Our Authors - In The Spotlight

SYLVIA MENDOZA
author of ON FIRE/AL ROJO and SERENADE/SERENATA

How did it feel to become published?

SM: Are you kidding? Ecstatic doesn't even begin to describe it. Everything we've heard from published authors in the past has ping-ponged in my head. The CALL, the actual contract in my hand, mailing in the completed manuscript, page proofs coming, cover flats and posters of my book cover, booksignings, people actually buying the book and enjoying it . . . all of it has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I still pinch myself. I constantly remind myself this is all a blessing (even during the Jekyll and Hyde times during deadlines), but reality also strikes. I know I better come down off of Cloud Nine often enough to keep writing good stuff, making deadlines, and keeping other stories simmering in the back of my head.

If you could teach up aspiring writers one thing, what would that be?

SM: If I could teach aspiring authors one thing it would be to take advice, criticism and classes to heart, and then when you get to the rewrites and nitty gritty of your story, go with your gut.

Best advice ever given or taken?

Have you worked with a mentor, critique group or writing/plotting partner?

SM: I've worked with mentors (like Marian Jones, Mark Clements, Sandra Kitt, among others) and my critique group made up of Shawn York, Fran Krauss, Ann Reed and Carol Bell. RWA brought us together, and it turned out all of us had taken Marian Jones' class on novel writing. This greatly reinforced our knowledge and gave us the confidence to proceed to critique our works in a postive way. We really learn. I write and write. And then rewrite and rewrite.

We've been together almost four years! The red bleeding on my pages finally paid off, but not as much as their support when I really wanted to throw in the towel. I would never have been here, tasting this success, if I had quit. I firmly believe what I've learned from all these people, combined with my own strengths and inner desire, helped me get published.

Is your life anything like the romances you write?

SM: Only in that like my heroines, I have fears and unsettling experiences that I believe make me stronger in the long run. And like them, in my heart the idea of romance, love and destiny is alive and well. Also, I just know there are true gentlemen out there not threatened by a strong woman.

Any last words?

SM: ON BEING PREPARED - I thought RWA had taught me everything. Every published author had enlightened me to a certain aspect of being published. Every critique made me know my story inside and out so that I could answer any question without hesitation. Every bit of support I received strengthened me.

YET. I was still taken aback when not one, not two, but three people came up to me at a booksigning in the span of an hour and asked, "How do you do your research for "these" kinds of books?" or a variation of said question.

The heat rose instantly to my face. Every bit of advice, every clever response, every effort to appear nonchalant, spiraled to the pit of my stomach. I could only think of a witty response well after they had left the table.

I knew the question would come, and will come countless times for all of us. I better have some answers down pat and practice if I must, going over them like a script until I'm comfortable enough to make my responses seem natural. I always want to portray romance in a positive light and being prepared will help me do that. Answering potential readers' questions intelligently just might make them interested enough to try a romance for a change. And it will be a change for the better.

Serenade/Serenata
Encanto
April 2000
ISBN 0-7860-1096-7




On Fire/Al rojo vivo
Encanto
December 1999
ISBN 0-7860-1029-0