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So there's this article written by a man named Fred Head. He's a politician. He wants to get elected to public office in the great State of Texas. His opponent is a woman, named Susan Combs. She wrote a romance novel. So, in order to bring her down and appeal to the more conservative voters in his state, Fred Head has unearthed her novel and called for her to pull out of the race, explain herself to and apologize to the entire Republic Of Texas--for writing pornography.
Now, I understand that ignorant people who do not read romance novels are unaware of the message of hope and love these books send. I know people tried to get something on Dick Cheney for his wife's writing, which included a novel where two women became attracted to each other. And people still ignorantly assert that romance has to be put in a pigeon hole as "those" books for lonely housewives. But there's one thing I don't get.
Why is this guy mudslinging over running for Comptroller? He's out shouting at the rain over handling the money for Texas? He seems to want to get his hands on the money so much that he's clearly desperate to get into office by any means possible. He certainly doesn't think he can win on his own merits, so he's doing the age old trick--make people afraid of it, and tell them who's to blame for it.
Could it be that she's winning? Horrors, a woman might get the job he wants. Evil!
Well, Susan Combs has done so much more than Fred Head will ever do. Tom Clancy said, "Success is a finished book, a stack of pages each of which is filled with words. If you reach that point, you have won a victory over yourself no less impressive than sailing single-handed around the world." Beyond that, she has done nothing but good, having campaigned for public health, served Texas in an exemplary fashion, and helped kids get a better meal at school.
You go, Susan Combs. You keep running your race, and don't apologize for having done something as wonderful and as difficult as having finished a novel and having seen it reach publication. It's the least of your accomplishments in a list that is amazing.
Fred Head, if you really want to get elected, you should remember one thing--if you're qualified for the position, talk about that, let pepole know that, because calling Ms. Combs a pornographer publicly isn't doing the job.
Oh, and one last thing you should remember--the largest writers association in the world is formed and has offices in the state of Texas--Romance Writers Of America®. And its members vote.
Sandra Richards
Link
Well, I've been buried knee deep in by-laws and reversioning Spellbinder. The by-laws are for my local Romance Writers of America® chapter, Los Angeles Romance Authors (LARA).
This has been quite a learning experience, especially in how particular or not a document should get. But LARA has given me enough that I felt an overwhelming need to give back in a very hands-on way. I do the website for them as a volunteer, providing not only my moderate expertise, but advising the Board as to what is and isn't possible on a website. I moderate the Writing Challenges (with other wonderful volunteers I might add), four times a year. I write for the newsletter. And now I'm chair of the by-laws committee.
What I have gotten in return has no price tag. I have become a better writer, a better business woman, and, I hope, a better person. I have colleagues I can talk to and ask questions of, who will happily help as much as is reasonably possible. They will commisserate when I'm down, understanding more perfectly than a non-author friend will. They celebrate when I have wonderful news.
I received a revision letter from Triskelion five days ago. Yup, I didn't report it here. I've been working on by-laws, rehabbing the LARA site--I'll tell you about that some other time--and making the requested revisions to the submission. As I prepare to hit "send" for the second time to an editor, I have to say that I know my prose has more punch to it than it did when I joined RWA® in 2004. I stand on the shoulders of all my fellow writers who lent me their professional eyes so that I might learn to see.
Peace,
Sandra Richards
P.S. I love the changes suggested by the editor, by the way, and, even if Triskelion doesn't care for my work after they see the changes, I believe I'm going to keep them. ;-)
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