Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Time To Be Thankful . . .

Winner!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chelsea B. Your name was pulled out of the hat. Please email me you snail mail address at christie (at) christie-craig (dot) com

And make sure you come back next week, I'll be running another contest.

CC



Time To Be Thankful—It’s Release day for Another Christie Craig Book

It’s almost Thanksgiving, but today’s the day. Divorced, Desperate and Deceived hits the stands. Today, readers will see my baby looking up from the bookshelves. I’m hoping the cute puppy on the front will reach out and pull the potential buyers in and beg them to take it home with them.

You’d think that after having had six novels—five from Dorchester and my very first from Silhouette years ago—hit the stands, the thrill and the anxiety would have faded. Not quite. Oh, I’m no longer hiding out in the bookstores, wearing a wig and a trench coat, taking notes to how many people pick it up, and blocking people’s path when they try to walk past it without noticing my masterpiece. Nope, I’m over that. (Funny how a couple of restraining orders can take the thrill out of my promo efforts.) Now, I just hang out at the grocery and drug stores and slip it into people’s baskets when they aren’t looking. Much better success. I’m kidding, but it is tempting.

Ahh, but the thrill of a new release hasn’t changed. I still almost have to pinch myself. I think one reason I still feel the high is because I worked so hard to get here. I heard so many “Noes” before I finally got my “Yeses.”

When I do my rejection dump at writer conferences, I often get asked, “How did you do it? How did you keep going?”

The answer is rather simple and I’m afraid I’m not near as wonderful as you might think. I just couldn’t quit. Writing is in my blood, these stories come to me and if I don’t write them, I don’t get to find out what happens to the characters. Writing is a big part of what defines me. However, when I look back, I remember the sting of those rejections, but you know what I remember most? I remember, and I’m forever thankful for everyone who helped me keep going: The contest judges who read my manuscripts and said such wonderful things about my work or gave me a little suggestion. My critique partners who keep saying, “It will happen, Christie. It will.” My family who saw me put hours upon hours into a career that gave nothing back for year, after year, after year, and yet they never lost faith in me.

I’m even thankful for those rejections. They made me stronger, they made me work harder. So today, I hope if there is something you’re working toward, I hope you have people to support you, I hope your dream is so tightly wound around who you are that quitting isn’t an option. Because I’m here to tell you, meeting goals is something to holler about, it’s something to celebrate. It’s downright awesome.

And you guys are awesome, too. Without you, without readers, I wouldn’t have this career. So thank you all. Happy Thanksgiving. Now, it’s your turn to tell me what you are thankful for. One lucky commenter will win a signed copy of my book.

And don’t forget to visit me and read my humorous blogs at these other sites where I’m also giving away books:


West of Mars: (What Song reminds me of my book?)
Romance in the Backseat http://ritbs.blogspot.com/2009/11/ten-questions-for-author-christie-craig.html(10 Questions I get asked most often.)
Enchanted by Books: (Five Things you Didn’t Know About Christie Craig) See I still have a few secrets.)

I also have a humorous feature posted at Dorchester: What it Takes To Be A Christie Craig Character. Along with the feature, we’re running another contest, a short essay contest, "Do You Have What it Takes to be a Christie Craig Character?" and I’m giving away a wonderful cozy Cypress housecoat and a copy of Divorced, Desperate and Deceived. http://dorchesterpub.com/Dorch/SpecialFeatures.cfm?ID=2752

57 comments:

Gillian Layne said...

I'm so glad I can be the first here to say CONGRATULATIONS!

I am thankful for your books, Christie, because they let me grin until the grins turn into laughter. Just escaping for a few hours is a joy. And then all those happy endorphins that are released after I've finished one of your books makes me a much more pleasant person to be around. My kids definitely notice.

I'm also so happy the Turkey day is almost here. I'm a stuffing junkie. :)

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Mazel Tov on the release, lady. I agree with so much of what you said... this left-of-center author knows exactly what you're talking about.

May the sales be wonderful and may your backlist fly out the door along with this one.

Christie Craig said...

Thank you Gillian!!

Oh, love the phrase, Stuffing Junkie!

CC

Christie Craig said...

Thanks Susan!!!

Here's hoping you wishes for me come true.

CC

Anonymous said...

Congrats, Christie, on the new release!
Someday, I hope to be just like you. And I'm thankful to be able to call you a friend!

mariska said...

Congrats for the release !!

I'm thankful for my 3 yos lovely son. He's always make my day beautiful everyday, since i'm a full time mommy.

Hopefully, i can be thankful to you to let me win your book :))

uniquas at ymail dot com

Terri Osburn said...

I'm thankful my copy of DD&Deceived arrived last night! Thanks so much and super congrats. I'm sure glad you stuck with this, your books never fail to make me smile. (And keep me up way too late turning pages, but I'll forgive you for that. *g*)

How could anyone resist that little pug?!

Stacey Joy Netzel said...

Congratulations on the new release! Sorry, but it's nice to know that you still get nervous and excited, that it's not 'old hat' to you. (And I've heard how you love your hats!)

I'm thankful for my family. Simple, but the best.

Happy Thanksgiving and many sales to you!

Christie Craig said...

Hi Jennifer!

Thanks so much for stopping in. How's the little girl? I know you have tons to be thankful for this year with the new little one.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Hi Terri!

Thanks for popping in and I happy you got your book. And I wish you sweet dreams after you stay up too late reading.

Have a great Turkey Day.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Mariska,

Three years olds are so much fun. They are mostly out of the terrible twos and think their mamas are super special.

Thanks for stopping in.

CC

Edie Ramer said...

Congratulations on your newest release! I love this blog! I'm such a fan of yours. And my CP says the same thing to me that yours did to you.

So I'm thankful for blogs like this one. You're an inspiration.

Christie Craig said...

Stacey,

Even with all my hats, I don't this will ever be old hat. I met a friend yesterday for breakfast and Suzan said her hubby asked her what she wanted out of writing. Her answer to her hubby is in a way why most of us write: "Just to get a letter from a reader who says I gave them two or three hours of joy."

Nothing is better than getting a note saying someone enjoys your work.

Thanks for stopping in. Happy Turkey day.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Hi Edie!

Thanks so much dropping in. It's so true, good critique partners are worth their weight in gold.

And I inspire you to keep doing what you love, then I'm tickled pink.

Have a great Turkey Day.

CC

Sandy said...

LOl You're so funny, Christie, and crafty sticking those books into their baskets.

I know what you mean about not quitting. This career just doesn't allow you to stop writing. It grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go.

Congratulations on your rlease day. I can hardly wait to read my copy.

Rashda Khan said...

Congratulations Christie! I'm so happy for you and for me...now I've another CC Caper to read :)

Earlier this month, my family and I were in a car wreck. Our beloved vehicled --named Cari by the kids --was totaled, but the family was OK (just minor bruising). For this I'm mega-thankful this year.

Rashda

gigi said...

Hi Christie, I also am thankful for you books that always promise a smile and laugh.
I am also thankful that after a pretty bad year of illness in the family that we are all bouncing back. Knock on wood.

gigi said...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Christie Craig said...

Hi Sandy,

Thanks so much for stopping in.

And yup, writing can snag you and never let you go.

Have a great Turkey Day.

CC

Christie Craig said...

RK,

I'm so thankful you guys are okay!! While I'm sure you'll miss "Cari" cars are replacable.

And I hope you enjoy the caper!!

Have a great Turkey Day.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Gigi,

I'm thrilled you are all on the mend, too. Stay that way.

And I'm thrilled I give you something to smile about. Life is too serious and no fun if you can laugh.

Have a great Turkey Day, too.

CC

Kristi said...

I'm thankful for my family. I don't know what I'd do without them. I'm also thankful for the medical scare that I had. Because I'm still here and now I can take steps to be here for a long time to come.

I can't wait to get the new book Christie. Congratulations and Happy Thanksgiving.

Suzan Harden said...

For anyone in the Bear Creek/Copperfield area of Houston, there are 4 copies of DDD3 ripe for the picking! They're prominently displayed on the top shelf of the New Romance section.

@Stacey Joy Netzel - Trust me, weird-on-release-day doesn't cover Christie's behavior. One time, she and our buddy Jody came over for a drive-by signing, then lunch. Christie was almost in tears. There was no stock to sign because THEY'D ALREADY SOLD OUT! Madeleine, the loveliest bookseller at B&N ever, reassured her more copies were already on order.

It took Jody and me two hours to convince Christie this was a GOOD thing.

Enjoy this day, girl!

Suzan, who's struggling very hard not to say Joey needs his own book.

DarleneLF said...

Thank you to CheekyReads for leading me to your books and blog! Your books are on my 'must read' list now.

I'm thankful for my family, for they are everything in the world to me.

Congrats, on the new release :)

Stacey Joy Netzel said...

Too funny about crying over being sold out. :)

And Suzan, you have amazing restraint! LOL

Christie Craig said...

Kristi,

I know what you mean. Family is the best. They are the hugs when you need 'em, the bandaids when you have a booboo, and the shoulders when you need to cry.

I'm glad you medical scare is over. Enjoy Turkey day with the family.

CC

Hellie Sinclair said...

CONGRATULATIONS!! And yes, you have a lot to be thankful for, but you totally deserve it! You work very hard!!

I second (third, et) everyone that may your sales be wonderful and your backlist fly out with your current one!!!

Christie Craig said...

Hi Suzan!

Thanks for letting me know about the books. I am going to make a run out tonight to see my baby on the stands.

And if they aren't there. I still might cry!!! All I know is that go to see my baby and it's not there.

Thanks girl. You are the best. And I should know you would have to mention Joey again. Honey, your hubby might get jealous. You gotta let that guy go. LOL.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Darlene,

Sending CheekyReads a big ol' hug and kiss. Thank you so much for stopping in.

Thanks for coming by. Hope your Turkey day with family is the best.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Stacey,

You are wrong. Suzan doesn't restain herself. She's a recovering lawyer, she doesn't hold back. LOL. Gotta love her!

CC

Hellie Sinclair said...

Oh, and I'm thankful...I have my own place now so if I get really tired of my family exchanging stories about family members they wish were here but are currently in jail...or things of that nature, I can go home!!!

I am also thankful I am being a bit smarter this year and not cooking EVERY SINGLE thing...and that I'm picking things to cook that aren't difficult. And that I'm not insisting on cooking something (something that looks "creative and fresh") when we all know everyone wants the same 6 dishes we've had since before I was born. (I'm thankful I've stopped beating my head against that brick wall!)

I'm thankful to my awesome friends and critique partners and pirate crew who make blogging awesome. I'm thankful to my favorite authors who've published new books this year, despite the economy, piracy, and narrower publishing guidelines. I'm thankful the Harry Potter movie FINALLY came out this year; and that the New Moon movie was great. And I'm grateful for the relatively good health of my family, even if most of them are idiots. Except my father, who's a genius.

Christie Craig said...

MsHellion,

Thank you. You do know it's a labor of love.

Hope all your Holiday pies are lip smacking good.

CC

Christie Craig said...

MsHellion,

Love your thankful list!!

You wouldn't be a daddy's girl would you?

And oh, stay away from the brick wall, unless there's something you want on the other side. Then go get a big hammer.

CC

Hellie Sinclair said...

Huge Daddy's girl. *grins* It's so sad. I wouldn't be if he weren't so awesome at everything. *LOL*

Katherine Page said...

Christie Craig said "So today, I hope if there is something you’re working toward, I hope you have people to support you, I hope your dream is so tightly wound around who you are that quitting isn’t an option."
Wow! I have goosebumps! Thank you Christie, for being the awesome, wonderful, heartfelt person that I have come to love!
I am thankful that MY dream job is so tightly wound around, and IN, who I am, that every day at work is a joy. I am also thankful that I have found your books, to make my NON work days a joy too!
Congrats Girl - you've earned it!
Have a great thanksgiving!
Blessings,
Katherine

Wendy Roberts said...

Congrats on the release!!! Wishing you a ton of sales :)

Christie Craig said...

MsHellion,

I'm a bit of a daddy's girl too, so I won't poke fun at you.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Hi Katherine!

You are so sweet. I think anyone who loves what they do for a living is really one of the luckiest people in the world. So I do consider myself very lucky. Here's hoping you have a fabulous holiday with a perfect turkey and pies that are mouth watering.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Hi Wendy!,

Thank you so much. Have a great Turkey Day.

CC

Hellie Sinclair said...

I'm very tempted by the Dorchester contest. Unfortunately, in recounting my family and their quirks, I'm now officially depressed and am pretty sure David Sedaris is thrilled he is not a member of my family.

It also exceeded the word limit by 600 words.

I will have to rethink this contest entry.

Refhater said...

Congrats on the new release! Can't wait to read it. I've added it to my Christmas wish list.

I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. The most being that I'm thankful that my older brother was not injured in the shooting at Ft. Hood. He was stationed there as a M1A1 Abrams tank driver. Thankfully he was home when the attack happened.

I'm also thankfull that I have a job to go into each morning. With the way things are going here in Michigan, not everyone can say that.

Chelsea B. said...

I'm thankful for....Family, food, cooler weather, warm blankets, good books, good movies, hot guys....See, I'm just greedy like that;)

Congrats on the book release!

catslady said...

Big congratulations. I'm thankful for family which includes a healthy 87 year old mother, hubby, 2 wonderful daughters, one son-in-law and another significant other and my 6 furbabies, and a granddoggie and that my newly married daughter has moved close to home. This is a wonderful time to forget all the troubles and remember what we do have. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Christie Craig said...

MsHellion,

Hey...don't get depressed!!! You gotta laugh at those family members. You gotta love 'em, even if they drive you bat-shit crazy,

And with your wit girl, and way with words, I have a feeling you could really make an excellent CC character!!!!

Don't give up on that essay. I can't wait to read it.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Refhater,

Thanks for putting me on your list! And girl, I'm so happy your brother is okay. I can imagine how scaried you were.

Yup, having a job is a good thing right now.

Thanks so much for stopping in.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Chelsea B.

I really, really like your thankful list!! I mean that warm blanket is the best of all. As long as the hot guy comes with it. LOL.

Thanks so much for posting. Have a great Turkey Day.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Catslady,

It sounds as if you got a wonderful frame of mind. Happy Thanksgiving.

And thanks so much for being a regular here.

CC

Jane said...

Happy Release Day, Christie. I'm definitely thankful for the love and support of my family and friends.

Christie Craig said...

Thanks Jane!!

I hope you have a fabulous and delicious holiday with all those friends and family.

CC

Dru said...

Congratulations on the release of your book and yep, I got my copy.

LuAnn said...

There are so many things to be thankful for and I believe people tend to forget that. I especially appreciate all the wonderful new friends I've made since I began blogging!

reading_frenzy at yahoo dot com

Christie Craig said...

Hi Dru!

Thanks so much for stopping in. I hope you enjoy the read.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

CC

Christie Craig said...

LuAnn,

Blogging is a great way to make friends! So many people out there and getting to know them is extra special.

Thanks so much for stopping in.

CC

Donna Marie Rogers said...

Happy Release Day, Christie!! You know how much I'm looking forward to reading this one!!

Sorry I'm so late. My inlaws were in a pretty bad car accident last weekend, so what I'm thankful for is that they're both alive and (mostly) well. My MIL has a fractured pelvis and cracked her head open, so she's in a wheelchair for awhile, my FIL walked away with some bruising. The car was totaled, and if you'd seen it, you'd never understand how my MIL survived. So I'm very grateful she had an angel riding on her shoulder that day. :-)

Christie Craig said...

Donna!

Wow!!! I'm so glad she's going to be okay. I'm sending her get-well quick wishes. Several people on this blog and my other guest blogs have mentioned car wrecks. Not good!! But so far everyone has been okay. And thats something to be thankful for.

Have a great Thanksgiving girl and take care of everyone. Yourself included!!!

CC

Anonymous said...

Happy Christie Craig Day!!! We heart you and all your books!

Hugs,
Diane

EmilyBryan said...

Congrats on all your success, Christie! You are one funny lady! (And a darn good writer too!)