Girls Write Out
Wednesday, February 21, 2007

SOME DAYS IT DOESN'T PAY TO BE A WRITER

Right now I'm putting the finishing touches on Lone Star Sanctuary. My crit buddies love it, I think I'm secure in my self confidence. Then it happens. I get a manuscript to read from James Scott Bell. I started calling him Jimbo years ago and now everyone does, but he's a great friend and a super guy.

Until I read his manuscript. Then I hate him and decide our friendship is at an end. I want to close my MacBook and slink off into the sunset. Why on earth did I ever think I could write? His dialogue is fabulous, his characterization is superb. The plot is riveting, and I can't put the book down.

That's when it sucks to be a writer. When you see how far you really have to go. Sigh. Jimbo, if you're reading this, the ruin of my career is squarely at your feet, big guy. I think you owe me DeBrand mocha truffles for the trauma.
Colleen Coble  
posted at 9:01 AM  
  Comments (12)
 
 
Delicious Delicious
12 Comments:
At 7:54 AM, Blogger Diann Hunt said...

Okay, the question begs to be asked: How soon can we get our hands on the book? It looks awesome! When, where, how??????

 
At 8:08 AM, Blogger Kristy Dykes said...

It's encouraging to hear your thoughts, C. Thanks for sharing. It makes me think, "If a pro can feel this way about her writing, then maybe there's hope for me!" Am I being clearer than mud? I just mean I appreciate your transparency. P.S. Your writing is great!

 
At 8:18 AM, Blogger Colleen Coble said...

Di, it's available now. I got an early copy but it's shipping and is available online I noticed. It's terrific!

Thanks, Kristy. I'll keep plugging away. Maybe someday. . . LOL

 
At 9:06 AM, Blogger Denise Hunter said...

Boy do I know that feeling! Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is my favorite all time novel, and I've read it three times.

The third time through I STILL didn't want to put it down even though I knew what was going to happen in every scene. It depressed me because I can't imagine ever writing anything that good.

 
At 11:29 AM, Blogger Cara Putman said...

Ummm, if Lone Star is anything like Midnight Sea, you'll be just fine :-) I am really enjoying Midnight Sea...but then I expect nothing less. Though I had hoped it would be set in Alaska :-)

 
At 1:22 PM, Blogger Colleen Coble said...

Oh gosh, Redeeming Love is the best! But you don't have any worries, D! Your story is fabulous!

Cara, I'm glad you're enjoying Midnight Sea. so you think I need to go back to Alaska? LOL

 
At 2:02 PM, Blogger Southern-fried Fiction said...

Oh, great. Just great. No Legal Grounds arrived today in the mail. I'm supposed to read it and then work on my WIP after what you just said?

Hmpf. Now you're gonna have an unlaunched careen squarly on your tootsies, Colleen. ;

Let's see ... DeBrand, which I haven't even tried yet but keep hearing about, just MIGHT make up for it. We do have the Spring board meeting coming up ...

Ane licks her lips inhopeful anticipation.

 
At 3:46 PM, Blogger Pam Sanderlin said...

Oh, I know what you mean! I felt similarly after reading Anita Shreve's LIGHT ON SNOW this week. It was so superbly crafted I thought, "I don't have a chance."

So...what's LONE STAR SANCTUARY about...and was your visit to Texas a short while back related to this book? Is it the beginning of a new series???? :)

 
At 4:40 PM, Blogger Shauna said...

Colleen, don't you dare give up writing!!! I'm slowly gaining a collection of books with "Coble" printed on the spine! They look great on my shelf in the suspense section! LOL!

And, of course, I'M LOVING THEM! I'm just about to start Fire Dancer. I'm waiting for a day when I have no commitments so I can read it all at once!

So you just keep on keepin'on. Us book-aholics need some good reading to feed our addiction! LOL!

 
At 10:14 AM, Blogger Jaime Wright said...

Colleen,
I've bought (boughten? - grammer help here!) all your books now. Every single one. So, stop the self-deprecation and get back to writing! :)

 
At 6:21 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

Welcome to MY world, Colleen. Now you know how I feel after reading your ms and then have to work on MINE! UGH, shoot me now!

Oh, and all, Lone Star Sanctuary ROCKS.....think Texas, ranches, horses, and bluebirds, oh my! Awesome read!

 
At 9:21 PM, Blogger Colleen Coble said...

Aw, thanks, Robin! now I can send it in happy. LOL

 

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The Authors
Kristin Billerbeck
Kristin Billerbeck is a proud Californian, wife, mother of four, and connoisseur of the irrelevant. She writes Christian Chick Lit; where she finds need for most of the useless facts lulling about in her head.

www.KristinBillerbeck.com

Colleen Coble

Colleen Coble writes romantic suspense with a strong atmospheric element. A lovable animal of some kind--usually a dog--always populates her novels. She can be bribed with DeBrand mocha truffles.

www.ColleenCoble.com

Denise Hunter

Denise Hunter writes women's fiction and love stories with a strong emotional element. Her husband says he provides her with all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too.

www.DeniseHunterBooks.com

Diann Hunt

Diann Hunt writes romantic comedy and humorous women's fiction. She has been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, chocolate, her dog, and well, chocolate.

www.DiannHunt.com

Hannah Alexander

Cheryl Hodde writes romantic medical suspense under the pen name of Hannah Alexander, using all the input she can get from her husband, Mel, for the medical expertise. For fun she hikes and reads. Out of guilt, she rescues discarded cats. She and Mel are presently taking orders from four pampered strays.

www.HannahAlexander.com

 
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