Beth C. is BAD. I believe I've stated this before. She KNOWS that if there is a link in her post, I must click. And I did. I'm link weak. *grinning*
So, courtesy of Beth C., http://charmed_author.bravejournal.com/, here's more than you ever wanted to know about me.
Of rare beauty, knows how to adapt, likes luxury, of good health not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, determined, impatient, wants to impress others, many talents, industrious, healthy, optimism, waiting for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.
My Life path number is 3.
Typically, the life path 3 gives an above-average ability in some art form. This can encompass painting, interior decorating, landscaping, crafts, writing, music, or the stage, or all of the above. You are apt to be a happy, inspired person, constantly seeking the stimuli of similar people. Your exuberant nature can take you far, especially if you are ever able to focus your energies and talents.
Check out this link! http://www.paulsadowski.com/birthday.asp
Heh...as I continue the madness.
It's the birthday calculator. It gives you your life path number and the link.
Grins*
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Plans
Let's see.
Yesterday we ripped the bathroom floor down to the floorboards. Took the toilet and the sink out. So, I was a little busy. And I didn't even really have the HARD work. Today is laundry and clean-up.
I need to write. It's simple. Basic. NECESSARY. I need to write. I'm doing the hacking on my FG book. No problem. The grieving phase has passed.
I'll get to hacking a little later on. Friday is shopping. Saturday--NEED to write more. Sunday is a birthday party. Monday-another party. I see massive amounts of food in my future. LMAO
Why do holidays revolve around food? Good grief! It's not right. Seriously.
Kids are out in the pool. I'm waiting for my clothes to wash so I can take them to town and dry them.
I'm not brushing my hair, shaving my legs, or giving a damn. Naturally, I'll run into people I've known forever and will be embarrassed beyond all recognition. Odds are.
I'll check back in, time permitting, after I excise portions of my manuscript.
Grins*
Yesterday we ripped the bathroom floor down to the floorboards. Took the toilet and the sink out. So, I was a little busy. And I didn't even really have the HARD work. Today is laundry and clean-up.
I need to write. It's simple. Basic. NECESSARY. I need to write. I'm doing the hacking on my FG book. No problem. The grieving phase has passed.
I'll get to hacking a little later on. Friday is shopping. Saturday--NEED to write more. Sunday is a birthday party. Monday-another party. I see massive amounts of food in my future. LMAO
Why do holidays revolve around food? Good grief! It's not right. Seriously.
Kids are out in the pool. I'm waiting for my clothes to wash so I can take them to town and dry them.
I'm not brushing my hair, shaving my legs, or giving a damn. Naturally, I'll run into people I've known forever and will be embarrassed beyond all recognition. Odds are.
I'll check back in, time permitting, after I excise portions of my manuscript.
Grins*
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
STILL haven't done it
I'm putting it off. I know. I know. It's not healthy. It's not right. And I should just suck it up and DO IT!
That's right. I'm talking about cutting out the paranormal parts of my book set. *SIGH*
It's just so damn hard. I've NEVER cut that much of a story. So, I'm avoiding it like the plague. I am weak, I tell ya. Weak.
But then...my lovely CP told me to think about giving the paranormal parts a book of their own. Did I tell ya I just adore her? I do. She's sharp. And funny. And thank God we're doing all right. *grins*
What am I working on?
I'm working on an erotic romance short story for another anthology. Whiskey Creek Press Torrid line will be putting one out every season next year. That story is not in the least bit pressing compared to everything else I have on my plate. Plus I'm already 2000 words in, and I know what I have going on. There's at least two more contemporaries that I'm playing with. One already has 20,000 words. I need to buckle down and do something!
Okay. Okay. *breathing* I need to be strong. I need to get the job done. And I will.
Tomorrow.
Grins*
That's right. I'm talking about cutting out the paranormal parts of my book set. *SIGH*
It's just so damn hard. I've NEVER cut that much of a story. So, I'm avoiding it like the plague. I am weak, I tell ya. Weak.
But then...my lovely CP told me to think about giving the paranormal parts a book of their own. Did I tell ya I just adore her? I do. She's sharp. And funny. And thank God we're doing all right. *grins*
What am I working on?
I'm working on an erotic romance short story for another anthology. Whiskey Creek Press Torrid line will be putting one out every season next year. That story is not in the least bit pressing compared to everything else I have on my plate. Plus I'm already 2000 words in, and I know what I have going on. There's at least two more contemporaries that I'm playing with. One already has 20,000 words. I need to buckle down and do something!
Okay. Okay. *breathing* I need to be strong. I need to get the job done. And I will.
Tomorrow.
Grins*
Monday, June 27, 2005
One of THOSE days
The day started out nice enough. I edited my two short stories for the Whiskey Creek Press "Love Anthology." All was well. I emailed back and forth to one of the editors. Extremely pleasant.
And then the day went straight to hell.
We ordered a heating element for our dryer. The dryer WILL NOT heat and we have laundry galore. It's actually risky to go hang clothes out because there have been copperheads spotted back there. *shuddering* Can I get a HELL NO?
Well, apparently it wasn't the heating element. Seventy *&^#^$#*&#^ dollars later, I suppose not.
Then began the lovely phone calls. I called Whirpool. They were very nice but not helpful in the least. They said to call Lowe's because that's where we purchased the extended plan. Okay. Did I tell you I was on hold for twenty minutes on my CELL phone because I was downloading something important on my computer? I didn't? Well, I flippin' was. Then I called Lowe's and got a hold of the manager. He was also nice. He told me that I would have to call the &^%##$% 800 number to schedule a service person visit. I didn't have to wait long to talk to him.
Then I called the number for the Lowe's service people. Did I tell you I was STILL on my cell phone and in the middle of the 100 degree heat because you can't get reception for shit inside my house? I didn't? Well, I was.
Another twenty minute wait. But it gets better. After actually getting a hold of somebody, I was informed that they hired out the services. Yeah. Another number. Lowe's didn't handle anything like that anymore. I had to call GE. I asked if the number was easy to remember because up until that time, I was memorizing the numbers these people gave to me. Needless to say, I had to run back inside and jot that one down. I was scared to death reception would cut out and I would have to harm somebody.
Then I called the GE number. Another fifteen minute wait while I pressed several numbers and spoke my information into the receiver. Joy of all joys. And then you know what? I was told by the lovely automated voice that I would be contacted within 24 hours by ANOTHER person. The actual person who will somehow fit me into their busy schedule so I can have some &^%#^%#$ dry clothes. No real person ever talked to me. Looking back, that's probably a good thing. I now have a headache, and I'm sure my blood pressure hasn't quite dropped down to normal yet.
I know for a fact that this person probably won't fit me into their schedule this week. THAT pisses me off. And I'm hoping that they somehow won't call until tomorrow so I don't totally rip them a new arse. Because someone, my friend, has to pay.
Crystal*
And then the day went straight to hell.
We ordered a heating element for our dryer. The dryer WILL NOT heat and we have laundry galore. It's actually risky to go hang clothes out because there have been copperheads spotted back there. *shuddering* Can I get a HELL NO?
Well, apparently it wasn't the heating element. Seventy *&^#^$#*&#^ dollars later, I suppose not.
Then began the lovely phone calls. I called Whirpool. They were very nice but not helpful in the least. They said to call Lowe's because that's where we purchased the extended plan. Okay. Did I tell you I was on hold for twenty minutes on my CELL phone because I was downloading something important on my computer? I didn't? Well, I flippin' was. Then I called Lowe's and got a hold of the manager. He was also nice. He told me that I would have to call the &^%##$% 800 number to schedule a service person visit. I didn't have to wait long to talk to him.
Then I called the number for the Lowe's service people. Did I tell you I was STILL on my cell phone and in the middle of the 100 degree heat because you can't get reception for shit inside my house? I didn't? Well, I was.
Another twenty minute wait. But it gets better. After actually getting a hold of somebody, I was informed that they hired out the services. Yeah. Another number. Lowe's didn't handle anything like that anymore. I had to call GE. I asked if the number was easy to remember because up until that time, I was memorizing the numbers these people gave to me. Needless to say, I had to run back inside and jot that one down. I was scared to death reception would cut out and I would have to harm somebody.
Then I called the GE number. Another fifteen minute wait while I pressed several numbers and spoke my information into the receiver. Joy of all joys. And then you know what? I was told by the lovely automated voice that I would be contacted within 24 hours by ANOTHER person. The actual person who will somehow fit me into their busy schedule so I can have some &^%#^%#$ dry clothes. No real person ever talked to me. Looking back, that's probably a good thing. I now have a headache, and I'm sure my blood pressure hasn't quite dropped down to normal yet.
I know for a fact that this person probably won't fit me into their schedule this week. THAT pisses me off. And I'm hoping that they somehow won't call until tomorrow so I don't totally rip them a new arse. Because someone, my friend, has to pay.
Crystal*
Sunday, June 26, 2005
An Affair to Remember
I love this movie. Cary Grant. Deborah Kerr. SIGH
They were running it on AMC last night. And, of course, I had to watch it. It is easily in my top 5 movie list of all time.
THIS, to me, is romance at its finest. Aren't there some days when you might think, "Wow. They sure knew how to make them in the old days"?
Don't get me wrong. I like several contemporary romance movies. But none touch me like some of the old ones. There's a different feel to them. A depth that many modern-day movie romances lack.
Many modern-day romances are so busy trying to be snarky they forget the heart. I'll take both. And people running around half-naked and bedhopping? What in the blazes does that have to do with romance? If not done correctly, not much.
I love "The Mirror Has Two Faces" with Barbara Streisand and Jeff Bridges. LOVE IT. It also ranks in the top 5. If you have not seen it, rent it. It's well worth it.
What am I trying to say? That all the good stuff is old and nothing nowadays is worth a damn? No. I'm not. But there are times when I believe we need to step back and look at The Classics. We can learn from them. It doesn't have to be about mememe. Sometimes it's the giving that makes the getting worthwhile.
Grins*
They were running it on AMC last night. And, of course, I had to watch it. It is easily in my top 5 movie list of all time.
THIS, to me, is romance at its finest. Aren't there some days when you might think, "Wow. They sure knew how to make them in the old days"?
Don't get me wrong. I like several contemporary romance movies. But none touch me like some of the old ones. There's a different feel to them. A depth that many modern-day movie romances lack.
Many modern-day romances are so busy trying to be snarky they forget the heart. I'll take both. And people running around half-naked and bedhopping? What in the blazes does that have to do with romance? If not done correctly, not much.
I love "The Mirror Has Two Faces" with Barbara Streisand and Jeff Bridges. LOVE IT. It also ranks in the top 5. If you have not seen it, rent it. It's well worth it.
What am I trying to say? That all the good stuff is old and nothing nowadays is worth a damn? No. I'm not. But there are times when I believe we need to step back and look at The Classics. We can learn from them. It doesn't have to be about mememe. Sometimes it's the giving that makes the getting worthwhile.
Grins*
Saturday, June 25, 2005
If I had a brain, I'd play with it
Here is the link to the folks who did my banner. http://www.millenniumpromotion.com/services.html
They are WONDERFUL! And extremely reasonable. I'll probably advertise around the romance sites and such. I'll put it on my website. All that good stuff.
And yes, those are my beautimous chickens. Their birthdays are in October. The oldest will be 12. The middle will be 11. The baby will be 10. I think that was taken back in 1999 or 2000. We're BIG Packers fans. Heh
Grins*
They are WONDERFUL! And extremely reasonable. I'll probably advertise around the romance sites and such. I'll put it on my website. All that good stuff.
And yes, those are my beautimous chickens. Their birthdays are in October. The oldest will be 12. The middle will be 11. The baby will be 10. I think that was taken back in 1999 or 2000. We're BIG Packers fans. Heh
Grins*
My chickens
My banner
*&%$%*&%#
Yeah. That about sums it up. I have never second guessed myself on a novel, and here I am. And it irritates me. But I think I've finally gotten a hold of the problem and am ready to face it head on. With a little help from my trusty sidekick, Diet Pepsi, of course.
I'm cutting out the paranormal angle completely. I find myself having to insert it when I don't want to have to work at it. I've obviously been spoiled. Usually the words flow from the brain and into the fingers. I'll have to go back and edit the parts that overlap in the manuscript. I'm only about 20,000 words in, so I suppose I'll live. And taking the paranormal parts out actually makes my heroine stronger. She's a fierce heifer anyway, but this gives her more.
I decided that if I want to see any of the clothes I USED to wear, I must begin to exercise again. Therefore, I ordered a tae-bo tape and did it yesterday. Can I just tell everyone that Billy Blanks utterly kicks my ass? But I love it. I feel like I'm doing a little ass-kicking of my own when the DVD is on. All that kicking and punching. WOO! I loves it.
And...for an utterly fun flashback...some TV channel was playing "Moonlighting" the other night. I LOVED "Moonlighting." I'm serious. I had the flipping soundtrack. I kept the TV covers. May have to do with the fact that my birthday is the same is Cybil Shepards, and I thought she rocked. A beautiful, black evening gown with orange day-glo tennies? Yeah. I'd do that. ANYWAY...it was the "Taming of the Shrew" episode.
First, I LOVE that story. LOVE IT. Second, I HAD to watch it. I let out a very girly squeal when I saw what was on. (This, in itself, is rare) I watched it and then checked the tv guide thing for what year it was released. 1986. Yeah. That's right. Nineteen freaking eighty-six. Almost TWENTY years ago.
Hello. That's a generation. That's two freaking decades. That is SEVEN years before my first child was born. I was like a sophomore in high school. And yes, if you couldn't already tell, I was stunned.
Wait a minute! I'm only 33. That's not old. Hell. That's not even halfway old. I was doing mental math for five minutes and freaking myself out. Once again-OCD and numbers DO NOT MIX.
And just when I thought I calmed down, insomnia struck. Then I had to watch VH1's "100 Greatest Kid Stars." (Yeah. Had to. *snickering*)
Do you know how OLD most of them are now?
In their thirties. They have kids of their own. I must have watched all four hours of it (until two o'clock last night) with my jaw scraping the floor.
The little boy off "Roseanne" has two kids. Candace Cameron has a couple of kids. Hell, MY kids watch "Full House" like little addicts. They don't miss an episode. Tina Yothers off of "Family Ties"? She's in a freaking rock band. Black hair and piercings.
I honestly don't know if the show was a trip down memory lane or just a trip. *making mental note to block VH1 before I have to have therapy*
Grins*
I'm cutting out the paranormal angle completely. I find myself having to insert it when I don't want to have to work at it. I've obviously been spoiled. Usually the words flow from the brain and into the fingers. I'll have to go back and edit the parts that overlap in the manuscript. I'm only about 20,000 words in, so I suppose I'll live. And taking the paranormal parts out actually makes my heroine stronger. She's a fierce heifer anyway, but this gives her more.
I decided that if I want to see any of the clothes I USED to wear, I must begin to exercise again. Therefore, I ordered a tae-bo tape and did it yesterday. Can I just tell everyone that Billy Blanks utterly kicks my ass? But I love it. I feel like I'm doing a little ass-kicking of my own when the DVD is on. All that kicking and punching. WOO! I loves it.
And...for an utterly fun flashback...some TV channel was playing "Moonlighting" the other night. I LOVED "Moonlighting." I'm serious. I had the flipping soundtrack. I kept the TV covers. May have to do with the fact that my birthday is the same is Cybil Shepards, and I thought she rocked. A beautiful, black evening gown with orange day-glo tennies? Yeah. I'd do that. ANYWAY...it was the "Taming of the Shrew" episode.
First, I LOVE that story. LOVE IT. Second, I HAD to watch it. I let out a very girly squeal when I saw what was on. (This, in itself, is rare) I watched it and then checked the tv guide thing for what year it was released. 1986. Yeah. That's right. Nineteen freaking eighty-six. Almost TWENTY years ago.
Hello. That's a generation. That's two freaking decades. That is SEVEN years before my first child was born. I was like a sophomore in high school. And yes, if you couldn't already tell, I was stunned.
Wait a minute! I'm only 33. That's not old. Hell. That's not even halfway old. I was doing mental math for five minutes and freaking myself out. Once again-OCD and numbers DO NOT MIX.
And just when I thought I calmed down, insomnia struck. Then I had to watch VH1's "100 Greatest Kid Stars." (Yeah. Had to. *snickering*)
Do you know how OLD most of them are now?
In their thirties. They have kids of their own. I must have watched all four hours of it (until two o'clock last night) with my jaw scraping the floor.
The little boy off "Roseanne" has two kids. Candace Cameron has a couple of kids. Hell, MY kids watch "Full House" like little addicts. They don't miss an episode. Tina Yothers off of "Family Ties"? She's in a freaking rock band. Black hair and piercings.
I honestly don't know if the show was a trip down memory lane or just a trip. *making mental note to block VH1 before I have to have therapy*
Grins*
Friday, June 24, 2005
Master Plan
All right. Here it is. I'm playing hooky today. I've fulfilled my blogging and bloghopping responsibilities. And now, it's time to play.
I'm going to hop in the pool. And I'm going to bake myself. Any inhalation of Diet Pepsi and chocolate is simply a bonus.
I've finished my two blurbs for the "Love Anthology" from Whiskey Creek Press. Um. So I did SOME work today. *snickering* If you could call it that.
And later this evening, after I've pushed my hedonistic tendencies to the limit, I may open a document and get to tapping. Mebbe.
Have a great Friday!
Grins*
I'm going to hop in the pool. And I'm going to bake myself. Any inhalation of Diet Pepsi and chocolate is simply a bonus.
I've finished my two blurbs for the "Love Anthology" from Whiskey Creek Press. Um. So I did SOME work today. *snickering* If you could call it that.
And later this evening, after I've pushed my hedonistic tendencies to the limit, I may open a document and get to tapping. Mebbe.
Have a great Friday!
Grins*
Point of View-MINE
Point of view in any work is the author's call. I believe this. When we put pen to paper or finger to keyboard, we KNOW what person POV we want to use.
There is STILL a big discussion about headhopping. To me, headhopping is switching almost incessantly back and forth. Did John say that? No, I think it was Tina. THAT drives me up the wall.
But I ENJOY having both perspectives. I want to know what the hero is thinking, also. It doesn't make the work shallow for me, it adds depth. I'm sure we've all heard that Nora headhops. And that used to be BIG in the seventies/eighties. And now, editors and publishers are trying to narrow down the POV to one character. To this, I say bullsh*t. I've read quite a few bestsellers lately, and this hasn't changed. Sorry about that.
Chick Lit consistently stays in one person's head for the simple point that it's egocentric. I'm not saying bad. Do NOT send me emails. LMAO
I'm saying egocentric. It IS all about the character. And that's how it's marketed.
But romance? It's about two people. At the very heart, two people. And I like to know what ol' boy is thinking every once in awhile. God knows I can't read men's minds in the real world. Throw me a bone. *grinning* So will I change what I write to ONE person's point of view? No. I won't. I'll stick to my guns. And if you're opinion differs, that's fine. I respect that. But you won't change my mine.
Grins*
There is STILL a big discussion about headhopping. To me, headhopping is switching almost incessantly back and forth. Did John say that? No, I think it was Tina. THAT drives me up the wall.
But I ENJOY having both perspectives. I want to know what the hero is thinking, also. It doesn't make the work shallow for me, it adds depth. I'm sure we've all heard that Nora headhops. And that used to be BIG in the seventies/eighties. And now, editors and publishers are trying to narrow down the POV to one character. To this, I say bullsh*t. I've read quite a few bestsellers lately, and this hasn't changed. Sorry about that.
Chick Lit consistently stays in one person's head for the simple point that it's egocentric. I'm not saying bad. Do NOT send me emails. LMAO
I'm saying egocentric. It IS all about the character. And that's how it's marketed.
But romance? It's about two people. At the very heart, two people. And I like to know what ol' boy is thinking every once in awhile. God knows I can't read men's minds in the real world. Throw me a bone. *grinning* So will I change what I write to ONE person's point of view? No. I won't. I'll stick to my guns. And if you're opinion differs, that's fine. I respect that. But you won't change my mine.
Grins*
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Have mercy
I am tore-up from the floor up. I will resume my regularly scheduled blogging on the morrow. And I'm sure, when I finally have two brain cells to rub together and my head isn't aching, I'll say something worth reading. For now...Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.
Crystal*
Crystal*
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
You are NOT Bo or Luke Duke!
I decided today to run down to Texas and purchase lottery tickets. This isn't a merry jaunt, one hour roundtrip type thing. I'm on the road approximately 6 hours. But hey! Sometimes ya just gotta suck it up and roll the dice. *muttering* I'll be so glad when Oklahoma finally gets their lottery in place. ACK!
Let me also say that I have a very, very good friend is a truck driver, so M, this isn't about you.
What in the blue hell is WRONG with semi drivers? Well? I wanted to roll down my window and shout, "Dammit! You're not driving the fu**ing General Lee! You're driving a damn eighteen-wheeler. Get some damn sense! And get the hell off my bumper! You're so damn close I want you surgically removed." And what's the deal with driving RIGHT BESIDE ME? I KNOW I'm in your blind spot. Shit! That's why I'm trying to speed up. And yet you persist in playing chicken with me. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
There were two semis that just couldn't seem to understand that I wasn't their vehicular toy. I'd pass. They'd pass. Then flippin' construction for miles on end. One lane.
And let me say...I had my cruise control on. Almost the entire time. OMG.
But now I'm home. And after kissing the grass in my yard, I'm starting dinner and blogging. I'll get around to my bloghopping and commenting tomorrow.
Have a good one.
Grins*
Let me also say that I have a very, very good friend is a truck driver, so M, this isn't about you.
What in the blue hell is WRONG with semi drivers? Well? I wanted to roll down my window and shout, "Dammit! You're not driving the fu**ing General Lee! You're driving a damn eighteen-wheeler. Get some damn sense! And get the hell off my bumper! You're so damn close I want you surgically removed." And what's the deal with driving RIGHT BESIDE ME? I KNOW I'm in your blind spot. Shit! That's why I'm trying to speed up. And yet you persist in playing chicken with me. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
There were two semis that just couldn't seem to understand that I wasn't their vehicular toy. I'd pass. They'd pass. Then flippin' construction for miles on end. One lane.
And let me say...I had my cruise control on. Almost the entire time. OMG.
But now I'm home. And after kissing the grass in my yard, I'm starting dinner and blogging. I'll get around to my bloghopping and commenting tomorrow.
Have a good one.
Grins*
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Stop the madness!
Beth C. http://charmed_author.bravejournal.com/index.php is evil. In case y'all didn't know this, I thought I'd share. She blogged earlier about not working on her synopsis. Instead she's doing a billion other things. Unfortunately, I'm supposed to be writing two blurbs. BLURBS. Two paragraphs or so each. And what am I doing? Clicking on the link about woman's orgasms. Click on them. It's educational. And um...FUN. Heh
*shaking head sadly*
I've found another addictive blog.
Grins*
*shaking head sadly*
I've found another addictive blog.
Grins*
Books and banners
I had a banner made, but I haven't paid for it yet, so I don't feel like it would be appropriate to show it. I have to use Paypal. I've NEVER used Paypal. I sent an email to the artist explaining this and hopefully when they regain consciousness from laughing so hard, they can tell me. But the banner ROCKS!
I haven't done ANY writing today. We were up WAY too early taking a friend to the doctor. And I am BEAT. I haven't done my usual bloghopping around, and I will remedy that after this post. Even the kids are unusually quiet.
It's HOT here. Supposed to be in the mid-upper nineties for the next three or four days. *choke* *gasp* *wheeze*
I'm sure I have fourteen hundred things to do, but right now they can all fall to the wayside. Maybe I'll find my get-up-and-go tomorrow. *making a mental note*
Grins*
I haven't done ANY writing today. We were up WAY too early taking a friend to the doctor. And I am BEAT. I haven't done my usual bloghopping around, and I will remedy that after this post. Even the kids are unusually quiet.
It's HOT here. Supposed to be in the mid-upper nineties for the next three or four days. *choke* *gasp* *wheeze*
I'm sure I have fourteen hundred things to do, but right now they can all fall to the wayside. Maybe I'll find my get-up-and-go tomorrow. *making a mental note*
Grins*
Monday, June 20, 2005
Getting liquored up
*snickering*
Okay. Not really. But I am having one or two celebratory Smirnoff Twisted Green Apples. Yummy. I love green apple. I was the one addicted to the green apple jolly ranchers.
And what am I celebrating?
Two of my short stories are going to be in the Whiskey Creek Press "Love Anthology" coming out in February 2006. *doing happy author dance* That means I'll have two books coming out then. My other one, "Perfect Timing", is also due out February 2006. Ought to be quite a month. Oh. And I turn a year younger. Heh
On the literary front, I wrote about 2000 words today. And my characters are STILL not getting along. We had a moment of chemistry there, and then she kneed him in the nether regions. These two difficult people are making me nuts.
I think I'll medicate myself with another drink of green apple.
Grins*
Okay. Not really. But I am having one or two celebratory Smirnoff Twisted Green Apples. Yummy. I love green apple. I was the one addicted to the green apple jolly ranchers.
And what am I celebrating?
Two of my short stories are going to be in the Whiskey Creek Press "Love Anthology" coming out in February 2006. *doing happy author dance* That means I'll have two books coming out then. My other one, "Perfect Timing", is also due out February 2006. Ought to be quite a month. Oh. And I turn a year younger. Heh
On the literary front, I wrote about 2000 words today. And my characters are STILL not getting along. We had a moment of chemistry there, and then she kneed him in the nether regions. These two difficult people are making me nuts.
I think I'll medicate myself with another drink of green apple.
Grins*
Shallow reading
Before I ever put pen to paper or finger to keyboard, I was a reader. And I maintain that position throughout my writing career. I read. Actually, I inhale the written word.
When I read, I have great expectations. The words must be effective. They must take me away to where they live. Show me the sights. Engage my mind. And if they don't?
Then I shallow read.
Shallow reading to me means that I can read and have half my mind somewhere else. Sometimes this is the fault of the author. And sometimes, frequently, it's mine.
I read approximately seven books within two days time late last week. I read a Kay Hooper, a James Patterson, a J.D. Robb, a category romance, and the Nora "Key" trilogy.
And this is what I discovered. I was immersed in both the Hooper and the Patterson. Immersed. The kids were snarled at, the dishes were neglected, and I loved both books.
The category romance was intermittent. I would read it sometimes. I'd pick it up. I'd put it down. No big rush there. I studied the "Key" trilogy and soaked up every word. It was still a good read, but then again, I thought it was entirely too predictable. And the J.D. Robb? I'm sorry to say that I solved whodunit about a fourth of the way through. The best thing I can say about the book was that I LOVED a scene in which Eve is trying to show Roarke how much she loves him. She goes WAY out of her comfort zone to try to give him an evening he won't soon forget. It's a keeper scene. Too bad I didn't feel that way about the entire book.
I know that some people will mentally rate the books they read. They have the "keepers" and the "throwers." But I've come upon another system. The water test.
1 starfish-A flea couldn't even get his ankles wet
2 starfish-My cat could walk across it
3 starfish-Deep enough for me to float
4 starfish-May need a snorkel
5 starfish-Deep sea diving-Do NOT disturb-Total immersion has occurred
What rates a four or five starfish with you? And is anybody else picturing Patrick from "Spongebob Squarepants?" Or is that just me?
Grins*
When I read, I have great expectations. The words must be effective. They must take me away to where they live. Show me the sights. Engage my mind. And if they don't?
Then I shallow read.
Shallow reading to me means that I can read and have half my mind somewhere else. Sometimes this is the fault of the author. And sometimes, frequently, it's mine.
I read approximately seven books within two days time late last week. I read a Kay Hooper, a James Patterson, a J.D. Robb, a category romance, and the Nora "Key" trilogy.
And this is what I discovered. I was immersed in both the Hooper and the Patterson. Immersed. The kids were snarled at, the dishes were neglected, and I loved both books.
The category romance was intermittent. I would read it sometimes. I'd pick it up. I'd put it down. No big rush there. I studied the "Key" trilogy and soaked up every word. It was still a good read, but then again, I thought it was entirely too predictable. And the J.D. Robb? I'm sorry to say that I solved whodunit about a fourth of the way through. The best thing I can say about the book was that I LOVED a scene in which Eve is trying to show Roarke how much she loves him. She goes WAY out of her comfort zone to try to give him an evening he won't soon forget. It's a keeper scene. Too bad I didn't feel that way about the entire book.
I know that some people will mentally rate the books they read. They have the "keepers" and the "throwers." But I've come upon another system. The water test.
1 starfish-A flea couldn't even get his ankles wet
2 starfish-My cat could walk across it
3 starfish-Deep enough for me to float
4 starfish-May need a snorkel
5 starfish-Deep sea diving-Do NOT disturb-Total immersion has occurred
What rates a four or five starfish with you? And is anybody else picturing Patrick from "Spongebob Squarepants?" Or is that just me?
Grins*
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Reinventing yourself
There's a lot to be said for having the flexibility to pull of a reinvention.
People who are constantly changing are doing one of two things. They are either changing because they're dissatisfied with themselves, or they are changing because they are growing. Only one of these is healthy.
People undergo changes on a daily basis. We dodge. We weave. We make do with who we are and what we do. This is imperative. If we don't adapt, we risk being left behind.
But there are some things we simply don't need to change. I've touched on this before in my "Square Peg, Round Hole" post http://chryscat.blogspot.com/2005/05/square-peground-hole.html#comments
I often wonder about authors who reinvent themselves. I love James Patterson. His "Alex Cross" novels are wonderful. I haven't heard anything good about his foray into romance. But I give him big points for exploring another avenue. BIG POINTS. He's taking a new path and stepping in a new direction. He's growing.
Catherine Coulter pulled it off big time when she went from romance to thriller. I absolutely love both these genres from her. Once again, very canny.
But what about the author who frantically searches for his/her spot? They're not even rooted, and yet they continually are searching for that sunshine.
You have to have roots before you can grow. You have to be someone before you can reinvent yourself. I don't mean literally. We're all someone. I mean professionally. Dig in with both hands and embrace who you are. Explore every avenue. Do not give up. If you half-ass give everything a try, you've committed to nothing. And you deserve more. Demand it.
And when you've found your literary home, and you're comfy, then go on vacation every once in awhile. And see who else you can be.
Grins*
People who are constantly changing are doing one of two things. They are either changing because they're dissatisfied with themselves, or they are changing because they are growing. Only one of these is healthy.
People undergo changes on a daily basis. We dodge. We weave. We make do with who we are and what we do. This is imperative. If we don't adapt, we risk being left behind.
But there are some things we simply don't need to change. I've touched on this before in my "Square Peg, Round Hole" post http://chryscat.blogspot.com/2005/05/square-peground-hole.html#comments
I often wonder about authors who reinvent themselves. I love James Patterson. His "Alex Cross" novels are wonderful. I haven't heard anything good about his foray into romance. But I give him big points for exploring another avenue. BIG POINTS. He's taking a new path and stepping in a new direction. He's growing.
Catherine Coulter pulled it off big time when she went from romance to thriller. I absolutely love both these genres from her. Once again, very canny.
But what about the author who frantically searches for his/her spot? They're not even rooted, and yet they continually are searching for that sunshine.
You have to have roots before you can grow. You have to be someone before you can reinvent yourself. I don't mean literally. We're all someone. I mean professionally. Dig in with both hands and embrace who you are. Explore every avenue. Do not give up. If you half-ass give everything a try, you've committed to nothing. And you deserve more. Demand it.
And when you've found your literary home, and you're comfy, then go on vacation every once in awhile. And see who else you can be.
Grins*
Saturday, June 18, 2005
When the stars speak
Chrys,You can feel the energy coming at you, even if your eyes are tightly shut. You may have thought that you've lost the buzz, but it's like the tide at the seashore. It comes and it goes. Try not to get all worked up about external events. Remember that you don't have control of everything. Don't take on more than you can handle.
Okay. Here's my problem. When did I lose control of everything? And I've been taking on more than I can handle for longer than I can remember. And I live to get worked up about external events. *laughing* Damn.
I'm sure this falls under "don't sweat the small stuff." And I'm getting better at that. If you could see my house, you would know it. I need to do dishes. And the chickens and I are going to be doing lawncare a little later on. You know, when it drops below 95 degrees here. I thought it would be nice if they could actually see below their knees. *shrug* It's a Mama thing.
I believe I'll be editing today. I need to go back through my manuscript which will be released in Feb. 2006. I'll be tightening that little sucker. And if I have time, I'll tackle book one of my FBS.
Enjoy the day!
Grins*
Okay. Here's my problem. When did I lose control of everything? And I've been taking on more than I can handle for longer than I can remember. And I live to get worked up about external events. *laughing* Damn.
I'm sure this falls under "don't sweat the small stuff." And I'm getting better at that. If you could see my house, you would know it. I need to do dishes. And the chickens and I are going to be doing lawncare a little later on. You know, when it drops below 95 degrees here. I thought it would be nice if they could actually see below their knees. *shrug* It's a Mama thing.
I believe I'll be editing today. I need to go back through my manuscript which will be released in Feb. 2006. I'll be tightening that little sucker. And if I have time, I'll tackle book one of my FBS.
Enjoy the day!
Grins*
Friday, June 17, 2005
The lengths I'll go to
First: Thank you to everyone for the congrats and well wishes! I loved them all!
I spent my day reformatting my suspense for a publisher's guidelines. And man! For this technically challenged woman, it was an ordeal. They had a page of stuff they needed done before they would even look at it. And two pages of biographical information and publicity ideas. I've only ploughed about halfway through it. And I used MS Word for the first time! WOO! I had to transfer from MS Works so that I could do what needed to be done. Plus they wanted page counts and word counts for each chapter. Good thing I' m a tad bit anal. I actually started to enjoy it. *rolls eyes*
Sometimes I worry about myself.
But I finally finished with the guidelines, and then I bipped around bloghopping and reading. I'm constantly amused by the day-to-day antics of both Suzanne http://www.suzannemcminn.com/blog/ and Jill http://www.jillshalvis.com/blog/ .
*shaking head and laughing*
I seriously need to start writing in MS Word now. It will save some time and save my children from learning a few choice words before they need to. Heh
Grins*
I spent my day reformatting my suspense for a publisher's guidelines. And man! For this technically challenged woman, it was an ordeal. They had a page of stuff they needed done before they would even look at it. And two pages of biographical information and publicity ideas. I've only ploughed about halfway through it. And I used MS Word for the first time! WOO! I had to transfer from MS Works so that I could do what needed to be done. Plus they wanted page counts and word counts for each chapter. Good thing I' m a tad bit anal. I actually started to enjoy it. *rolls eyes*
Sometimes I worry about myself.
But I finally finished with the guidelines, and then I bipped around bloghopping and reading. I'm constantly amused by the day-to-day antics of both Suzanne http://www.suzannemcminn.com/blog/ and Jill http://www.jillshalvis.com/blog/ .
*shaking head and laughing*
I seriously need to start writing in MS Word now. It will save some time and save my children from learning a few choice words before they need to. Heh
Grins*
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