Celebrate!
By: Joelle Charbonneau
Get out the noise makers and the party hats. Shove down the nerves and the feelings ofinadequacy and party like there is no tomorrow.
(Okay the nerves and inadequacy part is all me, but hey! It needed to be said.) Last Tuesday, I celebrated a new book. SKATING ON THE EDGE hit shelves on October
second. And to top off the celebration,
the paperback edition of SKATING AROUND THE LAW came out on Monday, which made
the first week of October pretty special in my house!
A new book is a funny thing.
All of us writer types peck away at our keyboards hoping that someone
will think what we have written is interesting enough to read. We agonize over plot, character development
and each word choice, turn the book in to our editors, rework it and then wait
for it to hit shelves. During that wait,
we do what writers do—we write something new.
So by the time the new book comes out, we’ve moved onto something else.
All of us writer types peck away at our keyboards hoping that someone
will think what we have written is interesting enough to read. We agonize over plot, character development
and each word choice, turn the book in to our editors, rework it and then wait
for it to hit shelves. During that wait,
we do what writers do—we write something new.
So by the time the new book comes out, we’ve moved onto something else.
For me, that process is always odd because while I love the book
that has just come out, I’ve often written the next installment in the lives of
those characters. I know where they are going, but I have to remember that my readers
don’t. I know if Pop has had his heart broken (or more likely if he’s broken someone’s heart) or if Rebecca has made a choice that changes what she
wants out of her life. But I have to
block that out and remember that those things haven’t technically happened yet
and that readers are just discovering the choices they have made in this story.
that has just come out, I’ve often written the next installment in the lives of
those characters. I know where they are going, but I have to remember that my readers
don’t. I know if Pop has had his heart broken (or more likely if he’s broken someone’s heart) or if Rebecca has made a choice that changes what she
wants out of her life. But I have to
block that out and remember that those things haven’t technically happened yet
and that readers are just discovering the choices they have made in this story.
And I LOVE this story. SKATING ON THE EDGE is my favorite of the Rebecca Robbins novels thus
far. I guess as writers we’re all
supposed to love the most recent book, and perhaps we always do, but I really
think this is the best of the books. I
love the choices my characters make to move their lives forward and the derby
girls who are so full of life and loyalty and fun. They are wonderful characters to write and
infuse the story with excitement. And,
of course, Lionel and Sean continue to make Rebecca’s life interesting. Lionel can’t help but want her to stay in
town and fall in love with him and Sean…well, you’ll see.
In order to celebrate the release of both SKATING ON THE
EDGE and the paperback of SKATING AROUND THE LAW, I am happy to give away one
copy of each to a commenter. Please
leave your name and e-mail address so I can get a hold of you! I will draw the winning names on Friday evening, so you have lots of time to stuff the ballot box.
EDGE and the paperback of SKATING AROUND THE LAW, I am happy to give away one
copy of each to a commenter. Please
leave your name and e-mail address so I can get a hold of you! I will draw the winning names on Friday evening, so you have lots of time to stuff the ballot box.
I agree, at least so far, that the latest Rebecca Robbins escapade is the best so far. I'm about halfway finished reading Skating on the Edge and can hardly wait for my "reading time" today.
I also like the latest one,but I like all of them. I won your ARC and got to read it early!!! Yay!!!!! I am going out today to buy Skating Around the Law. My bookstore better have it.
Woo hoo!! Big times, Joelle! Congratulations! Hurray for Skating Around the Law in paperback! You just keep rolling up that hill to huge success!
It was great to see you at Bouchercon. Wish we'd had more time together, but that's the nature of the conference. lindalynetterodriguez (at) gmail (dot) com
Joelle,
You make it evident that in order to write books which appeal to discriminating readers is not a walk in the park. More like a skate in the park. I look forward to finding a copy of Skating Around the Law. Take a deep breath and know that people will love the books.
Annette Naish annettena@yahoo.com
I hope there's someone that gets all the speed they can just to crash into the wall. That's about the only skating I was ever any good at.
Margaret and Annette – the paperback was done by Harlequin Worldwide Mystery – so you might not find it in your local store, but you will find it for a great price on the Harlequin Website! http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=26727&cid=
I come to this site daily and have become a fan of all of the authors posts. But, I have to admit, I have not read any of your books yet. As much as I enjoy your posts on this site, I know that i will love your books.
Michelle Kowanes michelle91465@yahoo.com
what an awesome giveaway!!! thank you!!!
cyn209 at juno dot com
Cynthia
Congratulations, Joelle!
Love both the first cover and the one for your new release!
Morgan Mandel
morgan@morganmandel.com
Yeah!! I have loved the first books in this series and can't wait to read Skating on the Edge. Plus I love your name (silly, I know) as it happens to be my 12 year old daughter's name 🙂
Christine Jensen
Kissyjensen at Gmail dot com
Kinda goes with the theme of your article but as I've been reading Skating on the Edge I've been thinking- do you think you could write as fast as I read?!! LOL really I read slow so it wouldn't be that hard!!! I need to know what happens next!!
Shannon Johnson
shannonjean14 (at)gmail(dot)com
This looks like a fun series. I'll definitely check it out. I loved the first of your glee club mysteries. Looking forward to the next one. Thanks for the giveaway. Fingers crossed. 🙂
Stacie
Scouts579(at)aol(dot)com
This looks like a fun series. I'll definitely check it out. I loved the first of your glee club mysteries. Looking forward to the next one. Thanks for the giveaway. Fingers crossed. 🙂
Stacie
Scouts579(at)aol(dot)com
This looks like a fun series. I'll definitely check it out. I loved the first of your glee club mysteries. Looking forward to the next one. Thanks for the giveaway. Fingers crossed. 🙂
Stacie
Scouts579(at)aol(dot)com
Congrats to Michelle (winner of SKATING ON THE EDGE) and Stacie (winner of SKATING AROUND THE LAW) I will be sending you e-mails to get your mailing addresses. And thanks to all for stopping by and celebrating with me!
Finished Skating on the Edge. It is definitely the best Rebecca Robbins to date.
Good job.