Mary Malcolm is the debut author of Diner Girl [The Wild Rose Press, 2009 ISBN 9781601545404], a contemporary romance revolving around a very independent woman who finds herself in a very unexpected predicament involving love, trust and a baby.
It's about a young woman, Jennifer, who finds herself having to depend on a stranger, Mark, when she's used to being completely self sufficient. They spend one very sexy and very wonderful night together and then doubt kicks in. She finds out she's pregnant, thinks he's in a relationship and decides not to tell him about the baby.
Mark, of course, does everything in his power to win Jennifer's love, make a family and keep the three of them together. Her independence and his desire for a deep love and a family of his own are what keep them together and ultimately push them apart.
What is your outlook on Contemporary Romance as a genre, and where do you think its market is headed to?
Questions like that are so tough. I love Contemporary Romance. I think there will always be a place for it in the market, but I can see that its popularity fizzles from time to time. It's been fizzled for the past year or so, not as many being bought, and the authors being bought not making as much as they should.
I'm not sure if that's from the writing, or the stories being bought, or perhaps just people being pulled into different things. Personally, I think it's up for a big comeback Very soon.. With life being so hard on so many people, I can't imagine much better than being able to read some funny, Contemporary Romance and step away from the bills and crying babies, and possible eviction notices...even if just for a few hours.
I had an agent tell me that people aren't buying it because it's too close to real life. Right now they want the fantasy. They want the vampires, representative of things they have no control over, they want to read things that don't remind them of the stuff they're dealing with at home.
I disagree. I think people like to read about individuals being faced with their same challenges, and coming out ahead. I can totally see a place for someone who is struggling in their life to pick up a book that's close to what they're struggling with, feel attached to the characters and feel they too can make it out in the end.
What are the benefits of being in a group like the RWA?
As a national organization, Romance Writers of America has the largest membership of pre-published to well-published industry members of Any writing organization in the US , and most certainly the world. We have writers from across all Genres’ join because of the amazing benefits offered (seriously, James Patterson and Barry Eislerare both members. So totally not romance writers). It's not just about Romance. It's about building one's career as an author. From knowledge building workshops, to marketing tools, insider information on publishers and agents, contests, conferences, and possibly the largest networking mega-frame out there, RWA offers writers from every level a chance to build their careers and grow in this sometimes impossible industry.
On a more personal note, if you step outside of RWA as a national organization, one of the biggest perks are the local organizations. I'm a member of North Texas Romance Writers of America. We meet on the Third Saturday of every month at La Hacienda Ranch in ColleyvilleTexas (another shout out). What makes this organization so terrific, and specifically, NTRWA, is that you Meet people just like you. At any given level in your career, you will find your writing soul mates in these chapters. These are people struggling, succeeding, growing, changing the face of writing...and you have a chance to hug their necks and pick their brains any time you want.
I believe the only reason I am published today is the support, the love, the push and ego boosting these people give me. I wish Everyone had a group like this. I would Highly recommend RWA for writers of every genre and at every level in their careers. It is an investment, but it is worth it when you realize what you get out of it in return.
Be on the look out in the next year for Mary's second novel, First Date Kate. For more info on Mary Malcolm, visit her website.
 |
