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A lot of us JQs just got back from The Romance Writers of America national conference in Orlando. Forget Harry Potter, forget Mickey Mouse, forget the fireworks, forget (just for the moment) the awards. You—our readers, whether you were there or not—were the highlights.
Writing a book is a solitary process. Sure, we have our writer friends, our spouses, our crit partners…but in the end, it’s just the writer and the blinking cursor and the hope that imagination will come through and help us write this book. There’s doubt, and struggle, and endless questioning. But we write for one reason—to tell a story. To tell a story that you’ll love. That’s right, missy. You. I want you to love my books. And when you do…and when you tell me…wow.
To those of you who come to our signings…What an honor you give us! I was at a signing this spring, and one of the attendees came up to me afterward and said, “I drove three hours to see you.” Stunning! If you want a picture with me, heck, sure! The truth is, I’d like a picture with you, too. Another woman started to cry when she told me what The Next Best Thing meant to her…well, of course I started crying too. To Diana in San Francisco, Anne in New Jersey, Maureen in Waterbury, Dee in Virginia…to all the people who’ve put us writers on their calendars…thank you!
To those of you who write to us—getting those emails or cards is such a delight! What a wonderful, wonderful part of our day! I want you to know I’ve saved every single one of the now thousands of fan letters I’ve received, and I’ve responded to each one individually. We love when you tell us where you’re from, what you do, how many kids you have, why you picked up my book …everything! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to tell us you liked our books. More often than not, I get choked up reading your emails. I might read them aloud to my husband and kids…not so much to show off (well…maybe just a little), but more to share the wonder that you shared your day with my book. It’s a feeling I really can’t put it into words, but thank you!
To those of you who are also writers—thank you. Thank you for your books, for your efforts, whether you’re published or not, and thank you for your passion and love of writing. When a fellow writer tells me she loves my books, it’s like a compliment from a higher power. You too know the struggle and the time and the insecurity. You’ve been there, done that, and the fact that you appreciate my work is absolutely humbling and wonderful. Thank you!
To those of you readers who have become my friends, who drop me an email to tell me something about the Yankees or my favorite actor or to recommend a book…that’s just so dang great! You and I love the same books. We share the same sense of humor. We may never meet, but we’re friends anyway, aren’t we? And if we do…if we have a chat or maybe even a cuppa joe…listen. You’ve honored me with your friendship, and I’m completely dazzled by the fact that something in my books made you want to get to know me a little bit. Thank you.
And to those of you who spend a little part of your day reading this particular blog—we love having you here. We love your comments, love that you check in with us, love sharing our stories with you. Thank you.
There are so many demands on our lives, so many responsibilities, so many ways to spend time. The fact that you have chosen our books…that you spend money on our books or ask to borrow them from friends or take them out of the library…the knowledge that you’ll spend hours of your life reading our words…it is absolutely magical.
Thank you for that gift. Truly.
In honor of ALL I EVER WANTED being released this week, and because I’m completely over the moon about winning the RITA for TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, I’m giving away signed copies of my latest to three people who comment today.
See you soon. And once more…thanks. Truly.
Kristan
Filed in: Jaunty Post
Aug 2nd
2010
4:29 am
Kirsten Said:
Hi Kristan,
Congrats on winning the RITA!!!!!! Here’s another gal that read your book: Too good to be true & absolutely loved it. Grace is amazing I was crazy about her fantasy boyfriends. They took me back to the beginning of highschool when I was anything but cool because I was a single girl. Yes I too made up a guy that happened to live in another city but gave me chocolate on valentine and wrote me beautiful letters the rest of the year. Dear old Mark was the best imaginairy boyfriend ever and our break-up was emotional but progress. I still ‘see’ him sometimes when I’m in desperate need of a polite excuus not to go out with a pushy guy. “No thanks, I’m seeing someone” Oh yeah what’s his name? “Mark, we dated back in highschool and just got back together…”
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Aug 2nd
2010
6:14 am
Laura Said:
Lots of life events got in the way of me going to the conference this year but I have to say that I was thrilled to see you won the Rita. Congratulations! I love your books and you’re rapidly becoming one of my “auto-buy” authors.
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Aug 2nd
2010
6:57 am
MJ Said:
HUGE congratulations on your Rita! I love your books!
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Aug 2nd
2010
7:07 am
Gina Leuci Said:
Kristin, you already know I love your books. Getting those words down on paper is not an easy task, yet when I read one of your books which are so well written, I am inspired to sit down and get busy. Thanks for the inspiration. Thanks for the great reads. And a huge Congrats on another well-deserved Rita.
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Aug 2nd
2010
7:08 am
Jocelyn Said:
Hi! Congrats on your RITA!!! I love your books! The first book I read was FOOLS RUSH IN! From there I was hooked!!!
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Aug 2nd
2010
7:13 am
Rhea Lumsden Said:
How awesome that you won! I’ve been recommending your books to my friends as i just love them.
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Aug 2nd
2010
7:17 am
Bill Clark Said:
Lovely post, Kristan! Very impressive that you respond personally to all your fan letters, and that you believe so strongly in the writer-reader link in all its many manifestations. I haven’t read your latest yet, but to judge by your earlier, your fountain-splashed award
is richly deserved. If I’m not lucky enough to win a copy of AIEW today, please (pretty please) bring one to the chapter meeting so I can purchase it and catch up with the rest of the world. Now back to that blinking blankety-blank cursor…. 
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Aug 2nd
2010
7:40 am
Marianne Said:
Yeah! Congratulations, Kristan!!!! I absolutely adore all of your characters. I pass along your books to friends and even stock them in my classroom library (I teach high school). They’re romance books that the “grown-up” can devour but also the teenager. We’ve renamed a few of your books (high school students know what they love to read but forget titles). The Magic Basket is incredibly worn (a.k.a Fools Rush In) and my girls love that it’s autographed.
Keep on writing! You’re an inspiration to us all.
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Aug 2nd
2010
7:55 am
Laurie G Said:
Hi Kristan,
How exciting to win a RITA! CONGRATS! I’ve only recently discovered your books. I read “The Next Best Thing”.
After reading the above comment, I’m going to encouraged my daughter to read them too. She’s a 7-9th grade teacher.
Meeting your fans sounds like a very rewarding experience.
Keep on writing!
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Aug 2nd
2010
8:24 am
Joanie Said:
Kristen,
What a great post! Your books are a joy as I’ve said more than once and watching you win your RITA was icing on the proverbial cake! You are a fabulous author and I consider you a friend.
Now, off to see if I can scrape up one ounce of your talent for my WIP. LY
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Aug 2nd
2010
8:45 am
Jennifer Glew Brady Said:
Kristan, As I have told you before, I have been so impressed with the time and energy you put into personally responding and engaging with you readers. I still remember my jaw dropping open when I sent you a fan email (first time I’d ever emailed any author) and within hours you responded. I must say that your authentic approachability only adds to how much I enjoy your books. Not only do I enjoy your writing, I enjoy YOU.
I already have my signed copy
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Aug 2nd
2010
8:46 am
kris Said:
Congrats on the win and thanks for writing such sweet sentiments to your fans/readers.
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Aug 2nd
2010
8:48 am
Lisa Said:
Hi Kristan! Congrats on your Rita award, what a great accomplishment. You were added to my ‘must buy’ author list as soon as I read the first book.
Have a great week.
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Aug 2nd
2010
8:53 am
Karen Pinco Said:
Love your books. Love the person who wrote them. It was the thrill of a lifetime to sit at that table with other CTRWA members and scream myself hoarse when you won, to shake during your acceptance speech. (Off to find the tissues now…)
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Aug 2nd
2010
9:03 am
Karen H in NC Said:
Hi Kristin,
Congratulations on your RITA win! What a wonderful honor that is and what a proud mom you must be! Your baby brought home a big golden prize!!!
Even though I’ve visited JQ randomly over the years, you are a new-to-me author. As I write this, I think of how the internet has reduced the size of this huge world of ours. I think of how easy it is now to communicate with authors near and far. Aside from the fact, I’ve never met an author in real life (I’ve had a few near misses at bookstores, etc), I feel like I’m friends with my favorites and it brings to my attention those authors whose work I haven’t read yet.
That’s why part of my day is spent visiting blogs like this one. Gotta find more books….as if I needed more books. OMG! What did I just say? I ALWAYS need more books!
Congratulations again on your big win!
Karen’s Prayer:
“Dear God, Please keep me alive long enough to finish reading all the books in my TBR pile.”
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Aug 2nd
2010
9:06 am
RobynDeHart Said:
Congrats again, Kristan.
And ditto to everything you said to all the readers. Our readers are the bomb!
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Aug 2nd
2010
9:07 am
Daphne Said:
congrats on your award! i love all your books (my fave is Just one of the Guys) and you totally deserve any awards you get! i tried to pick up the latest this week, but no where had it! (i think someone was walking around books-a-million with the last copy while i was there!) i almost got it for my pc kindle, but i want to be able to relax on my couch & really get into it.
also, funny note, i’m 9 months pregnant, & i dreamed last night (i don’t know why) that you were the nurse who helped deliver my baby. weird. i think maybe i’m spending too much time on facebook.
congrats again!
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Aug 2nd
2010
9:13 am
Nancy Robards Thompson Said:
Kristan, when you won the Rita, I wooted so loudly I fear I may have deafened the poor woman next to me. I’m glad I didn’t accidently deck her when I jumped up to cheer. It’s wonderful when a person who is just as nice as she is talented, funny and beautiful brings home the gold! You did us all proud, babe.
I’d like to my own thanks to everyone who reads the Quills blog – and give a special shout out to Melissa and Trudy, whom I had the pleasure of meeting at the Readers For Life signing. You are the reason we do what we do!
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Aug 2nd
2010
9:18 am
pjpuppymom Said:
Congratulations on winning the RITA for “Too Good to be True”, a book that totally ROCKED! It was wonderful seeing you in Orlando!
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Aug 2nd
2010
9:21 am
NurseMBH Said:
Congratulations on your RITA! I love all of your books! Thanks for providing your readers with books/storylines that grab our attention from page one!
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Aug 2nd
2010
9:26 am
Karen Lifshey-Shapiro Said:
Kristan, you rock! You make me want and strive to be a better writer (as I clutch TGTBT to my chest as I plot. Certainly osmosis helps, right?). And you being a Yankee fan? It’s all just icing. Mazel Tov!
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Aug 2nd
2010
9:32 am
Marcy Said:
Congrats on the Rita, Kristan! I can’t wait to pick up that book and all the others. I leant Fools Rush In to a friend before I read it myself, and after hearing her gush about it, I immediately dove in and loved it. I can only imagine that I’ll love the others as much.
As an aspiring author, I hope that one day I’ll write a book that strikes a chord with readers as you’ve managed to do with yours
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Aug 2nd
2010
9:35 am
Rebecca Said:
Congratulations Kristan! What an honor! JUST ONE OF THE GUYS is my favorite book of yours, but I suppose TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE isn’t half-bad either
. I’ve introduced a few reluctant romance readers to the genre using your books- success! Thank your for writing so wonderfully!
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Aug 2nd
2010
9:39 am
Crystal Posey Said:
AH, I teared up! What a wonderful post. Congrats again!
SIGNED copy?!?! Crossing fingers now!
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Aug 2nd
2010
9:52 am
Rebekah E. Said:
Congrats on winning the Rita.
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Aug 2nd
2010
10:26 am
Kathryn in Montreal Said:
Congratulations on your win, Kristan! And thank you for that marvelous post about us readers… but honestly, you guys make it so easy to enjoy your books. And I am SO impressed that you answer each and every piece of fan mail personally. Way to go!
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Aug 2nd
2010
10:33 am
cheryl c. Said:
Happy congrats, Kristan!!! I absolutely loved TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. I told you once before that when I finished reading it, I turned right back to the first page and read it all over again.
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Aug 2nd
2010
10:35 am
Brianne Said:
Congratulations on the win, you deserve it. I love your books, can’t wait to start reading this one.
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Aug 2nd
2010
10:40 am
June Gorgonio Said:
Congratulations! I LOVE it when nice things happen to nice people.
It’s great following you here, on facebook, and at your webpage.
Take care and aloha,
June
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Aug 2nd
2010
11:10 am
Solveig Said:
Kristan, you champion! Til hamingju!!! :Ö) So many people have said it in English by know I´m sure you know what it means
I´m still waiting for my copy of All I ever wanted but I´m hoping it will get here soon. I´ve read the excerpts on amazon.com to pieces and I just desperately long for more. Your wonderful sense of humor, whitty sarcasm and wonderful storytelling are an endless source of giggles and sniffles for me and it is why I love your books and own them all. Keep on writing because if I never get to read another the world will simply be a lot more empty and boring without you. Youre family must be so proud of you!
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Aug 2nd
2010
11:18 am
Virginia C Said:
Hi, Kristan! Congratulations on your “RITA”–a wonderful achievement! I wish you much continued success, and may you always keep your heart in your writing : )
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Aug 2nd
2010
11:25 am
Maureen Said:
Congratulations on your RITA! It’s a real pleasure to read your books and also to visit this site and see what everyone has to say each day.
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Aug 2nd
2010
11:43 am
Laurel Warren Said:
Kristan – Of all the things you could write about just days after winning the RITA, you choose to thank your readers. That just says it all. I fall in love with your characters in every book, and often find them eerily like me, except for the, ahem, tall part.
I was honored to meet you at NHRWA’s Spring Fling, and will continue to devour your books as quickly as you can write them! Congratulations on such a well-deserved honor!!
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Aug 2nd
2010
11:59 am
catslady Said:
Congratulations on winning – it must be very exciting especially since I think it’s the top award for an author. We all enjoy this blog – lots of feedback and getting to hear about all your books and lives. It’s the next best thing to being able to write a book yourself lol. Afterall, most of us are obsessed with the entire process and especially the final product. I would be totally lost if I couldn’t read. So from us readers, thank you.
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Aug 2nd
2010
12:31 pm
Scorpio M. Said:
Congrats on your win! The news was all over Twitter. I’d love to win a signed copy! Fingers crossed, thx!
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Aug 2nd
2010
12:50 pm
Paula R. Said:
Hey Kristan, you are welcome. Thank you for writing such wonderful books that go straight to the heart. You characters are my friends and neighbors. Thanks for sharing your love of writing with the rest of the world. It is a pleasure to know you as a person and to have you as a friend. Like Karen, I was a little emotional when you won. I am still on cloud nine for you babe.
Congratulations on winning the RITA for “Too Good,” one of my fave books. It is in the top tier of my love of your books, though I love them all. Can’t wait to read “All I Ever Wanted.”
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Aug 2nd
2010
12:50 pm
Kristan Higgins Said:
Thank you, gang! It was a great night…there were so many wonderful books up for the award in all categories. My TBR list has mushroomed, let me tell you!
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Aug 2nd
2010
3:06 pm
Paula R. Said:
Kristan, don’t count me in for the contest okay. I just wanted to show some love. I will find you later, to get my copy autographed.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Aug 2nd
2010
1:07 pm
Mary M Said:
WOW, how wonderful that you won another well deserved RITA! And how completely cool to thank your readers. You’re a Superstar!
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Aug 2nd
2010
1:48 pm
Lori Said:
Kristan – THAT WAS ME!! I drove three hours to see you and I would do it again! Love the Books! and you could not be sweeter! Thank you for doing what you do!
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Aug 2nd
2010
1:49 pm
Lori Said:
AND I DID TAKE A PICTURE WITH YOU!!
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Aug 2nd
2010
2:03 pm
Kristan Higgins Said:
Hey, Lori! You have no idea how flattering it was that you spent all day getting to and from that signing. Hope you had as much fun as I did!
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Aug 2nd
2010
2:27 pm
Diana Said:
Aw, that was so sweet, Kristan! You are a great storyteller, and it’s my pleasure to support you and your work (and to send you e-mails about our boy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
).
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Aug 2nd
2010
2:37 pm
Lori Said:
I had never been to a signing before, I really enjoyed myself. All the authors involved were so accommodating and informative BUT Meeting you was the reason for the trip and the highlight of the day. Your books are the oreo cookies to the milk that is my life, less the calories! (very corny but true!) and CONGRATULATIONS on winning the RITA..it is so well deserved!! And anyone who has not had the opportunity to meet you..I highly recommend you do!
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Aug 2nd
2010
2:42 pm
runner10 Said:
Congrats Kristan!!! Well deserved!!
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Aug 2nd
2010
3:46 pm
Ashlee Said:
Congratulations once again, Kristan! So well deserved. And you had a speech ready this time, just in case.
It’s been so great being friends on Facebook, and, as much as the little notes of “Hey, loved your book!” mean a great deal to you, the fact that you take time out of your own busy life to acknowledge we readers and get to know us a little means the world, especially to those of us who aspire to be published authors as well one day. So thank you, too.
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Aug 2nd
2010
8:24 pm
Shana Galen Said:
Just home today! Congrats, Kristan, and I second (or 47th) your beautiful blog. Thank you!
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Aug 2nd
2010
11:03 pm
LilMissMolly Said:
Congratulations on your Rita! I know they always say it’s nice to be nominated, but I’m sure it’s even nicer to win. How awesome!
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Aug 3rd
2010
1:26 am
Emily E. Said:
Hi Kristan,
I read just about anything that comes my way and there aren’t any books that I look forward to as much as yours. I love the characters, the stories, the humor…they are absolutely perfect. Thank you for sharing your talents with all of us and congratulations on your most-recent award. You definitely deserve it!
I religiously read your books and blogs but have always been too reserved to leave a comment. Well, the time has come!
Emily E.
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