 | 14 Jun 10 |
Hi, Everyone.
Please welcome today’s fabulous guest, HelenKay Dimon! There’s so much to say about HelenKay, from how witty and sharply intelligent she is, to how generous and gracious she can be (she’s the 2010 PRO Mentor of the Year!) She’s also a very awesome writer whose work has been showcased in Cosmopolitan magazine multiple times, as well as praised on E! Online. Enjoy!
HelenKay Dimon
Now a little about me…
I sold my first book to Kensington in 2005. By the time February 2009 rolled around, I had sold sixteen books, including novellas and single titles, and decided to try writing category/series romance for Harlequin Intrigue. I did this for many reasons: my Kensington editor was very sick and I wanted to leave her alone; I had option clauses that covered single title lengths and restricted what I could write outside of Kensington; I wrote faster than my Kensington contracts and wanted more books on the shelves; and, I wanted to try something different.
Available Now! - June 2010
What I wasn’t quite prepared for were the questions. Isn’t writing category after writing single title a huge step backward? Since they are so easy to write, can’t you do five or six a year? Aren’t they all about formula over substance? Wouldn’t you rather write a single title romantic suspense? Won’t you get stuck just writing category forever now? Now, to be fair, some of these questions came from well-meaning folks. Others…well, not so much.
I thought I’d go ahead and answer some of those burning Intrigue questions for anyone thinking of writing one or wondering if it’s worth it for a published author to try:
- The easy thing: They are not easy to write. They’re just different from single titles. It’s a delicate balancing act that requires wild pacing, believable suspense and a realistic love story. If that all sounds easy, try to write one. I think you’ll be surprised. You get about 55,000 words to create and resolve a full-blown romance and a compelling mystery/suspense/thriller. It’s tight. You don’t have room for extras or a lot of chatting. You have to get there and get there fast. When I’m done writing one I’m exhausted. The good kind of exhausted.
- The formula thing: I hear this about romance, in general. My answer is always the same: I wish it were as simple as plugging in names, shifting a few sentences around and cashing the advance check. If it were I could spend hours watching tv, doing family things, hanging out or doing something that doesn’t require me to think too hard. The reality is that I spend hours plotting, writing, revising and engaging in the business end of writing. Every author I know does the same thing. It’s not coal mining but it is hard work in that it grows out of nothing and only gets on the page when I put it there.
- The backwards thing: I once heard author Nancy Holder speak at a writers meeting. She writes paranormals, tie-in novels for several television shows and a bestselling (and recently optioned) YA series. So, yeah, she writes just about everything. It’s hard to view her as anything other than a professional writer. She said when she’s asked to do a writing project, if she’s interested she says yes and then she figures out the rest later – timing, deadlines and if she’s familiar with the show she’s supposed to be writing about. What I learned from her was the simple truth that writers write. I love suspense, enjoy the Intrigue line, want to write for a living and enjoy collecting paychecks…so, why wouldn’t I write Intrigues?
- The single title thing: There are some authors who make their entire living on category. And it’s a pretty good living. For me, I already write single titles. I plan to keep on writing single titles. As I do, I also intend to write for Intrigue because I enjoy it. I admire my fellow Intrigue authors and am thrilled to be one of them. I didn’t land at Intrigue because I couldn’t write anything else. I have other contracts with other publishers. I write for intrigue because I want to.
- The stuck thing: I’m hoping to be “stuck” writing for a very long time. I don’t complain about deadlines because, honestly, a lot of very talented authors don’t have them right now. It’s humbling.
May 2010
March 2010
March 2010
So, as I go into the second half of 2010, I hope to continue writing what I want as much as I can. It’s a gift.
Anyone have any Intrigue questions? If so, post them or a comment and I’ll give away a copy of my first Intrigue, UNDER THE GUN, to someone who posts here.
——-
You can find HelenKay at:
Her website: www.helenkaydimon.com
Her blog: www.helenkaydimon.com/blog/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/helenkaydimon
© 2010, Sylvia Day. All rights reserved.
Sylvia Day is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of seventeen novels. A wife and mother of two, she is a former Russian linguist for the U.S. Army Military Intelligence. In addition to her novels, she's written numerous novellas and short stories for both print and electronic-original release. Sylvia's work has been called an "exhilarating adventure" by Publishers Weekly and "wickedly entertaining" by Booklist. Her stories have been translated into Russian, Japanese, Portuguese, German, Czech, Italian, and Thai. She's been honored with the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, the EPPIE award, the National Readers' Choice Award, and multiple finalist nominations for Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA Award of Excellence.
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I love your books. Typically, I shy away from the category, unless it is an author I know and love. For me, they are too short. I prefer stories that have more detail and take longer to get to the end. However, I have read plenty of categories. AND, like single title, I have read both good ones and not so good ones.
by kris gilson June 14th, 2010 at 5:30 amHi, HelenKay! Romance and suspense fit together like a hand in a glove. The romantic tension is heightened by the suspense element, and the suspense story line won’t be completely satisfying without the romantic happy ending. As a young girl, I loved my doll collection, but I also loved secret agents, cowboys and westerns, and fantasy and science fiction. All of those things seem to come together in romantic suspense reads. What were your favorite childhood and young adult reads? Did they influence your decision to become an “Intrigue” author?
by Virginia C June 14th, 2010 at 7:31 amIt’s amazing sometimes, what people–including other authors–feel entitled to ask us, isn’t it?
Thanks for being here HelenKay!
by Lori Armstrong June 14th, 2010 at 7:31 amHi HelenKay. Personally, I love category books…both reading and writing them. I don’t a HUGE blocks of reading time and I don’t want to be reading the same book for a couple of weeks. I like to ‘get in and get out and move on” when I read.
I read lots of single titles, but for a good quick read, you can’t beat a well-written category.
by Cynthia D'Alba June 14th, 2010 at 8:47 amCongratulations, HelenKay! Great to see you here!
by Debra Webb June 14th, 2010 at 9:00 amHelenKay, welcome to MSW. I LOVE your books! I really enjoyed this topic, especially discussing category. Many people are surprised to learn that I started in single title, then added category books after that. For me, it was a matter of filling my schedule – I could write faster than my single title publisher could/would release my books back then, so I explored category — the only books that didn’t compete with my option clause.
I’m so glad I did – I learned so much from writing Desires (emotion, emotion, emotion) and enjoyed taking a break from the complicated suspense plots of my romantic suspense novels and focus exclusively on the relationship. I haven’t written any for the past few years, but really miss it. And I will second this: they are not easy to write. I often hear unpublished writers say they want to use category as an “entry level” to single title, and I know they are in for a rude awakening. Category is not easy to write OR sell.
Congratulations on your success and thanks for joining us today! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 14th, 2010 at 9:16 amI haven’t tried to write a shorter novel because frankly, I think they’re harder to do. Seriously harder. Trying to cram everything into a book to make it solid *while* also keeping it brief? ARRRGGGH.
In screenwriting, we had about 20K to 25K words to convey an entire story. It’s a different format, obviously, with lots of different rules, but what would absolutely drive me nuts is when my then-agent would say something like, “I lovelovelove this… but can you add more? But make the story shorter.”
Why yes, I can put more words on the page and magically make it all shorter. And I can also put my elbow in my ear.
After seven years of trying to cram a full length story into such a short space, I finally realized I needed the room of a full length novel. Anything else was too damned hard.
So glad you’re here today, HelenKay!
by toni mcgee causey June 14th, 2010 at 10:29 amI love the Intrigue line! They keep you on the edge of your seat! I would love to read one of yours.
by Quilt Lady June 14th, 2010 at 10:57 amHelenKay–I enjoyed your column. Sounds like you have the best of both worlds, writing single and category titles. And your love of writing really shines through. Thanks for visiting today.
by GSM June 14th, 2010 at 11:01 amWelcome to MSW! I can’t wait to read your books. I love finding new to me authors.
I like your answers. They sound like questions from people who have never written a book and have no idea how hard and rewarding it can be.
by HollyD June 14th, 2010 at 11:11 amHi everyone! Thank for the warm welcome.
Kris – I actually stopped reading category for a few years. I’m not sure why but I did. Now that I’m reading them again I’m hooked.
Virginia – I was a HUGE Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys fan. I’ve always loved suspense and mysteries. When I was studying for the Bar Exam I had very limited free time. For some reason, I craved Jonathan Kellerman books. I often say his Alex Delaware novels helped me get through the toughest test of my life. When I started writing, I thought I’d write straight contemporaries but then these dead bodies started showing up. I blame Kellerman.
Lori – I’m constantly amazed. It takes a lot to shock me, but it sometimes happens.
Cynthia – Exactly!! I actually love the length of category. I can fall into one and read it cover to cover without huge periods of interruption. I love that.
by HelenKay Dimon June 14th, 2010 at 12:02 pmDebra – Thank you! I just read two of your Colby Agency books back to back. I love the series. If anyone out there hasn’t tried it, you’re missing out! Debra is a pro at combining romance and suspense in a shorter length.
Roxanne – You were one of inspirations for trying category. I read about how you launched your category career after your single title career (maybe in RT??) and it got me thinking about giving it a try. When one especially clueless fellow author questioned my choice, I actually said, “it worked for Roxanne St. Claire” and then the conversation turned to how much we love your books. You have fans everywhere!
Toni – I’ve taken some screenwriting classes through UCLA and you are sooo right. I kept trying to cram more in. But, like with category, writing in that format helps to streamline dialog and make every word count. But, man, it’s hard.
Quilt Lady – That’s exactly why I read them. Have you tried the new Shivers books within the Intrigue line? They have an added creepy feel I just love.
GSM – Thank you! I love writing and am so grateful for my life.
Holly – I love finding new authors, too! I page through RT every month looking for new stuff to try. I don’t have as much time to read as I would like, but falling in love with a book and finding a new author and racing through her backlist – pure heaven!
by HelenKay Dimon June 14th, 2010 at 12:17 pmHi HelenKay!!! Congratulations on your PRO mentorship, that’s terrific!
I agree, writing category is NOT easy. I failed miserably. Writing short isn’t easy–I learned that writing my first short story. Now, I get it . . . a short story is more like a long scene or three scenes. But NOT a short novella, anymore than a category is a “short” single title.
by Allison Brennan June 14th, 2010 at 1:25 pmHi Allison! I totally agree. I wrote my first short story at the end of last year. Wowsa was that tough. I thought it would be about the same as writing a novella. Um, no. A short is an entirely different beast. I have huge respect for authors who excel at short story writing.
by HelenKay Dimon June 14th, 2010 at 1:58 pmOkay, I just saw the “reply” button on each comment. I am so scary. Sorry for any confusion.
by HelenKay Dimon June 14th, 2010 at 3:21 pmCongrats on the new releases, HelenKay. I loved your first Intrigue. I enjoy category romances and like that you can read them in one sitting.
by Jane June 14th, 2010 at 4:10 pmThank you! I’m thrilled you enjoyed Under the Gun and hope you’ll give Night Moves a try.
by HelenKay Dimon June 14th, 2010 at 4:27 pmI love read the Intrigue books they’re the only Harlequin books I read anymore. I’m reading your new Intrigue book right now and so far I love it. Will you have any more Intrigue books out this year?
by Sherry S. June 14th, 2010 at 4:45 pmThank you for getting Night Moves!! I’m so happy you’re enjoying it. I won’t have any other Intrigues out in 2010, but I will have a four-book miniseries out January through April 2011. The books are related to my first Intrigue, Under the Gun. The January book is Guns and the Girl Next Door. I love that title.
by HelenKay Dimon June 14th, 2010 at 4:55 pmHi, HelenKay! Welcome to MSW and congrats and on your Pro Mentor of the Year award!
I’m not a big category reader, and when I read one, I always ask myself why I don’t read them more often. I truly enjoy them.
by Karin Tabke June 14th, 2010 at 5:35 pmThank you! I do the same thing with category romance, especially with contemps since right now I seem to be having trouble finding straight contemp single titles that I love.
by HelenKay Dimon June 14th, 2010 at 5:55 pmHi HelenKay,
by chey June 14th, 2010 at 8:19 pmGood answers! I enjoy Intrigues.
Hi Chey! Thanks for stopping in to say hello.
by HelenKay Dimon June 15th, 2010 at 2:23 pmHi HelenKay – I really loved your first Intrigue, and am looking forward to reading the next one (it’s sitting on my nightstand looking forlorn, while I finish up Imitation in Death). I’m glad you’ll continue to write your single titles as well. Those are some awesome books
by Lori June 14th, 2010 at 8:28 pmThank you! I’m so happy you enjoyed the first and am crossing my fingers you enjoy the second.
by HelenKay Dimon June 15th, 2010 at 2:22 pmHi HelenKay and welcome at MSW.
by Sabine June 15th, 2010 at 5:50 amI haven’t read Intrigues before but I’m curious to read it the first time with one of your books.
If you enjoy romantic suspense, you should give them a try. I love the pacing of Intrigues. They are ridiculously fast.
by HelenKay Dimon June 15th, 2010 at 2:24 pmHi HelenKay,
I think if your a good writer it doesn’t matter what you write cause people will follow you anyway. Some of the authors i love that write singles i found when i went looking at used book stores they wrote category before that and after. I didn’t care i grabbed them up when i saw them because of the author and what i had read of theirs before that. I read pretty much single title books until is started seeing some of my fav authors had written category so now i do both. I really like the intrigue books too. One thing about category books they are good and fast reads. I am rarely disappointed with one. Just keep writing and your fans will follow.
Lisa B
by Lisa B June 15th, 2010 at 12:31 pmLisa, I totally agree. I never buy a book based on length. If it’s short and compelling, I’m in!
by HelenKay Dimon June 15th, 2010 at 2:25 pmHi HelenKay
Great topic. I met you at Lori’s, we sat together at the signing. I hadn’t received my copy of Leave Me Breathless before my trip so I couldn’t bring it for you to sign. You signed Night Moves for me so please don’t enter me.
Leave Me Breathless did leave me breathless. I LOVED it & Callie (we discussed loving kick*** heroines & smart-mouth females). You were right. Callie was awesome & so was Ben. The secondary love story between Mark & Emma was icing on the cake.
Because I read really fast, I love big thick books. However if I have a fave author, I will read whatever they publish be it category or novella. I loved A Proper Seduction too. I love the premise of lovers that already know each other so the “story” gets started that much quicker. The pace was perfect but of course I always want more of your writing LOL. I can’t be too much of a snob about category as some of my old fave comfort reads are category books.
by Mary G June 15th, 2010 at 7:09 pmTake Care & I’ll be sending you some pictures from the signing. Your Canadian fan.
Mary – I remember you!! Thank you so much for the lovely comments about Leave Me Breathless. I’m thrilled you enjoyed it.
Like you, some of my favorite romances are categories. In fact, I just re-read most of Linda Howard’s category romances. Love those.
by HelenKay Dimon June 17th, 2010 at 3:39 pmI love Intrigues, so I can’t wait to read your latest. I’ve been a big fan of them for years, I actually got my sister reading them. I read a lot of category romance books, have for years. I read a lot of other things too though.
by Linda Henderson June 19th, 2010 at 11:10 am