So why, you might ask, did I leave this blog unattended for so long? The answer is simple...
Because I had intended to kill off Daisy.
You see, I recently got the rights back to all of my published books from their publishers. There are more than 20. After much contemplation, I had decided to retire my Daisy Dexter Dobbs pen name and no longer write erotic romance. My intention was to rewrite the books as non-erotic romances, to be released under a separate pen name, Susan Bodendo.
As if I didn’t already have enough to do, I made time to create brand new Facebook and Twitter accounts for my alter ego, spending an inordinate amount of time telling everyone I’d no longer be active as Daisy and asking them to switch to my newly created Susan accounts.
I should have known better...I really should have, because after publicly stating I wouldn’t be writing as DDD any longer, something totally unexpected happened. I received more email and messages on FB and Twitter in one month’s time than I have in ages. Readers, reviewers, fellow writers and past editors were asking me to PLEASE reconsider because they wanted more Daisy books.
I was truly touched and surprised. I don’t mean mildly surprised, I’m talking downright flabbergasted. Since I hadn’t had a new book release in about two years, I figured people had probably forgotten about me--thereby making it a cinch for me to kill Daisy off without much notice.
Erotic romantic comedy has never sold as well as darker, more serious, intense erotic stories, or BDSM or kinky stuff, etc., so I assumed readers didn’t care much my comedic, feel-good stories. In reviews posted online I’d even had a few reader-reviewers say they thought my books were ridiculous because, hey, no one buys erotic stories to laugh, right? They gave a couple of my books 1 star, solely because of the humor in the stories. As creative people with fragile psyches tend to do, I zeroed in on those few negative comments, ignoring the wealth of positive reviews, awards and feedback I’d received for my work over the years.
As a writer, I felt somewhat lost and sad because romantic comedy (whether erotic or not) and humorous women’s fiction are what I love to write most. Firsthand experience, not to mention numerous medical/scientific studies, has proven laughter to be immensely joyous and healing (both mentally and physically). My mission in life is to use my natural affinity for humor, combined with my talent as a writer and artist, to do all I can to infuse the world with more humor. With all the stress and anxiety surrounding us, what better way to achieve a healthy balance than taking time to smile, to laugh, to break out in periodic spontaneous bursts of joy?
As for humor in the bedroom? Sex is one of life’s most enjoyable pastimes. Of course there are fun-filled, and sometimes even awkward, moments along with the passion. :)
You can imagine how thrilled I was to hear from people encouraging me to continue writing romantic comedies as DDD. That’s exactly what I’ll be doing. My previously published erotic romantic comedies will all be updated, thoroughly rewritten and lengthened to fully flesh them out into the wonderful love stories I’d always envisioned when first writing them (but couldn’t achieve because I had to adhere to publisher guidelines).
As stated in the header of this blog, I enjoy creating love stories filled with warmth, passion, humor and happy endings. A true romantic at heart, I ensure my erotic romances provide satisfying love stories complemented by lots of wonderful sex scenes. If you’re looking for sex books that happen to have some romance, my books probably aren’t for you.
(For those of you who don’t care for erotic romance, yes, I’ve got a number of non-erotic books on the horizon too.)
One significant difference is that I’ll be doing these books as an indie writer this time. Indie publishing gives me the freedom to build these into the stories I had originally planned. Now I’ll be able to focus more on the romance aspect, crafting better, more well-rounded stories with added conflict and the introduction of some fabulous new characters. As for humor, the rewritten stories are funnier than ever.
As I make progress, I’ll add updates here and on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. You can also follow along with my crazy fun-filled illustrated adventures on my Super Earthling blog and Super Earthling Facebook page. (Heck, while you’re at it, you may as well follow Daisy on Pinterest too!)
People often ask me where I get the ideas for the screwy mishaps in my romantic comedies. I’m completely honest when I tell them my life provides more than the normal share of calamities. Stay tuned to this blog where you’ll get to hear about my personal misadventures; my life as a writer; all the latest information about my writing; as well as plenty of writing tips and articles about the anatomy of a full book rewrite.
Since this blog has been dormant for so long, I don’t know if anyone will even see this post but for those of you who do--I just want to let you know that all your wonderful emails and messages, urging me to keep Daisy alive and writing, made the top of my gratitude list and will remain there for a long time.
Thank you all so very much for caring and for helping to foil the murder plot against Daisy! :D
--Daisy (who’s still alive and kicking and has every intention of remaining so for many years to come!)
Well...I dore Sueper Earthling, think Susan is amazing, so I'm thinking I'll think you're the shiz-nit as well! Happy Birthday to all three of you and welcome back from the almost-dead!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the birthday wishes and for stopping by and leaving a comment, Chris! We all adore you too! :D
DeleteHappy birthday, Daisy/Susan/SuperEarthling! I love all of you! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Amie--truly appreciated! :)
DeleteDaisy though I don't always have enough hours in a day to keep up all the time I do try to keep up and you've always been one of my favorites from when I was a fledgling reviewer. I no longer review for any particular group but I read a lot still to this day. I am very happy for you in whatever you endeavor. I am so glad you didn't kill Daisy completely! I look forward to any and all rewrites. I will post a review on facebook when I get around to reading the rewrites and maybe I should start an independent blog on the books I have read. I think the reason I loved reviewing your books way back when is because your characters were more real to me in the aspect that some of us ladies are not perfectly thin models. Some of us are curvy and most romance novels featured rail-thin damsels in distress. Add in that your books were so full of fun and laughter it was enough of an escape from real world problems. Books are figuratively armchair travel. I can visit somewhere I have never been in a book. I can be someone else for a little while as I immerse myself into the story. Because in real life, I am just me, a curvy housewife with 2 kids and I have the worst low self esteem. Thanks for the laughter, thanks for the tears and thanks for the passion that leaps from your pages. You never disappoint. <3
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful comment, Carol! Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know how you feel about my writing--I truly appreciate it--and you!
DeleteI always loved your reviews (and not just because you liked my books--LOL) and was disappointed when you stopped reviewing. What I liked was that you told what you did and didn't care for about a story and its characters, rather than just writing a short summary of the book the way so many reviewers do. You were also never cruel to any writer. I, for one, would encourage you to start up a review blog if you have an interest in doing that. There can never be enough really good, caring reviewers out there. :) I know there are tons of indie writers looking for good reviewers. Some of their books are fabulous, while some, unfortunately, are in serious need of editing.
I've had so many emails from average or plus size women thanking me for not making my heroines skinny and perfect. I think the average woman struggles with self-esteem, self-image, etc., and I enjoy telling their stories so they don't have to read about only the gorgeous skinny woman getting the guy at the end. :)
Whether you decide to review or not, Carol, I will always value you as a reader, and will always appreciate the kind support you’ve shown me over the years. Thank you! :D
Happy Birthday!! And HOORAY for reopening this blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Meleah! I'm delighted to have you join me here on my author blog. You're an absolute doll! :D
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