Happy 2016!
Happy New Year, everyone!
2015 was a thrilling ride of ups and downs, both personally and professionally. Most of all, it was a year that continued to prove to me that I've taken the correct path in focusing on my writing career.
I had no idea when 2015 began how well my work would be received. I write romance, but in an unconventional way. Sometimes when you don't follow the status quo, you get pushed aside, and sometimes, your differences are celebrated and you're welcomed into the fold. That's what you all did for me in 2015; you welcomed me into your lives, allowed my characters and me to rest a little while. You'll never understand just how grateful I am for that. You've validated my crazy notion that different is not other, and it does in fact belong.
There are some amazing things coming down the pike for me with respect to my writing in this new year. Some things I can't speak of yet and some I'm so excited to be able to share with you. For instance, I'll be attending some major conferences this year. The first will be the Liberty States Fiction Writers Create Something Magical Conference on March 19th-20th 2016. It's being held in Iselin, New Jersey, so if you’re free, drop on in. My next appearance will be at Romance Slam Jam April 28th-30th in Detroit, Michigan. I must admit, I'm rather excited about this one for several reasons. First, I've never been to Detroit. Second, this conference began as a platform to support and expand diverse romance at a time in its history when there was very little support in the publishing world for romances featuring people of color as protagonists. For that reason alone, I am so excited to be a part of something so significant. It's also an opportunity for me to fangirl over some of the brilliant authors within diverse romance that I love. The last conference--or at least the last that I'm aware of at the moment of this posting--is going to be the Interracial Romance Authors Expo on May 19-21st. This event has been organized by Kassanna Dwight, and quite frankly, it's going to be a party like you wouldn't believe--your girl loves a good party.
The most important thing that's happening is I've made the firm decision to focus more on my writing. I know every author says this, but the difference here is that I've actually done something to facilitate my writing. As of the end of December, with the exception of my little family, everything else is part-time, writing is full time. The majority of my week will be spent writing, the rest will be relegated to my side things.
One of those side things is my venture into vlogging (video blogging). What's my vlog about? Everything. "Embracing my crazy...one character at a time," isn't just something relevant to my books. It's essentially my entire outlook on life. I embrace the things that make me, me. These are the things that make me different from everyone else. On my La Quette YouTube channel, I'll be talking about all the things that are particular to my brand of crazy. Things like my obsession with hair and makeup, my writing and my writing process, as well as upcoming releases and giveaways.
Essentially, the one thing that will remain evident is that I'm working harder and harder to bring you quality work, and that I'll be sharing my little slice of crazy with you as I do it.
2016 has some amazing things coming down the pike for me, and I believe the same is true for all of you. Be blessed, be happy, and be loved.
This is LaQuette, your friendly erotic romance author, embracing my crazy...one character at a time.
