Sift the following ingredients into a large round bowl, preferably one with expandable hips and waistline:
30+ years of writing for pleasure
16 years of formal education, including degree programs
A generous handful of writing workshops (note in margin: For best results, include Barbara Samuel’s Voice, Deb Dixon’s GMC, and Stephanie Bond’s POV)
RWA Membership
Active participation in several local RWA chapters
Mix thoroughly using critique partners instead of wooden spoon.
Heat over open flame for 5 years while writing full-time, until batter produces “finals” and “wins” when small samples are dropped into RWA-sponsored contests.
Sprinkle with the occasional sale from non-romance publishers like Cup of Comfort, fishing magazines and newspaper articles.
Carefully fold in solid advice from published authors such as Roxanne St. Claire, Kathy Caskie and Sophia Nash.
Taste. Add additional Barbara Samuel Voice class, as desired.
Pour into 60K pan and bake until done (note in margin: This is sometimes referred to as “the submission process.” If possible, ensure it coincides with the folding of Harlequin’s Next and Everlasting lines.)
Set oven timer for 2 ½ years.
Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, cream together a large dollop of patience with multiple revisions. Scoop mixture onto board well-floured with negative advice.
Knead. Dough will remain sticky so be sure to have a goodly supply of doubt nearby. If doubt runs low, add familial referrals to vanity presses and pay-for-hire editors. Temper with encouragement from critique partners and published authors.
Once mixture is ready for senior editor review, cover with a clean dry cloth and let sit for eleven months, or until patience is fully absorbed. Roll fondant to a paper-thin sheet.
When the timer goes off, check to see that Harlequin Ent. shows on display screen. Remove cake from oven and cover with fondant. Tears are essential at this stage of the process, so begin crying.
Take vintage bottle of champagne from bottom of refrigerator. Pop cork and enjoy with large helping of this month’s Harlequin American Romance, The Officer’s Girl, by debut author Leigh Duncan.
Debut author Leigh Duncan and her family moved fourteen times before the children graduated from high school. All that packing and unpacking led to Leigh’s long-standing philosophy that when dirt builds up in the corners, it’s time to call the movers. It also taught her that solid relationships are the foundation for true happiness. Married to the love of her life and mother of two wonderful young adults, Leigh worked as a secretary, a teacher and a government contractor before leaving those jobs behind to pursue writing, her life-long passion. Once the moving vans made their final stop in central Florida, Leigh settled in to write the kind of books she loves to read, ones where home, family and community are keys to the happy endings we all deserve.
Although her first love is Women’s Fiction, Leigh’s first sale was to Harlequin American Romance in May, 2010. The Officer’s Girl is in stores now, and her second Harlequin American is slated for release in early 2011. In her spare time, she’s finalizing a WF/RS for submission this summer. Leigh is a long-time member of the SpacecoasT Authors of Romance (Florida STAR) where she hosted the wildly successful Launching A Star contest for four years. She’s also a member of the Washington Romance Writers, TARA, CFRW and a charter member of RWA-WF.
Oh Leigh, so well said! Very clever, and true!
Laura
Loved your “recipe”, Leigh. We’re so happy for you! The book is a wildly successful one and the others to follow will be just as wonderful!
Laura, thanks! So good to see you here this morning.
Great recipe. I’m buying the book!
What a fabulous recipe. Thank God you’re such a good cook! Can’t wait to read The Officer’s Girl!
Leigh – What a great way to describe the process! I love a good recipe. I think I’ll go make my own.
Great post! You certainly deserved to sell. And I’m so glad you did!
Judy, many thanks to a great writer who is working on her own recipe. So glad you enjoyed “The Officer’s Girl.” Fortunately, my 2nd sale didn’t take quite so long so you should be able to buy it–also a Harlequin American–in early 2011.
Lynne, Always glad to make another sale, but hold off on that for a little while. I’ll draw a name from among our commenters first thing tomorrow and give away a copy of “The Officer’s Girl.”
Robin, the secret is in the patience. Of course, all the patience in the world won’t help if you don’t practice, practice, practice.
Debra, From what I hear, you’re well on your way to success!
Kristen,
And to think, not so long ago we were both contemplating turning in our aprons and taking up something more productive. Like brick laying or something. Now, look at us. And especially you. When does the first of your 3-book series come out?
Leigh,
Loved your book and looking forward to the next one. The post is great. You have a wonderful sense of humor mixed in with the solid hard facts about publishing.
Hey, Rachel! Glad you liked the column. The DH read it this morning and wanted to know why I wrote it as a recipe. And I realized that, after 3 months of working non-stop on my 2nd book for Harlequin American, I’m hungry to get back into the kitchen and cook again. For me, it’s a great way to burn off stress.
Hi Leigh,
Love the recipe and the photo! And I’ve been enjoying the little snippets on FB about your booksigning adventures. Yay!!!!
Leigh, what a great recipe. So appropriate. I’m so happy for you.
This was fantastic and congrats! I’ll keep in mind the vintage bottle of champagne from bottom of refrigerator when I’m in some of those earlier steps
I am glad your patience and practice paid off! Love your recipe…you are so clever
Leigh, Love the recipe, but can I have the microwave version, please.
Yvonne, book signings can be so much fun! They rate right up there after writing and cooking.
Anita, thanks for stopping by today. I hope my recipe helps you bake up some more successes. BTW, I LOVE your tattooed Highlanders.
Vanessa,
And I’ll keep my fingers crossed that all your hard work pays off soon!
Cyndi, It’s not just for writing, you know. How would you adjust the recipe for your life?
Carrie, forget the microwave version. You deserve to be more than a flash in the pan, don’t you?
I love your recipe:) Keep on cookin’!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Leigh Duncan, Leigh Duncan. Leigh Duncan said: Want a sure-fire recipe for your first book sale? Stop by and read mine at: http://www.rwa-wf.com/2010/05/10/recipe-for-a-first-sale [...]
Hey, Maria! I’m looking forward to seeing you in Tallahasee again next month. With your interest in women’s fiction, you should join RWA-WF!
Congratulations, Leigh! What a great recipe this is. I’m sure it made a wonderful book.
Donna, Thanks for chiming in! As you know, Harlequin Americans have a pretty short shelf-life, and you probably won’t find “The Officer’s Girl” in your local Barnes & Noble or Wal-Mart anymore. But it is still available from eharlequin.com or amazon.com.
And in early 2011, my next book for Harlequin American will be released. Tentatively titled “Catch of a Lifetime,” it’s the story of Jess, a widowed fly fisher, who tangles with thoracic surgeon Dan when his plans to help foster kids threaten land she’s spent two years turning into a protected habitat.
Leigh,
Loved this column. Very clever analogy, as well as inspiring to me. I loved all of it, especially learning new things about you.
Great job!
Victoria
Thanks for the kudos, Victoria!
AND THE WINNER IS…
Vanessa!
Vanessa, if you’ll contact me at leigh with your street address, I’ll ship you a copy of “The Officer’s Girl.”
Yay!