Run for your lives! The world is coming to an end. Americans don’t read. When they do, it isn’t for pleasure. So all you aspiring novelists out there might as well pack it in. No one needs you or your delightful stories. I’m already looking at the Want Ads since I’ll be redundant soon. Why would anyone need a novel when you have TV, iPod or the Internet?

I’m not exaggerating, pleasure reading is dead or at least on life support. How do I know this? A 2005 Gallup Poll said the ‘average’ American reads only 5 books a year. Then a recent poll revealed that of the 1000 people polled 27% admitted they hadn’t read a book in a year.

Oh the horror. (cue in a scream)

Okay back to reality. Whew. Sorry, but I must be missing something. Where’s the news? These studies belong in the same circular file as “Women over 30 have a better chance of being struck by lightning than getting married” or “Women are most fertile at 25 then their eggs start drying up.” So if you’re in your twenties, find a man and get those eggs fertilized girls otherwise your future is doomed.

Personally, all I want to say to those bloody pollsters and survey creators is: Leave me alone!!! (I’ve deleted the curse words) I’m quite happy with my reality where women can meet their life partners at 45, start families in their thirties, and read—voraciously. Yes, I know this reality seems very female focused, but women read more novels than men and they’re the ones keeping my reality alive. So for those ten or twenty people who never open a book, there’s someone who will open fifty (thank you!) and keep reading for pleasure alive. I know I certainly am and I know you are.

So relax aspiring novelist, the sky isn’t falling. It’s just raining and rain is nothing new.

I’ve just returned from a wonderful trip to England attending my cousin’s wedding and visiting with family and friends. However, when I crossed the pond to return to the States I left something valuable behind.

Five hours.

Five beautiful hours whose absence I feel acutely.

I’m supposed to have gained those extra five hours. I looked forward to using them wisely, but somehow I’ve lost them.

When my clock says 7PM my eyes start crossing because it feels like 12AM. I’m up at three in the morning ready to eat breakfast and get to work because it feels like eight.

What happened to my extra five hours??? Why does time keep slipping through my fingers?

However, my present strange relationship with time got me thinking. What would I do with an extra five hours if I finally caught it? What would you do?

This past week I was interviewed by a reporter for a local newspaper. Funny thing, as part of his questions he asked why do people read romance and who are they? For me, this need not be a question, but I realized that he, like so many others, have biases regarding who reads romance and what romance novels are all about. After the interview I recognized that my career depends of this courageous group of women and men, who still have to deal with snide comments and remarks, implying one is not reading ‘real’ novels. So here are five reasons why I love romance readers:

1. I love the fact that they are voracious readers! They read different sub-genres and are very ambitions. Many read from paranormal to historical romance allowing authors to be creative in their writing styles.

2. They are loyal readers! To authors, romance readers are gold.

3. Intelligent readers! 42% have bachelor’s degrees or higher (source: RWA)

4. Romance readers drive mass market books. 52% of mass market books sold are romances.

5. Lastly, they believe in happy endings!

Thanks to all of you for keeping romance alive, no matter what others say.

Dara

A little Chihuahua popped into my latest story Taming Mariella, which I just handed into my editor. I don’t know where she came from, but she popped into a scene wearing a pink suit and a matching owner.

That got me thinking about a recent reader question: Why do you always include animals in your stories? My answer? I don’t know. I hadn’t even noticed I did that until it was brought to my attention (one of my many blind spots). Then I started looking back–dogs, birds, or cats always seem to show up in my books. My current project has a lizard. Hmmm….what does that mean? It means I like animals (yes I watch Animal Planet and I’m not ashamed to admit it) so my characters (at least some of them) also like animals.

Which brings me to my true reason for writing. My latest pet likes to run around the house at night. She is very sweet and she needs a name (no Liza the Lizard please). The creator of the most interesting name will receive a signed copy from my backlist. I’ll make my selection on Wednesday 3 Eastern Time Thanks for your help and the nameless lizard thanks you too.:smile:

Elaine Viets, a fellow author whose “Dead-End Job Mysteries” I enjoy, suffered a stroke last month. Fortunately, she’s recovering and progressing well, however she is unable to promote her latest book, which you see here. If you enjoy fun mysteries, please give her books a try.

Well, you can’t fight Mother Nature.

I know. I’ve tried. She wins. Especially today and the past two days. With the wind rattling the windows, snapping trees like twigs and toying with electrical lines I can’t hold my dear blog chat about The Glass Slipper Project. I don’t trust that I’ll be able to access the internet in the way that would allow the chat to work. Power keeps flickering in and out (and I’m writing this as fast as I can early in the morning–around two or three, I don’t know anymore–in case I lose power again…sigh). Oh well. I won’t complain (though tempting), because you can’t fight Mother Nature and making her angry doesn’t help either. I’ve gone over two weeks without power before…it’s not a pretty picture.

Thanks to all those who showed up. Until next time. Stay safe.

Thanks to your excellent suggestions, I’ve decided to hold a blog chat for my April release The Glass Slipper Project during my next posting date April 17th. During the chat, I plan to have prizes to give away. One prize I hesitate about is the one you see here:

A cover flat! I’m not quite sure what readers do with these, so once again, I need some input from you.

What would a signed cover flat mean to you?
Do you know of people who collect them?
Do you know of individuals who use them in strange or interesting ways (as placemats perhaps?).

I would love to know. For those of you who respond, guess what? I will be doing a drawing on Wednesday. And what will the prize be? A signed cover flat and a copy of the book.:grin: