I am so happy to formally introduce my long time friend, Sinclair Sawhney. Sinclair was one of my ‘real life’ friends in Bellevue, and was there through good times and bad. We met when my big boys were still just very little boys. How did we meet? Through our husbands! Sinclair’s handsome brilliant doctor husband, Deepak, was my former husband’s anesthesiologist (for these incredibly long 9 hour surgeries) and when Deepak was with Joe I knew he was in good hands. Our husbands got along well, and one day while talking discovered each had a wife who was writing romance. We were introduced, and we hit it off and the rest is history. Sinclair is energy, and warmth, sunshine and joy. She is also a Taurus (which means she’s a fixed earth sign, which means she’s stubborn but also fiercely loyal).
Sinclair has had many careers and lives before Tule. She’s from Orange County, California originally, attended UC Irvine, became a journalist in school and after graduating, then became a teacher, and founded a preschool for gifted kids, and basically throws herself into whatever she does. Which is why I had to ask her to consider becoming an editor for Tule when we were just a baby company of one year old. And lucky me, and lucky Tule, she’s still here today, putting up with me, and making me laugh, and continuing to inspire with her very own brand of strength, humor, and love. And with that, welcome Sinclair to the Jane Blog!
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Hello everyone! I’m Sinclair Sawhney and I am so excited to be here with you all and to chat with Jane. I joined Tule in March of 2014 as the Executive Developmental Editor for Tule Romance. My day to day involves working as a developmental editor with romance authors in several genres including contemporary, historical, paranormal and romantic suspense as well as mystery and thriller authors. I offer services from helping authors brainstorm series proposals, trouble shoot plot/character book issues, developmental editing, re-reading revisions, writing blurbs. Other duties include reading through un-contracted submissions, weighing in on covers and titles, taking pitches at writing conferences, and serving as a judge for writing competitions.
Questions:
1. What is your favorite part of working with Tule?
Working for and with Tule is one of my favorite jobs I have ever had. I love working with authors—discussing stories, providing feedback on their proposals and their manuscripts. I also love my colleagues. Their brains and humor.
2. What are some of the challenges/difficulties in working with Tule?
I am so supported by Tule. So many times when I mess up or forget or miss something, my authors are so cool and kind about it, and my team helps me reorient. The environment is the most supportive I have every encountered, and I know for me, that gives me strength and grace and happiness to extend the same to the Tule authors and the Tule team.
3. What do you specifically like to read, if you have time to pleasure read?
Currently I am reading the JD Robb ‘in death’ series, as I’ve been fantasizing about writing a gritty, intensely local, dysfunctional family dynamics driven mystery series and I’m enjoying the team feel of Eve Dallas and crew. I need to start branching out more. My own writing, editing and our very small wine label do keep me busy, but I love to engage in all three areas.
4. What is an accomplishment you’re particularly proud of? (could be work related or not!)
I am currently marveling at two things—one, I managed to live my dream. From
the age of six I wrote poetry and 6 th grade through eight grade I wrote Barbara Cartland type of romances, and then I was a journalist and I wanted to be a fiction writer and I am so that is pinchable—just being able to create two people and a world and a GMC and then a series out of nothing, still astonishes me.
The second thing, which should be my first—oops, is that I deliberately egg-headed how I wanted to raise my kids. No shade to my parents or my husband’s but man I really wanted to focus on pushing and building confidence and resilience and kindness and positivity instead of fear and anxiety and insecurity and constant second guessing. I wanted my kids to realize their power and control and the role that they played in creating their life. I felt helpless and alienated as a child—passive, and when I was a teacher, I was talking to a 6th grade boy who was struggling, and I was really trying to understand what was going on, and he had no sense of himself in his life—total external focus of control and THAT was a huge AHA moment for me. I knew my kids had to see themselves as agents and directors in their lives—seize control of what they could and drive.
Another moment happened (rather rudely I thought at the time, but it was a huge future mantra for me). I was dating this guy I was crazy in love with (not my husband so shshshsh) and his brother met me and asked “what does she bring to the party?” I wanted to kick his arrogant you know what, but later I thought about it, and it was really a valid question. What did I bring? Better be good—something that a lot of other people want because I want to come to the party. I want an engraved invitation. So I set out to live my life always bringing something to every party (metaphorically, but also literally).
5. You are busy, and Tule isn’t your whole life. How do you juggle it all?
I juggle it all because I LOVE my job. I LOVE to write—not the whoo-hoo look at me– I wrote a book, but the actual act of writing of thinking and picturing and typing out the words and creating my characters and their lives and their dreams and their problems and their gotta dig deep to move forward vibe. I adore my colleagues. I’ll fight for my authors. I believe to the last bone marrow cell in the power of story, and I like to be busy and needed. Again the childhood trauma, right? Feeling expendable and wanting to not only be at the party, but to have been invited and welcomed and part of the planning.
I understand with the “invited and welcomed” to the party. I struggle with that… I learned to say no because of it. I also realized I don’t have to stay, I can leave. I know that may not be what you were meaning, but it is a big relief to me that I can do that for myself.
Excellent point! Sometimes you get to the party–a job, a relationship, extended family dynamics, and you look around and say naaaah. Not healthy Not for me.
I love this. So important to recognize what is good for us, and what isn’t. AND take appropriate steps to protect ourselves!
A great post, Sinclair!
Thank you Liz. It was more cathartic than I thought
It sounds like you have a busy but fulfilling life. Congratulations for being able to do what you love.
It sounds like you are living your dreams, being very busy and such a fulfilling life! Congratulations for doing what you love!!
Thank you Denise. I work hard–and play hard, but have been extremely lucky. I am so aware life has curve balls & an excellent, extremely skilled pitcher so I keep my head up & bat at the ready.
I love this post!
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Sinclair in person and she is full of positive energy! One of those people that instantly puts a smile on your face!
Kari, thank you so very much I love to meet people & learn about them, share ideas & hopefully make people laugh.
Sinclair, you do. My boys always smile when I mention you.
I often think if I did the right things for my girl as a mother. One day I hope to meet you both if you ever come to Ontario Canada.
Christina, I think we all question our parenting actions–part of the process. I have never been to Ontario, but will be heading to Toronto this summer for a conference (if Canada will still let my American self in)
We are both going to be at the RWA conf in Niagara Falls, Canada in July. I don’t know if that is too far of a drive for you but maybe we could plan something?
Sounds like a wonderful person!! Wish there where more of you & all the Tule authors❣️
The brainstorming sessions with other writers sound like so much fun!!
Julie,
Brainstorming is the ultimate! The best at the game is Jane Porter. Her brain is and she inspires me (and humbles), which makes me up my game more
Wow! Giving me all the motivation today! Sinclair is such an inspiration.
I am curious – Tule accepts romantic suspense stories? I’ve read the romance imprint guidelines, and the mystery ones, but don’t see romantic suspense as a genre listed.
I can relate to your “what did she bring to the party” comment. I wish I had taken this advice. I have a friend who always said when you meet a man, find out what he can do for you. She found a man and fell in love, but also kept to her words about what he could do for her.. She lives a good life with lots of travel and pretty things and never struggles for anything. I didn’t listen to her advice and married just for love. Now we struggle to pay the bills, no vacations or any kind of extras. I also have to worry if my husband will have a job from one day to the next. My parents didn’t encourage me to do anything with my life, so I have no career to fall back on if I needed it. I was told find a man who could take care of me because I would never be able to do it on my own.
I love that you’re an asset to Tule publishing. I also love how Sinclair and Jane met. Thank you for sharing your story.
Life is every so much better when you have good friends, a rewarding career, a wonderful family. We consider ourselves beyond lucky to have even one of those…
so happy for you, Sinclair!
Hi Sinclair, my name is DeeAnn and I guess I kind of work for Tule. I’m one of the advanced readers. I’ve kind of dropped the ball a little bit here lately and I’m trying to do better.
I love your view on raising children. As of March 29, I’m giving up my license for my in-home daycare. Children or my life 12 hours a day 12 children every day loved every minute. 40 years was just enough for me. I love all your books and one of your fans. Please keep up the good work and entertaining us all.
I love this. I know something that wasn’t mentioned, but we had the same majors in college, and I think it’s so cool to have that tiny connection.
Sinclair, You have a very interesting background and life. Thanks for sharing with all of us. I really enjoy reading your books. I am an ARC reader for Tule so I’m fortunate to get to read so many of them. I would love to meet you and the other Tule authors in person. So far I don’t seem to be in the right place. One day maybe it will happen. Or maybe one day on one of my wine trails trips I’ll be able to visit your winery.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I really appreciate it.
What a beautiful interview, it was lovely getting to know you Sinclair, I have read and loved some of your stories and am hoping there will be many more.
I feel the love that runs through the Tule team with their stories and the way you are all so open with everyone 🙂
Many thanks
Have Fun
Helen
I wish I knew about your wine when I was out in Oregon a few years back! I even stayed in your town!
Enjoyed reading about your interesting life. Love your books.
I like your attitude of what do you bring to the party, but also what or who is at the party and what are they bringing to it as well. I am feel like you never stop learning and growing. I have had multiple careers and always gave each one my all. So happy that are with Tule and that I got to meet you years ago.
Thank you for being you, Sinclair. Your writing journey is inspiring as are your Aha moments.
Great to read your blog. Love friendship with great people. Lifelong. Kindred spirits!
I love that you love your job so much. Everyone should have the experience of loving what they do. Your aha moment with your student resonated with me. These days children come with so much baggage, and don’t know how to self direct to manage it, we all need to do that, but it’s not easy.. Lastly, I’m a Taurus also, so I also love that about you.
I am one of the extremely fortunate authors who gets to work with Sinclair. She is an amazing person with a big heart and great ideas! I feel so blessed that she has been with me every step of the way. She is super talented and great at what she does to make my stories better.
I love your books and I love Tule authors. Thanks for sharing with us