 Billy and Claire books instead of 2?
The Dad Bod series is COMING!
It will be a series of Jane Austen re-tellings...
The roles will be reversed (a la Eli Bennet and Darcy Williams, or Andy Eliot and Celeste Wentworth).
The covers are weird!
And, I love you.
Well, there you go. Happy Monday.
I want to say something: Not all romance novels are "a fantasy." Some are meant to be a fantasy--true. Some have fantasy elements. Nothing wrong with either.
However, some are just stories where the romance is central. So please stop telling rom-readers romance is "a fantasy."
"... sparking new interest in a complex and extremely influential genre."
Well. Look at that. A major news org wrote a story about romance novels and used correct adjectives: complex and influential. 😎
#bridgertonnetflix
@bridgerton
Authors. Unsolicited advice.
May I recommend that you (at all times) keep a bottle of champagne in the fridge? Just in case you stumble across a discussion online of folks hating on you. Break it out, drink it, and watch your favorite episode of Xena, Warrior Princess. 🙌
It doesn't bother me when people say my characters are naïve. I am naïve.
It doesn't bother me when people say my characters overthink. I overthink.
It doesn't bother me when people say my characters use odd words. I use odd words.
Find your audience. They will love your books.
Tonight I walked into the kitchen to overhear Mr. Reid teaching our 13 yo son to cook, saying, "Listen. One day you might have a girlfriend that you really, really like. And if you can't cook, she's going to eat somewhere else. You know what I mean?"
🤣
Sitting in a Walgreens, waiting to pick up a prescription.
Someone, somewhere sneezes.
Everyone stops moving.
I meet the eyes of the person next to me. He mouths, “We’re all fucked.”
#Seattle
I have three controversial statements to make:
1. Intentions matter.
2. Kindness should be valued.
3. No one is perfect.
I know this might mean you no longer wish to follow me on twitter. If this is the case, I understand. ❤️
If being 100% self-published means that you're not actually published, I've hit the NYT, USAT, WSJ, have a TV deal, was a finalist in GR Best Romance category x5, make my living from selling books, have a publishing imprint, and have never actually been published.
Good times.
As I finalize Cletus's chapters, I am once again reminded of how truly unlikable of a character he is. The man is not nice. In fact, he's mean. Y'all who love him are weird.
... and I love you for it.
My husband walked into my creepy office, poured kahlua into my (now tepid) coffee, turned around and called over his shoulder as he left, "You're welcome."
#truelove
I have a number of folks who have never given me anything but a 1 star review but they keep reading my books.
I wish I could message them. I'm concerned about their mental health. Like, "Why are you doing this to yourself?? Why? You deserve better than reading books you hate."
Sometimes people block me on social media after I provide citations for my statements / data. This is how I know the world is still just high school and I am still a nerd.
It's cool though. I think I'll go read a book. Maybe make some tea.
Also, while I'm here, I'll tell you the following: my husband and I are celebrating our 18th wedding anniversary on Sunday. It's the porcelain anniversary. I bought him... WAIT FOR IT!!!
.
..
...
A toilet.
Clearing up confusion:
1. The Cocktales Anthology was my idea.
2. I created the first draft of the cover (attached).
3. I conceived it, organized it, created it.
4. I created all promotional materials for it.
5. I formatted it & published it using my company
@SmartyPantsRom
.
So many of my emails and messages from readers start with, "I never do this kind of thing." Or, "I've never written to an author before."
Readers, if you have kind words and gratitude in your heart for an author, write to them. They need to hear/read from you, especially now. ♥️
I don't know who needs to read this, but there are 2 rules for the romance genre: HEA/HFN, romance is the central story, and that is it.
There is no rule against multisyllabic words, including current events, technical concepts, or a male MC with copious internal thoughts. FYI.
When I read an author for the first time, I try to start with the latest book/release.
Authors change & grow from each novel to the next. If an author has a backlist, reading an author's first book doesn't (... usually) tell you who that author is or what they're capable of now.
The thing is, you never really know what other people are going through. Maybe everything is fine. Maybe they've stubbed their toe 3 times in the last hour. Maybe they're overwhelmed by grief.
Ultimately, it doesn't matter. Maybe you should just be kind regardless.
My sister told me my books are the peanut butter and pickle sandwich of books— some folks are allergic, some folks just plain hate them, some are disgusted by the mere idea, but those who love them? Love them hard. ❤️
Love you reiders.
For those of you who don't know the whole
#cockygate
story, here are a few lessons learned as to why trademarking a single word as a series title can be extremely disruptive for the entire author community (1 of ?)
How many of you would be interested in an absolutely banana pants adult romcom of a prim tax accountant who inadvertently stumbles into a sexy secret society and becomes the unwitting object of intense desire for a naughty, haughty playboy from her past?
So... just me then? 🧐
When I first started romance novels, I cringed when I wrote sex scenes.
Now, after 8 years and currently writing my 30th book, I LOVE THEM. I love employing sex scenes to advance the story and characters' journeys, their vulnerability (or lackthereof).
Sex scenes are awesome.
Reported, Twitter said it had suspended more than 70,000 accounts that promoted the Q-Anon conspiracy theory. 🧐
Meanwhile, I have lost--wait for it!--no followers. 😎
I love my readers. 🥰
I’m thrilled to share that MARRIAGE AND MURDER is on an
@amazonbooks
billboard in NYC! Check out my book and more awesome book lists celebrating and amplifying women’s voices here: ❤️
Reading through an old journal of mine when I submitted my 1st book to 100 agents over a 12 month period.
After my 76th rejection, I wrote a note that read, "If rejection builds character, I'm a mansion."
Things change, but now I'll always be a mansion.
#Thankyouforrejectingme
I started reading reider mail again and came across this gem yesterday. It made me so fricken happy, I decided to share ❤️❤️
New book idea: prison guard reads romance novels in order to rekindle the spark with his lovely wife.
I am not encouraging this, but I let the record show:
# of words written sober in 2 hours: 424
# of words written tipsy in 2 hours: 2011
Earnest Hemingway, you were an asshole, but you were right.
Interesting to see Con invites specifically disallow romance on the basis of wanting to be "kid friendly," yet allow all other genres. So, basically:
You write books about serial killers, monsters, and genocide? WELCOME!
You write books about love? GTFO PERVERT!
#kidfriendly
🙄
NEWSFLASH: Roscoe is the most romantic and sentimental of the Winston Brothers.
I just thought you'd like to know (because it surprised the heck out of me).
I've been quiet because I've been having trouble processing current events. I'm still having trouble, so I'll just leave this Mitch McConnell, Koch Brothers, Betsy DeVos, and Brett Kavanaugh inspired Haiku here:
I wonder if my
Faith is so strong because I
Need hell to exist.
Just read a 2 star review: "I loved the storyline. The plot was good. With that said, it's a shame that there are sex scenes."
I immediately one-clicked.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you anti-sex scene lady.
Thank. You.
"I'm rarely moved to action by the loudest voices, those are usually just the folks who most love to hear themselves talk and don't have any idea what it means to listen."
-Cletus Winston
#AmWriting
I'm convinced, all my best writerly ideas are born in the shower. This morning, while hunting for my conditioner, my brain said, "I don't know where the conditioner is, but the Dad Bod series should be Jane Austen re-tellings."
!!!! YES!
You know what makes people feel better? Books.
Authors, if you are able, write. If you can, distill your anxiety into creativity. You are not helpless, you have power.
If you can't, no pressure. No guilt.
But if you can, do. The world will need your stories.
I AM WRITING!!
FOR REALS!!!!
AAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!
.
.
.
.
.
.
This tweet brought to you by a breakthrough after months of
#writerconstipation
And also the letters Y E and S
#amwriting
A long time ago, I guess I muted a person.
Recently (yesterday) I unmuted the person, because I forgot why I did it.
Just now, I read something he/she tweeted and . . . muted that person again.
Note to future Penny: just trust past Penny. Always.
Semi-annual reminder:
Haters gonna hate.
Don't set yourself on fire trying to keep other people warm.
If your friends can't be happy for you, they're not your friends.
You're not pizza (you can't make everyone happy).
Do something radical, like love yourself just as you are. ❤️
You can't use cross-stitch book covers, they said.
Don't write about bitcoins, sexy Gandalf, and the Nigerian oil crisis, they said.
Don't write non-white or neurodiverse main characters, they said.
... because those kinds of books don't sell. 😜 😆 😘
#WriteTheBookYouWantToRead
How does the
#1
book on the
@USAToday
bestsellers list not make the New York Times list at all? 🧐
That's . . . weird.
Unless the NYT list isn't about book sales anymore. I mean, why call it a bestsellers list if it doesn't list bestsellers?
Took me 13months to write 'Beard With Me,' (start to finish) longest it's taken me to write a book. I cried many times.
#ImNotACrier
Doing justice to the Winston Brothers's origin story was the goal. Reading reviews like this makes it all feel worth it.
Next week, I have a weird announcement regarding a side character from the Knitting in the City series. I want to make the announcement now, but I can't, which is why I'm making this vague tweet.
MORAL OF THE STORY: I'm excited.
Me as an author: Don't like my book? TOTALLY COOL! I get it. No worries.
Me as a reader: What? You don't like my favorite book?! . . . NEVER SPEAK TO ME AGAIN.
‾\_(ツ)_/‾
#readerproblems
In case you need it today:
Peace be with you.
Peace be in your heart.
Peace be in your mind.
Peace be with your spirit.
. . . Oh, me? Don't mind me, I'll just be over here with my toddler, who thinks "peace" is a reference to cake.
Yes, some protesters around the country haven't peaceful. Just like some white men have shot up schools and places of work.
I don't judge all white men by those that shoot up schools. You should learn how not to judge all protesters by those that loot target.
I walked in on my son listening to Mozart (loudly) while writing a paper on absolute monarchs and my 4yo daughter asking him to turn it down so she and the 10 yo could discuss which Jane Austen quote to paint on the basket of her bicycle.
...
#QuarentimesAtPennysHouse
Something is about to happen in the book I'm writing, and I'm worried my readers will never forgive me for it.
That said, I've done a lot of foreshadowing... so...
Y'all aren't going to be surprised if stuff mentioned in Winston Brothers .5 to 5 is shown within 'Beard With Me,' right? I mean, it's the prequel to the series. Glossing over is not an option.
You know what's coming.
You know the history.
You know it's ugly.
... right?