The (Shhhhh!) Secrets to Success

An Interview with Holly Jacobs Fuhrmann

By Susan Gable

In 1996, Holly Jacobs Fuhrmann, avid reader and mother of four - the youngest only two-years-old at the time - decided to try her hand at writing.  She has since sold numerous short stories and an impressive fifteen romance novels to various publishers, five of them yet to be released.  In January 2002 her first Double Duet, a volume of two romantic comedies in one, Ready, Willing, and Abel?/Raising Cain, was published by Harlequin.  I cornered Holly and forced her to tell us the secrets of her success.

SG:  Holly, what made you decide to start writing?

I've always been a reader…a voracious reader.  I can't remember a time when I didn't have a book in my hand.  After I'd had my fourth child (and after four, I was pretty sure she was my last <G>), I sat down and tried to think about what I wanted to do when my kids grew up.  I'd been working on a newsletter for an organization I belonged to, using small, silly pieces of my own work as filler.  I found I enjoyed playing with words.  And when someone picked up one of those stories and used it in a magazine, I found I enjoyed seeing my name in print.  It wasn't a far jump from loving reading to loving writing.  I decided to give it a try.  I gave myself a five year period.  If I hadn't sold anything at the end of that time, I'd reassess.  Not necessarily quit, but weigh whether or not writing was the job for me.

So that New Year, I decided to give writing a try.  I committed myself to writing something every day.

SG:  Did you have any idea at the time how the odds were stacked against you?

No.  I entered writing as a reader, and just figured if I could tell a story that I might like to read, odds were someone else would want to read it, too.  I learned a lot about the business of writing from RWA (Romance Writers of America), and from friends I made in the writing world.

SG:  How did you educate yourself about the craft of writing?

Again, RWA was a great resource for educating myself on the craft as well as the business end of things.  Writers Digest has great articles that talk about POV, pacing and the mechanics of writing.  But truly, I think the most helpful tool for a new writer is simply the process of writing.  The more you write, the more you have a chance to refine your skills.  By committing to writing every day, I made it a part of my routine, a part that became so important it's hard to let a say go by anymore and NOT write.

SG:  Do you have a critique partner? 

No.  

Why not?

First, I write fast.  Waiting for someone to critique my work would be cumbersome.  Secondly, I don't really want someone picking apart my work.  I've listened to friends' horror stories about bad critiques from partners or contests, and I just don't have the time or stamina for it.  That's not saying that critiquing isn't worthwhile, or that it might not work for you.  For every bad story, I've heard a good one about people who love their critique partners.  But I am saying, choose your partner with care.  Pick someone who will look for problems, but not pick the life out of your story.  Someone with a compatible writing style, who knows something about the markets you're targeting.  Someone with compassion, who is working towards bettering your work, not ripping it down.

SG:  What was your plan for breaking into the published world?

I mentioned the five year plan.  In addition, after I decided that romance was where I wanted to concentrate, I read the genre widely, looking for niches that seemed appropriate for my writing style and the stories I wanted to tell.  Once I had narrowed down my target markets, I simply submitted.  When a ms came back rejected, I reworked it, if revisions were requested, or I submitted something else.  My goal was never to leave those target editor's desks empty for more than a week or so.  I figured eventually they'd buy out of self-defense, hoping I'd go away…uh, I didn't. <G>

SG:  Ok, so what's the secret?  How did you manage to sell so many books?

I don't think it's a secret.  I think it's a lot of work.  I go to my computer every day as soon as the kids are off to school.  I work from eight until eleven, eat my lunch and then go back to the computer to work until they come home.  I work week-ends in the mornings.  Fact is, I work very hard at my writing.  I try to stay true to my stories, and yet be willing to adapt to a particular editor's/line's needs.  I work hard to always meet deadlines, to be reliable and easy to work with.  And really, the biggest secret is, I love what I do.  I adore it.  I love my stories, love my characters and can't imagine doing anything else.  If there ever comes a time that I no longer love my job, I'll probably quit.  Let's face it, I could make more reliable money flipping burgers somewhere!  LOL

SG:  What's been the hardest thing about getting to the point where you are now in your career?

I think the hardest thing for any writer is the little niggles of worry.  When a rejection of any type comes - and they do come for every writer - it's easy to believe the little voice in your head that whispers you're not good enough, you can't really do this.  I think believing in yourself and your ability, in spite of rejections and negatives of this industry, that's the biggest challenge any writer faces.

SG:  What's the most important piece of advice you'd give to aspiring writers, the ones who are sitting in the same place you were in 1996?

Write something, anything, every day.  This has become my mantra.  I "preach" it to anyone who asks.  You see, it's impossible to sell a book if you haven't written a book!  Sounds simple, but a lot of people don't seem to realize that one simple fact.  And once you've written the book, submit.  Don't be discouraged by rejections.  Just dust yourself off and get to work on the next story.

Writing is talent, yes.  But it's also perseverance, drive, determination.  It's optimism and belief in your abilities.  And yes, it's even some dumb luck…landing on the right desk on the right day.  But if you don't write, none of the rest of the ingredients stand a chance of coming into play!

Holly writes as Holly Jacobs for Harlequin and Silhouette publishers, and as Holly Fuhrmann for several others.  Visit her website:  www.Hollysbooks.com

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