It’s my pleasure to welcome Lynn Cahoon today. Lynn’s the author of contemporary romances with alpha heroes and strong, independent heroines. Welcome, Lynn!

Here’s Lynn:

A little help from my friends.

Once upon a time, I was a writer wannabe.

I stalked blogs, commenting and talking about writing.  Then one day, I won a prize and instead of mailing the book to me, a local author invited me to lunch.  When we talked about writing that day, she gave me one piece of advice – finish a book.  I had four started, and discarded. We meet monthly, set page goals, then time goals, until finally, I had a book ready (I thought) to send off to a publisher.

When I got back my rejection, my new writer friend gave me another piece of advice.  Actually two. She said, write another book and find a writer community.

So I joined the local RWA chapter. I signed up for everything, including monthly critique sessions.  I’ve attended two national conventions and coordinated the chapter contest.  And I’ve written more books.

And found more friends who write what I write and want to share in the journey.

A few years ago, a writer, frustrated with not finalling in the Golden Heart, put out a call on the PRO loop for RWA – looking for people willing to commit to critiquing and supporting each other with the sole purpose of finalling in next year’s contest.

The Lala’s were born and I bless Valerie Bowman (the creative force and Queen of the lala’s) for  letting me join and play with the group.  The first year, we had two finalists.  Both in the historic division and both who sold their manuscripts.  The next year we had three.  The next, three again.  This year, the group didn’t have a finalist, but many (including me), have gone on to sell which limits the number of members eligible to play.

I’m also a member of a goal setting group through GIAM (Amy Atwell’s brain child). And through the weekly reporting with my group, I’ve gained new friends.  With new  perspectives and shared opportunities and ideas about the state of this crazy business we call writing.

You would think, with all these groups and on-line and in-person writing friends that I’d be the extroverted type.  Not so. My first RWA chapter meeting  I drove an hour to attend (on a Saturday) then sat in my car debating just driving back home and forgetting the whole thing.

I was scared.

But I went anyway.  And now I’m glad I did.

As of today, I’ve signed contracts for nine books.  Sometimes I still feel like a writer wanna bee, but then I realize I’m moving in the right direction.  With a little help from my friends.

So are you part of a community, writing or otherwise?  Are you thinking about joining?

Marriage Not Included – Blurb

Lauren is headed back to school, this time not as a fun loving coed but to achieve her dream of turning the family farm into Idaho’s first Heritage Seed Center. Selling organic produce at the local farmers market, she meets Miles. After an unexpected act of kindness toward her daughter, Lauren agrees to one date.

As a VP and heir apparent to HN Seeds, the family business, Miles unknowingly holds the future of Lauren’s farm in his hands. Lauren’s looking for anything but a romance. She’s got too much on her plate to risk the distraction. But he plays the one card Lauren can’t resist, family. Miles needs Lauren and her daughter to feel at home. And Lauren needs Miles and his large extended family more than she knows. But can she forgive the one betrayal that would ruin all of her plans for the future?

Links –

Goodreads –http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5857424.Lynn_Cahoon

Twitter – https://twitter.com/LynnCahoon

Facebook –https://www.facebook.com/LynnCahoonAuthor

website – http://lynncahoon.wordpress.com/

e -Book –

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Amazon author page – http://www.amazon.com/Lynn-Cahoon/e/B0082PWOAO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Soul Mate website – http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/

BIO – Lynn Cahoon is a contemporary romance author with a love of hot, sexy men, real and imagined. Her alpha heroes range from rogue witch hunters, modern cowboys, or hot doctors, sexy in scrubs. And her heroines all have one thing in common, their strong need for independence. Or at least that’s what they think they want.  She blogs at her website www.lynncahoon.wordpress.com