My 100th Romance!
If I had champagne, this would be the night I’d open the bottle and drink a glass. But alas, I don’t drink alcohol. (It inhibits weight loss.) But I did have a couple of pieces of dark chocolate earlier, so that counts as a celebration treat.
This moment marks a goal I set for myself back in 2012. I think I had reached my initial goal of 20 romances at the time, or I was close to it. That was over ten years, and it’s hard to remember exactly when I set my goal for 100 romances. At first, I set the goal to 50, but then I thought, “Why put the bar that low? Aim high. Who knows? You might reach it.”
And tonight, I did. Now, I set the goal for romances because that is the genre I love writing most. As most of you know, I’ve done other genres, and while I have enjoyed them, the romances have first place in my heart. It’s been a wild ride. In 2007, I had no idea when I picked up a half-finished story that I had started back in college, I had started something that was going to last for over a decade. I kept thinking I would write a couple of romances, grow tired of it, and return to my Raz fantasy series. But one romance story led to another one and then another. Around 2011, I came to the conclusion that I wasn’t going to run out of romance ideas. So then I made the goal of writing 100 of them. My husband promised me an engraved award with my name and the goal on it when I reached this goal, so I’ll have to upload the picture of the award when it comes in.
I honestly wondered if this moment would ever come. That burnout phase I went through was so awful. I thought I wasn’t going to be able to write another book or even finish the ones I had started. I went from burnout into depression over the burnout, and that only made things worse. I’m relieved to say that I’m no longer in those two states. Lesson learned: if you get tired and need a break, take it. Better to take a breather than to keep pushing through the exhaustion. So anyway, this book represents the ability to travel the ups and downs of being a writer and still come out with a passion for storytelling. When I look at this book, I don’t think of how I made a business out of writing books. I think of how important writing is to me and how much those of you who read and enjoy my books mean to me. If it weren’t for you, I would have given up about ten years ago, and I never would have reached the goal. So thank you for helping me stay motivated.
This book will be out in October, which, coincidentally, is also my birth month. I didn’t plan things out that way, but I think it’s pretty neat that two will go together. It gives reaching the goal an even more special meaning.
Congratulations! ❤
Thank you! 😀
Dear Ruth, Congratulations! God’s Blessings. What a wonder! 100 books! And novels at that! Stories that respect love and marriage and the Good Lord. By the way, my birthday is also in October. I’m a Libra.All the best and thank you, my dear inspiration. I hope there will be many more books, at your pace and in good health.🌹🌟🤗🎊🎈🏆🙏
Your book list is impressive, too. 😀
It’s great to know we share the same birth month! I’m on the 28th. I almost made it to Halloween. But the fun thing is that my second has the same birthday I do, so he’ll always remember when his mom was born. 😛
I love that you keep writing, and even after everything you’ve been through, you are always positive.
Congrats! I wish I had kept track of how many stories I wrote, let alone horror stories. Coincidentally, I finished my latest novel, about a 3D printer from Hell, on Wednesday night. So I’m riding that celebratory high with you. And I had enough drinks for the both of us, lol.
That 3D printer story sounds intriguing to me. I’m looking forward to reading it. Do you have a list of everything you’ve written so people can find your backlist? I don’t include every single thing because some of the stuff was before I got serious about writing.
I thought of you when I wrote this post because I saw we had both finished books. 😀 It’s nice to have company on that celebratory high. Thanks for having those drinks on my behalf. 😉
I have a list of my available books, but not where every short story is published. That seems like a lot of work.
How many short stories do you have out there?
And yes, that is a lot of work. It’s why I won’t go back to all of my old books and update the back matter no matter how many times other authors tell me to do that. I could be using that time to write or edit.
I want to say at least 10 or 12? I need to do a recount!
Very impressive. Congrats on that!
Thanks! You’re very impressive as well.
Congratulations! What a great goal to reach! I’m so proud of you. And a little jealous. Just kidding! 🙂
Thank you! It’s a shame we aren’t close to each other so we could do writing sprints together. Your stories are good. I’m still excited to read that gothic one you’re working on. I’ll wait for it. I know I’ll enjoy it. 🙂
Hi Ruth, Congratulation on your 100th book.
I love your books, I own all of them.
Love Hugs Kim Tydings
Kim, I am so touched that you own all of my books. That means the world to me. Love and hugs back! 🙂
Currently reading Eye of the Beholder because I missed Dave and Mary so much. Congratulations! I’ve watched you for years now. The struggles and burnout and rebounding to being the writer I admire you for. Glass raised to you. (Iced tea) Cheers!
Hugs, my sweet friend
Hi, Shelley! Thank you for celebrating this moment with me! Ironically, Eye of the Beholder is the book that made my love of romance official. Before then, I had written a couple of romances, but I was still on the fantasy and thriller fence. Once I finished Dave and Mary’s book, I knew I wasn’t going to stop writing romance. 🙂 I appreciate you sticking with me through this roller coaster. It’s been rough, but it’s been worth it. I love iced tea! It’s my favorite drink.
Congratulations on your 100th book. That is a great accomplishment! I love your books, and I always look forward to a new one coming out! Thank you for all of your books!
Thank you so much, Gail! You have been with me for a long time, and you’ve always been very kind. I appreciate that very much. Thank you!
Hi Ruth,
Wow what an achievement, congratulations.
Best wishes for a magical birthday in October.
Cheers, Tracey☺
Thank you, TJ. The fact that you’ve stuck with me all of this time means a lot to me. 🙂