Romance Writers Australia – Small Town Fiction

DB Tait has some comforting words for writers struggling with self-doubt and social media on Romance Writers of Australia – “Doubting myself is a chronic condition with me but I found social media made it worse. I saw other people discuss their work, including their work output, and knew I would never be able to achieve what they did. I saw people win dubious prizes and brag about their position on Amazon and wondered if I should be involved in that. Sometimes I did and then didn’t like myself. Other people marketed their work ferociously, which irritated me but also made me again wonder if I shouldn’t be doing that too.” Read on here.

Romance Writers of Australia

Anne Gracie’s A Writer’s Life is a regular column featured in Romance Writers of Australia’s monthly journal, Hearts Talk. This peek into DB Tait‘s writing life first appeared in the October 2016 edition. Packed full of articles on craft, the publishing industry and interviews with romance authors, Hearts Talk is a valued and much-loved benefit to your RWA membership. If you’re not already an RWA member, join up here [http://www.romanceaustralia.com/p/99/Join-RWA].

db-tait Social media, self-doubt and creativity

Back in 2004 when I started writing seriously, the internet was a great source of information about the craft of writing and a whole range of other writing-related issues. I started out not particularly wanting to write in romance as a genre, just wanting to write something. But I noticed that everything I wrote had a romance in it or a romantic theme. So I googled, found the Romance Writers of Australia…

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Wow, what a year it’s been. 2016 has been a year of celebration for me. I’ve been blessed with two beautiful new babies – a niece and a nephew – and my book baby, Home to Bindarra Creek has done very nicely since its release in December 2015.

Last month I received the news that Home to Bindarra Creek had made it to the finals in Romance Writers of Australia’s Romantic Book of the Year Award (RUBY). I’m thrilled to be there with several wonderful authors who I admire greatly. Years ago, when I began this journey, I had dreams and aspirations but I never imagined being nominated, not once but twice, for this prestigious award.

I didn’t make this journey alone though. With every story I write, I have the support of my amazing critique partners and beta readers whose feedback is invaluable, and my family who make sure I’m fed and watered while I immerse myself in my own little world.

Home to Bindarra Creek might never have been written were it not for the fabulous SE Gilchrist whose brainchild the series was, and the ladies from the Hunter Romance Writers who so kindly invited this West Aussie to join them in this venture. What a pleasure it’s been to work with such a talented and organized group of authors. We created a town we all wanted to live in. Thank you.

To my wonderful critique partners: Kerrie Paterson, SE Gilchrist, Jennie Jones, Lily Malone, Claire Boston, Nora James, Susanna Rogers, Anna Jacobs and Teena Raffa-Mulligan – your input is magic. You’ve helped me craft a book with heart. My beta reader, Anne O’Dell, who gives me such wonderfully honest feedback – you’re a treasure. Not to be forgotten, my editor Belinda Holmes – you make me smile with your wonderfully uplifting comments and suggestions. And of course, readers, judges and RWA for making all this possible.