June 3, 2008

Gerry Bartlett Blogs on Write About Vampires? Who Me?

Written by Jaunty Guest in Jaunty Guests

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I never liked scary movies as a kid. My brother and I hid behind the sofa when the Wizard in the “Wizard of Oz” came on the TV. So how did I end up writing about things that go bump in the night? When I started out in this business, I wrote short contemporaries and sold two to Kensington. They had spunky heroines, alpha heroes and a suspense plot. Then, since I’d always loved the world of Georgette Heyer, I wrote and sold a Regency historical to Dorchester. Once again, spunky heroine, alpha hero and suspense plot. I thought I had this writing game figured out. But my career stalled. The Kensington line I wrote for folded. My editor at Dorchester left and the new one didn’t look at my next submission for over two years. In the meantime, historicals weren’t in great demand and my contemporary plots seemed same old, same old. I was getting discouraged to say the least.

Now I’ve had some luck along the way. And done a few smart things, purely by accident. First smart thing: I joined Romance Writers of America and went to a local chapter meeting. Second smart thing: When an author stood up and announced that she was forming a critique group and interested parties could meet on a Sunday afternoon and bring a few pages, I swallowed my fear and went. This second thing was huge. I hadn’t shown my stuff to anyone before. Well, except to my doting father who thought I was a genius but who had never read any fiction other than Louis L’Amour. This group started as a bunch of totally novice, unpublished writers. Most of them didn’t stick with it. Today, over fifteen years later, only three of the original writers are together. Maybe you’ll recognize the names: Nina Bangs, Kimberly Raye and me.

Here’s where Lady Luck stepped in. Okay, and some plain stubbornness. Because, believe me, Nina, Kim and I had to develop thick hides and shed tears to work our way through some pretty tough critiques to get where we are now. Kim has passed the forty-five book mark now and has a TV series starting on the ABCFamily Channel next fall for her Dead End Dating vampire series. Nina hit the New York Times list and is working on her twentieth book. So when either of these two ladies speak, Gerry listens, usually.

A few years ago, when I was in my slump, Nina began one of her nags. She’s really good at that. She’s made an excellent career by studying the market and deciding that paranormals were the next big thing. Didn’t hurt that she loves strong alpha heroes and vampires are the ultimate bad boys. So she started in on me. “Write a vampire book. I know it will sell.” I resisted. It’s what I do when people start telling me what I should do. I kept sending submissions to editors and agents. Different historicals, another contemporary proposal. Nothing. Zip.

Nina wouldn’t quit. “Vampires are sexy. Women love vampires. Vampire stories are hot right now.” She wouldn’t shut up and kept getting her own contracts for big bucks. Hey, I’m stubborn, but not stupid. Finally, I caved, but was determined to do it my way. I decided I wanted to try it first person. And make it contemporary. Funny. And set in Austin, because that’s where I went to college and there’s a saying—“Keep Austin weird.” It spoke to me. I wrote a first chapter. My critique group, that now included Donna Maloy, liked it but Kim thought it needed something else. She said, “Try making your vampire full figured. You know, like she was bloating on the day she was turned.” That’s when the light bulb went on for me. I wrote like the wind, turning out a proposal and synopsis faster than I thought possible.

Enter Lady Luck again. I belong to more than one Houston area RWA chapter and attended a workshop given by author Julie Kenner. She writes funny paranormals and spoke glowingly of her agent who accepted email submissions. Okay, this wouldn’t even cost me a stamp. I screwed up my courage and emailed what I had to that agent. A week later I had my first agent, a dream agent. The agent who quickly sold my vampire series to Berkley. And the Glory St. Clair series was born. Whew! One writing career resurrected. It wasn’t easy. It’s still not easy. I love writing this series. I get fan mail almost daily. Book 3, REAL VAMPIRES GET LUCKY, hits shelves today and I just finished writing book 4. REAL VAMPIRES DON’T DIET comes out next January.

Some people call what I write “light” paranormal. I don’t. There’s nothing light about what I do. It’s heavy lifting balancing humor, sensuality and suspense. And in a series you have a cast of characters that you have to keep track of from book to book. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had. My next project? I’m thinking of trying my hand at a vampire series set in Regency England. Humorous, of course. I’ll leave the dark stuff to those who are into the scary things that go bump in the night. Me? I’m in it for the laughs.

Gerry is giving away signed copies of the first two books in her series, REAL VAMPIRES HAVE CURVES and REAL VAMPIRES LIVE LARGE. To win autographed copies of the mass market editions along with a Barnes and Noble gift card for $20 so you can buy REAL VAMPIRES GET LUCKY, which hits shelves June 3 in trade paperback size, email Gerry at gerrybartlett@verizon.net. She’ll hold a drawing and pick the first lucky winner by June 5. A second chance winner will be picked on June 10. Put JauntyQuills Contest in the subject line to enter. One entry per person. Good luck!

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21 Responses to “Gerry Bartlett Blogs on Write About Vampires? Who Me?”

On June 3rd, 2008 at 8:06 am
Ivette Says:

This is awesome. I recently discovered Gerry’s books and I’m glad that I got to read about Glory St. Claire. It’s amazing that a bit of nagging from a friend about writing about vampires had inspired this wonderful series. But QUESTION? what do you send in the e-mail? Do you just send a blank e-mail or do you send your name and address? I want to get this right so I have a good chance of winning.
On June 3rd, 2008 at 8:10 am
Christie Craig Says:

Great Post, Gerry.

I loved your comment, “There’s nothing light about what I do.”

Writing humor is fun, I’ll admit that, but it doesn’t make it easy.

Good luck girl, on all your paths.

Christie Craig
On June 3rd, 2008 at 10:34 am
Margo Maguire Says:

Welcome to the JQs today, Gerry … What a stunning career path! Nothing is certain in this business, is it? Yours is a great story. With a HEA, too.
On June 3rd, 2008 at 11:33 am
Shana Says:

Gerry, thanks so much for blogging with us today. Gerry is a member of my RWA chapter, and someone I’ve always respected. I just love how funny her books are!

Ivette, I think you can just send a blank email. You might put your name and email addy in it to help Gerry contact you if you win.
On June 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Ivette Says:

Thanks Shana for the info. I also love how funny her books are. I like a bit of laughter when I’m reading romance novels because it makes it so much more enjoyable to read it.
On June 3rd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
TJ Bennett Says:

Gerry, what a great “path to success” story. It’s so easy to get discouraged in this business. It’s really our friends who keep us going in the hard times, isn’t it?

Good luck on your next vampire tale!

TJB
On June 3rd, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Larry Nelson Says:

I just love the “Real Vampires” series! in fact I just got the third book today and can’t wait to sink my teeth into it
On June 3rd, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Fedora Says:

Hi, Gerry! Thanks for the fun post today–I’m glad to learn about your series! I definitely enjoy humor, and your books sound like a hoot! Congratulations on your successes, and hooray for having such terrific critique partners and friends! That makes all the difference!
On June 3rd, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Jane Says:

Hi Gerry,
Congrats on the success of your series. Do you have any plans to write another straight historical?
On June 3rd, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Virginia H. Says:

Hi Gerry, I have read Real Vampires Have Curves, great read by the way. I really enjoyed it. Keep up the good work.
On June 3rd, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Gerry Bartlett Says:

Right now, I’m hooked on the paranormal elements, so I doubt I’ll do a straight historical any time soon. I wrote my historical as Lynn McKay. I think you can see the cover on my website at gerrybartlett.com. Sweet Deceit may still be available somewhere. But it was written seven years ago. I’m pretty sure I’m a better writer today. The more you write, the better you get. At least I believe that’s proven true for me. Especially with the evil twins, ahem, I mean my sweet critique partners, to help me. Thanks for all the comments and the contest entries. A blank email is fine. If you win, I’ll ask you for your snail mail address.
On June 4th, 2008 at 5:23 am
tami Says:

i adore the books, i like someone in the romance books, evern vampires, to actaully be a woman with curves, in or out of the right places
On June 5th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Andi Says:

I absolutely love your books. It’s like getting a fix. And I thank everyone who gave you the advice to stick with it. Soooo many authors write about these women who are just too beautiful for words, but what makes Glory beautiful is how “real” she is. She’s just like the rest of us out here.
On June 6th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Gerry Bartlett Says:

Congratulations to Valarie Pelissero, winner of the autographed books and Barnes and Noble gift card for June 5. I will draw for one more winner on June 11 so it’s not too late to enter the contest if you haven’t already done so. Good luck! Gerry
On June 6th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Ivette Says:

I hope I win.
On June 6th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
tami Says:

i hope we email again??????? i did . though wasnt sure
pick me!!!!!!!!
blackroze37@yahoo.com

myspace.com/blackroze38
On June 11th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Ivette Says:

I’m dying here. I can’t wait to here who wins tomorrow.
On June 11th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Judi Says:

I second what Ivette said! LOL I’m dying to know who won, hopefully me, ha ha. Nothing like shameless selfishness.
On June 11th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Ivette Says:

What is taking so long to pick a winner. I really want that prize!
On June 11th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Ivette Says:

Come on Gerry you said you would announce the winner today! Where is the name of the winner? Say it’s me please!
On June 12th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Gerry Bartlett Says:

Congratulations to Tami Bates, winner of the autographed books and B&N gift card. If any of you guys want autographed book plates for your copies of the Real Vamps books, send me your snail mail address at Gerry Bartlett, P.O. Box 101, League City, TX 77574-0101, and I’ll send you one for each book in the series. Thanks for entering! Better luck next time.
Gerry

June 3, 2008

Gerry Bartlett Blogs on Write About Vampires? Who Me?

21 Responses to “Gerry Bartlett Blogs on Write About Vampires? Who Me?”

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