Hey folks, I found another virgin!
I know, hard to believe, but I guess they’re everywhere. This one comes from Colorado and is a hoot! She happily bares all the details of her de-flowering (both as a teenager and a writer) so I know you’ll want to read on. Her debut novel, Love Chosen, sounds like an exciting read, and she’s already scheduled for another release in a few months (so she must be doing something right, right?). So please help me welcome a fun lady and fellow Crested Butte Conference goer, Marne Kirk.
You can learn more about Marne and Love Chosen by visiting her website at www.marneannkirk.com.
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Kaki, Thank you for having me here. You are such a sweet person… and you have no idea what you set yourself up for with a title like Virgins No More 😉
You were just asking for it, you know…
So, let’s see if I can make Kaki blush without stepping over too many boundaries (yes, even I have some…)
Thank goodness my “blossoming” as a published author has not really mirrored my, er, becoming a woman.
I am so excited to share my debut novel, Love Chosen, available through Crescent Moon Press. It’s a fantasy romance, set in a medieval world of magic and dragons, discrimination and faith. And, of course, love.
Before I get into losing my writing virginity with “Love Chosen,” though, let me do a little set up on the other. I wasn’t your, um, perfect daughter, exactly… Kaki, if I had been your daughter, you probably would’ve given me up for adoption or locked me in a closet! (Looking back, I wouldn’t have blamed you).
Anyways, we cannot all come to our Lord as sparkling clean children, can we? Some of us come later in life…
So, back to my story…
I had heard so much about that first time. Everyone was doing “IT.” I had all of these built up hormones I didn’t know what to do with (and I’d been to church enough to know about the one man being struck down for doing that one thing to himself, I didn’t dare do that…). Oh, and did I mention, if you weren’t doing it, or if you were doing it yourself, you just weren’t cool?
Well, you know I HAD to do it… I set out looking for potential takers, found one (it wasn’t terribly difficult. I had a great product, lol), we dated for a few months (I was a chicken), and BAM Baby!
I’ll skip the details and go to the important part of my message…the conversation after:
Him: “Oh wow. Man, that was fantastic.”
Me: “Really? That’s it? We’re done?” (Yep, true story… I said that.)
Him: “You didn’t like it?”
Me: “Oh…um, it was… okay… I guess…”
Sad, I know. But true. I learned so much from this experience, though, and so much of it can be applied to getting published. I did NOT repeat this past in my writing life, proving humans CAN learn from their past.
- Everyone isn’t doing it (getting published RIGHT NOW). I wrote for ten years before I sent “Love Chosen” to Crescent Moon Press. Did I try other editors and agents in those ten years? Oh, heck yes. Except…not really. I didn’t try extremely hard, because deep down, I wasn’t quite ready. If you’re just starting out on your first story, enjoy the process of learning to write well. Find your writing voice, find what you LOVE, and enjoy who you’re becoming as a writer for awhile before jumping into the rest. When I was ready, when “Love Chosen” was where it needed to be, I found my editor and she loved my writing…
- If you decide to do it yourself (publish your own novel), you won’t be struck down… but you might have better luck with someone helping (critique partners and editors) … I’m just saying.
- Pick your partner (editor or agent) wisely and make sure you love them. Do your research. Find a publisher or agent you know you can respect, be with for the long haul of producing and selling your novel, take criticism from…. “Love” for your book. You’re going to be bringing up your baby together. That’s HUGE!
- Once you do sign that contract, you give your editor your baby (see? JUST like doin’ the dirty), and you don’t hear from anyone for a while. When you do hear from them again, it is to get your bunnies to work, work, work. The honeymoon is OVER and you have a lot to do to get your baby ready for the world. How well your baby does in the world is up to you and your partner (your editor). So, pick a partner wisely and make sure you can love them, because you’re going be tight (did I already say that?)…
The moral of the story (and I tell my kids this all the time): if love isn’t there, you’re going to be disappointed. It’s better to wait. Wait until you love your story. Wait until your critique partners love your story. Wait until some contests have loved your story. Then wait until you’ve researched and found the perfect fit in a publisher or agent.
I did, and I’m so glad.
I’m going to give away a copy of “Love Chosen,” here today. So, if you enjoy fantasy romance, or if you think you might enjoy it, leave a comment and show some love! I’ll let Miss Kaki, our wonderful hostess with the mostest, pick the winner and work out the details. I’ll mail an autographed copy of “Love Chosen” to the winner.
Thank you, again, for having me Kaki. I hope I didn’t make you too pink… Well, okay, I was going for a little blush…
Hi Kaki & Marne!
Kaki, another great find–though I can’t even fathom you ever blushing–I too have tried to shock you and make you blush and now I think with your friends it’s going to become a fun past-time.
Marne . . . awesome post. I can’t wait to read your book, but take me out of the drawing as I’ve already ordered it. BTW, WOW, what a lovely photo of you!
I think you had some great advice about not rushing things and making sure you’re “baby” and your writing are in the right place before you send it out looking for a home.
To further your metaphor, there’s a terrific book called Last One Down The Aisle Wins, by Shannon somebody I can’t remember her name, but I gave copies to all three of my girls. It espouses not getting married until you’re over 25, because just like writing . . . you have so much to learn both about yourself and the world that you can be that much better wife/mother if you do all that exploration and learning alone before you complicate it with a husband and children. Enjoy the process. Enjoy your girlfriends (critique partners). Your freedom (conferences, no deadlines).
And I agree with you that there is SO much to learn about the craft of writing and yourself as a writer and what you love to write and what you’re GOOD at writing, and the business, that you’re not doing yourself any favors to rush the process. No matter how tempting that hottie is, hang on to your virginity until you’re good and ready.
At least that’s what I think you were saying. Now me . . . I’ve been good and ready, but I’m waiting for the world to be ready for ME . Best of luck, kiddo!
I think we should make a contest of it, T. (embarrassing Kaki, that is, lol). And I LOVE the continued wisdom, T! “Enjoy the process….your girlfriends…your freedom.” Very nice…
Thanks, Theresa!
Hmmm w-h-a-t creative prize can we come up with for the lucky person to make Kaki blush? We have some really creative people attending conference so we might need multiple prizes.
How about a prize for me for NOT blushing? I need a new car, BTW.
I think it should be an owl and a chicken together, like besties…um…they’re kinda Kaki’s favorite pets 😉
You guys should be careful making an old person blush–it can lead to all sorts of unintended consequences. And chickens and owls are pretty much in the same species. Not like dragons and humans (or dragons and donkeys…I don’t care what Shrek says). Which reminds me, Marne, what was that guy’s name–you know the one. I’d like to send him a link to your post since you’ve made him practically famous (but not in a good way). Blushing? Bring it on!
His name was Alex. Alexander Skarsgard (smirf, lol)…
Oh wait, maybe I’m just wishing…dreaming…sigh…
Hi Kaki and Marne,
Great interview!! It is so nice to meet you Marne. I wanted to thank Kaki for introducing me to a new author. This book sounds sooo good!! Thanks for the chance to win!!
Mariann, HELLO!!! (that’s a shout-out) I’m so glad you enjoyed it and it’s nice to meet you, too! Good luck with the drawing!
Hi, Mariann. Thanks for coming by, and good luck in the drawing.
Boy, I feel for that guy now. How embarrassing!
I’m in a different boat. I hear what you’ve said about agents and publishers every day. But as a literary agent, I can say that we can get an author’s work read faster than just simple submission and we can also get into a lot of publisher’s inboxes that non-agents cannot. And most agents, myself included, have relationships with certain publishers that can not only fast-track things, but because of the good working relationship can give a higher success factor to our authors. You can do it without an agent (especially nonfiction), but having one can also help. And a good agent won’t charge anything, either.
For those of you who don’t know Marne (I do), listen to her. She speaks honestly. Great advice. I just finished the book (on Kindle) and it was very good. I highly recommend it.
Russell, thanks for coming by and showing support for Marne. And don’t feel too bad about “that guy”. She made all that up, I bet. She does write fiction, you know. Good luck with your own writing and your agency.
Marne Ann Kirk has given wonderful advice here. Thanks for that and again, it is so wonderful and generous for you, Kaki, doing this Virgins No More. Maybe, someday!
Toni, I fully expect to have you visit one day soon. You’re a great writer. Just keep at it. And thanks for coming by. Enjoy your fabulous garden. And write.
Marne,
I laughed out loud at your response to his “fantastic” statement. Hilarious!
This is a great post, and I LOVE how you compare publishing your first book to “the first time”. A very unique, yet perfect, way of looking at it.
I’d love to be entered in the drawing for your book, it sounds lovely.
Christi Corbett
Hey, Christi, thanks for coming by. How are the twins? And what are you working on now? Or can you write at all with two boys running around. Great hearing from you and good luck in the drawing. Stay in touch.
Russell, I’m so glad you enjoyed the book! Thanks for stopping by here! You’ve made some great points, and sure…we’ll pretend I made it up, lol…
Aww… Thanks Toni! Keep writing!
Christi, I’m glad you liked my comparisons. I think it’s important to laugh in life 😉
Good luck in the drawing!
A VERY ENTERTAINING interview, Marne! With the fourth season of Merlin on the ScyFy channel wrapped up, I’m craving more SciFi/Fantasy—-especially with dragons!! Your cover and story’s blurb have got me hooked. My next book purchases puts yours at the top of my list. Good luck with your marketing, promotions, and sales—now theres’ some real VIRGIN TERRITORY! I’m breaking the seal on it as we speak. SORRY—-I just couldn’t get away without adding a little nasty to the conversation. Did that make you blush, Kaki? I’m sure NOT!
Glad you came by, Lisa. And no, I’m not blushing, but thanks for thinking of me. Are you coming to the Crested Butte Conference this summer? Hope all is well with your SWEET GLORY release. It’s certainly gotten a lot of attention.
I’m SUPER BUMMED that I can’t make the Crested Butte Conference this summer—-had to choose between it and China—-I think you’ll understand which won out! But I will sorely miss you all!!!!!
Thanks so much for your interest in Sweet Glory, Kaki. It’s humming along! I’ve been storming my way into so many different niches—-yesterday, I had a book-signing at a restaurant (used to be a hotel too), which dates back to the Civil War and has magically retained its appearance from this time. I brought along Billy Bear, all dressed up in full cavalry garb. His quizzes for a free bookmark were a hit and he brought me lots of sales–YAY!
So, Marne—-if you don’t already have one for your road show, go out and find yourself a four-foot stuffed dragon—-great kiddie attractor with the purchasing power of adults hot on their heels….LOL!
And, Kaki, when your hubby’s not available to go with you, how about a blow-up Brady Wilkins to tote along on your book-signing tour? DOUBLE LOL!
OK, Lisa. You win. I’m blushing. A blow up Brady Wilklins? Not bad. But as long as we’re dreaming, how about a Declan, Hank, Ash, and Jack, too? LOL.
I’ll take any and all of your men, Kaki! Wow….now I’m blushing!
“Virgin seal…” smirk, ha-ha… Love the little bit of naughty there, Lisa! Thanks for that… And I feel pretty dang special, getting to the top of your list! That’s cool! (I recently won myself a copy of Lisa’s book, SWEET GLORY, everyone. I cannot wait to read it)…
Lisa, a four foot tall dragon is a fantastic idea! Thanks for that! Hmmm…China or Crested Butte… I CANNOT believe you chose China, lol…
We will miss you at the conference, though.
Marne:
This is a great post! Wonderful comparison. Is it true about publishing that it only hurts the first time? You are a wonderful writer, Marne. I was fortunate enough to critique one of your chapters. Best of luck you deserve it.
Merrie, thank you. You are so sweet! As for only hurting the first time, I’ll have to get back to you on that one.
Thanks Kaki and Marne. This post is so funny, yet contains serious wisdom. I feel exceptionally excited about writing today…
Thanks, Julie! I hope you’re productive and every word is a keeper 😉
Hi Marne! Your advice was so good, it makes me want to run right home and jump in bed with my computer. To write, that is! Unfortunately, I have to work instead. Your book sounds great. Congratulations on the all the success after a long wait! It would be a new genre for me to wade into, but I’m willing to try. Kaki makes me blush all the time, so I won’t even attempt to return the favor.
Yikes! How do I make you blush Christina? Not my salacious love scenes, surely.
Thank you, Christina! I love me some good historical romance, too (of course it helps to have authors like Kaki to read. She’s amazing!). LOVE CHOSEN is more along the lines of a medieval setting; but if you do read LOVE CHOSEN, I hope you like it.
Hi kaki ! What a great find! Hi Marne ! I believe fantasy is a genre that almost all the reading adventurer will enjoy nowadays :D. Thank you to share w us your publishing experience :D.you are right we have to wait till we find everything fits perfectly :).
Hi, Aretha! Thanks for coming by. Good luck in the drawing.
Great way with words, Aretha and…exactly 😉
Kaki, thank you again, for hosting me today. I had a fantastic time.
Great post, Miss Marne. I like the idea of the prize being an owl and a chicken. Since Kaki already has a pair, she could start a flock. It could be the beginning of a new species.
I’ll take me a Jack, an Ash, a Declan or a Hank. Kaki, maybe you can start an online store. Your books and big hunky blow-up dolls.
🙂
Vicki
Oh dear….You may be my soul sister since I had to ask if we were doing *it* as there wasn’t much to be doing it with…disillusioning after years of reading romance novels? Yep. And no Kaki, I will not dish his name up!
A book of Dragons, magic and love sounds delicious. Perfect way to kick off spring on the balcony. Congratulations on baby flying the nest!
Thanks, Miss Vicki. Would we call this breed chowls? Owkens? I’d shop in Kaki’s store, lol…
You people off your meds? Naturally they would be called chickols and they eat chicklets and chiggle a lot–probably because they’re so nasty.
Larisa, I hear ya, sister 😉
Thank you so much. I hope you enjoy the story.