It’s so exciting to welcome Terri DuLong to Women’s Fiction Writers! She is the first participating author who I met through this very site! Terri commented back in March and I looked at her website, checked out her books and wondered why I hadn’t been a fan all along. Just like the wise owl on the old Tootsie Pop commercial: the world will never know. In reality, through this site and my writer friends, I’m learning that there are always new and new-to-me women’s fiction (and other) authors on the reading horizon.
If you don’t know Terri, I hope that you’ll enjoy meeting her today (and reading her) as much as I have — and that you’ll chime in with comments!
Women’s Fiction Author Terri DuLong Talks About Her Long Road To Publication and Being a Late Bloomer
ASN: Welcome, Terri! Would you introduce yourself and your books for anyone who’s not familiar?
TD: I’m Terri DuLong and thank you for inviting me to your great blog. I’m originally from the Boston area, but have lived in Florida 24 years. Six years ago, when my husband retired, we relocated to Cedar Key, an island off the west coast of Florida. My first two women’s fiction novels, Lost Souls of the Witches’ Castle, and Daughters of the Mill, were published in 2002 and 2004 by a small press. They’re no longer in print version, but are now available in eBook on Kindle and Nook. I have been writing the Cedar Key Series for Kensington Publishing since 2008……Spinning Forward was released 2009, Casting About in 2010, along with my Christmas novella, A Cedar Key Christmas, in Holiday Magic, the anthology with Fern Michaels headlining and the one that put me on the NY Times & USA Today bestseller list. Book 3 in my series, Sunrise On Cedar Key, will be released October 25 and book 4 in 2012.
ASN: Your Cedar Key series takes place in a real town — the town you live in! How do you draw the line between fact and fiction? Has it gotten you into any trouble or awkward situations?
TD: First of all….No, I’ve had no trouble or awkward situations. Although the town where my stories take place is very real and I do live here, the fiction that I write about focuses on women’s issues, so although I do incorporate a lot of island “stuff” in my stories, the main plot has nothing to do with actual residents. Much of my writing for my characters is a composite of various women I’ve met in my nursing career and throughout life, in addition to my own creativity.
ASN: We often read and talk about how much is too much of yourself to put into a work of fiction. Can you speak to this when it comes to your books and women’s fiction in general?
TD: I don’t feel that I write about myself per se…..probably the closest character to me was Dana Etheridge, in my first novel, Lost Souls of the Witches’ Castle. However, the way that I feel about women’s issues does go into the creation of my characters. For instance with Sydney in Spinning Forward ……It’s amazing how many fans have emailed to tell me that they too are beginning an inner journey in their forties, fifties or later, much like Sydney did. I also have taken ideas from family members or other women on particular issues…..like with Sybile in Spinning Forward. She was very loosely based on my aunt, who also never had children and that seed began when I wondered, “Is every woman cut out to be a mother? And if not, did they regret it in old age?” Personally, I feel that every woman is not cut out for motherhood but more important, she shouldn’t feel any guilt because of her choice. So it’s these little tidbits that I gather from knowing other women that nudge my imagination and allow me to address particular women’s issues.
ASN: What are the key ingredients or elements in your books that make them publishable and relatable?
TD: I think I probably answered most of this in the question above, but from the feedback that I receive from both my editor and my fans I believe writing about ordinary issues, choices, problems, etc. involving very ordinary women has been a strong appealing factor for a lot of my readers.
ASN: What was your publishing journey like?
TD: To put it succinctly . . . very long! I’m smiling because I truly do think not only am I a late bloomer, but I strongly feel everything happens in life precisely when it’s supposed to. I’ve been writing all my life but didn’t get serious until around age fifty. By “serious” I mean attending writers conferences, learning the craft and industry of my career, winning awards for some of my short stories, submitting queries for my novels and never, ever giving up that someday I would be published by a traditional, New York publisher. So it was a long journey from the point where I wanted to get published, about ten years long, until the actual reality of getting that first contract from Kensington. But I believe in the process, I learned another life lesson….that it’s truly not the destination, but IS the journey! Because I truly appreciate all that’s been given to me since becoming a published author. It continues to be an amazing journey for me!
ASN: You write women’s fiction — what are some of your favorite or go-to books in women’s fiction and other genres?
TD: I pretty much only read women’s fiction and this dates back many years when Barbara Taylor Bradford, Rona Jaffe, Rosamonde Pilcher and many others were my favorites. But this changes as I discover new authors along the way. I still enjoy Elizabeth Berg, Eileen Goudge, Anita Shreve and some new ones are Elin Hilderbrand, Jane Green and Dorothea Benton Frank. Right now I’m reading, “Friendship Bread” by Darrien Gee and I love it! So she’s added to my newest list. “Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted” is next to read in my pile, so I think I’ll be adding Bridget Asher to my list of favorites as well.
ASN: And now, possibly the hardest question: How do you define women’s fiction?
TD: This genre can be so difficult to define, but my own personal definition is: A novel that focuses on relationships more than an actual love story. A love story is often woven into it, but the main story has to do with mothers/daughters, siblings, sisters, girlfriends, parents or children.
ASN: What is your best advice for aspiring authors of women’s fiction?
TD: First of all, read, read, read! By reading this genre, it will give an aspiring author an idea about plot, characters, etc. And then I suggest you think about a women’s issue that stirs you, makes you angry, makes you happy, makes you curious, makes you feel compelled to develop your own characters, setting and plot to tell your story to other women.
Terri DuLong is originally from Salem, Massachusetts. When her husband was transferred with the airlines, they moved to the Tampa Florida area in 1987, where Terri worked as a Registered Nurse. Upon his retirement six years ago, they relocated to a small island off the west coast of Florida, which was the inspiration for Terri’s Cedar Key novels.
She is the NY Times & USA Today bestselling author of the acclaimed Cedar Key Series and began her writing career as a contributing writer for Bonjour Paris, contributing over forty articles on her travel to France utilizing a fictional canine character.
Her first two novels, Lost Souls of the Witches’ Castle, and Daughters of the Mill were released in 2002 and 2004 with a small press that later went out of business. Although out of print, they are now available in eBooks.
Terri sold her women’s fiction novel, SPINNING FORWARD, to Kensington Publishing in 2008 and it was the first book in her Cedar Key series. Book 2, CASTING ABOUT, was released in 2010, along with her Christmas novella, A CEDAR KEY CHRISTMAS, in the anthology, HOLIDAY MAGIC, headlined by NY Times bestseller, Fern Michaels. Book 3 in her series, SUNRISE ON CEDAR KEY, will be released October 25.
Terri is busy working on book 4 in her series, which will hit book shelves November 2012. She is an avid knitter, which allows her quiet time to develop her characters and plots for future novels.
What a wonderful, inspiring interview, with a wonderful, inspiring writer! I love the fact that Terri started her writing journey later in life, and that she’s now enjoying the success and personal fulfillment she obviously deserves. I am not familiar with Terri’s work, but after today’s post I intend to get my hands on her books (her advice to writers is to “read, read read,” after all!).
Thank you for introducing the women’s writing community to this fabulous writer!
Thank you for your very nice comment, Melissa and I do hope you’ll enjoy my novels. I guess I’m proof that it’s never too late to fulfill your dreams!
I love Terri’s definition of women’s fiction, and I also enjoy some of the authors she mentioned. I’m another one who started the journey late but I wouldn’t have it any other way. When I was younger, I hadn’t figured out what I had to write about. Thanks for the great interview.
I SO agree with you, Meg. For me, it took some life experiences to form my opinions and feelings on various issues and with time……..came insight.
Exactly. Insight can’t be bought. We earn it, day by day. In that sense, we have quite the advantage over young writers.
That is one lovely bookcover, Terri!
So enjoyed the interview …! so much to relate to…. thank you both!
Thank you…….I’m probably prejudice, but I think Kensington’s Art Department rocks! I’ve loved all my covers, but this one…….I think it’s extra nice.
What a lovely and inspiring interview! I know of so many people who poo-poo women’s fiction as fluffy love laden fare. Mind you, none of these people are actually reading it, but simply categorizing out of the ignorance of rejecting the entire dish without having taken a taste.
I especially love Terri’s definition of women’s fiction, “A novel that focuses on relationships more than an actual love story”. So perfectly said, as this truly captures the essence and richness of this genre.
Fabulous thoughts and words to launch my morning 🙂 Much appreciation ,Terri, and of course, Amy, for another excellent offering!
Thank you so much, Barbara. I know what you mean….I’ve always felt bad for people who deny themselves that “taste” before forming an opinion. Although the bulk of my reading is women’s fiction, I always welcome something new to discover. I guess that’s one of my thoughts on life…..always searching for new horizons, be it people, places or things to enjoy.
There’s nothing I like more than hearing about authors who’ve beaten the odds. Years ago I read an article in Writers’ Digest written by two agents. The basic message of the piece was that agents looked for youth; that they weren’t interested in any books written by “retired” people who spent most of their days riding around in golf carts. In other words, they weren’t willing to give more mature women a chance because they felt the majority of them wouldn’t be serious about promoting themselves or viewed writing as a “hobby.”
Terri, you are my new hero! Thanks for sharing your journey. You’ve given me hope that it’s not about age, but about the story waiting to be told. YOU ROCK!!!
Awww, thank you SO much, Kathy! Gosh, what wonderful words and for me, there is no greater gift as an author. Believe me, age is simply a number! I have always felt that the sky’s the limit…..no matter what it is we choose to pursue. For me, it wasn’t an easy road……but OH so worth it now!
Another great interview by another great author whom you’ve introduced us to, Amy! Thank you. I love Terri’s definition of women’s fiction: A novel that focuses on relationships more than an actual love story. Yes! Yes! Yes! I also really appreciated her comment that “Things happen when they’re supposed to happen” in regard to ‘when’ she started to get serious about writing. At a recent writer’s workshop, I met author Jo-Ann Mapson, who indicated she didn’t publish until she was 40 (she now has nine novels published by the big presses). At any rate, she said something I think Terri might agree with: that women have “so much more to say by the time they’ve reached 40. That it’s a good time to get serious about writing.” She also told me that “this is my year” (I’m 39 …), and I confess I got a little giddy!
I’m looking forward to checking out your books, Terri. They sound wonderful (and thanks for the additional list of your favorite old and new authors. Reading IS the key to good writing; I firmly believe it).
I really enjoyed what you said here, Melissa, and I very much agree with what Jo-Ann Mapson said…………I think as women, during our “growing” years, raising a family or focusing on a career, if we’re writers deep in our soul, then we’re truly “harvesting” all that we encounter……people we meet, conversations we have or hear, things we see, etc. And I’ve always loved the saying: When the student is ready, the teacher appears. And for many of us, that “teacher” doesn’t appear until we’re a bit older.
Wishing you all the best on your own writing career!
Such an encouraging interview. Thanks for sharing Terri
Wonderful interview and super comments. While I was reading your answers I could hear your voice in my head and could tell when you were smiling 🙂 Just like in your books, I can feel myself there and actually hear the characters talking. You bring life to your stories and you allow your characters to develop their own identity and come to ‘life’.
This interview just reenforces my admiration for your work. I always was drawn to reading books by women about women and the problems and
the resolutions (or not) in their lives. To have knitting thrown into the mix is a great bonus to me. You have a friend in Daytona Beach.
Btw, I love JoAnn Mapson and so many of the other authors that you mentioned too.
Thanks so much for your comment, Joyce. It was a pleasure meeting you last week at my book signing and thank you so much for your support.
The “just do it” attitude and thoughts on being a late bloomer really resonate with me. I’ve always been a writer by heart and by nature and by profession, but it was only about four years ago (or fewer) that I started writing fiction. I guess the right time is what ever time it is when you get it right!
Thanks again, Terri!
~ Amy 🙂
Thank you again, Amy, for inviting me for the interview. It sounds like the time has arrived for you……..so go for it! Wishing you all the best with your career.
I hope you’re right, Terri! And thanks! 😀
I love Terri’s spot-on definition of women’s fiction. I’ve heard of writers shrinking from the label. I personally embrace it as both a reader and writer. And I like to hear stories of other late bloomers. Thanks for the interview.