Thoughts on Meeting Famous Writers by Diana Holquist

I had the fascinating experience of meeting two very huge writers at this year's Romance Writers of America national conference in San Francisco and it was such an eye-opening experience, I wanted to share.

Who are they?

I'm not telling. First, because it's besides the point. Second, because I don't want to piss them off. And third, because I don't want to write about them, I want to write about what I learned from them.

Here's what happened. At 6 A.M. on the first morning of the conference, I couldn't sleep. I didn't want to wake my roomies, so I thew on a pair of jeans and crept down to the lobby. There sat a group of strangers who looked like me: tired, jetlagged, and possibly romance writers. So I joined them.

We chatted about business and it slowly dawned on me who two of these women were (HUGE fangirl moment while trying to play it cool in my no makeup, dirty jeans, bedhead....gah!).

Anyway, what struck me about these two women was that when it came to writing romance, they were total opposites. It was fascinating and very affirming that they could do everything differently, and still write great romance and be successful at it.

One of these writers had written four books in the last year. The other had written four books in her entire career.

One of these writers critiques with some of the biggest names in romance. The other critiques with no one. Ever.

One of these writers spends big money on promo. The other doesn't even have a website.

One of these writers writes across genres. The other keeps solidly to one genre.

One of these writers knew EVERYONE who walked by (yeah, we talked for a few hours). The other was rooming with a stranger she found on the web. She knew no one.

I don't know if this resonates with readers; I hope you all don't find this dull.

But for me, a new writer trying to start a career, a writer looking desperately to try to figure out how this business works, it was a defining moment. A shocking moment, even.

To me, meeting these two women meant that there's room for all of us, however we do it.

It meant that everything outside of writing the best book we can write is purely optional.

This week, I send my new book out into the universe.  And I wonder if I did it "right." If I've done everything I could to make it a success. But then, I think of these two women and say to myself, "it's the book, stupid." 

It's all about the book. 

Well, about that and about meeting famous writers at conferences and having fangirl moments.

Yours, 

Diana

(P.S. -- Oh, and it's about winning chocolate, too.  Come visit my website to enter my Happy Endings contest. )

Navy SEAL, Cowboy, Billionaire…Chef?

When it came time to choose a sexy, alpha job for the hero of my new book, Hungry for More, I knew none of the standbys would work.  My heroine is a Gypsy, too unconventional and outside of mainstream society to relate to the typical alpha guy.

So what career would suit James, my sensual, tough, in-command, but unconventional hero?

One episode of Hell's Kitchen, and I knew the man had to be a chef. (Have you seen this show? You must watch it!)

Okay, so research, always a favorite pursuit of mine, may have gotten a little out of hand for Hungry for More. I had to start eating out more, talking to restaurant people, understanding what makes them click. Luckily, I live in Philadelphia, where the restaurant scene is exploding with cocky, brash executive chefs taking huge risks to make their marks.
These men are ultra-competitive and at the same time very passionate. I was going to all the area’s acclaimed restaurants, talking to everyone I could, thinking, would my hero James cook here? Would James cook this?


All that eating out was hard work, but someone had to do it. And I think it makes Hungry for More a more authentic experience. I used parts of the décor of the beautiful XIX restaurant at the Hyatt Hotel on Walnut Street; borrowed the to-die-for menu of the Brasserie Perrier; and based the hero, James, on the chef from….

...I’m not telling. I wouldn’t want to embarrass anyone. It feels too personal. But I did take traits of real chefs and gave them to James. There’s just so much personality and richness in men who live to make spectacular food. They’re like vampires, living opposite of the rest of society, working nights and weekends, sleeping all day, living for the extremes of sensual pleasure. Their working conditions can be demanding and dangerous. But they don’t care. All they care about is getting the food right.

It's very sexy.

I think James puts it best: 

"Cooking, like making love, is best done right or not at all."

Yum.

So what will the hero in my next book do for a living?

He definitely won’t be a chef. I’ve already gained almost ten pounds! Maybe a personal trainer?



What's your favorite romance novel hero career?

--Diana

http://dianaholquist.com

Hungry for More, Grand Central Books, coming September '08

Sexiest Man Alive, RITA finalist, Grand Central Books, in stores now!

Watch the RITA Trash Talking Bloopers Video Now!

What My Husband is Going to Be for Halloween by Diana Holquist

When you write a book called Sexiest Man Alive, your husband gets A LOT of grief.

Yes, all his friends now call him Sexiest Man Alive. As in, "Hey, Pete, think the Sexiest Man Alive could give little help here moving this bookcase?"

I, of course, have been asked hundreds of times where I got the inspiration for the book. I say, "My husband," and people laugh at what they think is a joke.

But here's the thing: I really mean it. My husband is the sweetest, nicest, most amazing man. We've been married for 14 years and have two awesome kids. We've been through sickness and joblessness and moving and KIDS. He works harder and plays harder than anyone I know.

And he's smart. Scary professor kind of smart.

If you don't believe how great he is, get this. For Halloween, we're having a Halloween/book release party. And guess what he's wearing for the party? Here's a hint:



Don't drop that towel, hon!

Now, is that the Sexiest Man Alive or what?

--Diana
Come by my website to vote for who you think should be People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive 2007. As of today, Gerard Butler is WAY ahead!

Happy Halloween, everyone!

Who Will Be the Sexiest Man Alive for 2007? by Diana Holquist

Ah, fall. Time to turn our thoughts to school lunches. Radiant foliage. And, most importantly, People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive for 2007.

Yes, the issue comes out in November, and since I've given a bit of thought to what makes a man sexy (yeah, I wrote a whole book about it), I thought I'd put in my early prediction.

Ready?

Remember, you heard it here first:

My husband.

(Hi honey!)

My second choice?

David Beckham.




There really isn't much more to say, is there?

I know, I know, "bench it like Beckham" and "worst team in the league" and all that.

But this isn't really about soccer, now is it?

What do you think? Who should be the sexiest man alive for 2007?

While you think about it, I'll take a quick moment to introduce myself. I'm Diana Holquist and Sexiest Man Alive is my second book. It's a romantic comedy with a paranormal twist and it's coming out TOMORROW (gulp!). It's the story of a woman who comes to believe that her One True Love as destined by fate is People magazine's sexiest man alive.

Here's the trailer if you like these sorts of things. Thanks so much for having me as a guest blogger today. I hope you'll check out the book. Leave me a comment with your pick for sexiest man alive 2007. I'll choose two random commenters to receive autographed copies of Sexiest Man Alive.

Thanks again for having me!

--Diana
check out my website for excerpts, reviews and more!

UPDATE: WE HAVE TWO WINNERS. JEN IN WA AND CATHY, CONTACT ME AT DIANA@DIANAHOLQUIST.COM WITH YOUR SNAILMAIL SO I CAN SEND YOU YOUR BOOKS!