The Birth of an Author - Guest Goddess Deb Marlowe!
Apr 27th 2007
Guest GoddessOn Writing!
Today we welcome newly pubbed author Deb Marlowe to be Goddess of the Day here on Mount Olympus. Deb’s debut SCANDALOUS LORD, REBELLIOUS MISS will hit UK shelves November, 2007 and bookstores in the good old USA in early 2008! So here’s Deb!
Have you ever noticed how pregnant women are like magnets? Other women love to ask them questions, touch their bellies and regale them with their own birthing tales. Well, I’m here to tell ya that writers are the same way.
In publishing there is nothing so magical as The Call—the first time an actual editor in an actual publishing house tells you over the phone: “We’ve read your book, we love it, we want to buy it!” Well, maybe The Call telling you that you’ve hit the New York Times Bestseller List, but that’s another story! J
As an aspiring writer I loved to hear the story of how others got published. It inspired me and gave me hope. I anticipate that years from now, when I’m a multi-pubbed author—hey, I’m a positive thinker!—I’ll still love to hear those stories and they will reignite the fire and passion for what I’m doing. In that spirit of generosity and camaraderie, the Goddesses have invited me to share my story with all of you!
It was a dark and stormy night—Just kidding! Actually it was just another day filled with diapers and rice cereal that I decided to try what I’d always wanted to: write a book. And not just any book, but a romance—the sort of book that had given me so much pleasure and provided the perfect escape through the years. So I started writing—a sweeping historical romance á la Kathleen Woodiwiss. I shudder to think of it.
I discovered the Romance Writers of America and I met my critique partner, the fabulous Liz Carlyle, at one of my first meetings. We were both starting out, and happy to explore mysterious subjects like POV, and could a hero have relations with another woman after he’s met the heroine?
She wrote like mad and I wrote like . . . mud. S L O W L Y—in between my first child’s eight, count ‘em, eight surgeries and the birth of another child. Liz—amazingly gorgeous writer that she is—got published and I became her #1 fan and cheerleader and the lucky dog who got to read those delicious books before anyone else!
I stayed in RWA and went to a few conferences and met other writers—amazing women like Sabrina Jeffries and Claudia Dain and Caren Crane. 
Here’s a picture of me, Claudia and Caren at RWA in Reno. Sabrina took the pic!)
And finally when the second child went to school, I got serious. I wrote a whole book. Actually finished it. I started submitting and I started writing another. I got a ton of rejections, from both editors and agents. I had that almost moment, when an editor wanted to buy my book, but someone up the ladder nixed it. I finished another book. I entered it in the Golden Heart contest, RWA’s premiere contest for unpublished manuscripts.
And then I got The Call! A lovely pair of women with even more lovely English accents called from Harlequin Mills and Boon in London. They had a slot open in 2007, and could I do revisions over the weekend? You betcha! Deb Marlowe was born! I was obnoxiously happy (Claudia and Sabrina will testify).
Just when doubt began to set in (Was it a fluke?) and nerves (What if my editor hates the second book?) I found out that my second manuscript was a finalist in the Golden Heart! I was thrilled. I think my editor was too. She bought the second manuscript in a three book deal! So here I am, a newly birthed published author, obnoxiously happy.
Thanks to all the Goddesses for asking me to share my story—and for sharing so many of their own romantic tales through the years! I can’t wait to join them on the bookshelves!
So tell me, what are the dreams that you hope to pursue one day? Have you got a cool birth story to share? Who do you share life’s glorious moments with and what is it that makes you obnoxiously happy?
38 Comments »
38 Responses to “The Birth of an Author - Guest Goddess Deb Marlowe!”
Karen Rose on 27 Apr 2007 at 5:39 am #
Welcome Deb! And many congratulations on your success! I love your blog topic! It’s such a fun memory to relive. And to get a lovely English accent on top of it all
So not to belabor (ha! puns at 6:30 a.m.) my own author birth, it went something like this: December 12, 2001, 6:15 pm EST …. Me, driving in car on the way to a business dinner with two men from another country I’d never even met or talked to or really wanted to talk to …
My agent: Warner wants to buy your book in a two book deal.
Me, driving and talking on my cell phone, replying with calm sophistication: Oh, this is very good news. I think we should we take it.
My agent: Wonderful! I’ll call and tell them tomorrow.
I hung up, called my husband.
DH: Hello, my snugglebunny, what’s up?
Me: AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!
DH: Oh my God! What’s wrong?
Me, sobbing: I soooooollllldddd my booooooook!
It was SO cool.
DebMarlowe on 27 Apr 2007 at 6:50 am #
LOL Karen! I’ve heard of babies born in the car–now an author! Were the business guys in the car with you? They must have been in fear for their lives!
I didn’t sob, I called everyone I knew and babbled!
As for the other kind of birth, both of mine were born safely in the hospital, but in my former life I worked in the Mother/Baby dept (Maternity Wing) and I have a million stories! Most frequent: an amazing number of babies are born into the toilet at home. Sad but true.
Karen Rose on 27 Apr 2007 at 7:20 am #
Chuckling… I didn’t say that well, did I? I was on my way to meet these guys for dinner at this REALLY fancy place, so luckily no, they weren’t in the car. I have to tell you, the LAST place I wanted to be that night was a stuffy dinner with people who never would have understood the unparalleled GLEE that I wanted to shout to the world. I would have turned cartwheels. Well, no I wouldn’t have, because I’m physiologically incapable of cartwheels, lol. One woman at the dinner was my friend and I told her. Every time she’d look at me I’d be bouncing in my seat, wanting to leave and she’d just grin.
Karen Hawkins on 27 Apr 2007 at 7:40 am #
Ah, Deb! That’s such a great, GREAT story! And Karen Rose, I can just SEE you being Ms. Cool N Professional while jumping for joy inside. WOOHOO!
When I got the call, I was standing in my laundry room, about an hour after work. My kids were eight and five, and didn’t understand why I was jumping up and down on the laundry pile and screeching like a banshee. My now-ex husband was more interested his new dirt bike to do more than look surprised and ask if this meant that dinner would be late.
It wasn’t until I called another writer and told her the news that I was able to REALLY celebrate. You know, sometimes you need to share something special with another person who GETS it before you can enjoy it yourself.
I’ll spare you the birth stories. I was told so many horror stories when I was preggers that I swore I’d never mention mine, good or bad or indifferent. Let’s just say that my kids are wonderful, healthy, and I’d do it all again in a New York minute.
Karen Rose on 27 Apr 2007 at 7:57 am #
It’s so true about writers understanding. My husband was completely thrilled, don’t get me wrong about that. — KarenH, I’m so sad that yours was more interested in his dirt bike. But now he’s eating YOUR dust. I will refrain from any more incendiary statements about the impact of said dust on his respiratory systems…mutter—
My hubby has always been thrilled, but at the same time “Well, of course. I knew this would happen.” This is sweet and supportive and totally sincere on his part, but there’s an element of “MY GOD THIS IS HUGE” that I feel inside everytime something good happens that I never expect. Other writers get it. They’ve stood on the edge of the abyss and thought, “Hell, I’ll jump” and they’ve sent that manuscript in. They’ve cried at the rejections and they understand how precious that success really is.
I love my husband and wouldn’t trade him for a million anythings. It is nice, though, to have another writer absorb that stunned delight with you.
DebMarlowe on 27 Apr 2007 at 8:33 am #
My hubby was thrilled too, and bragged to everyone at work, but you guys are so right about writers really *getting* the bone deep thrill of it.
Claudia is in London–jealous moment, everyone–or she would chime in here. Everytime one of us has a high moment she says “It’s not really real until we all go out to celebrate it.” And she’s right. We’re all doing our best to keep the local Italian restaurant in business.
Cheryl St.John on 27 Apr 2007 at 8:34 am #
Deb, I got serious after my last (4th) went to school, too. I solved the issue of what I would do with myself all day after all those years of kids at home!
Congrats on your sales.
Julia London on 27 Apr 2007 at 8:45 am #
Deb, Hello and welcome! And hello and welcome to you, too, Cheryl.
When I got The Call, I was alone with my two dogs. It was Friday afternoon and I couldn’t get anyone on the phone. My parents, my siblings, friends’ whose numbers I could put my hands on (my mind was racing, I couldn’t think). No one was home!! The dogs danced around the house with me, but it was several hours before I could find anyone to share the news with. But you know what? It was okay. I could sit there with that happy goofy grin and it was all about me, just like I like it ;-).
Susan K on 27 Apr 2007 at 8:47 am #
Well I am not published…….yet. I’m working on it. It’s my dream to become a published author one day. I’ll just keep working at it.
No birth stories yet. We are going to get the wedding done first before we try for kids. Maybe in 2 years.
I wanted to share with you guys that I have set up my wedding page through The Knot. It’s not completely done yet but the basics are there. After we get our engagement photos done I’m going to try to upload one on the page. Check it out! I’m so excited and the plans are moving along pretty smoothly so far.
http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/SusanKohne&TimMoody
DebMarlowe on 27 Apr 2007 at 9:16 am #
Thanks Cheryl! Did you have a ton of people asking when you were going to go back to work when the last one went to school? That was one of the hardest things for me to deal with. That and convincing my mother that I really was working and couldn’t talk on the phone 3 times a day!
Julia–at least the dogs were happy for you! My cat didn’t even crack an eye open while I was jigging around the house!
Susan, persistance is key in this crazy business! That and you have to believe in yourself despite all the knocks. Best of luck! BTW–totally cool wedding page! That’s a sweet proposal story. Enjoy this exciting time!
Julia London on 27 Apr 2007 at 9:22 am #
Susan, that’s such a lovely page–how sweet. And Deb’s right — persistence is the word of the day.
Deb, the dogs were not exactly happy for me. They somehow got it into their tiny, miniscule peabrains that there was a walk in it for them.
ashefrog on 27 Apr 2007 at 9:27 am #
As for dreams, I dream of finishing my book, then persuing publication and one day sharing that special moment when I get “The Call”.
I have a long list of people I would share it with but by the time it is done I imagine there will be a few more added to the list. If no one is a home when this happens I will just post it here.
Susan K. - the site is wonderful. Best wishes with your wedding and your future.
ericaleigh on 27 Apr 2007 at 9:54 am #
Deb, congrats on the upcoming releases! I agree, it is very inspiring to hear about how author’s got published. I personally also love the “how to” articles that some author’s publish on their sites. Its very helpful to hear first hand how someone accomplished their goals. I would love to someday be a published author, still struggling with sitting down and getting going and not gettting distracted by other things. Best of luck on the other books, can’t wait ’till your first is published here. I’ll be sure to pick one up.
Sabrina Jeffries on 27 Apr 2007 at 10:03 am #
Deb! I can’t believe that in all the years we’ve been friends (and now critique partners) that I never heard the story of how you got started writing! I can well believe the sweeping KW book story though–that’s so exactly what you would have started with (Deb writes wonderfully rich prose . . . with lots of sex
).
My first call story isn’t very interesting, but how I got started is. I was working on trying to turn my dissertation into a published book so I could get a secure, tenure-track academic job as an English professor . . . and I snapped. Six years of grad school had finally gotten to me. I started writing a novel . . . which I rapidly realized was a romance. Then I never looked back.
Let me take a moment, though, to whet your appetite for Deb’s book. Charles is one of those stubborn heroes who you just love to watch crumble under the influence of the heroine. And Sophie is sparkling, you’ll love her. That’s all I’m saying.
TheNightPoet on 27 Apr 2007 at 10:48 am #
Congratulations Deb! That’s awesome how you finally got “The Call”. While I was reading your blog, I began thinking, yes, I wonder how did these writers get “found”. It’s cool of you to share that story with us.
To answer your questions, I am aspiring to become published as a writer as well. I have written several poems and want to get book of them published. Karen Hawkins wants me to share one of my poems with you all, so I’ve been considering it and trying to figure out which one to share.
Wednesday of this week, I got an idea for a romance book. I’m so excited. It’s one that I think will be fun and I think if I can accomplish finishing it, it will be a major accomplishment. I do want to get it published as well. So if any of you goddess authors out there could give me some advice on how to go about doing that, I’d really appreciate it. 
Andrea
Julia London on 27 Apr 2007 at 11:31 am #
I didn’t realize we had so many aspiring novelists here. That’s great! Deb, you started a great topic.
DebMarlowe on 27 Apr 2007 at 11:51 am #
Sabrina, you’ve got me sniveling at my computer in the middle of the day! The cat thinks I’m nuts. Thanks for saying such nice things about my beloved Charles and Sophie. There are millions of us out here that are grateful every day that you turned your back on academia! I’ll return the favor and tell all the goddesses here that if you think the inside art on Sabrina’s upcoming Beware a Scot’s Revenge is gorgeous, just wait until you read the scene it is based on! Oh my! Lachlan is heavenly in and out of his kilt!
Erica, Sabrina’s webpage is one of the best for writerly advice! Go to http://www.sabrinajeffries.com and click on Potpourri. You’ll find a bunch of great articles, including Tips for Beginning Romance Writers. My own website is too new to be of much use. My sole article so far is one on Regency gardens, although I will say it has a lot of gorgeous pictures! http://www.DebMarlowe.com
more….
Karen Rose on 27 Apr 2007 at 12:01 pm #
Okay I saw “wonderfully rich prose and lots of sex” - I’m there! Oh and “in and out of his kilt” is quite nice too.
Where were you two when I was trying to write a hot love scene a few days ago? All I had was KarenH and Julia doing the nekkid tennis thing. I like your “in and out of a kilt” visual a whole lot better. (No offense to KarenH and Julia, of course. Well, maybe a little offense.)
To our aspiring writers - never give up! I wrote for 8 years before I sold my first book. That was 8 years and 6 manuscripts, depending on how you count them. Don’t give up!
DebMarlowe on 27 Apr 2007 at 12:04 pm #
ashefrog–I know I’d love to see you post such good news here! It was great to meet you at HCRW! I hope we see you again and I look forward to hearing about your progress.
Andrea–I’ll give you the best advice I ever got, one that still applies and I repeat to myself every day–A multi-pubbed author told a roomful of hopefuls (me included): “Sit your butt in the chair and write! Get up and do it again. And again, and again.” Man, is that the truth! It takes a huge committment. And in the meantime, I’d love to see that poem!
KMB25 on 27 Apr 2007 at 12:10 pm #
Congratulations Deb!!
I have a few different dreams…musically and non-musically speaking. I haven’t mentioned them much…mostly for fear of being laughed at. Most of you know that right now I play in a band that goes on the road (but it’s been less frequent lately) and I’d kind of like to start my own group. I want to travel for a bit before I start a family…
And non-musically…this is the part I’m afraid people will laugh at, but I’d like to write children’s books. I’ve wanted to do it since I was in high school and I had to write a children’s book for a spanish class. I titled it “Carlos goes on Vacation” (of course it was in spanish) but I had a lot of fun writing that story.
I’ve got a few story ideas that I think are somewhat unique and I want to take some creative writing classes as well. I’m just starting the journey, but I it’s something I really would like to do.
~Kim
Caren Crane on 27 Apr 2007 at 12:55 pm #
Deb, I love your story and never tire of hearing it! You are completely right about call stories being like pregnancy. Everyone wants to stand in your glow and hear the details and hope it will rub off on them, somehow.
I am now, among my good writer friends, the lone unpublished soul. Deb kept me company on the unpublished side for as long as she could stand it, but now she has gone into the light! So, for those who are writing and trying and getting rejected, please know you are by no means alone. Deb was dead on in saying that you have to keep on and keep on and keep on, no matter how hard it gets.
When I hear that fabulous writers like Karen R struggled for years before publishing, it definitely gives me hope!
Caren
SuzyQ on 27 Apr 2007 at 12:57 pm #
Congratulations, Deb! By hearing some of the descriptions posted about your book I can’t wait to read it.
Kim - I think you wanting to write children’s books is wonderful. I read to my kids every single night - so I am always looking for new books! You can only read “The First of Octember” so many times before you start talking to your co-workers in rhyme - LOL!
And good luck to all you aspiring writers!
DebMarlowe on 27 Apr 2007 at 1:46 pm #
Kim, I believe that Mount Olympus is the safest place in the world to verbalize your dreams and do it without fear. Goddesses–of all types–are nothing if not supportive of their friends. I hope you realize every one of your dreams.
Caren has only a matter of time before she crosses that line in the sand; she’s got an amazing voice and is a beautiful person.
SuzyQ–I’m with you on the rhyming! I still can recite Moo Baa La La La and Goodnight Moon at the drop of a hat. Even though my kids have graduated to Stink, Harry Potter and Red Wall.
Liz Carlyle on 27 Apr 2007 at 2:01 pm #
Deb, what an inspiring story! Glad I got to play a bit part. Now we must all focus on Caren Crane — send her positive vibes, good karma, our editor’s phone numbers, and all that other stuff — because she is going to be a star. And I’m not just saying that because she’s near and dear to me. She really is the next great wit of women’s fiction, dear blogettes, and one day we are going to be so lucky as to find one of her hilarious and heartrending epics on our bookseller’s shelves. (Remember, you heard it here first.) But before we get to that, Ms. Marlowe, give us the title and the pub date of that fab new historical!!! How can we all rush out and buy it if you don’t promote? OK, just kidding here about the buying part. I fully expect my copy to be FREE. And AUTOGRAPHED.
Suzanne Enoch on 27 Apr 2007 at 2:38 pm #
Great blog, Deb! When I got “the call” I was at work, sitting in an office all by myself. My agent called and said Avon wanted to buy two Regency romances from me, and I screamed. Then my co-worker came into the office.
Co-Worker: Suzie, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?
Me: I’m pub…pub…published!!!
Then I called my mom and she screamed — probably with relief at the idea that I might eventually be able to move out one day and that she and my dad hadn’t wasted all that money they spent to let me major in English when I didn’t want to be a teacher. *g*
ashefrog on 27 Apr 2007 at 3:34 pm #
Deb - Thank you, it was a pleasure to meet so many lovely and generous ladies.
It is so true that writers love to share. I have been amazed at the support and information they have been willing to share.
Brandy on 27 Apr 2007 at 5:01 pm #
I don’t want to write a book, I’m happy with my poems. One of which Lucy Monroe has on her website! But, I would like to learn to write good book reviews. I write them, friends like them, but I’m sure they could be better!
Congratulations Deb!
Kim, I love Childrens books. Go for your dream!
Nicole Jordan on 27 Apr 2007 at 5:41 pm #
That is so great about your sales, Deb!! There’s no feeling like it, after slaving away for YEARS, never knowing if you’ll ever make it, to finally sell that first book and give your dreams validation.
If it’s any cosolation, it took me five looong years to sell my first book (2 1/2 writing only on Sundays, 2 1/2 more writing full time since my wonderful dh let me quit my lucrative, intensely stressful job to follow my dream. And actually, he was the one who best understood my ecstasy since he’d been with me every grueling step of the way, giving me support and cheering me on.
Can’t wait to read your story! Sound like it’s my fave kind.
NicoleJ
kimber on 27 Apr 2007 at 6:31 pm #
Congradulations, Deb. Yeah, new author I can look forward to reading. I am not a writer, so no birth story, but, life is always good when there are great books to be read. Keep up the good work everyone. Always follow your dreams. lol
Karen Rose on 27 Apr 2007 at 6:42 pm #
Caren Crane - that’s so nice of you to say
I wrote for a very long time before I even knew about RWA - which dramatically expedited my path, I have to say.
For any of you aspiring novelist out there - RWA is a wonderful organization. If you want to know how to start writing, I echo Deb’s wise words - Just sit down and do it. Once you’re doing it, hone it through exposure to other writers and learn the business end through orgs like RWA.
But finally, you have to write because you MUST write or else shrivel, not because you want to get published, honestly. Once you are published, there are other mountains to conquer - there’s always something to learn or overcome. If you don’t LOVE to write, you won’t have the inner strength to keep going when everything around you is going to Hades in a handbasket. So write because you must, because the characters are talking in your head and will not be silenced.
dbrown3400 on 27 Apr 2007 at 7:34 pm #
Deb, what a wonderful story, full of perseverance, hope, talent and success. I’m always amazed at any author who can find upwards of 100,000 words that entertain a reader, contain clever phrases, scenes, etc., and pleasing characters. I’ll be looking for your book/s when they hit the shelves.
I always wonder how those clever phrases happen. I have half a mystery in my computer with a good beginning and pretty charged ending. I know what happens in the middle but the words are mush. I can talk clever, sorta, but it doesn’t always happen when writing.
Goddesses. when you are writing how do those witty paragraphs happen? Do they just pop into your head, or flow with the action as though you were living the scene? Any hint to your secrets?
Donna
DebMarlowe on 27 Apr 2007 at 8:15 pm #
Just back from the sock hop at our elementary school–whoo, loud and wild!
Suzanne, that’s so cute! I’m sure your mom was proud for maternal as well as financial reasons!
Thanks Brandy. I’ve only ever written amazon reviews, and only for books that I really enjoyed. I think it’s an art to write a good review. I’ll stick to romance!
Nicole, your dh sounds like a dream! Mine is super supportive, too and I’m so thankful! He even built me a shed for my office! When I’m in the shed, I’m off limits!
Thanks Kimber, I hope to live up to your expectations!
Donna, maybe the Goddesses can answer your question. I’m not sure I know. When I’m in the zone, I’m not me anymore! Sometimes I’m amazed at the stuff that ends up on the page.
Kelly Ann on 27 Apr 2007 at 8:34 pm #
Congratulations Deb, I’m so glad your dreams are coming true for you. I can’t wait to read your books!!! What a thrilling moment indeed!
I have many dreams, but my immediate dream is to go back to school. I’ve told you all that already though. I’m still waiting to hear and am so afraid that I will not be starting in August. It’s been almost a month, but I did get a note in the mail this week from the college I went to after HS and they sent my transcripts out last week. Does it always take this long? It’s been 12 years since I got my 1st acceptance letter to Toccoa Falls College and I’m very impatient. You would think after 30 years of life I would learn some patience! Ha-ha!
It’s been awesome to read about all my favorite goddesses getting published. You all are wonderful! I’m so glad you never gave up!
DebMarlowe on 27 Apr 2007 at 9:10 pm #
Thanks Kelly Ann!
And thanks to the Goddesses for inviting me to Mount Olympus! The view is great and the company divine (natch!) I’ve had a wonderful time!
Sabrina Jeffries on 27 Apr 2007 at 10:40 pm #
Deb, baby, great to have you!
Donna, I could tell you where the witty paragraphs come from, but then I’d have to kill you.
Kidding!
No clue. I was raised by and with smart-alecks, what can I say? Apparently some of it rubbed off on me.
gannon on 27 Apr 2007 at 11:11 pm #
Better late than never! I was at a baby shower for a friend this morning and then had to work at our elementary school’s spring festival–whew! I’m whipped, but I wanted to chime in and say how much I enjoyed reading your story about the call Deb. How wonderful for you! I look forward to reading your book.
RachelG on 28 Apr 2007 at 12:36 pm #
Congrats on publishing your first book. Such a thrilling time, for sure.
rachel
TheNightPoet on 30 Apr 2007 at 11:05 am #
Thank you Deb and Karen R for the advice. You both gave some great advice.
Don’t worry everyone, the poem will be chosen, but it might be three weeks before it is, I have finals coming up. You will get to read it though, trust me. 
Andrea