Be Careful What You Wish For
It happened in 1994. My first time. And I’ll never forget it. The pounding heart, the thrills and chills, the “Oh My Gawd!” feelings when I first touched it.
“It” being my book. You knew that, right? I’m talking my first release day. The glorious moment my first novel came out.
Heck, there wasn’t even sex involved. It was a sweet Silhouette Romance. And I was so excited that I almost forgot I and my family might take some flack for me writing “one of those books.”
Thank goodness, I remembered the day before an article was to appear in the newspaper. You see, I thought I could handle the snide remarks, it was my husband who worried me.
So right before he took off for work, I cornered him and gave him the low down. “There will be jokes, your associates will ask questions like ‘Hey did you help her with research?’”
Standing there in the hall, I fed him his lines, “All you have to say is, ‘Hey, guys. Go read her book. (Yeah, I’m forever the salesperson.) The relationship isn’t even consummated.’” I was really proud of the word, consummated, it sounded so non-sexual and all.
“They won’t do that,” he insisted. (Hey, my husband, a really great guy, is a little slow sometimes.)
Anyway, the guys had surrounded him in the shop. “Did you help your wife out on those ’bedroom’ scenes?”
Having his line, he stood his ground—I was really pound of him—and said, “The relationship isn’t even consummated.” (He used my favorite word and everything.)
I’m told that at first, there was silence. A couple chuckles echoed from the back of the crowd, and then came the remark, “Well, I guess she can only write what she knows.”
That night, male ego bruised (men are so silly) he informed me that if I ever decided to write the “other” books, he wouldn’t mind. As a matter of fact, he kind of wished I would.
All I can say is that men should really be careful what they wish for.
Now move ahead, thirteen years to my next release. (Yeah, I know I was kind of slow on getting that second book out there. But I’ve got tons of excuses and I’m trying to make up for it. In addition to the three-book contract I signed with Dorchester last year, I just signed another three-book deal.)
Anyway, back to my husband and his wish. Divorced, Desperate & Delicious hit the bookshelves in December of last year. And let’s just say, my husband’s ego was safe.
Or at least he thought it was.
He returned from a boy’s day out after the big “R” day. I saw it in his eyes that it happened . . . again.
“Spill it,” I said.
He shrugged. “They think you’re cheating on me.”
Even I wasn’t prepared for that one. “Why?”
“They said they’ve seen me without my shirt while kayaking and I don’t have, never have had, a six pack like your hero.”
Being the writer, good with words and all, I immediately set out to fix the situation. “You just tell them that love is blind. And when I see you without your shirt, I see perfection. I see a six pack.” (I know, I know, it’s hard to believe he bought it, but men are easy marks.)
So I skated through that one, but now, my third book, Weddings Can Be Murder is almost out. And hey, there wasn’t any way I was “toning down” my heroes’ abs, not even for my husband’s ego. So he’ll probably hear about that again.
But that’s not all he’s gonna hear about.
You see, the book is dedicated to my husband. And while he might not have a six pack, he really is my hero. He even helps out around the house. And let’s face it, ladies, we all know there’s nothing that turns us on more than a man doing the dishes.
So, in Weddings there’s this scene that has been dubbed, “The Dishwashing Scene.” (Hey, they tell a writer to write what she knows, and I’ve certainly done my share of dishes.)
Hubby is getting together with the guys next weekend. While he’s a real help-around-the-house kind of guy, he, like most men, is afraid to show his softer side to his buddies. Personally, I can’t wait to see what they come up with this time.
In closing . . . I’d like to say that as a writer of romance fiction, I accept that my stories aren’t going to change history or help solve the problem of world hunger. My goal has always been to offer escapism. I hope while reading my books, my readers laugh a little, sigh a little, blush a little, and are reminded of the importance of love.
This said, Weddings Can Be Murder holds the potential to ease the plight of women all over the world. For every man who reads this book, I will have instilled in him the impossibility to say no when the next woman asks him to help do the dishes.
Thanks for asking me to guest blog.
For more information about Christie: www.christie-craig.com
To read her blog: http://killerfictionwriters.blogspot.com/
To read about her online classes and workshops: www.writewithus.net
***Make sure to leave a comment. One lucky winner will receive a prize package from Christie! 🙂
Hi, Christie! Right now I’m reading Divorced, Desperate & Delicious and I’m loving it!
My friend Rachael (I’m sure you know her!) sent it to me because I hadn’t read anything by you but I’m definitely glad she did. 😀
Hi Wendy,
Oh, I love Rachael! And I love the fact that you’re enjoying DD&Delicious. I’m doing the last polishes on the sister book to that one, DD&Dating that will be out in December. It’s just as fun and sexy, too.
Enjoy!
Thanks for posting!
CC
Sounds like a great story. I’ll have to pick it up soon. I love your post, it’s too cute.
Did you write alot during the 13yrs between releases?
What advice do you offer those with small kids, and a hubby(another small child) about writing and setting schedules around school and playdates, and life in general when your name goes from “Wendy” to Jr’s mom or Bre’s mom or ma’am(never thought I’d hate that word but when a 6yr old says “well I have to call you ma’am you are older than God right?” ummm yes I now hate that word. Anyway any advice?
hugs,
WendyK
Wendy K,
I wrote the entire time. Many of those years, I just wrote non-fiction for magazines. That was my day job. It was around 2001, when I decided to go back to writing novels. Before I sold in 2006, I wrote six completed books and six proposals. And I’ve sold seven of them now, and I’m working on selling the others.
I know all about being a mom and having to divide your time and titles. And I know all about the hubby being a second child. 🙂 Oh, and ma’am, duh, are we really that old? It’s hard.
My advice is to carve out as much time as you can. Ask for support from your family. I know, they may not understand completely, but it never hurts to ask. I took my son to mother’s day out three days a week so I could write. And I rejoiced and cried with he started school. So take heart, they will grow up and it will get easier, until then just do everything you can to continue to work toward your dream. Swap babysitting time with friends. Use nap time to work an hour. Get up an hour before the kids.
Also break down the big projects and schedule the things according to your time. You may only have fifteen minutes, but there are things that you can do in that short time. If nothing else you can read/study a how-to book, or plot out your next scene. Being a mom and taking care of your family is important, but you should be able to focus a bit on yourself, too.
You can check out my website http://www.writewithus.net for some writing advice, tips, and some motivation articles. My book that I wrote with my writing partner, Faye Hughes is going to be out in September, The Everything Guide to Writing Romance Novels.
Good luck. You can do it. And you don’t have to sell your children on E-Bay to do it. It just takes some juggling of time. Good luck.
Christie Craig
Very funny and touching post! I enjoyed hearing your real life story. Adding your book to my wish list. I love stories that have a little humor in them along with the romance.
This one sounds like I have to add it to my TBR pile, glad to see you here today!
This book sounds really good! Thanks for being here today and for sharing the story about your husband…too funny! He does sound like a keeper!
Hi Christie,
Thanks for sharing… I love the part about your husband’s ego! 😀 & it is so sweet that he is your hero… Weddings Can Be Murder looks and sounds great!!!
Hi Christie,
thanks for your great books! I loved DD & Delicious ( and the video on your site was so delicious too!) and this new book will be on my TBB list.
Thanks for your story about your hubby too, he sounds like a real hero.
Christie,
Thanks for visiting with us today! I loved this blog – and haha- your husband. I bet the comments this time will be just as amusing.
You’re a new to me author, but I’ll definitely be on the lookout for your books now!
Hi Christie,
Your husband cracks me up. I guess it’s easy to forget that men are sensitive, too.
I really enjoyed this post. I think your dear husband is so funny and sweet. Thanks for sharing your story.
I have not read your books, but I will definitely have to check them out.
I haven’t read any of your books but had to comment on your husband’s reactions to his friends comments. He sounds like a real winner for you and you for him.
Thanks for guestblogging. Your book sounds really good. Thanks for also sharing about your hubby.
thanks Christie I will check out the book and the site. I’ve been trying to do a little bit here and there. For me I think I write/do better at night than in the morning. I’m a nightowl.LOL But hubby doesn’t get that. He’s a morning person.
I thank you for your time. I look forward to reading your books.
hugs,
WendyK
Hi Kim,
Thanks for stopping by. I guess because humor is the way I deal with life, I can’t seem to write a book without humor.
I write real conflicts, but it’s how these people look at life and deal with their issues that brings in the humor.
Thanks for stopping by.
Christie Craig
Teresa W.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope I make it from your TBR pile to the keeper shelf.
Thanks…
Christie Craig
Jennifer Y.
Thanks for stopping by. Hubby is a keeper. And he doesn’t even mind if I blog about him. He actually likes it and tells all his friends to go read my blogs.
Have a great day.
Christie Craig
Colleen,
Thanks for posting. Men have such funny egos. I love picking on them, but what would we do without them?
Thanks…
Christie Craig
Eva S.
I’m thrilled you enjoyed DD&Delicious. I’m doing a last polish of the sister book, DD&Dating which will be out in December. I’m falling in love all over again with Jason.
Thanks for stopping by.
Christie Craig
Limecello,
Thanks so much. I love, love new readers. Pick my books up and let me know what you think. You can email me at my website addy.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Christie Craig
Cyclops8,
Men are still sensitive. But he truely does enjoy being blogged about. He reads my blog every Tuesday on Killer Fiction and when it’s not about him, he says, “Hmm, you didn’t even mention me this time.”
He really is funny.
Thanks for posting.
Christie Craig
acdaisy77,
Thanks for stopping in. Hubby is a hoot. But he really is a keeper. I blog a lot about him at killer fiction. I have the post I wrote about the time he went through the drive through at Burger King while I was labor. Wouldn’t you know that’s when my water broke? And about the time he did spot removal in the carpet . . . with a knife.
He’s a funny guy. But I love him.
Let me hear from you if you pick up one of my books.
Thanks…
Christie Craig
Ellen,
Thanks for stopping in. You know this weekend I went to a wedding and I found the perfect card for the happy couple. It said, love isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being perfect for each other.
My hubby isn’t perfect, but he is perfect for me.
Thanks for posting.
Christie Craig
Cherie J,
Thanks for stopping by girl!!
I hope you enjoy Weddings.
See you soon.
Christie Craig
WendyK,
I used to be more of a night person, but I’ve almost trained myself to be a day person. But if I’m really into a book, and it’s flowing, I can write 24/7.
Good luck girl.
Take care of those little guys.
Christie Craig
Hey Christie!
Yeah, Rachael’s awesome. Ohh, I’m definitely looking forward DD&Dating too! 😀
Thanks Wendy,
It’s so much to write Sue and Jason’s story. They are so . . . good together. Sue is so quirky, and Jason is just so . . . he’s such a hero. So wounded, but so darn loveable.
Christie Craig
Okay, this is so much fun! Christie, your husband sound like a winner 😀
And I definitely appreciate the idea of training men to be more helpful around the house. Only, I rather do the dishes–he cooks.
Yeah, I definitely dislike cooking with a passion. Heck, even nuking stuff in the microwave… ugh!
Hey Wendy,
This sounds like a very interesting story, with humor & suspense two of my favorite elements.
Greta
azteclady,
Hubby is a winner and I’ve trained him well. Now he can cook, but no one wants to eat it. Let’s just say his special is ketchuped chicken. Nope, he’s much better behind the sink.
Funny, in my book I’m working on now, my heroine isn’t a cook either.
Thanks for posting.
Christie Craig
Hi Greta,
I love suspense and humor, too. I think I see the two blended because when I’m stressed that’s when I use humor as a defense. The hardest I’ve ever laughed was at a funeral.
And this is something that I give my heroines.
Thanks for posting.
Christie Craig
Ah but see, Christie, my keeper already is a great cook 😀
I think my hubby needs to read this book. He want even put his dishes in the dish washer much less wash a dish or help with cooking. It would be nice to have someone else cook every now and again.
Hi, Christie! Loved your post today and it sounds like your husband is a true hero–as you said, guys who do housework without prompting are a real turn-on! (Six-pack or no… if that guy knows his way around a kitchen and a scrub brush… boy howdy! ;))
I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of reading your books before, but I’ll be looking for them now 🙂
I have this book in my reading pile now, Christie, looking forward to reading it more after seeing you post around; fun post about your husband.
Your books sound interesting! I would love to read them!! 🙂
azteclady,
Okay, I’m a bit jealous. Take care of the cook.
Thanks for posting.
Oh, pop over to: http://killerfictionwriters.blogspot.com/
For a chance to win another prize and to read about . . . Friendship, Laughter and Purple Penis Envy. It will certainly give you all a good laugh.
Christie Craig
Virginia,
Make sure you get your hubby a copy of Weddings!
Thanks for posting! Join me over at http://killerfictionwriters.blogspot.com/ for another chance to win and for a good laugh.
Thanks for posting.
Christie Craig
Fedora,
Thanks for stopping by. And I’m telling you, give me a man who’ll do a little housework without being blackmailed and be still my heart!!
Thanks for stopping by. And I seriously hope you’ll read my books and please drop me an email at my website addy, I love hearing from readers.
And jump over to the blog spot at Killer Fiction for another very funny story and a chance to win some neat prizes.
Christie Craig
Pam P.
Thank you, thank you Pam. I hope you enjoy Weddings. I really enjoyed writing it.
Christie Craig
azteclady,
Okay, now I’m jealous. Take care of that cook. He sounds like a keeper too.
Pop over to http://killerfictionwriters.blogspot.com/ to read a fun post about friendship, laughter, and purple penis envy. I’m also giving a way a prize there, too.
Christie Craig
Virginia,
Yup. Make your husband read it. And let me know if it works.
I hope you’ll pop over to killer fiction to read another funny post and for a chance to win.
Christie Craig
Hi Christie. Great blog. Your husband sounds like a keeper to me. 🙂
Hi Crystal B.
Thanks. My hubby always says that if I keep blogging about him, someone will feel sorry for him and try to take him away from me.
But nah, he loves me too much.
Thanks…
Christie Craig
Ilove the Killer fiction blog and read it everyday. I am anticpating the new release!! Not that I am a writer and write sex scenes, but my husband gets some flak about my working in a chiropractic office with massage therapist and he has heard it all. Boys in mean men can be so funny!
Elle,
Thanks! Dorchester has done very well giving me great covers.
I just got the new cover for my next release, Divorced, Desperate and Dating. I love it, too.
Thanks for stopping by.
Christie Craig
Christina,
I love it that you read Killer Fiction. We have so much fun over there.
And I can totally see why your husband gets flak about your being a massage therapist.
There egos can be so fragile. (smile)
Thanks for posting.
Christie Craig
Christie,
I love your books!
And I love you for saying so.
Thanks…
Christie Craig
Absolutely loved Divorced, Desperate and Delicious. Can’t wait for your next book on Sue and Jason coming up in December! Your fan in Singapore, Anne.