My Muses

These are my muses - Ralph and Rita Mouse. They were gifts over the years from my mother-in-law. Ralph is in the teacup. He is my main muse. When I'm stuck with a problem with my plot, or don't know what my hero or heroine should be doing, or just a down moment I just look up to the window sill and there is Ralph. He cheers me up, he whispers in my ear what I'm missing.

A couple of years ago I got the mouse in the shiny high heeled shoe. She didn't have a name. My MIL said she was good luck for my writing. My daughter, Jennifer said, "Her name is Rita." I was so teary-eyed; my family had been listening to me. They knew my dreams, they wanted me to achieve them, they knew about the Golden Heart and the Rita. What a family!

Too many times in the romance industry I hear sad stories of dreams crushed, husbands who don't LET their wives go to National, or who actually belittle the stories we create and rip them - literally - into pieces.

We have to treasure those who support us and our dreams. Hug the husbands and wives you GET IT, reward the children who give you that quiet hour to write each evening, the families who understand you are trying to reach your dream. Thank the spouse who bought that first computer - in 1991 - so you could write the book of your dreams, the one that didn't sell until 2010. Take note of the family budget that includes Internet so you can stay connected to the world while locked in your own imaginary one.

Do you have a muse? Do you have a support team for your dreams?

Jill James

Dare to Dream

I started dreaming of seeing my stories published after attending my first conference, Fun in the Sun, organized by my local chapter, Florida Romance Writers, in 2004. I had one story written and was just starting on the other, and yet my new friends in the chapter encouraged me to pitch both. I received four requests that lead to rejections but you should have seen the boost of energy the requests gave me. I wrote daily while imagining myself signing books, attending interviews, becoming the next Nora Robert. I dreamed and dreamed ...


I attended more conferences, workshops, seminars, chats and learned to network with fellow writers who shared my dreams. Here with Carolyn Hughey and Marlene Urso at RWA 2004 in Dallas.

Carla Capshow from the FTHRW chapter won her first Golden Heart. She won a second in 2007. We congratulated her and dreamed of Golden Heart awards.


I met Nora Robert at the 2004 RWA Conference in Dallas and ogled her TWO little statuettes. She let me hold them.

The dream materialized at a FRW conference. I pitched TO LOVE A HERO to Raelene Gorlinski from Cerridwen Press, received a request and later my first contract. I was ecstatic.





My friends surprised me with a party at Olive Gardens to celebrate the release of my first book as ebook. I signed the cover for them.

The dream continued for me and my critique partner. Helen Scott-Taylor won the Romantic Time American Title and was honored at the 2008 RT conference in Pittsburg.

In 2008 I sold my medical romance BABIES IN THE BARGAIN to The Wild Rose Press.

My friend Terri Gary from FTHRW won the RITA.

And my critique partners Joan Leacott (from Toronto) and Helen Scott-Taylor (From England) came to attend the conference.

In 2009 TWRP published my second book, Rx FOR TRUST.

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN won the 2009 Best Romance Novel of the Year at Preditors & Editors Readers Poll and the 2009 Best Contemporary Romance at Readers Favorites.

The 2010 RWA in Orlando was a blast.

Here is a picture of my Playground loop. Most are FTHRW members. And another picture with Terry Spears at the fantastic cocktail organized by our dear Prez Carolyn. Terry told us about her successful career.




I had my first National signing. Imagine Stephanie Laurens, the Regency bestselling author was sitting a few tables from me. Clarissa Southwick from our own Voices blog was a finalist in the Golden Heart.

Angi Plat from my Playground loop won the Golden Heart and Beth Andrews won the Rita.

And the dream continued. Beth allowed me to daydream in front of her Rita.

Maybe... Who knows...

Dream and work hard.

Dream and persevere.

Dreams do come true.

They did for my friends.