Happy Valentine's Day by Patricia Forsythe
It’s such a thrill to be the one who gets to blog on
Valentine’s Day. This is a special day
for romance writers because our whole reason for being is to tell stories of
romantic love, which is what Valentine’s Day celebrates. This day is really special to me because it
was on February 14, 1984 that I learned I’d sold my first romance to Silhouette
Books. Yes, I’ve been around for that
long. At that time, I had a writing
partner, Barbara Jean Hicks, who has gone on to write some wonderful children’s
books.
We heard the good news about our sale at a meeting held by a
Silhouette editor and featuring authors Nora Roberts, Dixie Browning, and
Barbara Faith who talked about ‘How to Write a Romance’. The editor was specifically looking for
submissions to an inspirational romance line, which was what Barbara Hicks and
I had submitted. When we introduced
ourselves, the editor’s response was, “Oh, yes, I remember your names. We want to buy your book.”
We jumped up and down and shrieked in her face, then Barbara
broke all land speed records as she drove us home so we could tell our families
what had happened.
In many ways, romance novels have changed drastically in
thirty three years, but in the best ways, they have stayed the same. They still
tell the story of the journey of two people to a loving, committed
relationship. In spite of the bad things
that happen in the world, all the people who are hurt by those who once claimed
to care about them, we humans still believe in love.
I hope this day is a very special one for you!
Patricia Forsythe is the author of many romances, both
traditionally and electronically published.
Her most recent release is The
Husband She Can’t Forget, book two in her Oklahoma Girls series, which was
released this month. Book number one, At Odds With The Midwife was released in
November 2016, and book three, His Twin
Baby Surprise in May 2017.
Happy Valentine's Day, Patricia! I love the story of how--and when--you sold your first book!!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes with your new release, and I'm hoping you will have many, many more!
Thanks, Kate, and Happy Valentine's Day to you.
DeleteHappy Valentine's Day Patricia! What a great story. Some day we should have a special post on all our 'first sale' stories just to see how different and unusual they might be, but all exhibiting the same glee, surprise and excitement. All the best with your new release - what number?
ReplyDeleteYes, I love hearing 'first sale' stories.
DeleteYou sold your first book on Valentine's Day? That is so awesome! What a way to remember it. Congratulations on thirty-three years of writing. I wonder what the next thirty years will be like?
ReplyDeleteThanks, LeAnne, I wonder about the next thirty years, too.
DeleteI'd never heard that story, Patti. You sold on Valentine's Day.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I actually got a letter instead of a call for my first sale. Luckily, I have a great second sale story.
Yes, and your second sale story is hilarious.
DeletePatti, Happy Valentine's Day to you. And how lucky that you two sold that first story back then. And how lucky we readers are that you still are writing and selling great love stories.
ReplyDeleteAww, thanks, Roz. Right back at you.
DeletePatricia, what a great story! And congratulations on a wonderful career. Valentine's Day is extra special for you. I feel that way about the 4th of July. That's the day I got my "call."
ReplyDeleteHow nice to receive the call on the 4th. It must have come from Canada.
DeleteIF that isn't the perfect "sold" story, I don't know what is. :) Happy Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteThanks. It was pretty awesome.
DeleteYes, a perfect story about The Call, or in this case a face to face sale. And on Valentine's Day, no less. Happy Anniversary--and many more.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much.
DeleteI love the way you discovered you'd sold, just casually slipped into an introduction. Happy Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteYes, later it seemed comical.
Delete{atricia! I'll bet that fce to face sale - on Valentine's Day, no less - was as much fun for the editor as it was for you and your writing partner. And what a story to be able to tell! Congratulations on a long, illustrious career. Have a wonderful day today! And the same to all of you visiting the blog.
ReplyDeleteOops! I just gave you a new initial. I wonder if that puts you before the As in line or after the Zs?
DeleteDefinitely in the front of the line. Years after that first sale, I saw that editor and she said she had never had that happen before. I hoped she meant the face-to-face sale, not the shrieking!
DeleteYou were meant to write romance, Patricia. What a great story. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day!
Thanks. It's a very happy memory.
Delete