If you had asked me, more than a decade ago, what my expectations were as I started my writing career, I'm not sure how I would have answered.
Honestly, just the thought of having a book published seemed almost impossible.
I treat my writing the same way I treat all creative endeavors...what can I make?
Can I take the story in my head and put it down on paper and make it sing?
Can I create something with these plants? These flowers? Cook something? Knit something?
Will it fail or will it taste good, look good, read good?
When I started my holiday series, I really only had one simple goal in mind...to finish a book.
Beginning, middle, end. Finish. Make the story that had been rattling around in my head take form and become something real.
Throw in a heaping dose of inspiration from the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by JR Ward--I loved the camaraderie of the brothers--and SWEET INSPIRATION soon followed.
I had five brothers. I had plans for five books.
I didn't know the path to get to the end would include a near-fatal heart attack, a bunch of professional bumps-in-the-road, navigating the world of teenage parenting, etc.
But I finally got to the end--last year--when I published the final book of THE KLAUS BROTHERS SERIES.
What did I expect to happen? A huge feeling of relief, a sense of completion, pride in my work. Yes.
But what I didn't expect--never entered my mind when I started writing that very first paragraph about Nicholas Klaus and his crush on Lucy Brewster--was how my readers would embrace this series.
My readers. My small and merry band of totally kick-ass readers who share my quirky sensibility and are lovely and supportive and send me notes and messages and gifts in the mail!
What I didn't expect was that The Klaus Brothers would become a holiday tradition for so many people. A way to usher in the spirit of the holiday. A way to remind ourselves about family and love and generosity. An escape from reality to a magical world filled with elves and Yeti and real heroes.
I honestly cannot believe how many folks tell me they re-read The Klaus Brothers Series every year. It's one of their Christmas traditions!
That is, hands-down, the coolest and most unexpected thing to happen to me as a professional author.
And so, I would like to say Thank You and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to my loyal readers. Hugs to all!
With much love,
Penny/Nina
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