Today we're blessed. C. L. Wilson joins us in the back seat for a breeze through the wild autumn weather! She's become a hot ticket. . . the buzz on her USA Today Bestselling DEBUT BOOK, Lord of the Fading Lands, is incredible. . . as is the book itself! If you've a yen for some fine writing, powerful plotting, mesmerizing characters, and heart-stopping action. . . rush out and get this book. It's an epic fantasy romance that takes you on a thrilling ride through a fabulous alternative world and makes you wish you could just step into the story and stay there!I confess, I have a special interest in this book. . . having read it early on. . . since C.L. is one of my writing buddies and crit partners. Believe it-- I was blown away by this story and this world. And it only helps that C.L. is one of the funniest, smartest women I know. But, hey, she can speak for herself. . .
One year ago today, I was an unpublished author with four “close, but no cigar” Silhouette-Intimate-Moments-wannabe manuscripts under my bed, a 1,000 page rules-breaking fantasy romance manuscript (aka “The Monsterscript”) I adored still out at three houses, a collection of contest jewelry and a stack of rejection letters I was beginning to think would soon rival the Monsterscript in sheer volume.
One week after that, the Monsterscript was at auction, and my friend, two-time Golden Heart winner and contest diva extraordinaire Carla Hughes, and I were driving up the last hill leading to my family’s home in Atlanta at
All I can say is … Dang, that was one powerful star!
Today, LORD OF THE FADING LANDS (the first half of my beloved-but-multi-rejected Monsterscript) is printed, bound and on the shelves of bookstores, grocery aisles, drug stores, Wal-Marts and airport shops all around North America, and LADY OF LIGHT
Don’t look now, Toto, but we’re not in
I am living in Oz. For pretty much the last two weeks, I’ve been thrilling to the Technicolor glory of Munchkinland and gleefully cavorting around the town spiral with Glinda and gang. (Hey, Lollipop Guild! Slap some sugar on me! And ooooh, that yellow brick road sure does look shiny!)
Alas, this basking isn’t going to last much longer than it does in the movie. The Wicked Witch of the West will soon be hot on my trail, demanding the return of her sister’s ruby slippers, and my new journey as a published author will begin in earnest. Deadlines and sell through and sales figures, oh my! (And, ahem, in case you were wondering, the Wicked Witch symbolizes Fear and Self-Doubt, not my editor, who is wonderful. J)
Luckily for me, I know I won’t be making that journey alone. I have some of the best friends in the world traveling with me. Friends with heart, who are so incredibly giving and encouraging and supportive. Friends with brains, who know so much about the publishing business and who help steer me clear of danger. Friends with strength and courage, who have shown me how to carry on in good times and bad.
And even though my journey is just beginning, I already know what awaits me in the Emerald City: belief in myself, confidence to continue pursuing my heart’s desire, and the knowledge that the friends and family I love and hold dear, who’ve been with me all along, are a greater measure of success than any (admittedly thrilling) wonders Oz has to offer.
