I know that I had a point when I wrote this blog last week. However, I started coming down with strep throat, thanks to my oldest. I haven’t had strep since high school, when it knocked out the senior class for several days. Then the doc gave you a shot the consistency of mayonnaise, now it’s a nice pack of pills.
Anyway, I began to write the blog below, but felt there was something off – sent it to my friend Betty to read. Afterwards, she sent me a nice note suggesting I drink a warm cup of tea and take a nap. Now, I’m looking at it and have no idea what my point was. The scary thing is – I talked to my editor at Harlequin the same day – made copious notes, and really, really hope I made some sense!
So, here’s my blog written with 101 fever and before the antibiotics – I called it: “Those Dreaded Bios”
Developing a bio was VERY difficult for me. After all, there’s only so many ways one can say I grew up in Oklahoma and now write romance novels. Sure I did some stuff between birth and now, but I’m not sure people are truly interested in my theories on how to teach freshmen or my brief stint in radio journalism.
I don’t know about other genre writers, but romance writers often form into smaller groups, and those smaller groups will often develop websites. I belong to two such groups, Temptation Authors (we call ourselves the Temptresses) and the Wet Noodle Posse. Along with my own website, and the Harlequin website, I had to develop 4 different bios. I tried to make each one a little bit different. My Harlequin was my last and definitely my favorite.
5 responses so far ↓
daniel olivas // Dec 31, 2004 at 11:18 am
i like all three biographical pieces on you. each one has a different feel (the interview is fun…i was interviewed for an upcoming book on chicano/a writers to be published by the university of texas press…always dreaming of sitting with charlie rose!). and i’m impressed: 5:30 a.m.! yikes! i do my writing at 9 or 10 at night when ben is going to bed, my wife is exhausted after a day of lawyering, and with my hands already hurting from a full day of writing legal briefs, etc. you are an inspiration.
booksquare // Dec 31, 2004 at 1:56 pm
These bios are good, but incomplete. Where is the part about meeting the second most important person in your life? How we knew it was destiny from the very first drop of red ink? How you now view commas with the same reverence you have for Diet Cherry Coke? How without this person, you’d have to reveal to your local friends the truth about you?
Bummer about the strep throat, but you know what this means: sitting on the couch, demanding full service (at least one kid owes you!), and watching football.
Jill Monroe // Dec 31, 2004 at 4:57 pm
Daniel – I’m a real night owl, but when the person I sleep next to has the alarm set for 5:15, well, I’m sure you get the picture.
One good thing I’ve found – the internal editor that says everything I’m writing sucks- isn’t awake that early!
Let us know when we can read your interview!
Jill Monroe // Dec 31, 2004 at 4:58 pm
The football I can handle – demanding full service – you’ve seen my house – you know that’s not happening
BTW, what truth are you talking about? I’m an open book!
Susan Gable // Jan 1, 2005 at 6:41 pm
Moms don’t get time off, even when they have strep throat, huh, Jill? Hope you’re felling better soon! And try to stay as far away from those germy kids as possible. (Yeah, I know, that’s not going to happen, either. (G) )