Wanna be an honorary Plotmonkey?
As you all probably know, Carly, Janelle, Julie and I are going away later this week for our plotting retreat. Can’t wait to see you guys! 
I thought you all might like a glimpse at our process. And I’d like to ask for your input as readers…so you can be “honorary Plotmonkeys” today.
Basically, when we go away, we carve out pockets of time, usually in 2 hour increments, and divide them among us. We all get to plot a minimum of 2 projects, and if there’s extra time we’ll do general brainstorming, career planning, etc. Janelle has this nifty little recorder that can be loaded right onto our hard drives, so we can go home with an audio recording of our entire session. (They come in very handy months later when we’re actually writing the books we talked about!)
This is all very casual and flexible. And I mean casual. We always stay in very nice, exclusive hotels where we can get pampered…(except last year, the year of the rats.) Usually, we work in sweats or pj’s. We get room service for most meals. We laugh a whooooole lot. Julie sometimes gets sent to the bathroom for a time-out. It’s a total blast. Sometimes we work on books we’ve already started, sometimes we’re just throwing ideas around so whoever is “on the hot seat” can come up with a workable synopsis. Sometimes we start by reading whatever the writer has jotted down so far about the book, sometimes it’s strictly verbal.
See? Flexible.
Right now, I am trying to decide what I want my monkey pals to help me with. I know I’m going to ask them to help me figure out the logistics of my “Take 5” Blaze, which will be coming out next October or November (depending on how fast I can write the thing!) It’ll be a challenge, since I’ll be writing five connected, mini-romances, all in one book.
Beyond that, though, I’m a blank page. I have nothing else contracted, nothing else promised. I had hoped I’d be preparing to write the third Trouble book…but my publisher doesn’t want it. (That’s one thing I was talking about Saturday when I mentioned how demoralizing this business can be. Like many other midlist authors with wonderful, supportive fans but not enough #’s, I got dumped.)
I am absolutely at a crossroads in my career and this plotting retreat is (hopefully) going to help me figure out which way to go. Part of me wants to write the last Trouble book for my own enjoyment if for nothing else. It probably wouldn’t sell–I don’t know many publishers who’d take on the third book of a series the original publisher doesn’t even want. But I WANT to write the book. Especially because the 2nd Trouble book, SHE’S NO ANGEL, which comes out in July, is, hands-down, the best thing I have ever done. (Well, it’s not better than my children…but it’s the best thing I’ve written. My editor who’s been with me for nearly 30 books was the first to say it.)
But I have to earn a living…so while I would just love to write that whole book and try to sell it “on spec” I know I have to come up with something else for my agent to shop in order to try to get me a second publisher, something I’ve wanted for a long time. I have a very cute idea for another contemporary romantic comedy series starring a comic book character come to life, but I haven’t worked on it much yet. And a little voice in my head is asking me why I should bother. If my contemporary romantic comedy career is totally in the tank, maybe it’s time to shift gears altogether. (Funny, I just found out I was nominated for an RT Career Achievement Award in Series Love & Laughter. That was wonderful…though I haven’t been doing a lot of laughing lately. Sigh.)
I think I’ve mentioned here that I want to write thrillers…my first venture into that arena didn’t result in a sale, but it got a lot of very positive feedback. I think if I finished the entire book and marketed it outside the romance publishing world altogether–and put a man’s name on the manuscript–it would have a better shot. So there’s that.
Or maybe I could ease into a change of genre by sticking with romance, but going darker into romantic suspense. I have an idea for a trilogy about an FBI unit investigating internet-based crimes.
You see? A crossroads. More Trouble? A new romantic comedy concept–which could, if I decided to take it that way, have a paranormal element? Go back to the thriller that has been the book-of-my-heart for over a year? Explore the romantic suspense trilogy?
Which way do I go, what do I do? Each of these ideas is singing to me, but I don’t want to make another major misstep with my career.
So I’m asking you as readers…what do you think? Should I go after more Trouble, hoping the 2nd book does well enough that someone will want to snap up the third? Or shoot for the new comedy idea? And on that subject—are contemporary romantic comedies ever going to make a real comeback? (Or will dark vampire/werewolf paranormal EVER die? Good Lord, I am so over them.) What about the suspense–R.S. shows no signs of losing steam, and it would be a better stepping stone into straight thrillers.
Before you answer or offer any opinions, let me say, I absolutely have no intention of leaving romance altogether. I adore writing my Blazes and I think I’m valued enough by Harlequin that they’d like me to keep writing them. I fully intend to do that.
But I know after several years of writing the longer books, I won’t be satisfied by doing only the short category ones. I need to go further, to push boundaries, explore more intricate plots and characters.
I just don’t know whether those plots should revolve around bloody corpses or zany redheads. If those characters should be serial killers or sexy bombshells.
I would sincerely like to know…what do you think?
PS: A CLUE! Wanna know where we’re going for our retreat? Here’s a clue…Julie’s going to have to pack some sweaters. The high temperature for Friday is only predicted to be about 45 degrees!
I’m already cold just thinking about it!
Wow, Les…we do have a lot of mull over. I’m so excited, though, that you’re thinking of bringing back HH–your comic book character! I remember doing some plotting work on that during our very first Plotmonkey retreat. I always thought it was a great idea.
As for me, I know exactly what we’ll be working on–my paranormal books for NAL!
Comment by Julie Leto — January 15, 2007 @ 10:01 am
I would say do the third Trouble book. You could always self publish it and sell it. Then I would always be interested in the FBI Trilogy that you mentioned. I like the Romantic Thriller books. Just a readers 2 cents. Have fun on your retreat.
Comment by Jen Hall — January 15, 2007 @ 10:20 am
I don’t know…I hate giving advice. You should do what you really want to do…what is your heart telling you to do?
I’m coming for the desserts, though!
Comment by katie — January 15, 2007 @ 10:53 am
Julie- I hope for those timeouts in the bathroom you have some bubble bath hidden somewhere!! At least make use of the time!
And don’t complain about the weather. We still don’t have any snow but have had nothing but ice since Saturday night and it’s 31 outside. 45 is a heat wave.
Leslie- I agree. Write the 3rd Trouble book and at least you will have it if you want to selfpublish and it will be out of your system so you can go a different way. I find it mean of your publisher to not want to finish the series. Not fair to the fans or you. If you don’t write it, it will just nag at you.:wallbash:
As for what direction you should go- if you want to branch out, go for it. Do the Nora Roberts/JD Robb thing and pick a name that can be associated with your name as things are published. i think she did it because she wasn’t sure people would take her seriously with the Eve series and for me I find them to be my favorites of hers. Why can’t you do the same. You don’t need a man’s name. Women writed good thrillers too, although I prefer Romantic thrillers. I am only on my first cup of coffee, otherwise I could come up with complete names of other authors that I enjoy who write RT. I am one of those readers who actually will go looking in that book that lists pen names for writers and find their other stuff- which is how I found out that my fav Fiction author WEB Griffin also wrote antoher series I had read that I compared to his stuff. And that he wrote all the MASH books, including it is believed ghost wrote the original book and screenplay. Of course, that is the extent of my detective skills. B
The long and the short of it, hash it out with the girl’s and do what is in you heart. Why shouldn’t you? You only live once and you can’t write the stories once you are gone. Run around with your own tape recorder and start sounding them out loud to yourself whenever you get an idea. You will figure out what is best for you to do.:thumbsup2:
Have fun guys!! I wish I was a fly on the wall for your party!!
Comment by ev — January 15, 2007 @ 10:55 am
Happy New Year! As you get ready for your retreat, I sit here drinking lemon tea, since im sick, got something from the kids that i babysat the other day. And have been sleeping most of the time…
Going back to your subject… I think you should finish the third Trouble book. I like to finish up series books as a reader. I think you should go ahead and publish yourself or find someone else. I can’t believe what your publisher said. I also suggest that you should write FBI theme books as a thriller. Being that i work in the criminal justice world, and i like reading about crimes in books. Another suggestion, write contemporary romance novels on sports themes, horror theme, and your comic book idea. :idea: I hope these ideas help.
I hope that you, Julie, Carly, and Janelle have a fun time at the retreat! 45 degrees sounds about right for Maryland winter weather. However its been warm here.
Comment by Elisa Varey — January 15, 2007 @ 11:10 am
After 30 books you should be able to write the books you want to write. Honestly it sounds like your editor is holding you back. I’d get an alias and submit work to another publisher just to see what happens, while keeping the old publisher. WARNING, I’m not a writer and have no idea what I talking about.
Comment by Theresa N. — January 15, 2007 @ 11:14 am
Leslie, I agree that you should write your 3rd Trouble book. If nothing else you should do it for yourself. Maybe even as like a side project?
As for what direction to take your career, personally speaking I LOVE the Romantic Suspense novels. And let me just say, that a lot of the ones I have read and love are ones that incorporate some comedy into them. I know it sounds bizarre, but to be sitting on the edge of your seat wondering who the killer/killers are one minute and then giggling the next is awesome. You go through a full range of emotions. So I think this would be the perfect stepping stone for you, you can still infuse your comedy into the book on your way to writting thrillers. It would be a neat transition for you.
Whatever you decide to write we will be waiting to read it.
Julie, I hope you have some warm sweaters. And might I just say, that while we were in Florida over New Years…I was DYING of the heat. I would be in heaven if it would just snow here on Massachusetts now. :P
Comment by Kelly — January 15, 2007 @ 11:25 am
Just discovered the site through Bonnie Wren…and wanted to say how much I’m enjoying it…so much information!
Comment by Buffy — January 15, 2007 @ 11:58 am
Les, my heart is so totally with you right now. I know what it’s like to be at a crossroads like this. Looking back and seeing it in retrospect, I can see that it was the biggest and most wonderful thing that has happened in my career. I know that sounds crazy, but it forced me to make choices that did catapult my career in the right direction. So I think you should look at this for what it is–a wonderful opportunity. I think every writer who is climbing the ladder must face very difficult choices at one time or another. Sometimes we make bad decisions. I know I did (did I mention I was at the crossroads not once but twice? Totally screwed myself the first time around. However, I managed to backtrack and take the right path and it’s definitely paying off. I, too, love contemporary romantic comedy. I’m doing paranormal comedy for Ballantine right now, but I’m still getting my fix with NASCAR and Blaze. For me, it was about spreading myself thin. But when I made the move to Ballantine, it was a leap of faith. I bought back a book I had no idea anyone would want. I had a hunch, but that was it. So don’t be scared to follow your hunches. If there’s something that really makes you excited. I mean REALLY excited. Not because of the money or sales potential, but because you think it’s great or cool or whatever, then that’s what you should do. Contemporary, suspense, whichever. Because the old adage is true, writing what you love is what sells books. Because that excitement comes through in the writing and things have a way of working themselves out. My second piece of advice–Who gives a shit about #’s? Okay, okay, I do. But the point I’m trying to make is–it’s not your fault or the book’s fault that it didn’t sell as astronomically as your publisher would have liked. DO NOT take the heat for a publisher that totally screws up, and do not let it do a head job on you. Contemporary romance does sell. Overall, it’s down, but there are huge writers still selling big out there. We all know publishers, distribution, and just plain luck play a huge role in the process. If the planets aren’t perfectly lined up, disaster can strike and often does, and we get blamed. If you don’t believe in you and what you’re doing, no one else will. So don’t let it do a head job on you. Last but not least, have fun this weekend! I envy you guys and know you’ll have a creative blast!!!!!
Comment by Kimberly Raye — January 15, 2007 @ 12:05 pm
I’m so sorry you’re having such a difficult time and I’m so envious of the “girlfriend time.” I’d give about anything to have a few close friends that I could hang out with like you guys are doing. I have a few close friends that I feel lucky if we can get together for dinner every couple of months.
As for the decisions, I agree with a what everyone else has said about doing the 3rd book, self-publishing, using a different pen name and following your heart. As I was reading I glanced up at a saying I have on my desk and maybe it will help.
“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours”….Thoreau
In other words, follow your bliss and it will work out.
Comment by Jodie — January 15, 2007 @ 12:38 pm
Kim — I know your post was mainly meant for Leslie, but I wanted to let you know that I, too, found it very inspiring. I find YOU very inspiring, on a professional and personal level.
Comment by Janelle — January 15, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
Thanks for all the input everyone!
I am taking notes.
Comment by Leslie — January 15, 2007 @ 12:46 pm
Kim…ditto what Janelle said. I am really glad you ended up going in the right direction!!! (BTW–did you see our Boys of Summer has a couple of nominations for Best Anthology at the eHarllequin Reader’s Choice Awards thread? Cool!)
Comment by Leslie — January 15, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
I didn’t know that! So cool. The three of us definitely need to get together on another anthology. I think we made a pretty great combination.
Comment by Kimberly Raye — January 15, 2007 @ 1:25 pm
Oh Leslie, decisions, decisions! Always a tough place to be. For myself I love romantic comedy, if a books makes me laugh, makes me cry & makes me sigh it is a good book! I’m not sure I understand exactly what a romantic thriller is but books with a romance & some suspense/mystery are always good reading. Sorry to hear your publisher doesn’t want to take your 3rd Trouble book. A real bummer.
Somehow you will come to the right decision & know what path to take. Good luck with your Plotmonkey weekend, I know they will help you sort it all out. Just please keep writing. :love2:
Take care,
Donna M
Comment by Donna M — January 15, 2007 @ 1:38 pm
I totally agree, Kim! Any plotmonkey readers who want to go over and second (third, etc.) noms for our anthology at eHarlequin, please do!
Kim, I’m with Leslie & Janelle in saying you’ve always been an inspiration to me. You’ve got a can-do attitude that simply can’t be beat. Can I be you when I grow up?
Oh, forget that…then you’d have to grow up and what fun would that be? 
Seriously, I’ve been at the crossroads myself and I fully anticipate it to happen again. I survived because of my friends, plotmonkeys plus, and I know Leslie will, too. She’s a fabulous writer! (Not to mention that she makes a mean pina colada and she puts up with my snoring.)
Comment by Julie Leto — January 15, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
I agree with what Janelle said, Kim. You inspire me too. I know Leslie will come out of this on the right side, it’s just hard to see it now. And I’ve been at a crossroads too and I’m moving away from hardcover and back to paperback, and I have no idea how it will play out in my career, so I understand! My only thing is I’d hate to lose Leslie’s romantic comedy voice in the market because she is SO talented and I am not saying this b/c she’s a fellow plotmonkey but b/c it’s TRUE!
Comment by Carly — January 15, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
Wow Leslie first I would like to thank you for allowing us to see another aspect of being a writer. As if writing the stories themselves isn’t challenging enough, but then you have all the business crap to deal with to, honestly I don’t know how you do it!
I personally love romantic suspense novels, and I think you would be great at it! You are a talented story teller and would bring a fresh new flare to it!
But no matter what choices you make, just know that your fan’s will always have your back
Comment by Tina Martinesi — January 15, 2007 @ 2:31 pm
Leslie, whatever you decide, just do what makes you happy. I have decided that happy writers produce the best writing, and then, as you mentioned, you don’t feel like it was a waste because you enjoyed doing it. That’s huge. Whatever happens, I know you’ll do great, and your retreat sounds like a blast!
On techno-romance, I have some experience there, having written the HotWires for Blaze, which was my computer/internet-crime unit series, and I would say write it only if you really have a passion to do it, because it takes so much research.
Also, my HotWires stories didn’t go as well as my other books — they did okay, and actually seem to be picking up some interest recently, but from what I heard there’s a general belief “out there” that women typically don’t read techno thrillers (much like you’re saying you could write a thriller with a man’s name, when it becomes a techno book, that’s probably also true…
. I’d thought about doing a computer crime series for ST, since that’s something I’m already familiar with, but I decided against it ultimately mostly because I really didn’t see my longerm interest being in techno-suspense, and I wanted to write things I could imagine writing into the future. For me, I think it will be paranormal, since I love reading it, watching it on TV, and frankly, it’s just fun. So that’s how I made that decision, just deciding what would make me happy. Whether it sells or not, well, that’s yet to be seen!
I hope you find the thing that makes you happy, too.
Sam
Comment by Sam Hunter — January 15, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
I am a crafter/artist and I do know that if I am in a bad place emotionally I can’t do my best work. Take something you would love to do right now and make it your work. Then you will enjoy going to work.
You need to decide which thought for a book you have would give you the most joy.
Try that comic character come to life or my guess would be the Thriller :love2:”book-of-my-heart”
Roll around the floor laughing.
Enjoy the company of the people who care about you
Forget the violin and swing from a few branches. Have a wonderful week. I’m sure that no one can spend 5 days in Plotmonkey heaven and not feel 
refreshed.
Whew! Oh yeah and:cocktail::cocktail::cocktail:
I have a feeling, if the trouble book that is still to be released is well received, you will be asked to do another. Then you can say:biteme:
If you wrote another trouble book right now the things your feeling could throw it off.
As a reader I don’t think I have a right to judge what you should do next. Heck I couldn’t have done what you have already done. As a mother and grandmother I would wish for you happiness and an easier road. GO HAVE SOME FUN.
It’ll all work out.
Comment by jeannie — January 15, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
PS My guess is vegas!
Comment by jeannie — January 15, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
Jeanie, I am SO ready to swing from the branches, so it’s a good thing I’ll be with fellow monkeys this weekend.
Comment by Leslie — January 15, 2007 @ 3:14 pm
Speaking from a reader’s point of view, I absolutely loved your first trouble book and I am anxiously awaiting the second one. I couldn’t imagine not being able to pick up the third book in the series. You should definitely write it if for no other reason than for yourself. I am with ev when she mentioned Nora Roberts as JD Robb. Her Eve and Roarke series is my favorite of all of her books. I personally like romance in some form in all of the books I read even the ones primarily about a mystery. I love a book that can make me laugh and cry from moment to moment depending on the story. One that puts me in the world of the characters. One that makes me feel for them and keeps me wanting more when the book ends. Utlimately, you have to write what you love and enjoy and let the rest take care of itself. If you truly love what you write then you readers such as myself will love to read them because your love of writing them will be apparent in the writing.
Comment by Stephanie S. — January 15, 2007 @ 3:36 pm
Oh as for the destination, the low temp doesn’t give me much of a clue. The current whether here in Western NC is in the 60s, but tomorrow will be in the 40s and stay that way through the entire week. No matter where y’all are going, I hope you have a fabulous time and plot until your hearts content.
Comment by Stephanie S. — January 15, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
Les, I agree with Carly. I love your romantic contemporary voice. So funny and hip. I’d hate to see the market lose that, as well. That’s not to say you couldn’t do a suspense. But I would not change my name. I’ve written under three different names all across the genre. I completely regret the various names.
Comment by Kimberly Raye — January 15, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
Your fans will read you because YOU wrote it! Your voice will come through in every book you write - regardless of the genre - and THAT’S what fans fall in love with! I agree with the other posters here… write what inspires and excites YOU. Know that your friends and fans will support your decision!
Lara
Comment by Lara — January 15, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
If you want to write the third Trouble book, I’d do that just to finish it up and give you a good jumping off point to whatever tugs at your heart next.
Good luck! And with all this cold weather across the US, I have no idea where you monkeys are going! But I’m sure you’ll have fun!
Comment by Melissa Mc — January 15, 2007 @ 5:31 pm
I have to say I love the comedies. Although, i’ve read Cherry Adair’s Paranormal T-Flac books and did like them as well as those with psychics.
One piece of advice, if your not sure, don’t do it. Go with what you are confident with not what you have to force out. But if you write it, we will read it…
Comment by Jess — January 15, 2007 @ 5:37 pm
I hope you all have a great and productive time.
Leslie - I think all of your ideas sound wonderful. I’m looking forward to the 2nd Trouble book and I think your comic book character sounds like a neat, fresh idea. But, I have to agree, that you have a great romantic contemporary voice and it’d be a shame not to find a way to use it as you try new things. Either way, I’m sure you’ll make the right decision in the end.
Comment by Yolanda — January 15, 2007 @ 5:50 pm
Leslie - I would love to read the third Trouble Book, so I hope that it is something that does come about. And look forward to the one to be released in July.
I love Romance stories - Suspense ones, Comedy ones, I am into some paranormal - but not heavy stuff - and think that while you are at the crossroads you will do what feels the best for you and you have the greatest cheerleaders in the PlotMonkeys. I know that once you get to this retreat you will come back charged up and ready to go. But whatever you do I know you will succeed in…….
Comment by Cryna — January 15, 2007 @ 6:34 pm
Leslie pretty please write the third Trouble book
and You should do what you really want to do…what is your heart telling you to do.
Have
plotting
COLORADO?????????????
Comment by Cherylann — January 15, 2007 @ 6:51 pm
Leslie, OK, I’m going to go against most of the other Plotmonkeys. Personally, &, obviously this is just me, I’m tired of quirky, small-town & multi-charactered books. (I think Evanovich’s LSs were miles better written, & more interesting, than her “Plums”. ) For me, multi-layered, character stories are the most compelling. Personally, I think your strength is contemporary romantic comedy (seems as if SEP is doing well writing these so someone must be buying). I loved the elements that you wrote for NATURALLY NAUGHTY–a strong, HIP herone, who doesn’t believe in love, who pushes the sexual envelope at the beginning of the story, & spends the rest of the time trying not to fall in love (my fave book of all of yours). I do agree with you about dark vampires, etc. being overdone (though, I was NEVER into them). Though I know you like thrillers, they’re not for me, & one writer of them has stated she returned to Category, when hers didn’t sell as many as the publisher hoped. Even though RS is not my bag, when written well, with emphasis on the characters (not the action), they can be enthralling, & it appears it is still selling.
Anyway, hope I’ve not been TOO honest….
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — January 15, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
Patricia, no, I am not at all offended! That’s exactly the kind of input I was asking for.
And I have to say, I think SHE’S NO ANGEL is probably the most like Naturally Naughty of all my single titles. It’s a much more character based romance, with humor arising out of the snappy dialogue & characters *much* more than any “town hijinx” like it did in HERE COMES TROUBLE. It’s way less slapsticky and much more “tight”…with a VERY hip, sarcastic, funny heroine, I just think it rocks.
Comment by Leslie — January 15, 2007 @ 7:33 pm
PS: I’m hoping the other Plotmonkeys will give more “clues” about where we’re going, as Julie might just tie the guessing in to Friday’s contest!
Comment by Leslie — January 15, 2007 @ 7:35 pm
wtg leslie, can’t wait. happy mlk day
Comment by kim h — January 15, 2007 @ 8:51 pm
Leslie…I have to tell you….I haven’t read many of your books (I just bought a lot and they are in my pile)
….I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the “She’s Got the Look” and “She Drives Me Crazy” books. I can’t look at pecan pie the same way….which is really tough because I love pecan pie. Whatever voice that was….keep it coming! I have to catch up, so don’t write too many more books! LOL!
Comment by katie — January 15, 2007 @ 9:28 pm
Wow, such a lot of great input today. Thanks so much everyone for not only the input but also the great support and enthusiasm. This is just a sucky part of the business, and it REALLY helps knowing there are people out there who are pulling for me and like what I do!
Comment by Leslie — January 15, 2007 @ 11:52 pm
I think you should finish the 3rd Trouble book. I’ve loved the others and would be so excited to buy it once it’s finally published(which some publisher would be crazy not to do). Keep up the awesome work!!!
Comment by Liza — January 16, 2007 @ 9:34 am
” I had hoped I’d be preparing to write the third Trouble book…but my publisher doesn’t want it.”
That sucks that they dropped you. They’re loss.
I would say if at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again. You never know what the repsonse to moe Trouble could be, and it can go off the shelves of booktores like hotcakes.
I hope whatever decision you make, is the right one.
Good Luck!
Comment by Qua — January 16, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
I SAY WRITE THE THIRD BOOK. AS FANS, IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO? LIKE WRITE LETTERS TO SOMEONE ASKING FOR THE THIRD BOOK?
Comment by KIM WILSON — January 17, 2007 @ 7:54 pm