Feel of Something New

Getting To Know You Blogfest

2011-11-18T07:07:00.016-05:00

JL Campbell coordinated the fantastic Getting to Know You Blogfest for the romantic suspense group from Rachael Harrie's Platform-Building Crusade. Wow, that was a mouthful. (For some reason my blog hasn't been wanting me to post badges/photos on the sidebar. It took a week of continual trying to get the last one up.)

Since it's in the middle of NaNo, J.L. kept it short - but maybe not so sweet, since, yanno, it's romantic suspense. Or maybe the romantic part makes it sweet. You decide.

Thanks again, for heading this up J.L. It's much appreciated!

1. Name two romantic suspense authors who inspire you.

I'm not sure Nora Roberts wouldn't be in many romantic suspense readers'/writers' top five at least? She's definitely in my top 2. But, the author who most inspired me--I'm not sure his work was ever put under a genre umbrella? Sydney Sheldon. I read my first Sheldon novel (Rage of Angels) around 13 and I promptly devoured the rest (starting in order).

2. How did you start writing in your genre?

This is kinda a hard one for me. I don't know. I sat down and it came out. I do actually write in multiple genres, but they all lean heavily towards romance. The two I've consciously gone into trying to avoid romance still turned out as romance. It was meant to be, how romantic (sorry).

3. You've landed a meeting with your dream agent. Write a one-paragraph pitch to sell your novel to him/her.

Brainy Kasia Taylor is determined to focus on college, not guys, in order to get into the FBI and track down her long-missing parents. When up-and-coming rocker Jake won't take no for an answer, and Kasia can't help but fall for his intelligence and easy-going nature, she learns he has family secrets that link to her murky past and the human trafficking trade. Secrets that lead her straight into the hands of the man who may have murdered her parents.

4. Sabotage or accident - which would you put your female lead through, and why?

I guess I'm an extra special kind of mean. I put her through both. An accident in the first book, sabotage in the sequel. Why? I like to see how much I can make my characters suffer, but still manage to come back from. I heart tension.

5. Plotter or panster - who are you?

Panster. I write purely linearly and have found out the hard way (twice now) that trying to plot screws everything up in a big way for me, and writing chunks then trying to bridge them together, is even worse. So I get the idea for a story in my head and I sit down and let the characters dictate where we go from there - but we always go from front to back.

Make sure to click the link above and check out the others! Thank you. :)

Guest Blogger

2011-10-28T06:40:00.047-04:00

I am thrilled to have Anne Gallagher from Piedmont Writer here today - as hard as it was to talk her into it. She's iffy on that whole self-promotion thing. I understand, really. But in this business, you gotta do it. We waffled about which way to go: guest post, interview, review. I knew what I wanted.

I've long admired Anne's honesty on her own blog. She's forthcoming about her life, her feelings, her writing, and The Biz. She's funny, too. So when I asked her to do a guest post about her decision to self publish, I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. What she sent was exactly what I'd expected - no, not word for word, but the honesty inside of it. And the helpfulness.

Then, of course, I had to email her back to remind her she mentioned not one word about her actual book - for, yanno, the promotion part. I told you all she hated it.

Anne was my 2nd follower, and never failed to comment when nobody else was even reading my messes. I wish her all the best in her self-publishing endeavor!

Why I Chose to Self-Publish

Your book is written. It’s been revised and edited to within an inch of its life. Blood, sweat and tears have been dripped all over the manuscript. You write an outstanding query. You send the query out to every agent who reps your genre and then some. Your beta readers, critique partners, and your mother are waiting with their breath held.

But what happens if you can’t find an agent? If you get rejected time and again? What do you do when the agents say your writing is fantastic, but she just won’t be able to sell it because you’re writing for a niche market? What do you do when the agent says your book would be easier to sell as a category romance? What do you say when you’re told she’d wished you’d queried her two months ago, she just sold three books just like yours but now the editor is full up.

After 50+ rejections each on three different books, I’d had enough of feeling let down, sad, angry, confused. My beta readers LOVED my books. My critique partners RAVED over my books. My queries were killer. Now some of you may say, “I know people who had over 100 rejections.” Yeah, I do too. But you know what, there are only so many agents who represent historical romantic fiction. And only so many who will take it on without vampires or werewolves or zombies.

I write single-title Regency romances without sex. There are no heaving bosoms, no washboard abs, no trysts in moonlit gardens. I do not write category romance, nor do I want to. I do not write sex, not because I can’t, but because most of the time, the sex doesn’t need to be there. My books are about finding lasting love, not a roll in the hay. They are emotional, character-driven novels where love is the goal. People are people, whether in 1810 or 2010. Our basic human need for love and affection doesn’t change.

So I decided to take the bull by the horns and dip my toes into the waters of self-publishing. The most important reason being –

BECAUSE I COULD.

Yes, I knew it was going to be hard, but so what. What in life isn’t hard these days? I had a successful business as a professional chef and private caterer for over 25 years before I started writing full-time. Let me tell you how hard it is to clean up at 1am after doing a wedding for 300 people. Publishing to Kindle has been a cakewalk in comparison. And I got to do it while still wearing my pajamas.

Yes, I will admit, I had a lot of trepidation in setting out to do this. I knew nothing about formatting, html codes, dpi resolution, or how to go about any of it. But you know what – I made myself learn. The same way I made myself learn the correct form of ‘who’ and ‘whom’. The correct usage for a semicolon. The difference between using good and bad adverbs. With the help of some, very, very smart people I may add, I did learn how to format, and upload, and find the right html codes. I made mistakes, big and small. But that’s part of everything.

As a creative artist, I self-published because I wanted my voice to be heard. Yeah, I’ll admit, I’m vain. (Why do you think they used to call it vanity publishing?) I wanted to share my stories with the world. What is all that hard work for, if the book only sits on my hard drive waiting for an agent that may never bite? What was the point of writing book after book after book if no one is going to read them? What did I have to lose?

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

It didn’t cost me anything but time. I found all my covers in public domain. A very good friend put them together for me. I formatted the book myself (with again I might add, some very, very smart people). I had five (super smart) people go through the manuscript with a fine-tooth comb looking for obvious typo’s and punctuation problems because I couldn’t afford a professional editor. (Who really can these days?)

I didn’t self-publish for the money. There’s some, I won’t kid you, but not enough for me to make a living on it right now. I think, perhaps in time I might enjoy a nice week at Disney with The Monster, but that’s a long way off.
I write my books because I enjoy them. I write what I want to read. I write because I have a voice and want it to be heard.
I self-published because I write in a niche market and didn’t want to change my style to fit into another. I kind of sort of did it as well, to maybe, impress an agent enough to offer me representation one day. I self-published, because I wanted other people in the world to get as much enjoyment out of my books as I do.

I self-published because I could.

THE LADY'S FATE

Lady Violet Flowers has only one Season to find a husband. Raised in the Queen’s household, Violet is elevated in rank, yet overlooked by society for having no dowry. Violet is petrified she’ll bring disgrace to her mother’s name in not making a good match, if any.
The widowed Marquess of Haverlane needs to find the perfect nanny for his beloved daughter, Jane. Fortunate for Haverlane, when the very plump, but very pretty Lady Violet rescues Jane from almost drowning, the solution to his problem stands before him. Ensconced at his country estate, Haverlane and Violet’s only means of communication is through correspondence, which leads to an amiable affection.
Unwilling to think of Violet as more than a nanny, a surprising Christmas kiss compels Haverlane to look at her in a whole new light, and she at him. However, Parliamentary demands made upon his time keep them both a safe distance from temptation.

As the Season begins, an old flame emerges from Haverlane’s past and attempts to rekindle that fire. Violet is bereft and knows things cannot remain as they are. She accepts an offer for her hand, even though Haverlane is the only one she wants. By the time Haverlane realizes Violet is the woman he has been waiting for, not only for himself, but for his daughter as well, it may be too late. Haverlane must now do what Violet has dreaded most – bring scandal to her mother’s house to try to win her back.

Review for THE LADY'S FATE

I felt like I was reading one of the classics. Gallagher has done her research and The Lady's fate reads just as if it were written back in Austen's day. But she gives us a new set of characters to examine, and even though they're playing by the same set of Regency rules, the plot takes fresh, unpredictable turns.

The relationship between Violet and Haverlane takes time to develop, but their electricity is immediate, even before things get physical. Patience is rewarded with some of the steamiest kisses I've ever read---you know, the kind where you go back to read them again...and again, just to make sure you didn't miss anything. I think the attraction's even more intriguing because up until the very end, it's unclear if/how it can progress.

The characters are all well-defined and interesting, even those who are infuriating. My favorite is Lady Olivia in all her obstinate, noble, cane-thumping glory. I finished this book knowing I'd like to spend more time with them, so I look forward to more from this author---particularly in the "Reluctant Grooms" series.

THE LADY'S FATE available on Amazon for $2.99. (links in green)

Shifting

2011-10-24T07:21:00.018-04:00

I don't usually do any sort of review on my blog. There's a few reasons. One being I'm terrible at it. Also, I feel like if I'm close with someone, I may be a little biased, or even feel pressured to give it a little better review than I normally would have. The biggest reason is probably that I'm afraid I won't like it, and I don't want to put that out there.

That said, you all can be assured that if I do discuss a book (clarifying that I've read it), it was fantastic.

Two weeks ago I won SHIFTING, by Bethany Wiggins, on Angela Felsted's blog. I was bored the Saturday after it arrived and late in the afternoon decided I'd sneak away and start it. I finished it at 2AM.Could not put it down.

I've "seen" Bethany around the blogosphere over the past few years, but we never really crossed direct paths. I hadn't realized she'd recently released a book (late Sept.). Boy, am I glad she did.

SHIFTING blurb:

After bouncing from foster home to foster home, Magdalene Mae is transferred to what should be her last foster home in the tiny town of Silver City, New Mexico. Now that she's eighteen and has only a year left in high school, she's determined to stay out of trouble and just be normal. Agreeing to go to the prom with Bridger O'Connell is a good first step. Fitting in has never been her strong suit, but it's not for the reasons most people would expect-it all has to do with the deep secret that she is a shape shifter. But even in her new home danger lurks, waiting in the shadows to pounce. They are the Skinwalkers of Navajo legend, who have traded their souls to become the animal whose skin they wear-and Maggie is their next target.

Full of romance, mysticism, and intrigue, this dark take on Navajo legend will haunt readers to the final page.

My (not so well-written) review:

I preface by saying, I'm not a big YA reader. I rarely read paranormal - and when I have it's been King or Koontz for the most part. Very different stuff.

The pacing is very good. I can't recall skimming anything - always a good sign. Even so, a little less than mid-way through I remember wondering what it was that was keeping me riveted. Nothing *catastrophic* had happened. Lot's of culminating events - but no one Big Thing. I still can't put my finger on it, but whatever it was, it worked - well.

Maggie Mae is a phenomenal character; her overall arc in this story, amazing. We see her go from inwardly scared, but oh-so resilient, to facing up to her fears and becoming an adult. In the beginning (from the opening scene!) we see that she's cut herself off from people. By the end, she has developed multilevel-ed relationships with many other characters in the book. All of which are masterfully written so as not to seem contrived in any way. Her relationship with Bridger (yum) has its own terrific arc.

(I'm highly character driven, so this book was like ice cream for me in that aspect. Nom.nom.nom.)

I'm a voracious reader, and there are very few book I rate at 5 stars - even 4 is pushing it with me. This one is a 4.7. - due to a couple remaining questions I had with one or two things that took place. And, if I weren't a writer, I'd have given it 7 out of 5 stars - I know my fellow writers get that. ;-) If you are a fan of paranormal, you'll love this book. If you aren't a fan of paranormal, chances are you'll still love it.

I saw a review on Amazon from someone (who said they didn't care for Twilight) that said something along the lines of if you didn't like Twilight, you'll love this book. If you did like Twilight, you'll really, really love this book. I thought that summed it up pretty darn well.

A Sad Day for Indy

2011-10-18T11:20:00.002-04:00

Sorry, all. The vast majority of you won't understand a lot of this post, I fear, but I need to get this out.

This week IndyRacer Dan Wheldon was involved in an on-the-track accident and passed away.

I've mentioned before that I grew up involved with auto racing. I can recall multitudes of accidents on the track. Some that looked horrific - rolling, hood-to-trunk flipping, being crunched between the wall and another car - but in almost every single one, the driver climbed through the window and walked to the infield. I remember, too, the day someone died. G. was a long-time family friend.

For a large place, filled with hundreds of people and loud cars, there was an eerie silence as everyone watched him being put into the helicopter and then his crumpled car being hoisted onto the flatbed and taken to his pit garage. In a moment of horrendous irony, the man that 'teched' (inspected and approved the car to race) the car was the man G. crashed with. It was later found that the bolts in the floor pan were rusted and he was crushed on impact when his seat came loose and he hit the wheel at well over 100mph - or the wheel hit him; the dark green car was almost literally a ball after the wreck. It should never have passed inspection. I'll spare the very gruesome details that I wish I'd never heard.Yeah, they are far worse than what I just wrote there.

Still, I can't come close to imagining what Dan's friends and family were feeling. His wife was there, and my aches for her and their two young sons.

What's really hit me hard is something that happened before the race, and also what's happening now.

Very shortly before this race, my husband was talking with a friend of his, who I won't name, but he is highly involved in the sport, and someone close to Friend was *in* that race. They were discussing how dangerous it's becoming with the crazy speeds - specifically at that track (Vegas). Many of the drivers are even having reactions to the G-forces these cars are putting off. Seriously! Does anyone out there think it's a safe thing to have someone driving a car that goes upwards of 200mph to feel "off", even if only for a few seconds.

(Friend did not say this next stuff - it's purely me.) The powers that be are concerned about winning and making [more] money. This is not a game, people are dying. There needs to be more restrictions set on the car, whether it be weight or speed, and much harsher penalties for the teams who feel pressured to "cheat" the restrictions to give their boss a win.

That was the before, now the after.

Drivers are coming out, in the press, Twitter, etc., to talk about their safety concerns. And you know what? They are getting flack for it. People who call themselves fans are not understanding what these guys are saying and they are bombarding them. A well-known NASCAR racer voiced a few things in his Twitter and got slayed by ignorant "fans." Ashley Judd, whose husband, Dario Franchitti, was driving that day - and was openly crying when the news of Dan's passing reached the track -. had some really harsh and mean-spirited things directed at her Twitter feed after she made comments that people misconstrued. Granted, those people probably don't realize there's been so much talk about the safety issues of late, but the woman lost a friend. And what she said was heartfelt and meaningful.

If the drivers can't advocate for their safety and the safety of their friends, then who will?

Despite all the competition and on-the-track-feuding, racing is a seriously tight-knit family. They are ALL hurting right now. My heart goes out to every one of them.

Exercise

2011-10-13T07:11:00.004-04:00

Hullo my pretties...

I was internetless for a few days (grr!) but I am stopping by for another quickie. This month's exercise in the Books and Writers Forum is a great one. It has also exploded! We ususally have about 10 participants, and I think we're pushing 30. Hard to keep up.

The October Exercise comes from the uber-talented author, and former agent, Barbara Rogan:Your challenge this time is simple to state, but fiendishly difficult to execute. In 500 words or less, make me cry.

I only made it to 246 before I had to stop.

**
Those little fists should be waving, grasping my fingers, but they are tied down so you can’t loosen the needles and wires. The smallest contact overstimulates your too-thin flesh but you can’t cry out with that tube down your throat, feeding you, the mask covering that beautiful face, pumping precious air into those underdeveloped lungs.

It took so long before you moved, cried. Before you lived.

Machines blink and beep to let me know you’re still alive, and fighting. I’d worried for months at the long-term effect the drugs could have on you if you needed them. Now, I can only think about how lucky I am they are available to you.

Your strength is all that gives me mine as I watch you struggle to claim each gulp of air, your sunken chest heaving with the effort it takes. I lay my palm over your head, the only comfort I can offer. My body aches to hold you, but it will be two more days before I can gently ease you into my arms and let you know I’m your mommy, that you will be okay. Ten minutes at a time is all I will have those first weeks, until you can regulate your own body temperature without the heat lamps. I'll use it to assure you I will protect you and nurture you, comfort, teach, and love you for the rest of my life.

The two days until I feel your skin against mine will be the longest of my life.
**

Due to missing work, and having 2 days to make up another 15 hours (I work online), I will not be back to commenting until next week.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Ground Control to Major Tom

2011-09-29T07:24:00.000-04:00

...can you hear me Major Tom?

About a week ago author, and former agent, Nathan Bransford posed a question: Should agents respond to all queries? (There's some great links in there, too.)

My initial response was, of course! Then I got to thinking. Is it really that important to have the polite little form rejection in my mailbox. Hrmm. No, I guess not really.

Let's face it, agents are busy. As long as the agent is actually reading the query, I'm really okay with silence on the other end - as a means of, thanks but no thanks.

However...(you didn't see that coming? Really?)

I don't send my queries willy-nilly. I research each agent I come across before even thinking about adding them to my Query List. They need to, first and foremost, rep my genre. Hopefully genres, since I write in a few. I also look through their client lists and read excerpts, and sometimes buy the books, from writing styles/voices/stories that may be similar to mine. Of course, not too similar - what agent would want to try and sell a book they've already sold, yanno? I find interviews with the agent and study up. Fresh interviews are best since sometimes the agent has changed tastes/genres, etc, but not yet updated the blog/website. There are a few other things I research, too (who me, a stalker? Nah. *pulls ballcap lower*)

Each query letter I write takes a good half an hour (maybe it's the 20 minutes I take to convince myself to hit send...) while I make sure that I let the agent know why I think they might be a good fit for my book.So, sure, agents are busy, but I use a lot of my time on queries as well.

In the end, I'm still fine with the non-responders, but what I'd love to see from them is at least an auto-generated email response to let me know that the query hit their inbox. Otherwise I might sit and stew on whether they actually got it or it hit their spam folder, or flew into outer space. (Wait, did I forget to mention I'm neurotic? Oh. Well, there it is. I am.) I hate not knowing if my hard-written query actually got to its destination.

How 'bout you? Do you need that rejection letter in your inbox, or do you move on without ever thinking about the old queries you sent? (Okay, I've picked myself off the floor, and my sides ache a little from the hysterics. The dogs also think I'm crazy. But, they've never met another writer. Possibly they think I'm the only hot-mess-neurotic writer.)

Versatile Blogger

2011-09-26T06:50:00.003-04:00

I received the Versatile Blogger award from three! awesome fellow bloggy-writers. Thanks to Cheryl, Dawn Allen and Kristina Fugate. I appreciate you thinking of me, ladies. <3 Now, everyone go check them out. They are all cool in their own ways, and very different - versatile, if you will. ;-)

For this one, I have to share 7 random facts about myself and then present it to 15 other bloggers.I'm not much of a rule follower, and it's late - 12:15 to be exact, so I'm going to cheat. If you haven't received this one yet, and want it, snatch it up by all means!

So, um, 7 facts about me. I'm pretty Plain Jane, ya'll.

1. Grew up in Boca Raton, FL, yet I have no plastic, or surgically rearranged, parts on my body. Amazing, I know. I can't think of a friend from there who hasn't had something "fixed". Bunches of them while we were still in high school. Admittedly, though, if I weren't such a chicken there is one thing I'd have done.

2. Moved to NC 7 years ago, mostly to avoid the plastic-drenched air. ;-)

3. I love cars. Fast, hot cars. I grew up at the race track, where my step-dad and mother both raced Porsches.

4. My parents used to go away to races for long weekends all the time, leaving my favorite Porsche behind. I drove it everywhere--starting at age 14. I even let my friends drive it. How lucky am I that nobody--including me!--ever crashed that sucker?

5. I wanted to be a singer when I grew up.

6. If I could've had any job, besides singer, I would have been a pro-hockey scout.

7. I have the best, and coolest, kids in the world. Boy/girl twins who are just amazing little people.

Okay, that's 7. Very random, just like me.

I working on rewriting/editing my first WiP. All about race cars. And serious romance at the track. Hot cars, hot guys. Can't go wrong, right?

What are you all up to out there?

Incubus

2011-09-19T07:01:00.041-04:00

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you're probably well aware that I went to the Incubus concert on Friday. It was hard to stop talking about the show after I got home - until 2 in the morning. And the next day. I apologize of this runs on. I can't say enough about them. And while I tend to make suggestive statements about a certain lead singer *cough*, well what the band encompasses is far beyond outer beauty. They work as such a cohesive unit in writing and performing. It's astounding on multiple levels. I am all about words, so music has always been about the lyrics for me. Not with Incubus; it's about them as a whole - though, admittedly, Brandon Boyd's lyrics most certainly lead the way.

An aside on the lyric situation. Another old(ish) tune they played was Anna Molly. Not one I thoroughly loved when it came out, but it grew on me. Love it now; fantastic lyrics...but! (I'm pretty sure) part of the lyrics go something like: Or something better/I could care less. The completely anal writer in me always wants to yell: couldN'T care less. You could NOT care less. But I digress. I'm learning to let the little things go, or at least trying.

Fly away Little Things. Fly away and be free.

I went with my best friend of 22 years. Yeah, 22! Since we were young teens. Which we no longer are. And I have the aching neck, lower back and toes to prove that. But, how could I not do a little head-banging to the biggest surprise of the night - A Certain Shade of Green came out in '97, but it holds up so well today, like pretty much all of their stuff. The guys are close in age to me so I'm not sure how they do it night after night on the road, especially after such a long break between records and tours.

Bestie thought I'd lost my mind for getting pit tickets - and honestly, I wavered about my sanity for making that call. But I am so glad I did. So. glad. (There were as many people our age on the floor as 20-somethings!) We arrived early and were right up against the stage. Le sigh.

I've been to many, many concerts, and I've watched a lot of live Incubus shows on youtube, but it was just beyond what I expected. I was _blown_ away. They played a range of songs spanning 14 years. (They didn't play any from their first album (95) - or either of the 2 new ones on '09's greatest hits album.) On the way there we listened to them (duh!) and there were 3 songs I told her I'd be thrilled if any one was played - they played 2 of them: The Warmth (language) - just beyond a beautiful song and Consequence. Huge bonus was another of my old favorites - acoustic! - Talk Shows on Mute Here's the photo of it:

The latest album, If Not Now, When? (title track - gorgeous) shows amazing maturity in so many ways, while being so basic in many as well. It's gotten flack from many. This is not the hardcore stuff they did as teens and early 20-somethings, but they aren't 20-something anymore. They are adults, with families and/or serious relationships and steady lives. So am I. I think this may be why I've stuck with them when I've not been able to do so with almost every other band/artist I loved through the years. I've grown and changed with these guys, and have enjoyed every step of the way, and each album as much as the last, for its differences, not in spite of them. No doubt, the Morning View album will always hold a huge spot in my heart (hello - my finished novel, ROULETTE, was highly inspired by Echo), but this album has rocked my world, albeit more softly than some of their previous stuff. ;-)

I'm wrapping up soon, Promises, Promises. That was sneaky, eh? And here's Mike Einziger (on far side of stage from me) playing the piano for it:

And Ben Kenney during, Switchblade - my son's favorite off the new album; he begged me to wear a black hat, lol! (Daughter likes it a lot, but In the Company of Wolves is her fave.) I'm torn. One is sex, and one is sexy (trust me - make sure you get to 4:15 on Wolves...whew, it's hot in there ~ But when Aurora's lights ceased to shine I was alive, I think, for the first time). Um, my kids don't get that, though - they're 9!!

I wanted better pics of Chris Kilmore and Jose Pasillas, but they hide behind all their equipment, and Jose was facing away from me. Boo.

They did 7 songs from the new one, out of 21 total. The last of the night was one of my favorites. Well, I say that, but just like with all Incubus songs/albums, as soon as I hear the next one I say, oh wait, no, this one is my favorite. I honestly can't choose. Not my video - my sound quality is poor since I was so close, but this guy captured it nicely: Tomorrow's Food ~ The older we all get, the better we all were. No, really. This is live. Live. Listen to that voice; listen to that tight music. Live. The night was just beyond.

I'll leave you with what are [for now] my favorite lines on If Not Now, When? There's an absence today of Defiance. Our most awakened inclination. This resonates so with me. I couldn't agree more (see how I tied that in there *snort*). And, it also brings another of my favorite old(ish) lyrics full circle: You had the perfect opportunity/But plead the fifth and walked away. Make a Move (hands over eyes are the engines of demise).

Okay, blog will resume to writing and love and life with my next post! And I will get to all the lovely awards I've been given by my awesome friends and fellow writers. Thanks for sticking with me, guys. Love you.

Quickie

2011-09-14T10:46:00.000-04:00

No, not that kind. Though, those can be pretty fun, too. (That's for Linda Grimes - I'm being whimsical, maybe true to my voice. ;-) )

Just stopping in from a busy week to say hi. I had a lot of fun doing the first challenge for the Platform-Building Campaign. Had even more fun reading them - which I'm still getting around and doing. What, with almost 400!! I certainly won't be able to comment on all, but I'm doing what I can. If anyone missed it and would like to read them, go here. There sure are a lot of fantastically amazing writer's out there. Hat's of to all of you.

(the girl in the black hat, the girl in the black hat...) Yeah, that's right, an Incubus reference. Shocking, I know. The song, Switchblade, was not one my favorites off the new album at first, but boy is it quickly making its way up my charts! (I'm betting Brandon has a helluva switchblade...oh, wait, that was just me trying to please Linda again. I swear.) If you check out the video I linked, make sure to watch after about 4:15 - very funny when they banter and play around. I love Ben Kenney - unbelievably talented! Okay, I could gush all day. And there's a reason for it.

I'm going to their concert Friday. Yep me. In the pit (which probably means I've completely lost my mind!). Got my new Droid so I can get some good video. Can't wait. Cant. freaking. wait.

So, since we're talking about music today, I have a question for you all. Is there one artist whom you will never turn off if *any* of their songs come on the radio - you just like them all? They don't have to be your favorite artist, but just all their songs work for you. I know I have one. And, surprise!, it's not who you're all thinking right now (there's one song by Incubus I will change - only one). If you wanna know whose songs always catch my attention, click here.

First Campaigner Challenge

2011-09-07T06:23:00.004-04:00

Rachael Harrie has come up with a great challenge to kick off the Campaign:

Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “The door swung open” These four words will be included in the word count.

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), use the same beginning words and end with the words: "the door swung shut." (also included in the word count)

For those who want an even greater challenge, make your story 200 words EXACTLY!

In the Closet - 200 words (entry #243)

The door swung open and I sucked in one last breath. The room was small—it wouldn’t take long for them to figure it out.

Tap, tap, tap. Loud shoes were good, and bad. I’d know where they were at all times. But they weren’t idiot thugs in sneakers.

Just as I’d thought, they went to the guard first. They’d find his keys still on him then my time would be up.

Two armed men. One gun. Three bullets.

I never missed, though. Never.

“The closet.” The man didn’t bother to whisper.

Tap, tap, tap.

My hand squeezed tighter over the girl’s mouth. She bit me. I didn’t flinch. Didn’t even let out my breath. She needed to be behind me, though, so I let go of her mouth and pushed her backwards. She kept quiet, which meant she believed my warning at least.

God, if I only knew their heights-

One.

Two.

Three.

The girl screamed, recoiling against the wall.

I bent to check pulses, finding none. The shorter guy should be thankful I never missed. Bleeding out wasn’t a pretty way to go.

I tugged the girl’s sleeve and urged her outside. Behind us, the door swung shut.

And the Kitchen Sink

2011-09-05T06:51:00.047-04:00

Yep, this post will have a little bit of everything.

I hadn't planned on joining the Platform-Building Campaign this go round. But, here I am. Joined and having fun meeting so many new bloggers. It's tough to make my way around to all my usual hangouts, and so many new ones. So things are slow going (especially topped off with a cold - a Welcome Back to School gift from my kids).

It's too late to join now, but you can still go to the campaigners lists and hook up with others in your genre.

Which brings me to another topic. A great post on L. Diane Wolfe's informative blog. It's all about blogging advice, comments specifically, and how to get more. My initial thought was, comment on others' blogs and you'll get 'em. She chose 3 great bloggers to interview for their thoughts on the subject. You can click the link to find out what they had to say.

Some blog tips for newbies:

Make sure your photo in the followers list links back to your blog, otherwise it's hard to follow back - unless you leave a comment.

When someone comments on my blog, I respond through email. I know lots of other bloggers who do the same. If you don't set up your profile to have emails bounce to your address, the email I receive shows up as noreplyblogger.com. So if I haven't replied to your comment, it means your email isn't there. (Yes, I'm aware that some folks like it that way - and that's fine. But I was clueless about that when I started, so I was thankful that someone let me know to do it.)

Some of you know I hang out at the Compuserve Books and Writer's Community. (A lot.) And, some of you hang out there with me. [g] Every month we do a writing exercise, and this month is a doozy. In fact, it's not one X, but an entire month of X's. As in a new one every day. I'm fairly sure out fearless leader (soon to be ex leader :( ) is trying to kill us. Or make us write. One or the other.

We were told to pick a character - or make a new one up. Every day we need to answer a question for that character. It can be answered in scene form, stream of conscious, just as the author--anyway you want, really. So far, mine have turned out as half rough scene-half SOC. Not pretty. But, you know what? I am flippin' writing!

I've decided to supply the questions on my blog posts throughout the month. Here are the first 5 days:

Day 1: Who gave your character the name he or she goes by, and why? If it's a nickname or non-birth name go into additional detail.
Day 2: What is the first thing your character does on a typical morning?
Day 3: What is the last thing that your character does before going to bed?
Day4: Who was the most important teacher in your character's childhood? It doesn't have to be a school teacher.
Day 5: What is the most important decision your character has had to make as an adult?

Day 5 nearly killed me. Haven't cried like that for a character in a long time. You all cry for your characters, right? I am not completely crazy yet...right?

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

2011-08-29T07:11:00.011-04:00

I've been thinking about changing the blog lately. Not a bunch. But, I think that's part of what's kept me away lately - the monotony. Albeit a small part. Summer is always crazy around here with all the stuff we try to squeeze in in such a short time. But, anyway, back to changes.

There are hundreds of writing blogs out there - terrific advice to be found (and hopefully put to practice). I think I'm going to post a little more random than all on-topic writing stuff. I always feel a little weird about offering writing advice. Sometimes because it's an overdone topic, others because it's not necessarily my place. I'm learning and growing along with [most] everyone else around these parts, yanno?

So, I guess around here you'll see personal mixed with writing mixed with music mixed with whatever my crazy mind decides it's going to spew. Oh, and I'd love to help fellow authors in anyway I can. Publishing has always been heavily reliant on author platform, but I think now that's more important than ever. If anyone out there has a book release they'd like me link on my sidebar, or even a contest/blogfest on their blog, just drop me an email (see profile), or comment about it in a post and leave your email. I'm also happy to host a guest blogger or do an interview. Just speak up - I'm here, even when it sometimes seems like I'm not. ;-)

A happy note - fixed the computer without having to format. On a whim, I tried one last ditch effort to delete the virus and it worked. I'm always proud of myself when I figure out tech stuff. ;-)

I sure hope all my fellow east coasters made it out of the hurricane unscathed. We had some heavy wind, one quick rain. Drizzle really. (Which is a shame since we are desperate for some water.) But, all in all, no real weather issues from Irene.

Always been a fan of David Bowie.

If Not Now, When

2011-07-12T07:02:00.003-04:00

So, remember a couple posts ago when my computer was going all wonky and hated blogs? Yeah, me too. I finally did something that _mostly_ fixed it. Then I blogged again, and commented on blogs again. And computer freaked out. Again. Looks like a total reformat is the only thing that's gonna do it. Which sucks for a lot of reasons, but mostly because friend's hubby keeps putting it off, and now I'm going out of town for a week - then he goes when we get back.

My puter hates Blogger.

Happy news. A long-time friend - met through twin website, then IRL, then reconnected when we coincidentally realized we'd started writing at the same time - was recently published. Aimee Laine is the author of Little White Lies, for sale at Barnes and Noble and All Romance. I've ordered my copy, but not read it. Actually, I can't figure out how to open it on my computer, or get it to my brand new Android Tablet. One day I'll figure it out. Hopefully. *head desk* In the meantime, check out her book - especially if you're into paranormal romance, this one sounds awesome:

When the government needs a body double for a covert operation, they hire shape-shifter Charley Randall. For two centuries, she's played every part from foreign dignitary to office drone. The role she wants most, though, is one she's denied herself three times already. FBI Agent Wyatt Moreland believes Charley's photographic memory is the key to his latest assignment. He's oblivious to the true extent of her abilities, but he can't deny the sense of déjà vu at their introduction. Unlike Wyatt, Charley knows this isn't their first meeting. It's their fourth. The girl he vowed to love, sixteen years before, stands in front of him in her true form — one he'll never recognize. With each reconnection, Charley loves him more though she realizes this is her last chance to explain. Only absolute truth can bring them happiness, but can Wyatt forgive her deceptions? Or will lies tear them apart forever?

Hmm. What else? Summer's here and things are crazy. I feel like a chauffeur. Drive my kids to gymnastics and guitar lessons, the pool and sleepovers. Whew. It's exhausting.

I am excited, excited, excited. Got my tickets to see Incubus in concert this September. Their new album If Not Now, When comes out tomorrow. All is good on the music front.

So what's everyone up to this summer? Big plans. Ready for the kids to go back to school already? Just lounging around the pool on a daily basis? How 'bout writing? My writing suffers horribly through the summer. Anyone doing better that me (which would be more than, um, 5 words a week ;-p )?

It's Not About Formulas

2011-06-17T11:45:00.001-04:00

I've been stressing a lot about my genre. Not about which genre my novel fits - it's romantic suspense. Has to be. The romance is high, and sweet, and strong, but there are some pretty harsh elements that are not so romantic.What I mean is: I don't follow the formula for either category (romance/romantic suspense).

I'm not writing a story about two "wrong for each other" people who lust/hate/misunderstand/love&all is perfect.

I'm writing Kasia & Jake's love story. Sure, Kasia is overly reluctant to get into the relationship, but she's not an idiot. She and Jake are meant for each other and they both know it early on. That doesn't mean there's not tension between them, sexual and otherwise. It just means they don't assume things, not ask, and go off in a huff before falling into bed, then fighting about a silly misunderstanding, then...love. In fact, they don't fall into bed for quite a while, and not until the relationship is solid and sure, and there's love. It works, simply because that's who they are.

And I'm writing Kasia's story. She's emotionally/socially immature maybe, but that's all. She's been taking care of herself for a long while, and she has the brains and bravado to back it up. When things go awry, she doesn't wait for a knight in shining armor. Instead, she takes a deep breath, gains strength from her love for that knight and figures her own way out a terrifying situation.

Not the formula. At. all. Publishers claim to want fresh and new, but that's not what I'm seeing so much - especially in my genre. I'm happy with the story I wrote. Otherwise I wouldn't have taken 2 years perfecting this one before sending it out into the scary world.

My story is true to my characters, not my genre.

I prefer to read outside the box. How 'bout you?

Does anybody else out there stray from the formula of their genre/s?

Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me

2011-05-02T11:09:00.000-04:00

Some of you know that I spent last summer away from home - then returned to a non-working computer. FiL was kind enough to give me his computer since he had a brand new laptop and never used the desktop. It was basically identical to mine. Great.

The thing was full of viruses. Full of them. I did my best, and got it cleaned up pretty nicely. However, there was a major issue with the service packs and automatic updates. I kept ignoring and overriding the problem. Now the problem has become to big. My browser (all of them) decides on its own to continually open new windows (after window, after window...) whenever I click on links. Sometimes it doesn't happen for most of the day, sometimes it starts as soon as I boot up in the morning. The issue has worsened over the past couple weeks.

Keeping up with blogs has become nearly impossible. For each blog I visit I have to close tab after tab of browser openings, then again when I click on the comment link, and again to post a comment. It's taking about 10 minutes per blog. I started commenting on blogs this morning at 10:30 - I've gotten to 3 and it's after 11. :(

All this to say that I am going to have to take a bloggy break. Since I now work from home, using the internet, I have to have a decent computer. I have a friend whose hubby is going to come and do all my back ups and a complete system wipe and restore. He may get to it this weekend, maybe the following. Until then, I just don't have the kind of patience it takes to not drop the computer out of the window ;-)

Hopefully it won't take too long! Try to keep out of trouble while I'm gone!

Show for the Crusade

2011-04-25T07:45:00.002-04:00

Well, not surprisingly, I'm late.

Rachael, who hosted her 2nd Annual Blog Crusade, offered a challenge last week:

My Show Not Tell Challenge: In 300 words or less, write a passage (it can be an excerpt from your WIP, flash fiction, a poem, or any other writing) that shows (rather than tells) the following:

you're scared and hungry
it's dusk
you think someone is following you
and just for fun, see if you can involve all five senses AND include these random words: shimmer, saccadic, substance, and salt.

Well, in this snip, I assure you, my MC is scared, and devastated - hungry, too. 270 words.

Roulette
Tara Watson (c)2010

Icy cold stabs of fear prickled down my spine at the calm smile spreading on Nikolai’s face.

"I'd like you to know something." He smiled wider, eyes sharp, piercing and I was sure I didn’t want to know whatever was coming.

"He just killed the rock star.”

I stared into his face, blank.

Nikolai shoved the box of sweetbreads off the desk and they landed into my lap. Tiny pieces of broken bread littered the ground around me. Icing smeared across my skirt as some slid to the floor, the scent of chocolate teasing my hunger. When I looked back up, he laughed.

“Shot your boyfriend through his head. Do you understand?”

The rock star. Your boyfriend.

Jake.

"No!" I jumped up, screaming, as every strand of my existence unraveled, thread by agonizing thread.

Nausea poured into my stomach and the walls whirred around as I clawed at the desk hoping to keep myself up. I vomited just before the world fell out from under me.

Somewhere in the distance, Nikolai began a tirade of horrid Russian names for women.

The back of my head throbbed, hair being ripped out strand by strand, as someone yanked me to my feet. The motion snapped my head back and Frankenstein's angry face hovered above. My legs numb, I had to hold his arm to keep from falling back to the ground. I finally gripped the edge of the desk and he let me go, but only long enough to land a backhand across my left cheek. My head hit the side of the desk the same time my rear hit the floor.

Me. Myself. and I.

2011-04-18T07:30:00.002-04:00

Every pov has its pitfalls. When I started writing, I was clueless on lot of things. In fact, even though I knew pov existed, it was never a conscious decision on my part to write in first. It's just how it spilled out.

I found out about the First Person Pitfall in the very first exercise I posted in the Compuserve forum. The X wasn't about pov; it was about underpainting, actually. But, someone was kind enough to point out the error of my ways, in any case.

A sample of what I posted:

I squinted my eyes to the overhead gulls that circled in hopes of making a morning meal out of one of the crustaceans. I caught the sunlight reflecting off two large windows above the balcony of the main house; they looked much like angry glowing eyes of a lioness. Maids bustled poolside. They carried trays from the house and set them onto a large table. I spotted Katherine in the middle, arms waving gracefully as she gave orders. She took a place at the head of the glass table, looked our direction and waited. I bit the inside of my cheek.

The highlighted was what the critter pulled out. She pointed out to me that, while the sentences were "fine", using all those I's made it read "choppy". Hmm. I hadn't noticed. Then I went and read an entire chapter, specifically looking for that form. And wow. It was closer to tidal waves than choppiness. I could barely get through it once I noticed all of them. Yikes.

Of course, at that point I still didn't have all the tools to fix it properly, but that single moment defined the first major revision of my book. All that's left of that paragraph:

We walked in silence, the main house looming ahead. The sun reflected off two large windows above the balcony, like the angry glowing eyes of a lioness. Maids bustled poolside, carrying things from the house and setting them onto a table.

Out of context it's not the greatest, but it ain't choppy no more. I can't tell you how many paragraphs were made that much better with that one small (sooo gently put) suggestion. Sometimes it takes a gentle nudge, and a good example (and a bright light bulb tap dancing on my head) to have something click.(Other times it takes a brick to drop on my head, but we'll talk about those another day.)

I don't think I've ever told her any of this. But, I am forever grateful to Susan for her gentle nudge that day - and all the nudges she's given in the years since. Which, aren't always quite as, er, tentative now that I'm just one of the gang ;)

Also, after a lively, and amusing, thread discussion on those lovely repeat phrases writers seem to get stuck on, Susan made a funny spoof chain letter. I'd meant to post it a while back, but never got around to it. So, for your amusement I give you:

Dear Author,

Are you stuck using the same few descriptions for your characters? Fret no longer! This chain letter is guaranteed to net you thousands of new descriptions in just a few short days. How does it work?

Easy! First, make a list of the five most commonly used phrases in your wip. For example:

"She looked up at him."
"He grinned madly."
"Her eyes met his."
"He stared."
"He shrugged."

Then send a copy of this letter to the first name listed below (a writer who is equally discontented with her descriptive phrases). Add your name to the bottom of the list and send out the letter to five writer friends who will then do the same. You will receive 15,625 letters with 78,125 new descriptive phrases in a matter of days. Do not break the chain! If you do, your novel will never reach the NYT bestseller list.

Yours truly,

Adolescents

2011-04-11T07:10:00.016-04:00

I have a serious case of blog blah. (Only on writing them, of course). Feeling out of bounds, out of bounds. (That'll make sense if you click on my later link, I swear.)

Maybe it's because I'm using the teeny bit of brain I have left to write this new story. It's been busy around here: school events, Girls' Weekend (yay!), and the oh-so-fun Spring Cleaning, among plenty of other stuff. Boy, do I have al lot of cleaning to do, and very little spring. Feeling out of time, out of time. (Yeah, that too.)

Of course, spring also means Getting the Garden Ready Time. Woot. We are all so excited to soon have veggies that don't taste plastic! Hubby tilled and I've gone through my seeds and restocked. Now I just need the energy (and the rain to stop, grr) to get out and start hilling and planting. I always get so much writing accomplished while digging up the earth. Of course, it doesn't always make it from my head to the computer, but I try.

Fall is my favorite season, but I love spring, too. My favorite childhood book (which I still have, and my kids know by heart now, too) is all about spring.

"Not to be ornery, not to be rude. Hamilton was only dreaming of food." I love an unlikely hero. Go Hamilton!

Speaking of food, ice cream is sooo good in the spring. Especially when you share it.

April showers, as we all know, bring May flowers. But they also bring out the frogs at the zoo.

This one did not turn into a prince, even though she gave it plenty of kisses!

Always remember to stop and smell the...flowers. Even if you are an uber cool 3 year old boy.

We visit the Goat Lady Dairy every year to see their new arrivals and buy lots of goat cheese. Yum.

Don't worry she was having the time of her life. My little animal lover.

There's not much better than making messes. And it doesn't get much messier than coloring Easter eggs!

I'm nostalgic for my three year olds now. They'll be 10 this year! How did that happen?! One of my old favorites from our Mom's of Multiples Easter egg hunt:

Notice Baby A has candy in both hands. Hehe. Obviously it had been a long day and they could have stood a hair brushing, lol. And possibly, okay definitely, a haircut for Baby B ;-)

Not to be outdone (*cheers, hoots and hollers*) there is another new spring "baby" this year. (*squeals giggles and sighs*) Incubus finished their brand new, long-frickin'-awaited album, If Not Now, When?, last week. And they released a sneak peek at the new single (just for me; I'm sure of it). Ahhhh.

Adolescents

Hoppy Spring. Yeah, I know. Couldn't resist.

3 Books and My Imagination

2011-03-21T07:00:00.003-04:00

The age old question (sort of): If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 books would want to have?

I'd be thrilled with a pen and paper so I could write my own books in sweet solitary and keep myself entertained in new ways. Don't think I'd even need the pen and paper, really. Since that's not the question I'll keep it simple and go with Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.

I know, there are seven (and one on the way), but I can narrow it down--maybe. Let's see. Definitely Outlander (1) and A Breath of Snow and Ashes (6)--my favorites. But, for the third, it's a toss up between Drums of Autumn and The Fiery Cross. I really don't know.

After having read entire the series 4-5 times , I still love it like the first time. It's not an easy read (or short--800+ pages in each of the books), so it would use up time. The books have it all: romance, mystery, humor, sex, time travel, war, history, murder and serious mayhem. Not to mention characters that are unbelievably real. After all the times I've read it, I still find a few things I missed each time I go back through. And, there's enough left to the imagination that I can sit and ponder what/who/where/why/how for hours after I close the book.

Of course, it would probably be wiser for me to take one of my medicinal and edible herb/flower books for obvious reasons, but...

What about you?

Agoraphobia

2011-03-17T07:21:00.007-04:00

I read the new today, and everything they say just makes me want to stay inside and wait.

This week has been pretty overwhelming news wise. I feel so small only being able to sit in my home and simply watch the compounding tragedy in Japan. I can't even begin to fathom what those people are going through. I'm so thankful my family and friends are safe at this moment.

Instead of focusing on the bad, I thought I'd try to offer my small hand at some good, in way of help for those suffering.

Some authors are gathering together to help Japan. Here is a link to Rachel Harrie's new blog, Write Hope. I know I've seen others, if anyone out there has links, please add them in comments.

Incubus (the band quoted above, btw), has the incredible Make Yourself Foundation set up to help all sorts of great causes. It's no surprise that almost immediately, they updated their page to include donations to aid Japan.

I also thought I'd share some awesome author news that's been happening all around the blogosphere and beyond.

Carolina Valdez Miller and a Compuserve forumite, Beth, acquired agents. Yay! for them. It's so well-deserved!

Kristen and Linda G., both got book deals. Not only book deals. They both got two-book deals. Huge, massive, giant congrats to both.

Beyond the depression that has consumed me, I've had a busy/stressful time with a bunch of other things this week so I haven't been around to the blogs. I should be back on Monday. You've been warned ;-)

Please friends, share some more good news, or helpful links, in the comments. And have a super-terrific-safe-awesome weekend!

Just the Way You Are

2011-03-04T07:32:00.124-05:00

This blog offering was inspired by someone I've admired for a handful of years now - as a writer and person - and consider a friend - no matter that I've never met her IRL and she lives in a different country. Claire from All the World's Our Page had some terrific thoughts on the art of critiquing, and humility. (Do not let her humility in that post fool you - girl has serious talent. For realz.)

I couldn't agree more about her thoughts on great crit partners, and with some of her insights on believing in yourself first and foremost. I'm going to share something I learned about critiques when I first put my work out there for ~~slaying~~ critiquing, over at the Compuserve Forum - more than 3 years ago. And I think it's one of the most important.

You can't please all of the people all of the time.

Good crit partners are priceless. They will destroy your cliches, point out the passive crapola, slay the modifiers and dialogue tags, and have some serious-awesome suggestions for overall improvement.

Howevah...

When you get a critted piece back, read it over. Then read it over again, correcting all the inevitable typos and silly mistakes they found. Then put it away and pout, cry, curse, be pissed - whatever you need - for a few days. Forget all about it. Have some beer. Play Rock Band with the kids. Then read it again. This time, looking for all the personal opinions.

There are some things only you can decide for your plot, and MC's.

When I was a newbie, I'd get that first painful crit back and...really?...Critter A hates that part where X plays the trick on Y?

Obviously the trick needs to go. Seek and destroy.

Then Critters B & C would weigh in, and my reaction would go something like:

Wait, what? You both love X playing the trick on Y? But, but...Critter A hated that part. And, and...I already changed it. Crap. Back to the writing board.

People have different reactions to critiques, and plenty probably react similarly to the way I used to. Some may already have figured out to wait on changing things, and there are surely those out there who get their future bestselling masterpieces back and choose to ignore everything, because, well, their critters are obviously stupid and have no eye for good writing.

Side Note: Those of you in the last category may want to read over Claire's bit about humility again. You can be good, you can even be great, but you can always learn something from others.

Now, I'm not saying personal opinions can't also become good crits. For instance if 2 of 3 separately comment that X tricking Y isn't doing it for them, you need to take a hard look. If it's 1-1 and the third doesn't even mention it, chances are you need to do a thorough reading of that area and make your own decision.

Okay, you can resume singing Billy Joel now...*don't go changing to try and please me...*

The Perfect Drug

2011-02-28T07:30:00.011-05:00

I got my head, but my head is unraveling.

My sparkly plot is taking hold. It is demanding that I write faster than I have ever done before.

I come along, but I don't know where you're taking me.

This is a whole new world, and I'm not so brave. I've never seen anything like it, so it's hard to describe (especially when description is a certain [cough] writer's weakness). There are twists, turns, spins, and I feel like I'm standing on my head trying to see down the rabbit hole.

I shouldn't go, but you're wrenching, dragging shaking me.

There are bound to be plot holes in this sucker. Big ones. Large. The scenes are coming so fast in my head, there's no way to get them into Word at this pace. I'm doing my best, but things are falling by the wayside. Surely this will be more difficult to solve than the 1500 piece puzzle my kids and I are working on. Only, I don't have all the pieces yet.

The more I give to you, the more I die.

Okay, okay. Maybe that is a tad dramatic. It's only my wrists dying around here. And my exercise routine. And my pov. Which is usually a certain [cough] writer's strength. See, this one is going on in two different timelines, or maybe different dimensions, or maybe...I dunno. But, there are 2 separate MC's for each thread. Something tells me revisions are going to be a bitch on this baby.

Without you everything just falls apart.

Good thing the honeymoon hasn't ended. And it's a loooong way from The End.

Hello to all my new Crusade buddies. If I haven't followed you back it's because your little picture doesn't link back to you. If you leave a comment (and there's a link), I will find you that way. Lack of following might also be due to the fact that I have no idea how to follow any blogs that don't look like the Vegas Strip with arrows that say: Click here to follow, dummy! Or, they at least have little bars that read: Follow. One or the other. Can't remember.

I misses yous all. But my Shiny New Idea needs me for now.

Lyrics: Trent Reznor, NIN, The Perfect Drug

Friday I'm In Love

2011-02-18T08:18:00.047-05:00

I'd meant to post yesterday, but something happened. Something hit me.

Er, no. Not a piano. An idea. A pretty shiny brand spanking sparkly new idea.

Yanno. For a novel.

I have not written a new word since NaNo. No seriously. I honestly thought I'd lost my writing mojo. I tried so many times and got nothing. Couldn't even bring myself to fully finish the small revisions on Roulette.

Well, you know how they say it takes a village...

Apparently it takes a critique group to raise a pen. And raise it they did. I had two very awesome ladies talk me up, give me the pep I needed. Encourage me.

So, here I sit, Word minimized just so I can write this, with 5300 dazzling new words (<--you see, I'm still in First Love Stage) since yesterday. Newer than new. A completely different genre than I've ever ventured into. I'm nervous, I'm scared. My teeth are chattering a little. But, I think that may be from excitement.

So, ladies, I offer these in thanks for your little push out into the brave new genre. I wish I could buy you one at the bar. For realz.

I know all my authorly bloggy buddies will understand - this means I won't be making the rounds as frequently as normal. I will be huddled up to my keyboard, hoping the dogs can hold it for a really long time.

Please know, I won't forget you, new or old, and I will be back - it's a WiP after all, he's bound to start a fight sooner rather than later.

I know you won't forget me either.

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T07:45:00.001-05:00

Wishing each of you a happy heartfelt Valentine's Day.

The song that inspired the romance in ROULETTE:

And a lovey-dovey snip: The first kiss.

His hands cupped my face as our lips met. So soft. So sweet. Flashes of light sparked under my eyelids as the room spun round. The rollercoaster roared through my belly and I made a small sound into his mouth. It encouraged him to explore thoroughly. The kiss wasn’t my first, but it would be the one I remembered forever.

Guest Blogger: Angelina Rain

2011-02-08T07:45:00.008-05:00

It's here. The day. The one where I host my first guest blogger. Whoop.

I'm going to turn it over to Angelina so she can tell you about her publishing journey.

How Following Authors Helped Me Become One.

Hello. I’m Angelina Rain, and I’m a newly published author. I’ve wanted to be an author ever since I penned my first short story in the eighth grade. I loved writing it and letting my imagination run wild. I loved the rush of creating characters and plots. In my early adult years, I decided to take things further and actually try to get published.

I had a goal and next was the research. I looked up every publisher I could think of, only to learn that all of them wanted agented work only. Okay, so I could find an agent . . . but wait, there was another problem. All the publishers I found wanted something about 80,000 words long. I could barely type 40,000 before I reach the ending. Was there no market for shorter books?

I searched again, and my searches lead to Harlequin. It’s a huge publisher, who started careers of many of my favorite authors, including Nora Roberts and Sandra Brown. Harlequin only wanted novellas, just what I could write. But wait. Another problem stopped me dead in my tracks. I read a few Harlequin books that just weren’t me. I read their guidelines and it didn’t appear to fit my writing style. Should I sell out and write what they wanted to read? Maybe, but I would be miserable writing and why do it if I hate it, right? Hope fled me. It looked like unless I could write a long novel, I should kiss my dream goodbye.

I got lucky when, through Harlequin’s message board, I found a few newly e-published authors. They all only had one book out, and were hosting giveaways. I entered and won. They were novellas, just like my writing, with engaging plots and well developed characters. I started stalking those authors’ blogs, and through them, I learned a lot about e-publishing. I started visiting various e-publisher sites, checking out their books and submission guidelines. E-publishing seemed to be the way to go. I watched as those authors got contracts and released their books that same year. I watched and learned, and I knew I found a home for my books.

Angie’s Fun Facts: As a kid, I used to hate happy endings and all my writing used to be tragedies. Now, I prefer happy endings. I was a strange kid.

Indecent Encounters (Out February 9th)

A Ménage Anthology, including “The Problem with Love Spells” by Angelina Rain

Sometimes a woman needs more than a lover…

Independent, lustful ladies find pleasure and intrigue with more than one man, from a scandalous vacation in Australia, to a forced seduction at a cabin in the woods. A witch needs to break a shameful spell, and an older woman slakes her sexual needs with two younger men. Cougars purr with unrequited desire and werewolves compete for the love of their mate. Satisfaction is just a sigh away as a surgeon bends the rules for her patient, and an over-stressed boss finds more than a little peace with secret admirers.

Find out what wicked delights await you with Indecent Encounters.

The Problem with Love Spells

When you’re cursed to live your whole life unloved, can you really be held responsible for casting a love spell? When Gretchen realizes that her love spell went wrong, her only option is to reverse it before too much damage is done. However, when she wakes with a werewolf and a vampire in her bed, she learns that even reversing a love spell could have its consequences.

~*~ GIVEAWAY ~*~

Angelina Rain is giving away one free copy of “Indecent Encounters” and it could be yours. All you have to do is comment or ask a question (she will answer it in the comments). One lucky winner will be announced on Feb 10th on Angelina’s blog. Leave your e-mail address so Angelina can e-mail you if you win.

Website: www.angelina-rain.com
Blog: www.angelinarain.blogspot.com

Angelina, I wish you massive amounts of success with your book.

Monday, Monday

2011-02-07T07:30:00.002-05:00

Thanks for all the nice comments on my last post. I love being a part of this blogging community. I heart you all. Sorry I've been absent for a week or so (last week was hectic!), but I will get back to my rounds this week.

Rachael, over at Rach Writes is doing her second Writers' Platform-Building Crusade. It's a great way to get to know others in the blogoshpere.

For a while now, I've been meaning to link a post from Stina at Seeing Creative. She does Cool Links Fridays and they are always great, but this one in particular I found helpful for where I am. Stina also does photography tips on Monday, and they are incredible. I'm terrible with a camera - I think the only decent pic I've taken is my blog header!

Don't forget: Tomorrow is my first-ever guest blogger - Angelina Rain. I'm excited to have her. Please make sure you stop by and say hello. And check out the cover of her book:

If anyone has a contest or blogfest they would like me add to my sidebar, just comment here with the info and I'm happy to do it. If you are a new follower and I haven't followed you back it's because you're photo doesn't link me back to you. Please comment here with a link and I will ~~hunt you down~~ join your blog, too.

Melancholy

2011-02-01T08:30:00.006-05:00

*This is a repost from last year.

When someone close to you dies you get used to it. It never stops hurting, but you get used to it. For a long time after my mother died I still picked up the phone to call her, but now, heck it's been nine years. I don't forget she's gone. But I still miss her.

Nine years is a long time. I was pregnant with my children nine years ago. They've done a lot of growing since, growing I was unable to share with her.

I miss her when Daughter does something oh so like Mom. I miss not being able to tell her said daughter has Mom's hideously gaudy taste in jewelry, shoes, and sometimes clothes. I miss her when I want to remember a funny story that has faded into my storage files. I miss her most, though, when my kids ask why Grammy Sherry died before they could meet her.

I miss her when Son gets her snarky attitude. No, I swear, he got it from her - I'm never snarky. Nevah. (Oh hush, I heard that!)

But, I am used to it.

Happy birthday Mom. Thanks for passing on to me that undying passion for all things written and your taste in music (and the rock stars that make the music). I hope you've met Jim Morrison and he's as dreamy as you always imagined.

Yeah, You Shook Me

2011-01-27T07:22:00.003-05:00

How could I have forgotten that one on my Top 10 List? An ACDC classic for sure. And definitely one of my favorites. Lots of others picked it, though.

I was surprised by a few things as I made my rounds - to well over 100 blogs! Go Alex and his awesome fest[s]. There was a huge lack of Madonna, Prince and U2 (someone else, but I can't think of it now). There was far more of The Cure & Tori Amos (whom I totally forgot - that voice!) than I ever thought there would be. Oh! Duran Duran. That's who it was. I don't remember seeing them at all. I had that poster of Simon, strapped to the water wheel in his leather pants, on the ceiling above my bed.Yeah, John was just too...pretty for me.

Thanks to all of you who stopped by and joined my little slice of the bloggy world. I hope I returned the favor everywhere. If not, let me know - with a link - and I will be happy to stop by.

Another thanks to both Deniz Bevan and Zan Marie, my fellow Compuserve house partiers (these ladies can party - well their characters sure can at least). I love the story about how Zan Marie got her name. Stop by her place and ask - it's oddly awesome. At least I think so. Anyway, they both passed on the Stylish Blogger Award to me. I posted my 7 facts here.

Last, but SO not least, I am really excited to be hosting my first guest blogger, Angelina Rain. She will be here on February 8th talking about INDECENT ENCOUNTERS, which will be released Feb. 9th. The cover is...phew. HOT. It was what caught my attention when I stumbled across her blog. Not just hot, though; captivating. Love the colors. I read the blurb and couldn't wait to read this one. Can. Not. Wait:

When you’re cursed to live your whole life unloved, can you really be held responsible for casting a love spell? When Gretchen realizes that her love spell went wrong, her only option is to reverse it before too much damage is done. However, when she wakes with a werewolf and a vampire in her bed, she learns that even reversing a love spell could have its consequences.

Even better, nobody has to be on Team Either. She has both in her bed. Rawwwrrrrr.

Angelina has a contemporary romance (under contract, I believe) that sounds fantastic too. I'm thinking I may have a new author collection - hopefully lots of books - in a few years.

Have a happy and wonderful weekend all of my friends out there in the outerblogoshpere!

The Final Countdown...er, Music Blogfest

2011-01-24T07:37:00.007-05:00

This one is hosted by the spectacularly wonderful, awesome, superb and all-around nice, Alex J. Cavanaugh. Well, I have no idea if he's actually a nice guy or just plays one on the blogs, but he's nice to me and that's all that counts.

Okay, I've begun my vegan diet again, so I'm hopped up on raw veggies and nuts. Or maybe my fowl mood of late is drawing forth my whacked-out creative side. (Possibly I shouldn't have cut out the chicken...) In reality, I think it's all Alex's fault. He brought up this sweet music fest and I've been listening to even more music than usual this past week or so. And youtube searching like a fiend (which means serious Brandon overload. Serious.).

Music is my drug of choice. (All I wanted was a Pepsi. Just one Pepsi.) Whether upper or downer, goes with whatever I'm listening to at the moment and since I've been listening to so much, my mood is all over right now. Still, I'm having trouble narrowing my favorite 10 songs of all time. I think I like music too much to do that. It's like trying to pick my favorite kid - which, quite frankly, waffles between who's being the sweetest and who's doing the most chores.

But I digress.

I most absolutely definitely, and with utmost certainty have a numero uno favorite; it's just the other 9 I'm lacking. But, for Alex I'll do my best.

I'm lyrically driven, and in most of the choices I think that's fairly obvious. Click on the artists/songs for links to youtube videos.

So let me go on (big hands, I know you're the one). Here are Tara's Top Ten Songs that She Loves With all Her Cold Little Heart:

10. This is not even a band that would make my top 10 favorite band list. But, they are hands down one of the most talented group of musicians around. I'd never deny it, and they'd be in my top 5 most talented - probably top 3. Life is mine, I live it my way. So, open [your] mind for a different view:
Metallica, Nothing Else Matters

9. This one has two special ties. One happens to be the fact that it was my high school grad song. Yeah, I remember those days well. Which is surprising for someone so old.
Skid Row, I Remember You

8. This band was incredible live. The song is what I do: ride the whims of my mind, commanding in another world, hearing and seeing a magic new dimension.
Queensryche, Silent Lucidity

7. Maybe I'm all messed up, but there is something about this song, and Trent Reznor, that resonates through my soul. He manages to write some serious undertones wrapped in [what on the surface appears to be] hot, and often, in-your-face raw sex. And, for me, his voice oozes sensuality in the majority of his songs. Maybe not so much this one, though. It's the prompt for my blog title, so of course it made the list.
Nine Inch Nails, The Only Time

6. I'm not even entirely sure whom to credit with this next song, but I can't get enough of it. It's on the tribute album to the lead singer of Snot, who died in a car accident when they were on the verge of Making It. I *think* the band wrote all the songs on there, but this one features Brandon Boyd on vocals.
Divided

5. I could listen to the Galore album from these guys for days on end. One of the best ever love songs, and so aptly titled.
The Cure, Love Song

4. The only female act to make my list. I just noticed that. Interesting. I love lots of woman-written songs. Guess they just aren't my absolute favorites. These gals sure are. They're magic, in fact.
Heart, Magic Man

3. The only "new" band on the list! Not that I don't love a lot of new stuff, even consider some my favorite, but they've yet to stand the test of time. This one will. I know it.
Shinedown, Sound of Madness

2. You all knew it was coming, right? I could never, ever exclude Incubus from the list. In all honesty, they would hold at least 5 spots on top ten. It's not obsession; I really love their music that much. My biggest problem is which to pick. My favorite changes with mood: Admiration, Just a Phase, Warning, Pardon Me, Privilege, Circles, Nowhere Fast...But this one goes with my every mood.
Incubus, The Warmth

1. There are no words. John says them all. This is, undeniably, my Favorite All Time Song. It has been since I can remember, and it always will be.

Cars Get My Engine Going

2011-01-17T10:01:00.001-05:00

I've added a new page to my blog, and created a FB page for Author Me. I had to do something to keep my private page separate - and pared down - from the writer side. If you'd like to join me, just click on the badge.

In my last post, a few people inquired about my racing background. I thought I'd share a little. My stepfather raced, and instructed professionally. I was offered cars to try my hand at racing. But, really, who wants to hop into someone else's Porsche and drive it around a race track at 130+ mph for the first time? That would take far more balls than the actual racing. I did get in some and drive fast. 130? Nevah.

I pretty much grew up at the track. Didn't like it so much as a young girl, but definitely got into the advantages of, er, the guys in those firesuits when I hit my teens. Not surprising my first WiP is a romance at the race track. Yeah, hot.

So are the cars. I heart cars. I love the throaty guttural noise of the engines hitting the redline and the high-pitched whistle of the turbos kicking in on accel. Whoo. It's getting hot over here. Maybe I should move on to the pictures.

My stepfather's major competition was my favorite car.

I called it the Jellybean Car; the race-car boys didn't appreciate the nickname so much. Oddly, they didn't seem to mind my blonde ponytail and can't-freaking-breathe jeans, though. Last I heard, the car sold for about 350,000 bucks.

Who knew I'd marry a guy that would go on to join the very team that owned my teenage fantasy car? The team added Audi's to their race line up and built these bad boys - Audi S4's - that went on to crush the competiton for 5 straight years.

Everyone loves a good crash, right? Poor Derek. One of the all-time best racers. More than that, though, one of the nicest guys I've ever known. Our son happens to be [sort of] named after one of his. That crash cost the team an entire week of working from 8 AM until 3-4 AM the next morning because they had to have the cars ready for the following weekend. This schedule happened more often than not during the 9-month season. Sometimes due to crashes, others mechanical failure or redesigns. Egads. Now you can see why hubby retired from that gig to spend more time with the fam ;-)

Here's the beginning of the above race as seen from another car. To the right front you can see the silver Audi. It's the 2nd car (the one that crashed eventually), the other was in pole. Can't remember the outcome, but those cars were rockets. And, while other racers hated the rain, those guys prayed for it. Those all-wheel drive quattros held to the road like there was gorilla snot on the tire. What, not everyone in the world knows what gorilla snot is?

I miss it when I think about it - racing, not glue -, but I'm betting a few long days spent listening to screaming cars in sweltering heat would quickly remind me why I avoided it more often than not as I got older. I think I'll stick with finishing up my first WiP to relive the old race glory days.

Query and Award

2011-01-12T07:00:00.069-05:00

Hey, I think I finally have this query thing nailed...

A mother on the brink. Childrens' lives at stake.

With the Christmas decorations only mostly put away and dishes breeding in the sink, a decision must be made: lock the children in the playroom where they can play brain-melting video games until their hearts are content, or they kill each other - which is a high possiblity, or dig deeper than ever before to be an entertainer, for the fifth straight day - so soon after a two-week vacation. So. Damn. Soon.

Her sanity hanging by only a thread, she must find an answer to her question: Will they ever go back to school?

Not bad, eh? Too bad it's in jest. I thought I'd had my query all tightened down and ready to go, but I decided to change something up. Now I've sent myself back to Query Hell.

I have received the Stylish Blogger Award from Cheree Smith, Tony Benson and Shari. Wow. Thanks so much, you guys!

The rules:
Link back to the person who gave it to you.
Give 7 facts about yourself.
Award 15 great bloggers you've recently discovered.
Contact them and tell them about the award.

7 facts about me. They don't have to be interesting, I hope.
1. When I was a kid I begged for a pet seal. Pretty sure I wanted to name him Sammy.
2. Gilmore Girls will always hold a place in my cold little heart.
3. I don't have a favorite color. But there are a few I don't like as much as others.
4. Aging has never bothered me before.But now that 40 is closing in, I'm freaking out.
5. Hubby is, by leaps and bounds, the romantic in our relationaship; odd that I write romance. Maybe that's why the suspense part comes in too...
6. I regret turning down the opportunities I was given to get into racing.
7. Though I dreamt of being a singer, I think I'd have made a good actress.

Cool new blog discoveries I've recently made:
Visiting Reality
The Wocka Spot for Writers
Linda Kage
Ten Lives Second Chances
The Rainy Day Wanderer
Melissa Getting Published
M Pax
An Alleged Author
Angelina Rain
Through the Looking Glass
Mithril Wisdom

Okay, it hit 1AM when I was still trying to link all those and I never made it to my 15. I have 5 left and will edit them in now. Sorry for the delay Final Five - I don't think you're any less cool than the above. My eyes just quit working ;)

Elena Solodow
My Poetry Place
Christopher
Danette Baltzer
Leigh T. Moore

A note to all award recipients: I know how precious time is. I am not offended in any way if you choose to skip this and just throw the picture up on the sidebar. Or nothing at all. Promise.

Clean

2011-01-10T07:25:00.015-05:00

First I wanted to thank everyone for the great comments on Friday's Mark Twain post. I was worried things might get heated, but the comments were well thought out, and all around great. There were so many points I agreed with, and frankly, none I didn't.

So. Words. I love words. What writer doesn't?

I found myself, last week, having a conversation with Baby B about words. He asked for a song on his MP3 player and I declined, by reason of Adult Content. He argued that I could edit out any bad words. I told him that bad words weren't an issue with that particular song - it was simply not age appropriate. (Momspeak for too much sexual innuendo.)

I haven't edited bad words out of the kids' songs for a few years now. Once they were old enough to grasp the concept of which words they could run around screaming in public places - like school.

I gave Baby B my reasons on non-editing of words. Becuase that's all they are: words. Every word has a meaning and, as a society, we have some words that people's brains have been dialed in to thinking of as bad. Yes, I know it came from centuries of yore when these words distinguished upper and lower class. However, they weren't curse words to the lower class then, but they are all-around curse words now.

My example to Baby B was the word ass. I used butt in a sentence and then repeated the same sentence with ass. It held the same meaning. Before I could do it for him, Baby B made the distinction himself - it's only bad because some people say to be mean or use it in a way they shouldn't. (Okay, maybe not precisely how I would put it, but not bad for having turned 9 a month ago.)

This is not to say my children run around belting out foul language at home, either. They don't. Neither do I (but, boy, did I used to pre-kids!). I'm a writer; I have better options is all ;)

Another example. Retarded by definition is exactly what it was used to describe when I was growing up. People changed the connatation, and the word was changed. Those words were, again, made derogatory by people and, again, the terminology is changing.

My point: Words are words. And I don't think it's the words that need the changing.

Speak Free

2011-01-07T07:33:00.080-05:00

"The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter..." - Mark Twain

Huck Finn is being edited to remove what society now sees as unsavory words. I'm sure there's been plenty of posts about this across the blogosphere in the past few days, but I think it warrants repeating.

I believe Alan Gribben, the Twain expert responsible for this, had good intentions. This book has been banned in the majority of schools and he feels that "...a significant number of school teachers, college instructors, and general readers will welcome the option of an edition of Twain's ... novels that spares the reader from a racial slur that never seems to lose its vitriol." Very few copies will be printed.

I think this leapt out at me because my daughter (just 9) struggled with reading for the first few years (while my son (her twin) began Harry Potter at the beginning of 1st grade). It's not that she couldn't; she just didn't really care for it. When she had to do her nightly reading she chose "younger" books simply so she could get it over with. But, this past summer she found an age-appropriate story about dogs she thought she'd enjoy and read it - slowly, but she read it. The reading bug still hadn't struck her completely, though.

When her teacher assigned a book report in the beginning of the 3rd grade school year, she wanted to read something far below her level, and I refused to let her. We went through the massive stacks of books and I pulled out the Illustrated children's adaptation of Tom Sawyer - by Deirdre S. Laiken. Baby A is not a girly-girl so I thought it might interest her. I never gave a second thought to content - I'd loved this book when I read it. I do know they use Injun Joe, but the "n" word does not appear in this one.

To make it short, she couldn't put it down. She did the book report by herself, and it was amazing. She had to bring "items" from the story to share with class and her excitement over choosing things thrilled me.

The child has not stopped reading since. The classics (adapted for children) are by far her favorites. She got through Dr. Dolittle in record time, only because she couldn't wait to get to Treasure Island. Even better, she has begun drawing pictures and writing her own stories to go along with them. She did a great little series on bullies using the croc mascot from her school.

Obviously the originals are above her level (or were when she started), I wouldn't have kept them from her for reason of censorship. I think Twain did a great job telling a story of boyhood adventures and friendship, while clearly showing his views on race. And what he thought of the racist society in which they (he?) were raised.

Copyright laws become an issue here, for me, too. It's the author's life plus 75 years (in America). I wonder if that should be? Why not make it forever? But then again, I like the idea of an author being able to use old quotes/lyrics in their story. Apparently the heirs of Margaret Mitchell [sort of] found a way around this. They hired someone pen SCARLETT, which basically re-copyrighted the Scarlett/Rhett characters. That's very interesting in itself.*

I'd love to hear Twain's thoughts on this, but I'll probably never get that. ;) So how about you...What was your reaction when you heard about this censored version?

*Thanks to Diana Gabaldon for the discussion input on copyright laws and SCARLETT.

It's a Brave New Year

2011-01-03T07:00:00.001-05:00

Well, I had something planned to blog about for my true "first" post of the year. But a sinus infection is setting in and my head is screaming. Of course, that never prompts me to get off the computer and rest my eyes, but it does remove all concentration from my brain.

So here's some random babbling to start the year.

I have to let you all in on one of my favorite places to visit. Linda G. at Visiting Reality is super awesome. She cracks me up, makes me think and I just flat out enjoy her sense of, well everything. Take a few minutes to visit her reality. You won't be disappointed!

I had a ringtone/crit contest a couple weeks back, and Roh Morgan won a full chapter crit. She actually sent two (after asking of course), but both combined had a word count of one small/med. one. Folks, she is a great storyteller. I really got hooked after that small amount. You know it's something good when days later you're still thinking about the characters and what might come of them!

Wow, I have 264 followers! Holy cow, I'm astonished by that. Thanks to each of you. I will be going through my newcomers tomorrow to make sure I have visited you and returned the friendship.

Maybe this next bit won't seem so random. It's Music Monday, so I have to do something with music, right? C'mon, it's my first "real" 2011 post. Can't. Leave. Incubus. Out.

Here's an interesting contradiction. Probably one of my favorite Incubus songs, but one of my least favorite live. It's obviously a hard one for him to nail. But, I love this version mixed with The Police.

Eye Candy

2011-01-01T10:58:00.001-05:00

Sure, I know what you're all thinking. Trust me - so am I. But Brandon is not the subject of my Eye Candy Blogfest, hosted by Rambles & Randomness.

We are to post a photo that makes us happy, or smile. Something like that. So here goes.

Long story short. I have 5 friends who are like sisters to me. We all have twins, which is how we met (really long story!), but certainly not why we feel like we've always been best friends. Our kids are all within 15 months of each other - mine being the oldest set, and they were between 16 mths & 2 1/2 when we all met. We used to get together often for playdates (close to once a week), but with everyone in school and extra-curicular activities and such, it's been sparse in the past couple years.

However, we keep our big tradition. Christmas, NYE, Valentine's and Easter parties every year. We take turns hosting and bring more food than 50 people could possibly consume in a night, let alone 12 adults and 12 kids!

We rang in the New Year together last night and I realized there's really not much more that makes me happy than being with them.

2005 Christmas Party

*photo removed by Tara

2010 Christmas Party (son in red & white stripes/daughter in solid red in front of him)

*photo removed by Tara

I will say, it's a heck of a lot easier getting them all to look at the camera at the same time these days!

Happy New Year everyone! I hope it's the best you've ever had.

Be Jolly By Golly Blogfest

2010-12-20T07:35:00.041-05:00

First, a quick thank you to those who participated in my ringtone contest. The fabulous Roh Morgan won a full chapter critique (and I can't wait to get my eyes on her stuff - love her!). Sure, she cheated, but she still guessed the song title...eventually, hehe.

For those that didn't see in the comments, the ringtone is Down In It by Nine Inch Nails (the first 40 seconds).

Now, on to the Be Jolly By Golly Blogfest, hosted by Jen at Unedited and Melissa at Through the Looking Glass.

Christmas decorations, huh? Everyone keep in mind I should not be allowed to handle a camera...

One of my favorite holiday treats is probably what my grandmother called her Pumpkin Sauce. I make it (by demand) for the annual Christmas party with my group of close-knit friends, and use it to top gingerbread. But, I've tweaked it to suit my tastes.

3 tsp cinnamon (or to taste)
1 tsp all spice (or to taste)
1/2 c canned pumpkin
2/3 c milk
1 small pack instant vanilla pudding
1 c cool whip

Mix first 5 ingredients together well. Fold in Cool Whip. Chow. Yum.

I don't drink alcohol/liquor much. Just beer. Only if I want to get drunk, cause, well, one does the trick. Oh, and it's only Killian's Red if I do drink.

However...

Last night (Saturday) was our Christmas party and Friend Tammy made my new favorite holiday drink. Hot. Buttered. Rum. I know, old hat to most of you assuredly. But, I've never had it before. She told me I could go virgin, but I even put a capful (yep, I went crazy folks) of spiced rum in it. Oh holy yum.

1 pound butter

1 pound brown sugar

1 pound confectioners' sugar

1 quart vanilla ice cream, softened

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Blend in brown sugar and confectioners' sugar. Remove from heat, and whisk in the ice cream, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour mixture into a plastic container, seal, and freeze.
In a coffee mug, measure 1 tablespoon Hot Buttered Rum Batter and 1 fluid ounce of rum, then fill cup with boiling water. Stir, and sprinkle top of drink with nutmeg.

It's okay if you're a lush and add more than a capful. I'll pretend I didn't see it.

The kids did such a great job with the gingerbread house this year. In the end, Mom had more icing on her than the house, but she managed not to curse. Mom of the Year, that's me. Or not, maybe.

Possibly the most tiring photo session I have ever done with the "fam". And the hardest. Grumpy Gus, if you can't tell who that is, well, check you eyes.

*photo removed by Tara

Poor Micki. She's really old, and I wanted to make sure we got some Christmas photos with her since it will probably be her last. She saw the antlers/hat headband come out and instead of running like usual, she gave me a look that said, "Seriously? My last Christmas on earth and you're really gonna make me put those effing antlers on again." I called her. She stared. I called some more; she stared some more. Finally she remembered how stubborn I am. She waddled over to the little tree (pretty sad the poor thing knew that's where I'd want her!) and plopped down. I stuck the hat on and she flat out refused to move again. She laid there while I pushed all 60lbs of her into the position I wanted. Then she never moved a muscle. The Chihuahua's otoh? Holy Wiggle Worms (especially the 9 week old puppy). It took everything we had to get the kids and dogs looking at the camera, mostly in tact. But we managed a few. They're all crooked (more so than my usual) because I was reaching and moving as the dogs tried to break free. LOL.

When I saw how bad the pics came out I asked the kids if they were up for another round. They gave me the same look the Lab did when she saw her antlers...

Happy Holidays to All

Critique Contest

2010-12-17T06:30:00.002-05:00

The day has arrived. I know you were all waiting with bated breath. For all of, yanno, 4 days.

It's easy. The first of my followers to guess the band or song I recently set as my ringtone will win a 5 page critique from moi. The first person after that to guess the unguessed part can send me their first 250 words for a crit. If someone guesses both in one shot first, well, I'll do a whole chapter.

There's no time limit on sending the work. If you have nothing ready for critiquing at this time and you still want to jump in, feel free. If you win you can send me something whenever you have it ready.

See this post for the original details.

See this one for hints.

Good luck.

Win a Critique

2010-12-15T07:31:00.016-05:00

Just another post on my upcoming contest. This Friday, name my new ringtone and win a critique. See the details in this post.

Today I thought I'd give everyone some hints.

Here's a list of artists on my MP3 player (not all, and in random order), including the ringtone:

Tom Petty Pink Floyd Aerosmith Incubus Shinedown Muse No Doubt Soundgarden Jewel Queen Anberlin 3 Days Grace
The Beatles Heart Madonna The Eagles
Fleetwood Mac Linkin Park Metallica Papa Roach
The Cure Greenday Billy Joel John Lennon
Led Zepplin 30 Seconds to Mars Nine Inch Nails Breaking Benjamin
Motley Crue Duran Duran Nickelback Staind Saving Abel Limp Bizkit
Alanis Morissette Godsmack Pat Benetar Tonic Eve 6 Blink 182
3 Doors Down Rise Against Prince Steeley Dan Elton John Hinder
Blue October Spin Doctors John Mellancamp Salt N Peppa Finger Eleven

Here's a link to an old post with my favorite albums, and the purple highlighted words are all songs from those albums. It may or may not be in that list. I'm not tellin'.

Another hint: It's not a Christmas song.

Hint #3: Two of the other ringtones I downloaded are Bust a Move by Young MC and Hey Baby by No Doubt. I'm random like that. Muwhahaha.

Remember there's no time limit on the critique. If you have nothing ready to go now, just let me know whenever you do and I'll be happy to get to it then :)

Name That Tune, Win a Crit & Something Free

2010-12-13T07:00:00.006-05:00

It's Music Monday here and I thought I'd do something different. First up: Something Free. Plenty of you have probably heard of it, but I just wanted to share my favorite ringtone site, Mobile17. They do not spam - ever. Other than the confirmation link email, I've never gotten anything from them - in 2 years. If you are willing to wait about 30 minutes per song, you can download as many free ringtones as you want. You take the song straight from your computer and they upload it and send it to your phone. I can't see needing a ringtone to be so important that someone couldn't wait. Especially someone cheap like me. I could have 50 million in the bank and I would still track down the best deals and cut coupons. Apparently one of my parents instilled in me the importance of being frugal. Could not possibly have been Shopaholic Mom. Maybe dad.

"Shut the door. I don't want to pay to air condition the entire block."

"Figure out what you want before you open the fridge."

Sheesh.

So, onto Name that Tune/Win a Crit. I got a new phone on Friday(hence my renewed love with Mobile 17) and downloaded 10 ringtones. The first of my followers (current or brand new) to guess the band or song of the current ringtone I have set on this Friday's (12/17/10) post will win a 5 page (1250 word) crit. Once the band or song is guessed, I will do the first 250 words of your MS for the remaining unguessed entity. If by some amazing guess, the first person gets the band and song, I will do an entire chapter.

Bonuses:
Blog about this = 2 extra pages
Sidebar link = 2 extra pages

Be sure to comment in this thread if do either of those things.

Hint:
I blog often about music, so I'm sure plenty of you will have quick guesses. Or you can skim old posts and find tons of bands I listen to. I even did a blogfest listing of my all time favorite albums a while ago. If it proves too hard come Friday, I'll edit in a list of bands on Friday's post.

Sorry CP's you're out on this one. You get me for free. Anytime. Anyplace. (er, JP - I was trying to avoid being the first again, but I'll toss it into the ring tomorrow for you. It'll be easy, and quick, and not very red at all. Coz it's so full of awesome!)

I hope everyone will play. It should be fun. I'm a fast critter, and a thorough one. Hopefully not too scary! I learned from the Compuserve site (sidebar linkage) that critting others is the best way to hone ones craft. I've been doing it on the forum for over 2 years, and I really enjoy it.

Better Late than Never....right?

2010-12-10T05:01:00.003-05:00

I promised Talli Roland that I would give her and her debut novel, THE HATING GAME, props on a Monday post, but my weekend was anything but good. And my week started off with me feeling something like this.

Then the week got even better. Can you see my tongue in my cheek (get your minds out of the gutter boys)? A nice little bug wormed its way into my tummy. Always a good way to drop a few quick pounds, but admittedly not the most fun way. Wait, starving is the other option isn't it? Hmm. *pondering* Okay, maybe it is just as non-fun both ways. Doesn't matter all that much. I'll never be a size 3 again (yanno, when a 3 was actually a 3 - not a 6). Has anyone else noticed that? Do the clothing makers really think women are that stupid? The fact that supermodels are marketed as such to attract attention aside, I mean...

And speaking of supermodels, if they are in a *now* size 0, does that make them a negative 4?

I think I'll stop while I'm ahead. Or...yeah. Talli.

Talli never asked me to put her link on my sidebar a few months back, nor did she ask me to post about her awesomeness, and her even more awesomer new book. I'm doing it because from the minute I read about THE HATING GAME, almost a year ago now, I loved the idea of it. It's a fun, fresh premise and I can't wait to sink my eyes into it. Just knowing how cool Talli's blog is every day, lets me know her book will be well worth the read. And, I really like Talli.

So, what are you waiting for, a certain shade of green? (People, I can find an Incubus reference anywhere, I promise.) Hey, did you just roll your eyes? For that, take this.

Go and get THE HATING GAME by Talli Roland.

I Can't Drive 55

2010-12-01T06:11:00.002-05:00

Okay, not a huge fan of that song, but I have a race-y sort of post today.

It was inspired by a long-time, and very dear, friend. I grew up at the race track watching my mother and step-father race. Step-dad was not only an unbelievably good driver, but a professional race instructor as well.

Anyway, when Kevin [friend] was in his late teens (and I was about 12), step-dad took him on as an all around protege. Kevin far surpassed all expectations - he's an amazing driver still, some nearly 25 years later.

He posted this video to Facebook last night, and it made me smile. It also made me remember that I really did love my first WiP (prompted entirely by my having grown up at the track). So I pulled the WiP out and read - for over an hour. After the vid, I'll post a short snip.

Driven

The crosswalk vibrated as the car flew underneath us. My fingers tightened around the railing, knuckles white, as I inhaled the sharp high-octane fumes. I closed my eyes, listening for the sound I knew would come in three, two…that shallow whistle of the turbo kicking on his acceleration in the back straight.

Finally, I exhaled.

My pulse quickened against my throat, and I opened my eyes to watch him take the hairpin, so snugly he must barely have moved the wheel. The grip my fingers held around the aluminum loosened, my hand automatically moving down against the cold metal just as he would be shifting to take that perfect line through the chicane.

I wanted so badly to be sitting beside him in that beautiful car, feeling every shift and hearing every roar as he redlined the tach.

Nobody had a chance against him on his home turf. Jess could win this one blindfolded.

NaNoEndo

2010-11-29T06:25:00.009-05:00

It's over. Well, for me it is. I hit my 50k. I hit a little more since, but won't update the count again. It was interesting, and fun keeping up with my crit partners and fellow Compuserve forumites, but doubtful I will sign up next year.

Typically I knock out my SFD in 6-8 weeks, linear fashion. I now have about 60,000 words all in bits and pieces. I'm not sure how to go about bridging it together. I think that it will take far longer than I'd hoped. Then I'll still have to edit. But, I did it. That's what counts this time.

Here's a snip, full of NaNoStupids:

Stay

“Stay put. Do you hear me?” I grabbed two clips from the drawer, shoving one into my pocket. I hated not to use my revolver, but where Viktor was involved it wouldn’t be a good idea to be caught short on bullets. And the Glock had a silencer.

“Why should I?” Decker followed me toward the door, grabbing his jacket from the back of the sofa. “I promised I’d be with her every step of the way.”

“Because you should have stopped her.” After retrieving the gun from its box, I jammed the clip into place, hard, directly in front of his face. “At worst, you should have called me. Before you hopped a plane to Russia. Do you know how stupid that was – to use your own passport.” I let out a few choice phrases, in Russian. He'd also forced me to come in hurry and use a passport, not in my name, but with my face. And long blonde hair. There would be no time for much disguise.

“I know. But she said-”

“She said? This is great. Frick and Frack.” The silencer hissed as I spun it onto the barrel. “One of you is thinking about only one thing. The other thinking only with one thing.”

Decker whipped the jacket over his shoulder, stuffing his arms through the sleeves.

“You are not coming.” There was obviously no reason in this kid’s head. I unzipped the front pouch of my bag and pulled out the taser. “If I have to use this, and tie you to a chair, I will.”

“You wouldn’t dare…” His words trailed off after a good look to my raised brows and pursed lips. I would do more than dare, without hesitation. “I love her. I have to come.”

“I have eight years of FBI training in precisely this area. And I’m not sure I’ll be able to get her out alive.” It would take everything I had to get myself out of this one alive. If I did I might just kill her myself. “You can’t come because you love her. If you screw this up, she’s dead. Along with you, and probably Eva.”

Time Passages

2010-11-24T05:29:00.004-05:00

November is the March of Dimes prematurity awareness month. It is [ironically] the month my twins were born - 2 months premature. Their due date was Jan. 23, 2002 and they arrived November 24, 2001.

Male Caucasian babies do the absolute worst of all babies when it come to prematurity. It's referred to as Wimpy White Boy Syndrome. My Baby B was no exception.

(That's a preemie diaper drowning him!) But, we were lucky. The NICU (read: angels!) nurses had never seen a faster recovery than Baby B made. He went from not breathing, with underdeveloped lungs, to needing no more help in under 24 hours. That's my boy :)

Baby A came out kicking and screaming, and hasn't stopped since. The nurses nicknamed her Haley's Comet. I called her my Little Firecracker. Both still fit, well.

Hard to believe my little 3 pounders, who spent 3.5 weeks in the hospital eating through tubes in their throats, turned into one year old chubs eventually, but they did...

They also remained bald until they were two. Maybe that's why Baby A hates having hair below her shoulders now. And Baby B loves his mohawk.

It's even harder to believe they are nine years old today! Seriously. Time really does fly.

Happy birthday to the two best things that ever happened to me.

Isn't this the cutest present ever?

The below video cracked me up. I think I have had this exact conversation at least once a week for the past nine years. I've never mentioned tampons, but I'm a little snarkier about the identical question. Seriously. Identical is pretty self explanatory, no? One has a penis. The other does not.

Happy (early) Thanksgiving!

Agoraphobia

2010-11-17T05:56:00.021-05:00

This is the inspiration song for a NaNo scene from this week (or maybe last, can't remember).

Love this youtube guy - he (she?) strips the songs down to the vocals with some software or another, and this is a really great one.

*Warning* - unedited NaNoWriMo snip to follow video.

"Put down your hollow tips
And kiss your lover's lips
And know that fate is what we make of it

Please end this
Please end this
Before this ends us
Ends us, ends us." - Incubus

Sweet Sorrow

“How long do I have?”

Such a simple question might have only broken my heart. Instead, the implication shattered it. I wanted to tell him forever, but that’s not what he wanted to hear.

“Two hours. I have to be there before dawn.”

He lowered himself to me, breath to breath, so close. But before his mouth gave in to my need he moved away, edging the length of himself down my body, so slow. At my hip his tongue ran circles around the protruding bone there. His eyes met mine, fiery.

“I’ll use an hour of it touching, tasting every part of you.” He moved lower still, fingers trailing behind his mouth. “Taking notes in my paperless journal to always remember.”

I bit my cheeks, sucked in a sharp breath. He wasn’t going to let me off easy, even if he never said the words.

“The arch of your instep.” His thumb massaged down that arch, over each toe, between them, around the ankle bone, until he repeated it on the other foot, taking his time. “The curve of you calves.” He ran his nails up them, fingers digging in even as his mouth was so gentle. He tickled the backs of my knees and his mouth brushed my inner thigh. “The sweetness only I’ve ever known.”

“Oh God.” I wanted to reassure him that only he ever would, but didn’t dare open my mouth. No amount of cheek biting could stop the tears from filling my eyes. They rushed down the sides of my face, into my ears. I sniffled at the same time I moaned.

Forward March

2010-11-08T06:29:00.000-05:00

So how goes it, my fellow NaNo-ers? I've been buried in papers and pens and...okay, not really. I'm strictly a typer-gal. I've been rubbing a sore neck and heating a painful lower back. But, I'm ahead of schedule. Haven't added my count for today (Sunday) in since I'm not done, but I was at almost 12,000 words as of Sat. night. I should finish out today with over 3,000.

My fellow writers at Compuserve (link on sidebar - yes, I am that lazy) are keeping me on my toes. A few of them have hit 20k. Insane. We are having fun posting free-for-all unedited snips and egging each other on. Nothing like comraderie to keep the motivation levels high.

I didn't get a ton of commenting in last week, and probably won't this week either - or the month for that matter, but I'm betting there's a lot of others in the same boat.

Happy writing - whether you're doing NaNo or not.

Nanu-Nanu. Tara out.

Na-no(u) Na-no(u)

2010-11-01T06:00:00.002-04:00

So I think of Mork every time I think of NaNoWriMo. I've mentioned in passing that I've been wrangled into NaNo this year. I'm still clueless what I'm doing. It's a choice between 3 things. Problem is, I've no idea where any of the 3 begin, and I'm a linear gal all the way. Without a beginning, well, I'm stuck. I suppose Monday morning I'll open up Word and start typing. What comes out, will win.

I was chatting with someone the other day (hi Lola *waves*) who told me I need to get my food stocked up. Well, I make my own bread every other day. I do my own pizza and soups, too. Maybe I should have made the soups and pizza dough this past week and frozen them. Hmm. Anyway, I thought I'd offer up some of my super-quick and easy recipes (what twin mom isn't a pro at quick and easy meals?!).

Crockpot Chicken (my fave, hands down)
Bunch up 3 balls of tinfoil and toss them in the crockpot. Stick a roaster chicken in and put on whatever spices you like. (I put Adobo on everything). I also toss on some fresh basil and sage leaves. Other times, I just use lemon-pepper. Cook on low about 8 hours. When you remove the chicken it will fall apart - I use two big metal spatulas. Turn crockpot to hi and add some more spices and cornstarch to the juice. It will make an awesome gravy. It would be easy to add one of those boxed sides and a canned veggie to this.
Best Part: The leftover chicken/carcass goes into my big pot and I make a great stock for either chicken 'n dumplings or chicken soup.

Warning: I don't measure, ever. So these are my best estimates. If you find something seems dry, add more sauce/sour cream, etc..
Chicken Parm
Dump small can of tomato sauce into glass baking dish. Add chicken breasts, cover with box of stuffing (dry) and can of spaghetti sauce. Sprinkle with cheese and bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes. Serve over pasta.

Salsa Chicken Quesadillas
In baking dish, mix can of tomato soup, 1c of salsa, 1/4c shredded cheese, 1/2c sour cream, 2 large chicken breasts, cooked and shredded and 1inch strips of quesadillas. Top with shredded cheese and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Easy Beef Stroganoff
Mix can of cream of mushroom soup, 1/2c sour cream, 1lb cooked ground meat, small can of mushroom. Bake at 350 25-30 minutes, until hot. Serve over egg noodles.

Shepherds Pie
Mix 1lb cooked ground meat, can of corn, small can mushrooms, 1c shredded or diced carrots and put into 9-inch pie crust. Top with shredded cheese, small jar of gravy then mashed potatoes (I rarely use boxed/jarred stuff, but for quickies go for it). Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.

Okay, I probably could go one for hours, but there's a start. Happy NaNo-ing to all.

Am I the only one still clueless this Sunday evening? (And probably into Monday morning?) Hope everyone had a happy Halloween.

Houseparty!

2010-10-27T06:15:00.002-04:00

Instead of talking about the monthly exercise at Compuserve, I wanted to tell you about something fun and extraordinary that we do there. We bring our characters to a party. Not just any party. A Houseparty.

Let me 'splain. No. Take too long. Let me sum up. (<--10 points, people - I know you can do it.)

Every 3-4 months a forum member's MC hosts a party in the setting of their WiP. Invitations are sent out (via a thread to "everyone"). Your characters jumps in with their response and then, on a specified date, the fun begins. The most recent party was held in 1493 Constantinople. Our lovely host for this round was Rosa, aka Deniz.

The host gives setting details and description, and informs everyone what will be taking place during the party. (Parties last anywhere from a long weekend to a week.) Everyone brings their characters and dives in. We play with one another's characters and have a good old time. We don't worry about typos and writing mechanics - we just go for it, and nobody judges. I'm amazed at how well we are getting to know the huge cast of characters - there are times where I have to go back and read a post because I can't believe it's not the actual author writing them.

Oh, and chaos and mayhem reign. We've had, bombings at the London Blitz, blizzards while skiing in New Zealand, an alternate universe with ghosts from the Civil War in Cherry Hill, and so much more! At night, there's usually a break from the mayhem and a few trips to the [cough*naughty folder*cough]. (No linky - you have to be a member and request access for that one.)

Some of the party-goers include: FBI agent, rock stars, soldiers, vampires, magikers, King Charles II and some of his court, a talking cat with a time traveling boy, a married threesome (m/f/m), a silky/selkie, paranormal modern day/ancient Egyptian travellers, werewolves, a widowed, retired teacher her adopted daughter, and Marine *friend*. Phew. No wonder mayhem ensues!

If you have a group of writers you are close with (crit group, friends, or website you frequent) I can't recommend something like this enough. It's so much fun. Oh, our last party = 172,000+ words!

In case you're wondering, it's not all about fun. Most of us go in with a goal (from a specific time in our characters development) that we are trying to reach/figure out. It's unbelievable what you can dredge out of a character when they aren't forced to stay in their own setting. We have side threads for commentary and after threads discussing what we got out of it.

Okay, this was not a summary, most definitely an explanation. Sorry, I tried.

Emerging from the Depths of Revision Hell

2010-10-25T06:43:00.003-04:00

Well, wow. I never thought it would happen, but I am on the last chapter of my final edit.

A HUGE thanks, and round of hugs, to my crit partners and my buds at Compuserve. I love and adore you all.

I finished the SFD of Roulette in August of 2009. I've had plenty of drafts since then, but I've been editing the same one since about Feb. of this year. I think I'm finally happy enough to think about querying.

IF I ever get the last chapter done. I hadn't read it in a while, and let's just say: I.Hate.It. I consider chapters 1, 19/20 and 28 to be the most important in the book. And 1 took, well I'm almost embarrassed to say how long it took - or how many times it was rewritten. 19/20, eek. 2 solid months of agony. I'm shooting for one week on 28. Everyone cross your fingers.

I promise once I get these edits done I will try to be a better blogger!

So, where is everyone on their current WiP edits?

Happy Monday, all. Have a great week!

Oh, my muse wanted to say hello - but he was busy surfing...

2010-10-19T05:55:00.001-04:00

Today is dedicated to the release of fellow blogger's Science Fiction novel. I'm so excited for Alex, and can't think of someone more deserving, truly. Congrats, Alex. I wish you all the success in the world.

CassaStar by Alex J. Cavanaugh
October 19, 2010 Science fiction/adventure/space opera
ISBN 9780981621067 Dancing Lemur Press LLC

To pilot the fleet’s finest ship…

Few options remain for Byron. A talented but stubborn young man with a troubled past and rebellious attitude, his cockpit skills are his only hope. Slated to train as a Cosbolt fighter pilot, Byron is determined to prove his worth and begin a new life as he sets off for the moon base of Guaard.

Much to Byron’s chagrin, the toughest instructor in the fleet takes notice of the young pilot. Haunted by a past tragedy, Bassa eventually sees through Byron's tough exterior and insolence. When a secret talent is revealed during training, Bassa feels compelled to help Byron achieve his full potential.

As war brews on the edge of space, time is running short. Byron requires a navigator of exceptional quality to survive, and Bassa must make a decision that could well decide the fate of both men. Will their skills be enough as they embark on a mission that may stretch their abilities to the limit?

“…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.” - Library Journal

Bio:

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He’s experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Currently he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.
http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

To Purchase:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books a Million
Powells

October X Rocks

2010-10-13T06:31:00.002-04:00

See sidebar for Wednesday Exercise explanations.

I had planned to post my part 2 of the Sept. exercise, but the October X was too awesome to pass up doing instead. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Summary:
Take any character(s) from your WiP and make a list of times in their life (childhood, teens, adult, etc). For each time frame make a list of important possessions and people. Create a free association paragraph incorporating one time frame and at least one item and person from the list.

How well do you know your MC? How about your secondary(ies) and minor characters?

I'm very character driven, so I think getting backstory on each character in the story helps in numerous ways. When I read a book, I love to feel like I know everyone in it. I want to feel a part of the whole world the author creates, not just read about the MC's life/story.

I used two [very] minor characters and struck gold. Possibly even another WiP with what I got out of them! Very exciting stuff. I had no idea how deep they were.

Hunter (in rehab):
He barely saw the guitar through the blur. But he didn’t have to. The day his mom had brought it home he’d looked over every inch of it, top to bottom and back again. The day Mom had asked Asshole if she could take Hunter to guitar lessons, Asshole beat her senseless. But Mom must have saved every penny she could hide from Asshole and got the guitar anyway for his twelfth birthday. He taught himself to play and whenever Asshole wasn’t around Mom begged to hear it – even though he played the hard shit she hated. When she was lying in her bed dying of cancer, she still begged to hear him play. And he did. He learned all her favorite songs and played until his fingers screamed in pain, hoping it would save her. But Asshole wouldn’t let her get chemo. Nothing. When the bastard showed up at her funeral, Hunter finally did what he should have done all along. He took him outside and beat the hell out of him, so bad Asshole was still lying, bloody, in the back of his brand new BMW when the funeral ended. Hunter got in his Mom’s fifteen year old Honda and drove away. He’d only had his license six months, but he racked up a year’s worth of miles driving across the country to California. The only thing he brought was the guitar his mother bought him.

Raisa (rescued from Russian traffickers by my MC):
It was silly, trivial, but it was her only piece of childhood. There was only a tiny shred left of the yellow and brown blanket Mama had made. After her father left they didn’t even have food to eat most nights, and they never had heat. But Mama had taken the only warm dresses she had and made her the blanket so she wouldn’t freeze. When she left home at eighteen to find work so that she could help feed her sick brother, it was the only thing Raisa took with her. Once she’d been sold she somehow managed to keep it with her. When she escaped the first time and went home to find her mother and brother had died, she was more determined than ever to keep her precious blanket. Now she was sewing it into a blanket for her own baby. A baby she was thrilled about. This was the third time she’d been pregnant, and the only time she even knew the father. The only time men hadn’t held her down and kicked and punched her belly until she bled the baby away. She was terrified something would happen, but the doctors said nothing was wrong, and now that she was starting to show, she felt a little better. She had to go to Hunter and tell him. He deserved to know that he was going to be a father – no matter their outcome. She would never keep his child from him. And it could be just the thing he needed to live for.

Imagine

2010-10-11T06:22:00.001-04:00

Due to odd RL unexpected things I will probably not be around this week. But, in keeping with the Monday music theme, here's a treat.

Happy (little late) 70th birthday to one of the most incredible artists of all time. And creator of the most genius, simple, awesomeriffic lyrics evah.

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man

John Lennon

Music Rocks My World

2010-10-04T06:27:00.003-04:00

I won't blather on with details like I did last Monday. If you want to see what this is about, you can find them in this post.

One of my favorite bands - I write a lot of scenes to NIN. Trent Reznor is one talented man, and beyond amazing live. I have no idea how he manages to take words, phrases and insinuations that are raw and deep, and often pure animalistic (pun intended - see song link if you don't get it) sex, and molds them into absolute sensuality, but I'd sure love to. (Okay, this isn't one of his more sensual songs.)

My whole existence is flawed
You get me closer to God

Through every forest, above the trees
Within my stomach, scraped off my knees
I drink the honey inside your hive
You are the reason I stay alive

Nine Inch Nails - Closer NSFW/Kids

This one is an already written scene, and the above song was playing as I wrote it in my head. Originally I planned to use it as my example for my Description through Emotion and Action, but it got nixed.

Priorities

     The humid air in the bathroom fogged the floor-to-ceiling mirror. I used a hand towel to wipe a circle in the middle and leaned forward to apply mascara. The candles flickered and dimmed in the whoosh of air.
     “That dress is way too long.” My husband stood behind me, rubbing a towel over his hair; dark and wavy in its shower-wet state.
     Seven years and the rollercoaster still raced through my belly. I couldn’t look away. Beads of water plopped onto the cherry hardwoods beneath him.
     He stepped forward, close enough to warm my back and legs.
     “It’s not even halfway to my knees.” I widened my eyes and second-coated the upper lashes.
     “Too long.”
     The material tickled the backs of my thighs as his fingers slid the silk up and over the curve of my bottom. His soft fingertips drew out tiny bumps on my flesh. The silver dress shimmered in the light of the candles, glinting like hundreds of diamonds off the nickel makeup tray below. His body pushed against me.
     I closed my eyes and the candles lit a red glow behind my lids. My hips tapped a cadence--familiar, in tune, always--against the rounded edge of the counter.
     I opened my eyes and smiled into my own face, raking teeth across the slippery sheen on my lower lip. My toes dug into the shag throw rug and I wrapped the fingers of one hand around the high arch of the pewter faucet. The other hand slid down the mirror, leaving a black streak of mascara in its wake. I dropped the wand into the sink and reached behind to feel his hot stomach under my cool palm.
     His weight pressed my belly onto the marble vanity. I shivered, but not from cold. Our gazes locked through the mirror. Cinnamon and vanilla mingled in the air and the candle flames danced in his eyes, creating the golden-brown glow that illuminated my world.
     The framed photo of his acoustic honey-stained guitar played peek-a-boo over his shoulder, keeping perfect time to Nine Inch Nails on the stereo. He grinned--that unfocused goofy grin I knew so well--and his palm landed onto the mirror, squeaking as it barely moved; up and down. Up and down.
     I ran my hand up his side, out and along the bottom of his arm. My fingers twined into his and squeezed hard. He dropped his head to the back of mine, mouth brushing my neck, heart thumping against my back.
     He slipped the looped-metal strap of the dress down to my arm and bent to nip my shoulder, breath ragged against it.
     “Yep. Much better short.”

Workout Wednesday

2010-09-29T06:46:00.003-04:00

Next up on my new blog schedule: Writer's Exercises. Each month the lovely and talented sysops at the Compuserve Books and Writers Forum put together a writing exercise. This month the awesome author, former agent and writing teacher Barbara Rogan put together an exercise about description.

What I got out of the X (and directions): Basically description needs to work with the scene, not the other way around. You want to set the scene by writing it with the action through emotion and voice, keeping the reader engaged on the real focus (plot), not the background (surroundings).

Ex 1: Hero dashed through the street, still unable to shake Baddy. He passed a blue four door Saturn and ran under a billboard with a picture of a blonde supermodel in a bra and panties. There were three puddles on the sidewalk and a cafe at the end of the street with three round outdoor tables. He darted throught the double glass doors of a ten story building. There were blue walls and tile floor. A receptionist desk had yellow flowers and a computer. There was no secretary. The second gunman stood in front of him holding the gun to his face.

Ex 2: Hero splashed through another puddle, slowing him enough for Baddy to close in. He made a sharp left, clipped the fender of a small car and sidestepped a chair. He dashed inside the first door he found and skid across the tile, nearly crashing into a desk. He flung an arm out, knocking over a vase and steadied himself only to turn and find a gun pointed at his face.

Okay, not stellar, but you see the difference, right? (I hope.) Someone in pretty much any situation is going to notice "the goal" over the scenery. And will especially see that gun before they notice the color of the walls.

Directions (paraphrased) for the X: Write a detailed description of a barn as seen through the eyes of a character who's just learned his son is dead. Don't mention the actual death, but make the readers feel it through the way the character sees the barn. Word limit: 400

There are two parts. I will post my Part 1 this week and Part 2 next. ( I hit 420 originally, but cut a couple of lines for blog purposes - so I'm at 403)

Barn X

Jake pushed aside branches at the end of the gravel path. The midday sun glared off the giant white barn.

He grabbed the latch on the oversized double doors and a dragonfly took off for the roof. He scanned the dark green wood, but the bug was camouflaged, the roof blurry.

He swiped a forearm over his eyes and yanked open the door.

Other than some hay along the back wall the place was barren. Lonely. He plopped down on a bale and thought about the joint in the pocket of his flannel. Kasz would need him later, but he’d be cool by then. He wrapped two fingers around the smooth roll of paper, and pulled it out to run the sticky-sweet smell under his nose.

Blinding light railed through the opening door and he looked over, squinting, to see a tall silhouette.

Damn. He dropped the joint back into his pocket as Isaac walked over and joined him on the makeshift bench. Silent.

Jake’s eyes swept the stark wall in front of him, over all the tiny cracks and holes letting in shards of light that cast a pale glow across the dirt floor.

The loft. Immediately, his gaze fell to the rickety wooden ladder in the corner.

Kasz had stepped to the first rung and told him to wait for her to climb up, just in case. They’d both known it would hold, but she’d also known how much he’d enjoy her ridiculously short skirt on the way up.

A layer of golden-honey straw had blended with the strands of hair that haloed around her head. Unstained pine boards had creaked and groaned under them. She’d joked about all the splinters she’d get. Had there been any, he’d have happily pulled them all out.

It had happened only seven weeks ago, but it may as well have been a lifetime.

Isaac shifted next to him and straw rustled through his memories, jolting him back to the dark and emptiness that surrounded.

“Just came to say I’m sorry, Jacob.” With a slap to Jake’s back, Isaac stood and shuffled across the hard-packed dirt. “I’ll leave you alone to your thoughts.”

“Isaac?” Jake said as the man reached out for the door.

Isaac turned, wordless.

“Kasia said,” Jake cleared the dust from his throat. “She’s convinced it was a boy.”

“I’m sorry, son.” And Isaac was gone in a blurry haze of light.

Musical Monday

2010-09-27T06:09:00.015-04:00

I've decided to do something different with my blog. I am following a schedule. Sometimes*. (See side bar for disclaimer.)

My main goal with Musical Mondays is to just get the creative juices flowing. Lately I've felt like I'm trapped in one dimension - the one where I have to figure out what is going to make Kasia stronger, and give my beginning more oomph. And, frankly, I need something new once in a while, a little spice.

I've blogged often about how music impacts my writing. I hear a song and I write a story (well, usually just a scene) in my head. Or I read something and instantly a song, that fits it, leaps to mind. Just how my brain works. Well, I thought, why not combine things a little in the old blog.

So, on Mondays* (see side bar for disclaimer) I will turn on the mp3 and hit skip 5 times. Whatever comes up, will be my song of the day. I will open Word, write a quick scene, and post it. Expect a rough draft people. Some scenes will be rougher than others. Sometimes they will have to do with my WiPs or characters in the WiPs, sometimes not. Who knows? Not I. And, I will warn you, if you are sick of Incubus - you may want to stay away on Mondays - they hold 70 spots of 300 on the mp3. Odds are pretty good for my Brandon's incredible words.

Of course, today being my first go, my mp3 was not easy on me. This is one of my favorite "new" bands, and his voice is amazing. Here goes:

"I will not not bow, I will not break
I will shut the world away
I will not fall, I will not fade
I will take your breath away

And I'll survive, paranoid
I have lost the will to change
I am not proud, cold-blooded fake
I will shut the world away"

~Breaking Benjamin, I Will Not Bow

Over the Edge

Hunter slammed the door of the small bedroom behind him. What did they know, anyway? Chris maybe hadn’t been able to keep control on his shit, but he could. He didn’t need the pills. They were just recreation. Something to take the tension out of…of everything.

He flopped onto the uncomfortable hallway bunk. If they’d just leave him alone he’d be fine. He pulled the curtain closed and flicked off the dim overhead light. The relentless drudgery of touring kept him on edge is all. Nothing more.

Finally, he closed his eyes and, after a while, his arm slid to his side, body grew weightless, floating off to peace.

The recollection of those soft brown curls bouncing against his throat yanked him out of anything resembling peace. Hunter thrust his body upward, feet swinging over the edge and landing on the floor. He ran his hands, hard, over his face.

He never should have done it.

Even with eyes open, staring into a dark curtain, he still pictured her clearly. Dark shiny eyes had beckoned to him. And that barely there curve of a smile--she’d seduced him. This was her fault. The curtain nearly came off the track as he jerked it aside.

He ground his fists against his thighs then stood, making it to the kitchen area in three long strides. He reached up and pulled open the cabinet above the fridge, feeling around behind the extra tins of coffee.

Nothing. His heart raced.

He shoved aside a box of cereal and knocked over a bottle of olive oil. Not there either. Sweat wet his hairline and pins and needles danced on his arms.

Christ, focus.

He groped along the edge of the smooth wood, all the way to the back, and felt it. The stack of plastic cups. He let out the breath he’d been holding and lifted the cups. At the exact moment he realized there was nothing underneath them, the hairs on the back of his neck stood, and a cold chill ran down his damp skin.

Hunter turned, slowly, head down, and his gaze drifted up her long legs. He stopped at waist level, unable to take his eyes off her clenched fist. It didn’t matter. He knew her deep blue eyes watched him, unwavering. Her disappointment weighted the air around him, making it difficult to breath.

“Looking for something?”

He tried to look away, be nonchalant, but the bottle peeked out from between her fingers, teasing. He blinked hard.

“Give them to me.”

Hey. It's Me.

2010-09-20T06:55:00.002-04:00

I'm still alive.

Will I ever get to
To where it is that I am going?

For about 9 weeks it felt like I would not. But I arrived home in time to send my kids back to school. Ahh.

I take a look around
It's evident the scene has changed.

Unfortunately, my computer is what changed. Dead as a door nail (what is a doornail, and is it one or two words?). DOA. Luckily, after a scare, I found out my hard drive was alive and I recovered lots of good stuff. Mostly to do with writing - folks BACK your sh!t up. Often.

And, yes, it seems I'm going nowhere
Really fuckin' fast, nowhere fast

I had to make do with the laptop from somewhere around the Paleozoic Era. The same lovely thing I had to accompany me on my trip. After a few weeks of 2-3 minute page-load times, I had given up the blog, so starting it up again was not an option until I had something I could work with.

If the wind blew me in the right direction, yeah
Would I even care? I would, I would, I would

Alas, after piecing together my leftovers with two other towers friends gave me, I have something usable. Phew.

I guess it's possible
That I have been a bit distracted

Sure, that has been part of the absence, too. For most of the summer ROULETTE suffered greatly. However, in the past month, I have edited 5 Really Important Chapters. Go me. I have two more to go. Then I have decided the beginning needs to be revised in a big way. A big Stake Raising way. It's okay. Better to realize it now, than after I'd sent it out, right?

I will do my best to put some focus here, but it's likely I will be around only once or twice a week. I missed my bloggy friends, though! Oh, and grr. I had to turn my word ver back on due to the ridiculous amount of spam coming to my mailbox. Sorry!

Did anyone else have a major writing drought over the _seriously hot_ summer?

Lyrics: Brandon Boyd, Incubus - Nowhere Fast (C'mon did you all really think I'd make my comeback Incubusless? Pshaw.

Rules and Definitions

2010-07-23T15:24:00.000-04:00

Do not use exclamations to show excitement.
Semicolons break up the flow.
Adverbs pave the road to hell.
Adjectives are too much tell.

Knowing this why do I defy
Because my inner voice is yelling...

ex·cla·ma·tion point
punctuation for exclamation: a punctuation mark (!) used after an exclamation or interjection, and sometimes after a command

sem·i·co·lons
punctuation mark: a punctuation mark (;) used to separate parts of a sentence or list and indicate a pause longer than a comma but shorter than a period

ad·verb
modifier of verb or adjective: a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or a sentence, e.g. "happily," "very," or "frankly"

ad·jec·tive
word describing noun: a word that describes or qualifies a noun or pronoun

Get out from under them
Resist, unlearn, defy

I wonder why anyone bothered to invent these parts of speech. Maybe so students would have more to diagram in English class.

Okay, I do know the reasoning behind not overusing these things. Just in a snarky mood. Still mad at my internet connection (4 more weeks. Crap.), and now Tropical Storm Bonnie is keeping me locked up in a small space with two bored 8 year olds. Eek.

Lyrics: Brandon Boyd, Incubus. Out From Under

Blogfest of Death

2010-07-18T05:01:00.005-04:00

This one is being hosted by Tessa at Tessa's Blurb. It's all about killing off a character. Since I already had a scene doing just that, I decided to jump in. Follow the link and check out all the death...

**edited for copyright content

Bobbing and Writing

2010-07-12T06:08:00.003-04:00

So, as I sit day in and day out watching the surfers bob in the ocean, waiting for the next wave to come (which can be a pretty long time in FL), I marvel at their patience. Something I seriously lack, more and more by the day lately. Seems like it would be boring. They go with the swells, up and down, up and down. Then, finally, a wave will come. Surfer paddles fast, gets to his feet on the board, rides it sideways for about 10 feet (if they're lucky) and then squats back down to the board (told ya - small waves down here- unless there's a huricane and then you see hoards of surfers at the beach). Lots of tedium for a couple seconds of fun.

Wait a minute. Isn't that pretty much what I do day in and day out at the computer? My WiP's on the screen and I sit and stare at the blur of words. Hoping beyond hope for that burst of inspiration. When it hits, my little fingers type, type, type. Then the momentum dies down and I paddle back out and wait for the next wave.

Right about now, I think I could use a hurricane. Anyone else having a hard time catching a wave over the summer?

For those of you disgruntled with my non-love of the ocean, I forgot - I do like it sometimes. Especially when the water temp is 85 degrees and it looks like this.

Good thing I'm not a surfer ;-)
Catch ya later dudes.

A Fun July X

2010-07-06T05:40:00.003-04:00

First things first: I'm really missing everyone around here!

I know it seems like I haven't been to your blogs - but I have, I promise. The place I'm staying is a detached apartment [off a house] and all the walls make it hard for the connection to keep steady. I can't tell you how many times I've written out a comment, only to go offline when I hit post. Very frustrating. I think I commented on 15 blogs the other day, and 3 went through. It took over an hour :(

This months exercise at the Comupuserve forum was not only fun, but it gave me a much needed push in the writing arena. Woot. I have done no writing since I've been in FL - until this. (I have only an ancient laptop here and it takes a while for the cursor to catch up to my writing sometimes - only to prove that half of the letters I typed were missed.) This scene jumped out at me and I wrote it down zip-a-dee-do-da - well as zip as this dinosaur would allow. Grr. Anyway, I thought I'd share.

This is about 8 years into Kasia and Jake's marriage - and written solely for the exercise.

Instructions for the X: Character A enters room with Y(object). Character B will stop at nothing to get what A has. End scene at B winning, with devastating consequences for A.

*snip removed by blog owner*

Life's a Beach

2010-06-24T16:17:00.000-04:00

So, my last post had me whining about my hate of the beach. Sticky, sandy, sweaty. It's still all of the above. I did forget about one of its perks, however:

Surfer yum. About 10 of them this morning.

Well, So. Florida is still hot (but so is almost everywhere else right about now). Boca is still full of girls who were designed and sculpted to fit their bikinis instead of the other way around, and 97 year olds still can't drive. I've already almost been side-swiped twice.

But, the kids are having a blast. They've had ice cream everyday - what's not blastful about that?!

My internet connection is worse than I thought, so it's unlikely you'll see me more than once a week - at most. I removed the word ver. a few weeks ago and have been getting a spam a day. From the same place and on the same post (from over a month ago). Really annoying. If it gets worse I'll have to put the word ver. back.

For those of you who emailed about the Bad Boy Blogfest: I thought I scheduled a post for it. Apparently not, and since the laptop doesn't have that WiP uploaded, I can't post it now. But, all those great notes about missing a snip from me really made my day :)

I'm off to friend my new friends. If you don't see me on your list drop a comment in my current post and I'll follow your link from there.

Happy summering. Stay cool :)

Awards and a Quick Hello

2010-06-15T10:07:00.002-04:00

My crazy life continues. I am in the midst of getting the house and family ready for a two month excursion. That's where I've been hiding if any wondered.

It was completely unexpected, but I've had a little better than a month to plan for it. Still. It's not somewhere I really want to be going (back to Boca Raton for the summer - I'm pretty sure almost 30 years of my life was more than enough spent there. Blech.) Regardless, it is what it is. We are going. And the kids will love the beach, the pool, Mickey and the new Harry Potter area at Universal. I'll suck it up and be the adult - though I hate doing that (being an adult, I mean).

I hate the beach, too. Hate. It. Lived a mile from it my entire life and went as infrequently as possible. Mostly at night for parties in my teen years. We'll be staying less than a quarter mile from it and I know the kids will want to be there all the time. Suck it up, remember. Of course, the oil may come and I won't have to suck anything up cause nobody is sucking all that oil up :(

Of course, all that jumble means I will be pretty obscure around here until September. Yes, September!! I will really miss all of you. I'll check in from time to time, have a few posts scheduled already, and will comment on your blogs whenever I get the chance.

I've received some awards, and it's time to unhoard them before I go.

The remarkable and talented JP at Where Sky Meets Ground (isn't that a great name?) has given me the Journey Award. It means a lot coming from him. Thanks JP.

I'm going to pass the Journey Award to:

The Alliterative Allomorph
Spunk on a Stick
Writing in the Wilderness
Musings of a Moonlight Writer
Piedmont Writer
Southern Princess
Sharp Pen/Dull Sword
Cruising Altitude
...and this time concentrate
Portia Sisco

Okay, I admit, I'm going to cheat on this next one. I received the Versatile Blogger Award from Will Burke - another seriously great blog name - Fatherhood and Other Common Terrors. Thank you Will!
Rules: Thank the person that awarded you. Offer 7 tidbits about yourself. Pass it on to 15 people. Let them know you did.
I am short on time (laundry beckons!) so I am going to have to skip the links for this one (cheat, cheat, cheat). I apologize! Here are my 7 facts:
1. I hate the beach (see, I'm a cheater)
2. I would rather swim with sharks than fold laundry.
3. Packing doesn't bother me, but unpacking is tedious.
4. I'm more excited than the kids about going to Disney World!
5. I get horrifically seasick, but can't wait to get back out on the boat (guess the ocean's good for something after all)
6. Somehow, I have been married 17 years as of a couple days ago. Uh, I got married at 10. Yeah, that's it...!
7. Even though I'm a super-strict parent and nitpick on my kids way too much, I know I have two of the best kids in the world. I could go on forever, but suffice it to say, my kids rock.

Have a great summer everyone. I will say hi when I can!

Kindness, Friendship and Good Deeds

2010-06-10T09:11:00.000-04:00

I hadn't planned on posting today, but this story deserves to be relayed.

I've mentioned the Compuserve Forum before; it's an incredible place where I have learned heaps of writing lessons, and skill. Not all that long ago a long-time and vauable member informed us that her [once in remission] cancer had returned. She was moving with her beloved cats back in with family. Her biggest worry was over her cats: how they would adjust; what would happen if she didn't make it this time...

Unfortunately a few weeks ago, she passed away. Through her close friend, word got to the forum that one of her cats hadn't found a home. Likely, it would be sent to a shelter and, being quite old, would probably meet an untimely death.

This is where the title of my post comes in.

A forum member who lives in FL (the cat is in CA) offered to take in the cat if the friend could find a way to get it to her. Another forum member from CA offered to fly cross-country with the kitty! Through an unbelievable series of events (and a 300+post thread) enough money/air miles were donated to fly the member and cat first class to deliver it to its new home.

Now, I know there are people out there who will be thinking: It's just a cat. And an old one at that. But, it's not about the cat. It's about Lauri, the woman who passed away, and her character. A character so beautiful that people are willing to go above and beyond to help her even after her death. I am truly overwhelmed by the love and generosity displayed in this situation.

Musical Chairs

2010-06-09T09:16:00.000-04:00

If you haven't checked out Chimera Critique's Musical Chairs contest: Do it! I could play this game for weeks on end. But, this one ends Thursday - with a $25 iTunes gift card for the winner.

I have some other great contests and blogfests linked on my sidebar. If you have one you want me to add, drop a line in comments and I'll be happy to give you a shiny new link over to the left.

So far, I've played Musical Chairs with 2 of my favorite bands. Any guesses? C'mon, I know you have at least one...

The other? Easy-peasy.

Company and Television

2010-06-07T06:35:00.002-04:00

No, I didn't drop off the face of the earth. I spent last week cleaning for an impromptu visit from my father. Not that he would be horrified if my house wasn't spotless, but he is highly allergic to dogs. I have two dogs, one a black lab, quite possibly the highest shedding dog in the universe (but also the best). So I spend a lot of time vacuuming and cleaning the carpets and blinds and every nook and cranny where dog hair hides. My poor dad still spends his visits sneezing and itching; however, it doesn't deter him from driving 10 hours every couple months to see his grandkids :)

Micki and her twins

Well, when Dad comes he sometimes brings my grandfather. He did this time. Now Grandpa is getting up there (90!), so it's nice that he can still travel - and wants to. But, Grandpa's hearing isn't the best. And Grandpa loves television, especially skimming through the channels for hours on end. If he's not watching his 5th round of the news. Yanno, in case the weather has gone up or down one degree in the past half-hour *pulling hair*.

I am not a TV fan. Not even close. I can count on my fingers the hours of TV I've watched this year - most of that because the kids have wrangled me into watching something with them (Hannah Montana's final season is sure to be a tear-jerker). So, you can imagine listening to it at near-full volume is not my heart's desire. I swear by the time they leave from a visit I am ready to toss a brick through the ridiculously large television taking over my family room.

My point. Who knows? - the tv is blaring and I can't think...Oh! right. I had two blog posts planned for last week that I never got around to writing. Now I can't concentrate on writing anything. No really, I have no idea if any of this makes sense. And I can't even wait until they go to bed, 'cause they are up watching until at least midnight (right under my bedroom, of course, so that I can hear it even in my dreams).

They leave tomorrow, but it's the kids last week of school so I will be writing like mad and spending two half days at school for end of year stuff. Just thought I'd let everyone know I haven't abandoned my blog. I'll be back, muwahahahaha...

In the meantime, if you haven't stumbled across Roh Morgan, take a peek. Roh shares my love of music (same music at that) and writes much like I do, around songs. Check out this post of total awesomeness from Roh.

Hello to my new friends! If I haven't followed you yet, please drop a hello into my comments and I will track you down.

Killing Time

2010-05-26T05:16:00.001-04:00

If I could save time in a bottle...

After midnight, we're gonna let it all hang down.

At 1 AM she's just waiting like a shadow.

I get in from work at 2 AM.

It's 3 AM and I must be lonely.

It's 4:03 and I can't sleep without you next to me.

It's 5 o'clock and we tell ourselves, "We need to get home! The sun is creeping overhead again!"

There's something special 'bout 6 o'clock, when it's still too early to knock.

7 am the garbage truck beeps as it backs up.

It's been 8 o'clock for years.

It's 9 o'clock in the morning, you've been this way before.

Like an addict, 10AM automatic.

11 am, by now you would think that I would be up.

12 pm and my dusty telephone rings.

I'm just being silly, playing with some lyrics. After listening to Shinedown's 'If You Only Knew' (It's 4:03...) today, it dawned on me that quite a few songs have time in them. I rounded up a bunch I could think of and looked up the missing times.

I try very hard not to put too specific of a time stamp on my WiP's. I prefer to give a general time frame with subtle descriptions. How about you, do you prefer dating your WiP?

Awards and Love

2010-05-24T05:25:00.002-04:00

Wow, that dialogue blogfest was amazing - and huge! It took my the entire week to finish getting through, but I made it. Some of the links were broken or the person didn't end up participating, and there were a few I went back to that I had commented on and my comment was gone - I re-commented in those cases. However, if you didn't get a comment from me, it was blogger, I pinky swear :)

Thank you all for the comments on my piece. It made my day to read each and every one of them. I picked up quite a few new followers, too. Welcome to my little corner of Blogville newbie friends. I am astonished that I have over 150 followers!

On the flip side, I ignored my old friends something terrible while I busy reading lots of dialogue. I'll be spotty around here - probably through the summer - but I will stop by both old and new hangouts whenever I get the chance.

I received that delicious award from the delectable DL over at Crusing Altitude. DL rocks, and so does his blog. DL is also having a blowout contest for having reached 300 followers! I didn't see any instructions attached on his blog, so I'll just pass it on to a few friends. How do I choose? I have so many sweet and kind friends on here! And I'm sure some of these bloggers already have it, but they deserve it again...

Susan Fields - I feel like I have my own personal cheerleader every time I read one of her comments. She's a great writer and has an awesome blog.

Summer - She is just plain sweet. Her blog is upbeat and fun - a great place to visit.

Amalia T - I love Amalia's stories. Each time I read a snippet it's like reading a mini story all in one. So great. And she leaves pretty great comments for me, too.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week.

"Let's Talk"

2010-05-18T05:04:00.010-04:00

Day two of the week an already another blogfest. This will probably be my last for a while. I love them a little too much, and I am going to have to slow way down on blog time to concentrate on the finishing touches of my WiP. My aim is to get it out before the end of June.

So, the "Let's Talk" Blogfest is being hosted by Roni at Fiction Groupie. It's all about dialogue. (I heart dialogue.)

This scene is from Roulette, and I have choppped it for the purposes of this fest (sorry if it reads choppy!). Trying to keep it down to the dialogue. It's the middle of the night after Jake and Kasia's first time (Kasia's first time altogether), and this scene got the axe from the WiP, but I liked it too much not share somewhere.

Roulette

     I tried to pay attention to the planets and constellations as Jake pointed them out, but the gentle lapping of the ocean onto the shore, and the warmth of his body around mine, lulled me to the edge of sleep.
     "You okay?" He tucked a wisp of hair behind my ear.
     "Mmm." I snuggled deep, nose nuzzled into his neck. "Tell me about your first time."
     The vibrations of a silent chuckle echoed against my shoulder.
     "You're not every girl I've ever met." He let out a muffled snort. "Hell, you're not any girl I've ever met."
     I removed my nose from his warmth and tilted my head to look into his glittering baby-brown's.
     "Reason 9,034 that I love you," he said.
     "All this time and you've only gotten to 9,000?" I mimicked Klara's pout-lip move.
     This time he laughed out loud, prompting a bird from a nearby palm to flutter away.
     "No, that's just all I can put my finger on - so far."
     "Stop avoiding."
     "Right." His eyes grew dark, scanning the ocean for a long moment, before the fireworks returned to brighten them. "Believe it or not, it was more pathetic than ours." Even lying down he managed his half-shrug. "I promise, I usually have a little more, uh, staying power."
     "Considering how long you've been patiently waiting," I stretched up to kiss the tip of his now-pink nose, "three minutes was impressive."
     More vibrations pulsated my shoulder, then he rolled to his back, hands behind his head. I propped myself with an elbow, as I traced the faint trail of dark curls below his navel.
     "Let me guess…she was tall and blonde?"
     He offered the grin that made me want to smack him and ravage his body at the same time.
     "That easy, am I?"
     "Easy? You made me beg for months before you finally let me have my way with you."
     "Was I right, Kasz?" In one swift motion he rolled back to his side, palm smoothing over the curve of my waist before he firmed its grip and pulled me against him. His now blazing eyes locked into my soul.
     "Entirely." Powerless to look away, I bit hard onto the insides of my cheeks and tried to remember to breathe.
     His own breath warm on my face, he stared into my eyes, wordless, searching for signs I'd retreat inside myself at his serious turn. His soft kiss on my forehead sent chills through my body.
     "The act itself was always purely physical. After, I just felt…I don't know…" he trailed off, running a hand through his wild hair. "Empty."
     Not trusting my voice, I let my fingertips glide up his back, over his shoulder and neck until they reached his lips. My thumb outlined them, drawing a smile across as it moved.
     "Everything's so different with you." His voice was a whisper. "I found my forever."
     I wanted so badly to open my mouth and tell him I understood. But try as I might, the words refused to leave my lips. A gentle finger landed across them, instead.
     "It's enough to know you're trying to say it."
     "Will it hurt if we do it again, do you think?" I asked.
     "Probably. I can wait." The words were sure, but his hope, pressed solid between us, betrayed him.
     "I don't think I care." My hips tilted forward, inviting.
     "Jesus, Kasz." He moved down, our bodies melding into one. "I don't think I do either."
     I dug sharp fingernails into his shoulders. The air squeezed from my lungs as his weight pressed me into the blanket, molding my body into the still sun-warmed sand.
     "I'm sorry," he said.
     "Never be." My words came breathy and uneven; he deserved more of them. "You're mine, too."

***UPDATE***
Since there are SO many people signed up, I am going to start my reading rounds with everyone commenting on mine. I always make sure to read every entry to any blogfest I participate in, so then I will head to the list - but it will take a couple days to get to everyone! Wow, this was a popular one!

A Few of my Favorite Things...

2010-05-17T05:21:00.006-04:00

Arlee Bird over at Tossing it Out has his own sort of blogfest going on today. The Favorite Album Blgofest.
I've often written about my passion for music, lyrics especially, so I decided to join.

My list is by no means what I consider the best albums of all time, just some of my favorites - for various reasons. Nor is the list in any particular order. I only thought of eleven (instead of fifteen), though I could go on forever.

1.) Madonna - Madonna. Yeah I went there. This was the borderline of my pre and early teens. I used to wear the clothes, the gloves, had the exact same horrible hair (only mine was natural, both in color and curl ;) ). And every time I skated onto the ice at my fave hangout, the DJ kicked up Lucky Star for me.

2.) The Grease Soundtrack - Mostly makes the list because, I swear I wore this record out. (Yep, I said record.) And, I still have the CD in my car changer on most days. I know, I'm hopelessly devoted.

3.) Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon Because, no all-time music list in history would be complete without this one. Anyone who thinks otherwise clearly has brain damage.

4.) The Beatles Anthology - Yep. All three. Cause Hey Dude!, how could I pick one actual album originally recorded by the Fab Four? Don't go startin' a revolution about it.

5.) John Lennon, Double Fantasy - This was a cassette form, but I wore it out, too. Another that graces my CD changer often. I can see I'm losing you, no worries, I'm moving on.

6.) Led Zepplin, How the West was Won - This one may be a little too personal to share. Let's just say it involves, candlelight and romance. Try it; it's like climbing a stairway to heaven.

7.) Incubus, Make Yourself - It's a privilege to listen to this stellar album. Pardon me, but there could be consequences if you don't agree. If you haven't crawled out from under your rock and listened: make yourself.

8.) Incubus, Morning View - Is there an echo in here? Ahhhh, step under my umbrella, it's nice to know you. Warning: I'm about to gush. Brandon, the lyrical genius of my heart. Mike, guitar master extraodinaire. Let's not forget Kill, who brings it together with a saweet touch. Have you ever loved something too much to even explain its appeal? Okay, my love of all things Incubus is not just a phase, but I feel like I'm going in circles here. Are you in?

9.) The Essential Heart - Now that I've finished gushing about my magic man, Brandon, (god, if looks could kill - I tell ya), I feel I can move straight on to the next fave. These sisters kick ass, and make it look like it's nothin' at all. From the unchained melody Nancy rips on her guitar, to the chills I get every single time I hear Anne's voice kick it out - oy, they rock my world. Never out of my CD changer. Evah.

10.) Jewel, Pieces of You - This girl doesn't play foolish games. Not only can she write beautiful poetry, but she can sing it. Who's your daddy?

11.) Billy Joel, greatest Hits - Whew. No pressure or anything. This isn't just one of my faves - it's up there on all-time albums, period. The piano man is not only the entertainer of a lifetime, but a total big shot.

12.) Green Day, Dookie - From Billy Joel to burnout, Billy Joe. What can I say? I'm coming clean. this album is serious fun - and they put on a sweet live show!

13.) The Cure, Galore- It's a ride down Fascination Street as Robert Smith sings his wife a lovesong like no other. This album is just like heaven. Hot hot hot, even.

14.) The Eagles - I'd be a witchy woman if I said I could really only pick one album from these guys. I can't tell you why, but this is one of my all-time favorite bands.

15.) NIN, Pretty hate Machine - Ah. We come to my blog's namesake. The only time I'd ever heard anything like Nine Inch Nails was, well, never. Trent Reznor broke so many barriers with this album (and his follow-ups) it should be a sin, really. It would be a terrible lie to say I'm not sanctified when I listen to this album. After all, Trent said it best: there's nothing quite like the feel of something new.

WOW! I not only hit 15, but I have about 4 others that could have made the list - and that's just off the top of my head! But, I'll pass; it's seriously late and I have to get up to take the kiddos to school in the morning.

Thank you, Arlee. This was awesome-fun!

R-rated song coming up. You've been warned.

Tag - I'm It

2010-05-14T09:53:00.006-04:00

I have been tagged by both the lovely Alyson from May Day Writer and the fabulous Anne over at Piedmont Writer. I'm thrilled ot have met them both through this online writer's blogolovosphere :) Now, I'm a total slacker, so it's been a while and they've probably forgotten. Well, here it is in any case...

Where were you five years ago?

1.) We'd just moved to NC and I was enamored by it. Still am.
2.) Loving being able to spend the days at the zoo, park, museum, with my 6 wonderful friends - all with twins, and one set of triplets+1. Yeah, we got asked a lot if we were a pre-school.
3.) We'd pretty much gotten rid of all household things when leaving FL, so even a year in, I was still trying to decorate!
4.) At any given time, hiking in the beautiful montains of NC.
5.) Pulling my hair out with two 3 year olds ;)

Where do you want to be 5 years from now?

1.) Right here, baby.
2.) Published
3.) Probably wishing I were back to pulling my hair out over two 3 year olds, as opposed to, you know, two almost teenagers!
4.) In my garden, planting the summer veggies.

5.) Driving around in my Viper

What is on today's To-Do list

1.) Check my fave blogs
2.) Critique for my group
3.) Wii Fit
4.) Help out in Baby B's class with a project
5.) Get chapters 10-12 ready to uploaded to my crit group for skewering ;)
(Cleaning really should be on that list, but my kids are trying to save up moolah for Disney spending this summer. I'll let them do that dirty work over the weekend...muwahahahaha!)

What are your favorite snacks? (Hm. not a huge snack person. My in between meal stuff, I guess...)

1.) yogurt with granola
2.) grapes
3.) dried fruit of any kind!
4.) pretzels
5.) cheese

(Okay, that all looks so damn healthy written out - why do I need to lose weight?! Oh right, the curse of the Hoishik hips, grr.)

What would you do if you were a billionaire?

1.) Something I haven't yet shared here: my daughter has Cystic Fibrosis, so an awful lot would go to finding a cure.
2.) Donate lots more to the Make Yourself Foundation. An incredible charity that donates around communties to all sorts of needs.
3.) Buy my Viper
4.) Live here:

and here

5.) Hire someone to do all my technical computer stuff (like figure out how to make the words where I want them) so I didn't want to toss the damn thing out the window every day. (Why can't I make this stupid blog do what I want it to do!?)

I would like to hear from the boys around the blog world. Er, men. Sorry. As hubby would say (to the boy reference): Feel again. (I know guys are less apt to participate in these things, and if you don't want to, I will be in no way offended. I get it.)

DL at Cruising Altitude
J.P. at Where Sky Meets Ground (JP is super busy, so we may not here from him for a bit.)
Eric Trant at Digging with Worms
Andrew Rosenberg at The Write Runner
Slam Dunks
Roland Yeomans at Writing in the Crosshairs
Editing to add Alex J. Cavanaugh I don't know how I missed Alex (thought you got away, didn't ya? Though, I think you've been tagged for this already...)- he's awesome! Check him out :)

And, if I have forgotten any of my fellow manly bloggers, please jump aboard - I'd love to learn more about you :)

So, now I've pretty much eaten up all my blog time doing this post (which is why I usually do it the night before, ugh. I'm way to lazy to proof and edit all this so ignore my typos. I am off to work out, shower and head to school...

Internal Conflict Blogfest

2010-05-12T05:20:00.004-04:00

The Alliterative Allomorph is hosting the Internal Conflict Blogfest. Check out the other participants through that link. I'm betting this will be a superb one!

I'm doing something a little different this go round. I do monthly writing exercises at the Compuserve Forum and am going to use the one we did for December. It was an SOC (stream of conscious) exercise, probably one of my favorite X's of all time. This is very much in the moment, no real sentence structure, grammar not so great. But the two scenes this brought about - I love.

The first SOC is MC Kasia; the second, her husband Jake. At this point in time they are having some major internal conflicts - both about her job in the FBI (dealing with sex traffickers), but in a different ways.

Kasia -

Boots. Next time I am wearing boots, not sneakers. My toes are numb for Gods sake. It's so damn cold here. And dark. Why did this have to be the middle of winter, in the woods, in Russia? You could be at a stadium right now. Warm, watching your hot husband amaze thousands of people. What were you thinking? It's hard to run in all these clothes. So many trees. God if I don't run us smack into a tree before we make it to the car I'll be lucky. So dark. Come on Natasha, keep up girl. So short, her legs make her slow. God, if I have to...Shit. Where is the sob? More important where's the gun pointed. Her. I see you now sob. You've got it pointed at her. Where are you [P]. Handel didn't pick you for me because you're a bad partner. Yeah, like I'm gonna drop my gun. Keep dreaming sob. Self preservtion is drilled into us. I have to come first, no way I'm losing the gun. I have a job to do whether she lives or dies. Short, she's short. You can't let her die and you know it. The gun''s pointed at her head. Do it now Kasia. Oh God. Jake's gonna be pissed. If I live, he is going to kill me for this. I've got at least a foot on her and he definitely has it pointed at her head. I have a jacket she has nothing. Jake's going to freak. Please let me live for him to freak. Where the hell are you [P] Shoot him. If I die, Jake will kill you instead. You know if he had a clear shot he'd have taken it. Calm down, he's here. He always here. Best partner ever. She's short, definitely enough difference. Do it now, and if [P's] here, and your lucky, he'll get his shot off first. Ouch. Sh!t. Oh my god. That hurt, that really fuckin' hurt. But I'm good, I was right. And that sob is dead. [P] got him. I knew he would. Would have been nice if he got his shot off first. This is going to leave a huge mark. Jake is going to kill me.

Jake -

I'll pretend it didn't happen. But it did. Jesus, she could be dead. How many times I have I said that to her. When will I be enough. I would have killed him for you, do you know that? I am the man that you want me to be, but I don't know how much longer I can be. It's so hard. I'm not that weak. I'm not that strong. Dead—for real dead. This is the only time she's all mine. Here, now. I can keep her safe now. But Isaac will call, there's always another girl. Damn Isaac. Damn Luka. Damn all of those girls. Everyone needs her. I need her. She's mine. Some isn't enough. She knows me too well, owns me. Knows exactly what to give me, what to say to make it all go away. I will own her. One day she'll let me. But not until they go away. They need her. I need her. All of her. Mine. She could be dead. But she can't save them all. And I can't protect her. I'm going to give her something to take care of. Something of her own that she can't let go. Proof. One day. She's going to let me. She has to. I need her more. I'm home. She's so warm. Alive. This time.

Payback Starts out as a B...

2010-05-08T05:43:00.005-04:00

This is the follow-up scene to yesterdays bad girl blogfest post. Thanks to Andrew for hosting it. I love my bad girl, Chloe, and her badder boyfriend, Jess.

*snip removed by blog owner*

Bad Girl Blogfest

2010-05-07T06:05:00.008-04:00

The only bad girl I have is from my first, and very unedited novel, Driven. But the Bad Girl Blogfest sounded to fun to pass up.

Warning: Chloe has grown up at the race track and her mouth is not sweet ;)

*snip removed by blog owner*

Lettuce, Peas and Carrots...Oh My

2010-05-06T05:39:00.001-04:00

Whew was it hot yesterday. Not the first hot day we've had, but the first I needed to spend in the garden whilst this warm.

I'd neglected the poor garden too much already; then came vacation. While we were away it rained, and somehow when it rains around here the weeds grow six inches overnight. Lots of weeding to be done.

I'm sure my neighbors all think I'm completely nuts. Not only do I recite lines from my WiP aloud (it's very helpful, especially if I'm stuck on a particular passage), but I talk to all the critters and the plants. I apologize if I accidentally pull up a tiny lettuce plant with a weed, I tell the spiders they are more than welcome to creep across my toes as long as they don't stop for a nibble and, I plead with the ladybugs to hang out and enjoy snacking on the aphids. I suppose it's a good thing the garden is set so far back in the yard!

Yesterday, I went a step further (and wondered for my own sanity). I connected my gardening to my writing.

First, I compared the slow growing plants to my editing process. Slow, maybe, but with the promise of a healthy bounty. Then, while yanking those pesky weeds from the midst of the lettuce, I started calling them adverbs.

Ha! You there, adverb (weed), tangling your roots with my verb (lettuce), you think I can't use my sharp fingernails to cut you down. I will. And then my letuce (verb) will grow stronger, healthier - take over the entire plot. Muwhahaha

I know. I warned you - I've lost it.

Am I the only crazy who can make a writing comparison with pretty much everything I do in my daily life?

Last Line Blogfest

2010-05-01T06:29:00.000-04:00

Here is my contribution to the Last Line blogfest, hosted by Lilah Pierce.

From Roulette, it's short, but not so sweet.

Something seemed vaguely wrong about that statement, but spots floated overhead as the ceiling faded in and out. In the distance I heard angry epithets in Polish, and male grunts, but felt no more pain.

In fact, I felt nothing: no pressing weight from above, no hand over my neck. Death was going to come peacefully.

Or maybe it already had.

I apologize up front; I'm out of town (completely--blissfully--internetless), and I will not be able to read through and comment on everyone's snips. I hate to miss them!

Music, Sweet Music

2010-04-29T06:45:00.003-04:00

I am unplugged and out of town. This is a repost. I have a blogfest scheduled for Saturday, but this one and that are all anyone will hear from me until Monday. Have a great weekend everyone.

I've blabbed on before about music, but I'm in the mood again. I love it. And sometimes, it's the absolute simplicity of a lyric that makes it sheer genius. Remember the line I quoted from Steven Stills?

Nobody's right, if everybody's wrong.

Simple. Genius. Of course, it doesn't have to be a great song to have a genius lyric. Case and point:

You make me come.

You make me complete.

You make me completely miserable. --Lit (while relationship is not what I take away from the song in its entirety, those lines sure make great relationship read)

Sometimes it is a great song:

Remember when you procrastinate you choose last. -- Incubus (rare to find anything simple in their lyrics!)

>>>>

~ * ~ * ! * ~ * ~ !

Oh sorry, lost me for a minute. I was picturing Brandon in a silly hat.

Ahem. Lyrics. Simple. Genius. Right. Is it hot in here?

A band full of gems:

Life's a journey, not a destination. -- Aerosmith

Why yes, yes I could go on forever.

Here's an excellent question; I know many a girl who should have pondered this one at one time or another (Who me? Why do ask...):

You say he's a liar and he put out your fire

How come you still got his gun in your hand? -- Eagles

Maybe the best relationship advice of all time:

Sometimes to keep it together, we got to leave it alone. -- Eagles (I could pull a line from almost all of their songs!)

Here's a man who doesn't lie:

I don't want you to be true

I just wanna make love to you -- Muddy Waters

Is there any other way to end this other than the most simplyrific awesomest genius lyrics ever?

Imagine all the people, living for today

Imagine all the people, living life in peace

Imagine all the people, sharing all the world -- John Lennon

It's a Small World

2010-04-28T05:52:00.013-04:00

Some places are smaller than others. I have a medium to large home, lots of space for me and the kiddies to collect clutter and leave crap lying about. Other people aren't so lucky. They need to utilize every last molecule of space. Really make it count.

Take Gary Chang, and architect from Hong Kong, for instance.

Now that's the best use for space I've ever seen, seriously. Wow.

I guess that makes us architects of writing. I mean, we need to get a whole lot accomplished in our words. Sometimes more than a publisher gives us space for. So we have to make our words aerodynamic and ergonomically correct.

With my first novel, I didn't worry about words, wrote till my fingers were like to fall off. (They didn't, don't worry). I ended up with a simple romance that was, take a breath people...175,000 words. Holy yikes is right. After getting acquainted with some great websites for writers, I tightened that baby down to about 110k. Then I stuffed it into the bottom drawer of Word. It was my first, after all, best to be buried and forgotten after something better came along.

Something better, the current WiP, stands "finished" at about 90k. This one is a romantic suspense, and has triple the good stuff going on that the first did. But, I made every word count. Or tried my damndest too, at least. Got rid of plenty of pesky had's and that's, ohhh, and lots and lots of those hellish road pavers we writers refer to as adverbs. But, mostly I worked my butt off to use strong verbs and Keep It Simple (I'm not stupid - okay, whose the joker snickering in the back row...).

So how do you KIS (you're not stupid either, my good friends)?

Echo

2010-04-26T08:59:00.000-04:00

In my bloggy absence of late I feel like I've lost touch with a lot of you. I have been doing a quick read of my regular blogs, and commenting sporadically, but still behind.

My blog friends are not the only ones with whom I've lost touch; I can't seem to find MC anywhere either. I can open the WiP and write, or edit, but it feels flat. I did the monthly exercise in the Compuserve forum, and it felt flat. I was pleased that those wo read it in there (who know my MC almost as well as their own at this point) didn't feel that way. They thought I had her voice for the most part.

I wonder, is it even worse that I don't feel her (even reading though it I saw nothing sparkly) and others still do? If my writing becomes forced, not good.

I want something:

"...more subtle than something someone contrives..."

That's the song that started MC on her journey. There are two others that helped me along in her story, and told the male MC's pov. I hadn't listened to any of my Incubus CD's in a while (nobody fall over with shock, please - contrary to my youtube posts here, I do listen to other music). I thought listening might bring some spark; it didn't. I thought leaving the book alone for a while then reading some of my favorite scenes would help; nope again. I thought doing the exercise in Compuserve would be the real kicker. You guessed it, nada.

I'm kinda in a quandry now. So I'll leave it alone for another little while, let some others read through. Maybe their comments will reignite the fire...

Awards, Contests and some Linkage Love

2010-04-20T05:36:00.003-04:00

After all my ranting of the past few posts, I just have some awards to get to today. I'm sure you're all thrilled ;)

From the awesome Shelley Sly, I have received this colorful baby. Thanks Shelley :) Please check out this post by Shelley - it's beyond awesome!

I'm sending this straight to Julie Dao. Love her blog, and today's post was one of my all-time favorite blog posts evah! A great follow-up to Shelley's post above, actually.

I posted this one last week, but got it again from Hannah, Palindrome, aka P-Drome ;) Thanks girl. I'm going to send it along to Summer.

I stumbled upon a conjoined contest this morning:

Stina Lindenblatt
and
Steena Holmes

Have a wonderful day, my bloggy friends.

Tragedy & Sadness

2010-04-19T06:15:00.062-04:00

**If your already having Monday blahs, this is probably not the blog for you today. I hate being a downer, but I just had to get this out of my system. It's terribly sad: contains young death. Read on only if you have to constitution for it.**

My best friend of almost 20 years is a high school teacher in our small town. Friday night a bright beautiful 16 year old student at her school committed suicide.

She had been receiving threatening/bullying texts for over a week from at least two other students. The school had been notified, but took
no action, understandably, since the texts were not sent during school hours. Nothing has been mentioned about her being harrassed in school, but the police are investigating.

This is so sad on so many levels. My heart breaks for her parents; I can't imagine being there. That age will be here for my munchkins before I know it, and it terrifies me. It's so damn hard to be a teenager. They should be the best year's of one's life, but it seems it gets harder with each generation.

I have my ideas and assumptions on what yields this bad behavior. I'll just say it begins at home, and I'll leave it at that. I know in my heart my children have been, and will continue to be, taught to respect themselves, peers, elders and authority.

As angry as I am with the bullies, I also have to feel a little sorry for them. One day they will grow up and realize the full scope of their actions. They will know that they are happily married with two kids, yet one of their former peers will never get the same chance.

I'm angry at the schoolboard (I would guess this is a state issue, not federal?) because one of the kids shouldn't even have been in the school, imo. This person is a 20 year old junior! In FL (or maybe, in my day?) there was a cutoff age, and it was 19. Once you hit that age you were done with school no matter what. And it makes sense. Twenty years olds have no business in a school setting with 13-14-15 year olds.

I'm angry mostly at the government and the fact that they have taken away all ability for the teachers/school administrators to hand down discipline in any form. My BF sits there and watches the kids in her class text away as they ignore her, yet she can do nothing but ask [nicely] that they put away their phones - she's not allowed to take them away. IMO, each class should have a drop box for the phones where the kids place them upon entering.

Even more aggravating to me is the fact that BF says half the time it's the parents texting the kids. You know for important stuff - like asking them to pick up bread on their way home.

Well, now I've gone from sad to pissed off and sad.

The loss of this young life is unfair and unjust.

Hats off to all you teachers out there. I couldn't do it. Unless of course they offer a class on respect. I'd be more than happy to share a ~~ruler~~ lesson on that.

Facebook

2010-04-15T06:05:00.067-04:00

I feel like ranting. I know, we're not "supposed" to do it here. But I don't really follow directions/rules/authority. As a matter of fact, the first thing I do when someone tells me not to do something is pretty much to do it. Hubby figured that out long ago. Can't remember what it was about, but a conversation ensued with him eventually saying: "Why would I tell you no to that? Then you'd be certain to do it." He was right. If someone tells me I can't do something, I will try my damndest to prove them wrong. So take that naysayers!

Who is the authority on all this blogging anyway? I kinda thought the point of blogging was like an online diary, only for all my sneaky younger brothers and sisters of the world to see. Not that you all are younger than me...Ahem!

Blogging is not the gist of my current rant, believe it or not. I will start with a story. It seems off track, but you know be by now. I always have a point (okay just play along) and I always get there. Maybe. Sometimes. Bah.

I realize that my posts have had the ending of a mystery novel chapter. A bad one, and poorly written one. You know, those faint hints of something amiss without the slightest clue to what that something could be. (This will eventually become my rant, follow along if you can).

The last week here has been weird and trying and, well, weird is the best word. I'm still kind of in a floaty shock feeling. Rest assured, I am not plotting anyone's death by poison, I've no plans of running away with the UPS guy, and my car is not being repossessed (kinda hard when it's paid for).

You live day to day; the world spins around, hubby goes to work, bills get paid, groceries get shopped for, dinner gets made, and, if my family is really super lucky, laundry gets done. Rinse and repeat. Then one day that's not what happens.

Disclaimer (pretend this is really tiny writing and read it in a small voice): I will not go into actual details for personal reasons, but I won't be nearly as vague as previous posts.

Instead, hubby goes to work and gets a phone call from an old friend. A friend who left their mundane middle-of-the-road job for bigger and better things. Friend offers these big things to hubby. And it seems to good to be true. Friend sends much proof and makes promises, and hubby has always trusted friend. These big things suddenly become to good to pass up.

It's a scary thing to jump ship from a comfy cabin into the murky waters of what-if in these crazy times. But, we have. So there you have it, no big mystery, hubby got a new job, basically - sort of. And it's scary and exciting all at once.

Haha! We come to the edge of pier. Let's jump in.

You know those Facebook staus updates that annoy the crap out of me? Sure you do. The ones that go something like this:

That's it. I quit. Why is the color orange doing this to me. Please help.
or
That was the meanest thing ever. People suck and life sucks.

What the hell are you quitting, what has Orange done this time, and who is mean dammit? Freaking tell me something. Or don't tell me anything. I don't really care.

It makes me wonder, what do these people hope to accomplish? Because my first thought is...ohhhh, they want all of their friends to jump into comments:

Like, omg, what's up? I hope you're okay.

U k? Please, please say something.

I can come right over, please let me know if soemthing is wrong. I'm so sorry Orange is such an asshole.

I'm totally worried about you. I love you. You're the best ever.

Giant pity party! Blech. I don't do that, I just get pissed at the person. I'm more of a suck it up kinda gal, if you haven't already figured that out by this point. If you need to talk, or rant, go for it. Just let me know what it's about. I'd love to help you through a hard time if I can.

More aggravating is their next post:

Awesome! Lost is on tonight and my BFF is coming over for a girl party. It's been a super day!

What? What! Twenty minutes ago life sucked and you were giving up. What?

I feel so much better, thanks for listening, cause you know, you had no choice and all.

So do these posts annoy you? Does FB in general annoy you? Do you make these posts every day - and if you do, could you pease give me your motivation. Or do I just have PMS?

100...Really? Me? Wow.

2010-04-13T09:26:00.003-04:00

Good morning friends. All 102 of you. I hit the hundred milestone over the weekend. I'm quite in awe, really. And honored. Thank you for joining my writing journey.

I have some awards to hand out, I don't think either have specific instructions, so I'll just get to it.

The adorable Blogger Buddie Award came from the lovely and generous Anne at Piedmont Writer. Thank you Anne :) I'm passing it on to:

Alyson at May Day Writer
Susan Fields
SarahJayne at Writing in the Wilderness
Shelly Sly at Stories in the Ordinary
Lola at Sharp Pen/Dull Sword

The Prolific Blogger Award is from Alyson (see her link above). Thanks so much, Alyson.

That one is for:

Jemi at Just Jemi
Summer at ...and this time concentrate!
Justine Dell

So, the lovely aforementioned Lo lo lo lo Lola is hosting a contest, you know, cause she rocks like that. Stop by and check it out. If you haven't been by her place yet, you'll love it.

Sarah with a Chance is hosting an awesome contest on her blog - winners choose from a list of great prizes, including a 30-40 page critique by Suzie Townsend.

I will continue to be spotty around here for at least this next week most likely. After that, we'll see. Life is weird. Weird and unpredictable.

Bar Scene Blogfest

2010-04-11T05:22:00.025-04:00

This one is hosted by Tara, at t-fouts. I pulled the scene out of my first WiP, Driven. One day I plan on getting back to it. One day. The entire WiP has since been rewritten all in 1st pov (Chloe). This has fun pov jumping and tense jumping. What can I say, it was my first draft of my first novel...

This scene is about 800 words, kinda long - sorry, and comes on the heels of this one. There's also a little background in that link, as well.

*snip removed by blog owner*

2010-04-10T05:39:00.096-04:00

Today we get to do Murder Scene Blogfest, hosted by Anne Riley. This is from the [unwritten] third book of my Roulette series (and is very rough!). Technically, this is murder, but both (surviving) characters you will see are FBI agents - and this guy had it coming. Had someone not shot him first, he'd have killed Kasia without question. Luka has a very personal bone to pick with this guy, and he does it here.

Oh, and yeah, I cheated - if this looks familiar, it's because I posted it a while back.

*snip removed by blog owner*

Drive

2010-04-09T13:42:00.002-04:00

EDIT: Kristi at Random Acts of Writing has a great critique opportunity going on today. She had people submit any two paragraphs from their WiP. She has them posted anonymously for critique/general comments. I'm sure that the authors would be ever grateful for any input. Yes, mine is there, and yes again, anyone who follows my blog regularaly will be able to easily guess which is mine ;)

I hadn't planned on a post today, but something happened to change my mind.

I appreciate each and every comment I get on my blog; I love having my regulars who I feel a sense of friendship with, even though we have never--probably will never--met. So when I came in and saw a new comment on a days old post - someone just dropping in for no other reason than to say : "Hey, what's up girl?" it reminded me that there are genuine people in the world. Sometimes perfect strangers for all intents and purposes.

Things have only gotten more hectic this week. Weirder, really. Bad--no more sad--in some ways, unbelievably incredible in others. I will probably be taking a short trip with possibly no internet connection starting in the next day or two and won't return till mid-week. I have two scheduled posts for the weekend blogfests, but that's it. So if nobody hears from me in their comments, that's why. I haven't abandoned anyone ;)

Lola, thanks for stopping by just to say hi, chickadee. It made me smile. And, just cause you mentioned it, here's something else that makes me smile. Appropriate metaphorically for my life right now, and literally with the upcoming car trip :)

edited to fix link
I didn't think I'd actually get the official video to post...I like this version, too, though he's a little flat.

Blog Blues

2010-04-07T08:54:00.000-04:00

(Seems to be lot of those going around these days.)

My bloggy blues have more to do with Blogger. I've been perusing my buddies as usual this fine morning, even making comments. Thing is, when I hit "post comment" I get an error message. I've given up for now.

Yesterday things in my Real World went quite wonky. Not sure how today's follow-ups will play out, but I probably won't be around very much this week. I have some scheduled posts for the blogfests that are linked on my sidebar, and that may well be all anyone hears from me for the week. We'll see; I can rarely keep my mouth shut that long, so one never knows.

My red tulips opened yesterday - something to make me smile. (Something else that will make me smile: if Blogger allows this post to go through without an error message...)

A Clean Slate

2010-04-05T06:16:00.002-04:00

First and foremost I have to say thank you to everyone who commented on my first page. I had two very busy days and didn't get back in here in time to keep up with the comments, but each and every one was appreciated. I did read everyone's first page and commented - except a few of the links that didn't work. And there were a handful that I tried to comment on, but the comments didn't go through? So, if you didn't get a comment from me, you really did, the blog ate it, I swear ;)

Also welcome to my new friends. I've said it before, but feel it's worth mentioning again, if you are following my blog and I haven't followed you, it's because your little picture doesn't link me back to you. Leave a comment with a link trail and I will happily return the favor :)

I love a clean slate. Especially when it refers to a newly tilled vegetable garden. My FIL tilled a few weeks ago and I got my lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, pole beans and carrot seeds planted. We had a good rain (why it looks flat and not freshly tilled) just after and I'm hoping to see little baby veggies peeking through any day. I still have lots of other seeds to get in in the coming weeks (have a 45x25 area to fill!). And I should be getting asparagus any time now, too. Yum. Yum.

I love flowers. I plant at least fifty new bulbs every year. One day my entire front yard will be tulips and daffodils in the spring. Of course, every year fewer tulips from previous years bloom. But that's okay, my favorites are out in full swing right now. Isn't this the prettiest color:

I even found daffodils with the same interior-ring color:

These grape hyacinths are going to take over the entire world one day! I planted about 20 bulbs, 3 years ago, and they are now growing in thick clumps along the entire front of the flower bed. That's okay - they're gorgeous.

As evidenced above, I am a horrible photographer. I didn't come close to doing these beauties justice. Nothing makes my green eyes greener than those with photographic talent! But, I figure the flowers are pretty enough that everyone will get the gist of it :)

Have a Happy Monday and great rest of the week. Oh, and don't ask why my text is all funky? User error, I'm sure.

First Page Blogfest

2010-04-02T05:20:00.003-04:00

This blogfest, hosted by Kelly Lyman, appears to be a popular one! Lots of fellow bloggers signed up to post their first page.

I've blogged before about how many times I've changed my opening. This is my current (and most likely to go out to the trenches) first page. Genre: romantic suspense.

*snip removed by blog owner*

Clarification

2010-04-01T11:38:00.001-04:00

So, reading through my last blog post and the comments, I see all that I left out of my explanations. I won't go into major detail, but I do want to clarify some things.

What I wrote:
It seems to be that the general public wants to read something that's not only entertaining, but easy, quick. Maybe it goes along with the Fast Food Generation (you can Have It Your Way almost anywhere these days).

What I meant:
Since the books that get a bad rap become best sellers, there is a market for them. General readers do like them. Obviously not everbody, though.

I find it difficult to read any book straight through now that I "know the rules". All the little "broken rules" jump off the page at me. It's sad, really.

I also don't find anything wrong with someone saying (whether in a review or in general) that they didn't enjoy a book for whatever reason. We all have our opinions, some people read only certain genres, some read many. I'm somewhere in between. It's helpful if someone points out why they didn't like a book, it let's me decide if that's something that will bother me or something I don't mind in my reading. And, of course, there's always stuff I love and other stuff I don't care for, regardless of writing style. For me, it's all about character development and a strong plot - in that order.

What I don't care for is the sweeping: How did this person get published? They suck. Not only does that insult the writer, but it insults every reader that doesn't agree.

Anyway, I'm done now. Thanks for the comments, it seems you guys got my point no matter how whack it was ;)

Apparently I signed up for a blogfest that I have no recollection of, lol. I guess that will be tomorrow's post. Also Christine Danek is having a contest for reaching 100 followers -she deserves them.

Editing this in late: I meant to put this in with the other links. Kristi is hosting a great critique contest on her blog. Any two paragraphs - awesome!

I received another award from the awesome SarahJayneSmythe. I think this award was made with her in mind.

I am unsure if this one has rules? But, I'd like to pass it along to: Talli Roland, Susan Fields and my favorite Palindrome, Hannah. There were plenty of others I had in mind, but I know they've received it - more than once in many cases. Really, this is such a supportive community and everyone that comments here regularly deserves this from me- so if you don't have it, and you want it, please take one. But just one, let's not be greedy now. Seriously, thanks to everyone :)

The Warmth

2010-03-30T10:50:00.000-04:00

*Wow, I'm adding a disclaimer at the top of this - if it's jumbled, sorry! In the handful of sentences I've already written below I've had to correct some major words - I mean ones that didn't even belong remotely. My allergies have struck big time and I am also not feeling well in other ways. Medicine doesn't sit well with me, so bring on the loopy ;) And expect nothing witty, possibly not even coherent. But, I'll give you some music at the end to make up for it. Also, I will probably not be around much this week. Spring Break means me and the kiddos will be out and about.

Nathan Brandsford's blog from yesterday really hit home for me. Not because I didn't already know it, but because that's vaguely along the lines of something I've been thinking about lately.

A lot of the recent (some not so recent) bestsellers really get knocked around for their writing. And, by other published authors (which I think is horrible, because they should be backing one another - but that's the nature of people these days :( Okay that's another post and I'm losing my footing...) I won't name names, but I'm sure most of you know the authors I refer to. The gist of what's said is that their writing is not great, doesn't follow the rules (aren't those pesky things made to be broken?), and generally they suck at it.

Okay then. Tell me how they got an agent (and yes, I'm aware one in particular got scooped out of a publishing house slush pile)? How did that agent sell such a crappy piece to a publisher? And, what - movie rights you say?

Here's the thing (I think I'm making a point, but my mind is really wandering here!): It seems to be that the general public wants to read something that's not only entertaining, but easy, quick. Maybe it goes along with the Fast Food Generation (you can Have It Your Way almost anywhere these days). People are busy, they work longer hours, have families, etc., but they still want to read. This is a GOOD thing for all of us struggling writers. We want people to read.

And, if they want quick and easy, who am I to argue. They can read mine. Cause that's how I roll, er, write.

So, if you had to forgo reading the mess above, here's the music I promised.

This one goes along with the previous post about entitlement and DIY. Love this band. Love them.

Of course, I can't forget about the title to my post. And what everyone should remember to experience...

Consequence

2010-03-26T09:30:00.000-04:00

A little bit more on agent blogs, just a little. I'm always amazed to read the agent blog posts about rude people. About the query letters they get that try to threaten or bully them into asking for a partial. Yet another popped up on the Dystel & Goedrich blog yesterday. (If you haven't checked them out, do so. Great agent blog, professional and courteous with a touch of personalization.) After reading posts such as those I'm always temporarily stunned into speechlessness. Very temporarily, obviously.

Mostly, I think, because one of my biggest pet peeves with the world today is people's sense of entitlement. It boggles my mind. No matter who you are, or what your past has been, nobody owes you a damn thing. Get it yourself. Better yet, earn it.

Also, it's just baffling. You know, what happened to that whole...honey than vinegar...thing? I would guess that holds true to anybody, agents included. I certainly don't respond well to demands of any sort. In fact, things can get pretty ugly when that happens.

There will be consequences, I daresay. And consequence is a bigger word than you think...

Ah. Brandon's words always make it better.

Now for my dirty laundry.

So yesterday was a pretty busy day. More gardening, skate night for the kids school. And, oh yeah, cleaning the house a little, very little. Housework is something I try to avoid at all costs. But, there are certain times when it becomes unavoidable.

How does one know when it's reached that point you ask?

A pretty good indication is when your son comes marching down the stairs and hands you a pair of daddy's wet boxer-briefs to put int he dryer. Why wet, you ask? Yes. I asked the same thing. Or rather, yelled it up the stairs. To which hubby replied that he had to hand-wash them in the sink so he had a clean pair for work the next day. Oops. Hints don't get much bigger. But, take notice of how delicately hubby handled that. After almost 20 years together, hubby knows me well.

I had clean underwear, so really, all was good for me. Regardless, some laundry was washed.

That, my fine friends, is why I didn't respond to all the lovely comments on my award post yesterday. So I am thanking you all now.

On that happy note, I'm off. Hope you all have clean undies for the weekend.

More Awards

2010-03-25T05:42:00.028-04:00

You guys are all so great, I'm thrilled to have found this little writing community! I've been hoarding once again, so here we go:

This one is from Office Girl. She is hilarious. If you haven't checked her out, you have to. Seriously!

Lola - with your dress cut down to there, this one's for you.

Another from Anne at Piedmont Writer- she is way too good to me. And, I adore her :) I have to list 10 misc. facts about myself.

1. I have 8 year old boy/girl twins. They are smart, amazing and the lights of my life.
2. Besides a writer, I've wanted to be a singer and an NHL hockey scout. I aim high, people. Of course, singer and scout seem easily attainable compared with being published!
3. I know a lot about cars. A. Lot. More than I ever thought I would, or wanted to, really.
4. I have the best friends in the world. Really, I've blogged about just how awesome they are.
5. Every May we travel to Pa to get together with a group of twin mom's I met online almost 8 years ago. We do an all-day picnic on Saturday and Sesame Place on Sunday. There are usually at least 15 different families, from at least 6 different states. This will be year 7. My family lives around Philly, so we make it our vacation to see them as well.
6. I have the best dog ever. She's a black lab and she understands every word we say to her, I swear. She's so well behaved that, if she's panting loudly after exercise we can tell her shhh and she holds her breath! Don't worry, we don't do it often - especially now that she's getting really old :( I have friends that come over who don't care for dogs and insist they are going to take her home with them.
7. I grew up in Boca Raton, FL and moved to NC about 5 years ago. I will never go back. I don't even have a desire to visit.
8. When we moved, my best friend since high school, her hubby/kids moved here, too. Her parents followed. All told, 15 friends/family members (and their families) have followed us here now!
9. I should be doing a read through on Roulette right now, but this post has taken a ridiculously long amount of time!
10. I found this very difficult. I'm just not that interesting.

Phew! This one is going to Office Girl at Tired but Writing. Can't wait to learn a little bit about her.

From Lola. L-O-L-A. Lola. She's probably going to disown me at this point, but I can't help but start singing every single time I see her around. She rocks, not much more to be said!

This gets passed on to 5 bloggers who "get me". I'm not sure anyone, including myself, gets me. But, I'll do my best.

Rules are simple:
Five Recipients.
Make up something (not too mean) about the people you give the award to.
Link to the people you give it to.
Link back to the original award post here.

1. Deniz, who got the idea for her current WiP from her cats, who tell her what to write while she's asleep. Or so she claims.
2. Aven, who will be soon visiting Scotland with the distinct intent of throwing herself against the Standing Stones in hopes of finding Lollybroch and Jamie.
3. Donna Hole, who used to be a rock groupie and followed the band Poison around on tour.
4. Claire, who has twenty-four pet kangaroos. And one Koala that she trained to attack strangers.
5. Talli Roland, who is highly allergic to toothpaste, so she brushes her teeth with lemon juice and then chews on mint leaves.

This came from Susan Fields. Isn't it gorgeous? Like Susan and her blog. And, really, can't all of us stuggling writers use the reminder of the silver lining?!

I want to pass it along to Anne - I know she has it, but she deserves another. Also for Erin Kuhns, Natalie at The Sound of Rain and Propinquity.

Thanks to each one of you. It's always great to cruise by someone's place and see my name under an award (You like me. You really like me.) They truly mean a lot :)

Agents: Friend or Foe

2010-03-24T05:53:00.003-04:00

Okay, so this is not as fatal as the title implies. But I've been thinking. (Quite scary indeed, no need to say it out loud.)

I'm sure most of my writing buddies out there follow a lot of agent blogs, as do I. There are a couple I don't read so much anymore because pretty much all I see is the same thing over and over: Writers are bad. They do this wrong, they do that wrong, etc.. However, the vast majority can be snappy, fun, informative and pleasant. They infom on rules of queries and submissions, keep us up to date on the publishing world (a hell of scary universe these days), and one of my personal favorites: This Is The Right Way To...

Of course, 3 different agents will have 3 different right ways for the same thing. Definitely have to study up and do query letters individually in a lot of cases now days. You can't just go to the agency site and get that one submission page with blanket info like you used to. A lot of agents also imply they would like something personal in the query to let them know you follow them. Subtly, of course, not just: Hey I know you like carnivals, so here's my novel about a crazy alien clown stalking people on ferris wheels and eating their caramel apples. No. We have to weave it in, because the last drop of my blood shed into the query itself wasn't enough. Gah.

The other thing about those blogs, it's hard not get caught up in the personalization they infer. Agents let us peek at their lives, share jokes, funny stories. Some even go back and forth with people in the comments.

I wonder if that's where some of the comments I see on those agent blogs these days come from? The comments about how people send query letters that are a little too personal, show up at their doorsteps, or send a little gift in the mail of something they read online that that agen likes. Would it creep me out? Yes. Do I blame agents for being creeped out? No.

I prefer things to be closer to the way it used to be - leave the personalization out and keep things businesslike. In the query/submissions, not the blogs.

How many of you want to start your query with:

Yo X! What up, dude? That blog about your dog wearing the tutu and chasing the cat up the tree - OMG. Hilarious. Coincidentally, my novel is about alien clowns...

No Blue Monday Here

2010-03-22T10:57:00.001-04:00

Monday already? My how time flies.

My neighbor caught me one day last week as the kids and I walked home from school.

"So, have Spring fever yet?" she asked.

"Nah. I've been so blah. I have no desire to do anything. Not even garden." Coming from me, this is like a chocolate lover saying they no longer want to eat chocolate.

"Really? I have serious Spring fever. Weather's supposed to be great this weekend."

"Whatever, we'll see."

Well, Saturday morning came, and guess what? It was flippin' gorgeous. Gorgeous. I stood on the deck with my coffee and took some deep breaths. Ahh, spring. Flowers and fresh veggies. Spring Fever has just whacked me upside the head.

I go back inside and look around. Baby B is playing on the computer. Baby A...oh right, outside already.

"Son, get dressed. We're going to Lowe's. Oh, and get your father out of bed. He may be otherwise useless to my garden endeavors with his casted hand, but he can push the cart."

I bellowed out the door for Baby A. My little girl came running out from the neighbors yard, best little friend in tow. So pretty, with the same filthy clothes she'd played in the dirt with the day before, still unbrushed hair and some sort of food smudged on her cheek. She had no idea what it was - she'd eaten 3 waffles and a bowl of cereal for breakfast (the child is quite the eater--skinny-scrawny, but she can put away some food), but it didn't match any of those descriptions. During the interrogation I found out she hadn't bothered to brush her teeth yet either. Nice. Mom of the year, right here.

"I don't wanna go."

"Why?"

At this point, Little Friend runs off.

"You're probably going to Lowe's." Have I mentioned Baby A is a genius? I have no clue how she knew.

Little Friend comes running back. "My mom says she'll keep an eye on her."

I peer three houses up, there's Mom in the yard. I wave. Mom waves. She gives thumbs up, I wave again and off runs Baby A and Little Friend. (Nobody panic. Yes, I know these people very well. And, yes, we do this for each other often.)

As we pulled up the street Baby A comes out waving her arms. She was concerned that she might need food while we were gone. I assure her she can go through the open garage if she feels like she's wasting away. Satisfied, she runs back to happily digging up someone else's yard for change.

Lowes was packed! Spring Fever apparently conked a bunch of people on the noggin. I lifted 400 pounds of soil and mulch, as casted hubby stood by directing me where to place it on the cart (you know, because I'm a girl and obviously have no clue how to disperse weight properly), grabbed some blueberry and grape plants and home we went.

We did stop at McD's to grab lunch (even tho it was only 11). Back at home, Baby A had somehow survived the entire 45 minutes without eating, and munched down her food. FIL showed up to till the yard just after they ate, with a dozen Krispy Kreme's. Baby A had 2 right away. I told you, girl can eat.

I now have two weed free and newly mulched flower beds out front. My daffodils and narcissus are getting ready to bloom, tulips close behind. My back garden is tilled and ready for veggies. Yum. Casted hubby even managed to mow the lawn (I'm sure it was terribly difficult on his riding lawn mower).

Oh, remember my thrown-out back from last week? Yeah, I can barely stand today. Oops.

Off to the Farmer's Market tomorrow.

Any other gardeners out there?

Drunk at First Sight

2010-03-17T10:33:00.000-04:00

This one is for Jon Paul's Drunk at First Sight Blogfest. Due to back issues (and maybe, just maybe, Girl's Night Out last night) I scratched it out quickly this morning. I borrowed the basic outline from a Christmas party scene I wrote using the characters in my WiP. There's one line still completely intact - I bet everyone can pick it out ;-)

Luck O' the Polish

Whatever had possessed me to drink alcohol needed to exorcised. Post haste.

"You know, most people start drinking in their teens." Hunter walked up from behind and draped an arm over my shoulder. "It's like practice."

"Then most people are engaging in an illegal activity." At least, that's how I'd meant it to sound. The first two words barely formed and the last two, well, five syllables combined, at best.

Hunter laughed--at me. "I have a sudden urge to grab my guitar and whip out some Adam Ant."

"So funny. Ha." I could have sworn Hunter only had one piercing in his lip, but now I saw three. His black and white skunked hair begged a good ruffling, but it seemed to high for me to reach. "No it's not. I'm as tall as you."

He finally remembered my eyes were about two feet higher and looked into them. "What the hell are you talking about?" He laughed again and kissed the side of my head. "Jet," he called as he stalked off, "Kasia needs you, man."

I stumbled backwards, my legs bumped something, and I plopped onto my rear. Thankfully, the sofa caught me. The cozy green couch sucked me down into its giant cushions. Green sofa. Hunter green. Just like Hunter. A loud laugh escaped, along with a snort.

The party raged around me: distant noises, loud voices, and screaming music in full surround sound. A blur of motion on the floor caught my eye. Oh god. Who tied a beer bottle to the dog's tail? Wait. Where did a dog come from?

I slid forward onto my knees, head bumping the solid wood coffee table, to rescue the poor pooch, but it was gone. Nowhere to found. I whistled, made a couple kissy noises, scooted around to the other side of the table. Nothing.

Surely one couldn't hallucinate from three beers--even if they were green? Clearly I'd had enough to drink.

"Clearly you've had enough to drink."

A pair of black Converse sneakers planted themselves under my face.

"Stop that." I sat back to my knees and let my gaze meander up long jean-clad legs, stopping as my eyes reached zipper level.

"Stop what?" Jake's hand tilted my chin up; fireworks, mingled with amusement, on full display inside his golden-brown eyes.

"Saying what I said before I said it."

He cocked his head the same way Hunter had a minute ago, or possibly ten minutes, time whirled as fast as the room.

"Is there a reason you're crawling around on your hands and knees?"

"You've never complained about me being on my knees before."

That comment prompted his dazzling sexy smile and a cocky shake of his head. "I'm kinda liking you drunk."

"I'm looking for the dog."

"We don't have a dog. You must be really trashed." He bit his bottom lip and glanced around the floor.

I tried to follow his gaze, but it only made the grain in the wood floor appear to dance to the beat of the music. The latest number one single, I noticed, from my favorite band.

"There's no dog?"

The lead singer of that band planted one hand flat across his rock hard stomach as he cracked up. The other reached for my right hand.

"It's Sarah's new dog, remember?"

"Your sister's here?" Maybe she snuck in when I was out by the pool being made fun of by the rest of the band. My boys were having a blast with my state of mind. Payback would be a bi…

"You talked to her earlier." He gripped firm to my hand and yanked me upward. When he got me to my feet he dipped his face to mine.

"We aren't under mistletoe."

"It's St. Patty's Day." It came out through another laugh.

"Who cares," I said. "Pocałuj mnie."

He did kiss me, and this time the spinning sensation was due to the sweet reminder of how badly I wanted everyone to leave so we could be alone.

Step On A Crack...

2010-03-15T09:51:00.000-04:00

My kids have been saying that all weekend. See, I had a non-scheduled unplug of sorts. No idea what happened, but I threw my back out Friday morning (or Thursday night - no clue). It feels like it's getting better for a few hours, then bam - hurts all over again. Sitting at the computer for too long is painful, so not happening often.

Things are only compounded by the fact that I all the sudden have tons of great rewrite ideas for some of the flat scenes in the WiP.

But, I thought I would share some of the awards I've been once again hoarding.

From Roxy at A Woman's Write, the quillfeather award.

I'm passing this on to She Writes. If you haven't visited her blog, I urge you to do so. Her writing is incredible, her stories amazing. She will move you to the point of laughter, disgust and tears in one simple post. Unbelievable.

Also to Lola Sharp, whose blog I love. Her writing, her posts. Love, love, love. Her profile. Love. Okay, you get the point. It's good.

Next up:

This one is so pretty. It came from Shelley at Stories in the Ordinary. Shelley is a Sugar Doll herself. Very sweet. And another awesome blog!

This one os going to Just Jemi, who is not just Jemi at all, but a sweetheart. Always around with a nice comment or a great blog post.

And also, Tina at Sweet Niblets, cause, well, how fun is that blog name! The name is attached to another sweet person with a great blog, too.

Okay, if this is completely incoherent, redundant or otherwise totally sucky, I apologize. I don't have the oomph to go back through and fix things, or even look to see what needs fixing ;-)

I hope everyone has a great week, and if you don't see much of me, you'll know why ;)

Wow

2010-03-10T06:02:00.002-05:00

I started this blog sometime in 2009, but posted only twice. In January of this year I decided to try my hand at keeping up. For a long time, I had 1 follower (hi Aven). In February, along came a couple of others. All the sudden, I have 50+. Thank you everyone. I hope you are enjoying my blog - and if there's anything you'd like to see/hear let me know :)

Also, if you have become a follower and I haven't returned the favor, it's probably because I can't get your blog link from your little picture. If you comment in a post, I can get your trail and check out your blog, too.

There's a fabulous contest going on at Shooting Stars. You can win a 40 page crit by an agent, amongst other great prizes. Wow, indeed.

I've mentioned it before, but I'm really struggling over my opening chapter of Roulette. It's so critical to get that first chapter just so.

It must have a strong opening line, a great hook and the voice of your character. I've rewritten my beginning more than I care to count. I think today I managed to get something out that works.

Here are three different opening paragraphs that Roulette has had.

The Dream had begun shortly after my twelfth birthday, three nights after my parents disappeared. They simply vanished without a trace, along with the meanings behind indiscernible words. I always awoke from The Dream feeling disoriented, panicked and very much alone.

Another:

The idiot driving a Jeep Wrangler almost hit me as I scurried across the street with an armful of books. Rain spattered harder onto my head and, with only a brief evil-eye his direction, I picked up speed. At the first locked door I wanted to grab my cell phone and tell them to forget it, but I knew what the answer would be: I'd put this off as long as they would allow already.

I kicked the door and darted back into the afternoon sun-shower in search of a way in.

Yet another:

Everyone wants to change something about their life. For instance, mine would be easier without the constant feeling of being watched. Not to mention the paranoia which accompanies that feeling. Though, it seemed unlikely a killer would wear red.

One of these is the current opener--as of today anyway. *speaks in deep, yet passive voice* All paragraphs subject to change. Actual wording may vary where applicable.

Anybody kept the basics of their original opening? Anyone counted how many different ones they've had? (Those aren't my only versions, just my strongest contenders, and there have been many variables on those paragraphs, even.)

Time Passages

2010-03-08T07:00:00.002-05:00

Moonlight rippled across his muscular back and broad shoulders as he leaned forward on the edge of the porch. Along the reedy path, hidden creatures made their nighttime noises, matching the rhythm of the ocean as its gentle waves lapped onto the rocks. Peace and tranquility surrounded.

She stopped a sigh before it alerted him to her presence and stood tall to peer over his shoulder. Dark eyes peeked up to her after a long blink. The tiny head, covered in milk-chocolate curls, was cradled in his Daddy's palm. Her heart flipped. Then flopped.

For years she believed she'd traded something she wanted for something else she wanted more. How wrong those thoughts were. In fact, she'd given up nothing more than a simple career, in exchange for something she both wanted and needed. Needed like she needed the air to breathe.

"Why don't you ask your beautiful Mommy to join us?" The tiny baby in his arms gave an obliging yawn, mouth opening as wide as his head while midnight eyes closed to slits.

"He's going to have your baby-brown's, too." She touched her husband's cheek as she sat next to father and son.

Her bare toes dangled into the cool dewy grass as she conjured visions of their daughters. All three had kept her own blue eyes, becoming the perfect mixture of their parents in every other way. Not the son she'd given him, however; he was the spitting image of his father, right down to the long graceful guitar-playing fingers.

"I was introducing our son to nature." He leaned in to kiss the top of her head and she buried her face into the warmth of his neck and took a deep breath.

He could shower morning, noon and night and never rid himself of the smell of sea salt and surfboard wax. The scents of her happiness, of home.

"Writing a song?" She kept her voice soft, not wanting to betray the serenity surrounding them.

"Mmm." Still, after all these years he never shared with her his writing process. She heard a song only when it was finished, ready to go onto the next album. This was something she treasured, part of that charming and boyish shyness he'd been unable to let go.

The baby smelled her swollen breasts and let out a soft mew. It was new to her, this quiet subdued infant, nothing like his sisters had been when hungry or tired. No, this was another way the baby being placed into her arms was just like his father: never demanding, confident things would come when needed, at their own pace.

He rooted only seconds before latching on. She held him to her in silence as he ate his last meal of the evening. Already, at eight weeks, he slept in seven hour stretches through the night.

Her husband's golden-brown eyes glowed under the pale moon as they watched his son suckle. Nothing like the smolder they normally shone while looking at her bared breasts. They were soft, awed.

"How does that happen?" He echoed her earlier quiet tone. "Three hours ago I was looking at your naked body, thinking dirty things." He'd read her thoughts almost since the first night they'd met. "But right now. I don't know." Broad shoulders offered that half-shrug she'd once thought of as condescending. She'd been far off base. "That's so beautiful. So right."

"Nature." Her thumb slipped between her breast and the now sleeping infant's mouth. There was a soft pop as he broke free. "I'm going to put your son in his crib." She stood and walked toward the door, turning back before she entered the house. "When I come back out, maybe you can tell me about the dirty things?"

"I can't think of anything I'd rather do."

Of all the things he'd retained through their years together, that devilish smile was her favorite.

2010-03-05T09:34:00.000-05:00

Today is crazy hectic, so here's something that always makes me happy. His writing sends me over the edge, nevermind about the voice. *sigh*

The Ugly Truth

2010-03-03T11:32:00.003-05:00

Ah. What a morning, what a morning. Not much blogging time will be had today. Sad face. I've already been running around town. In the snow and ice. Woot.

A school delay is usually cause for celebration in this household. Mostly because I don't have to drag my butt out of bed before 8 (my butt is not pretty before 8). And, if the morning is happy for mom, the morning is happy for everyone.

This morning, however, the delay was not a happy occasion. I had to have hubby to outpatient surgery by 8:30 - 40 minutes away, in rush hour traffic. With 2 tired kids in tow. (Usually, said tired kids get themselves together and ready and Mom lays in bed till the last possible moment (read: 8) before trudging downstairs and tossing kids in the Jeep to go to school--yeah, still in my jammies. Do I have to remind you all about 8 again? Thought not.) Then I had to make it back home to pack lunches, get things together for school and drop them off. I'm just waiting on the call to pick up hubby (fingers crossed that doesn't cooincide with picking up kids from school).

In the meantime, I figured I'd post my truth/lies. I also received another award yesterday (which I'm super glad about since I forgot a few people I had meant to include in the hand-out!). But, it will have to be saved for another post.

Creative Writing Truths:

1) For a supposed high-risk pregnancy (twins), mine was smooth sailing all the way - not even a day of morning sickness. Lie. I had the twin pregnancy from hell. No really, if it could go wrong, it did. Never. Doing. That. Again. (Good thing I had one of each.)

2) I hate Disneyworld. It's overrated, expensive and somewhere I avoid going at all costs. Lie. I love Disney World (so you think I would have caught my typo, but apparently not). I grew up about 2 hours away from it, had season passes, and I've been there well over a hundred times.

3) I'm a terrible driver, way too nervous behind the wheel and drive like a grandma. Well, step-dad and mom raced Porsches. And step-dad was a professional race driving instructor. I can drive, ya'll. Though my friends would tell you I'm a terrible driver--of the back seat sort. Gah.

4) I once stopped a fight between rock frontman Marilyn Manson and another guy - over a tube of lipstick. Ding. Ding. Ding. I [very] casually knew Brian (aka Marilyn), was friends with a girlfriend of his, and watched them woop-butt at the Battle of the Bands every single year they played - they were known as Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids back then. I'm positive he wouldn't remember me, but fwiw, he was a nice guy, very intelligent and way ahead of his time/age. Once, while with a male friend, we ran into Brian and he asked friend if he could borrow some lipstick (at this point in his life, think Robert Smith of The Cure--he looked a lot like that). My friend (who didn't wear make-up, lol) had some harsh words and I stepped in to calm things down. Situation resolved.

5) I speak multiple languages fluently, including Polish and Russian. Lie. Even though MC speaks both, I do not. I have the same background as MC (Polish and Russian), but only know basic Polish phrases--and foods. My neighbor is Polish and speaks almost all Slavic languages, so he translated for me. I made him lots of brownies.

6) I moved away from my hometown 5 years ago and I miss it so much I cry all the time over wanting to move back. Lie, mostly. We did move 5 years ago. But I am SO glad we got away from there. So. Glad. I blogged about it a couple weeks back. And, hey, now my seemingly odd reference to "Brian" in that post makes sense, lol.

7) I once rode around in a golf cart with actor Tim Allen and we got all crazy and almost tipped it over. Lie. It was my hubby. He was on the Audi race team for many years and met all kinds of celebrities; I only met a handful in my younger track wandering years with parents. Celebrities love to race--or pretend they can race, in most cases. Not in Paul Newman or Jason Priestly's cases, though. They kicked booty on the track. Paul was awesome well beyond the normal scope of race driving years. And a really nice guy all around.

There you have it. My boring life as told in lies, lol.

Awards and Contests

2010-03-02T11:17:00.000-05:00

Nicole at One Significant Moment in Time is having a 100+ contest. Nicole is beyond sweet, and a wonderful cheerleader. If you haven't checked out her blog, I urge you to do so.

Sarah Jayne from Writing in the Wilderness is celebrating 50 followers. Sarah is another really great cheerleader. And a terrific writer, I love reading all the snips she posts.

AJ Frey is hosting some fun - a Keep it Going contest. Three entries will win prizes. I wanted to join in yesterday when there was only one post ahead of me, but I got busy. I will have to go read through and see if I can get to it today - I love doing these!

I've been hoarding awards over here *hangs head, shuffles feet*. I have three, and suppose now is the time I should figure out how to get them out of My Pictures and into here. Though, I admit, it's only because Dawn Simon has passed one along that requires actual work on my part, otherwise, they'd be lazily collecting dust in the files a while longer.

I received the first two from Anne at Piedmont Writer. She's going on hiatus and I'll miss her fun and informative blogs.

First up is this cute little kitty...

So sweet. I want to pass this one on to Jade Hears Voices, because not only is her blog great, but she always has great eye candy to go along with it ;) Also to Lindsey and Kristi, whose blogs I love, as well.

Next up, the one I was secretly hoping to get when I saw it on Anne's blog ;) I'm aching for spring, for all my beautiful bulbs to bloom, not to mention the readying of my garden. Mmm. Fresh veggies, even my kids are getting antsy for them. Besides, it looks to me like a coneflower, and oddly enough, those play a big role in a scene from my wip.

This one goes to Nicole, Shelley, Christine and Sarah Jayne. They are all so sunshineyish :)

It was difficult to pick people out for those awards! I truly love reading everyone's blogs and you are all so sweet and sunshineyish really.

Now for the hard one. I have to make up 6 lies and give out one truth. I'll do my best.

1) For a supposed high-risk pregnancy (twins), mine was smooth sailing all the way - not even a day of morning sickness.

2) I hate Disneyworld. It's overrated, expensive and somewhere I avoid going at all costs.

3) I'm a terrible driver, way too nervous behind the wheel and drive like a grandma.

4) I once stopped a fight between rock frontman Marilyn Manson and another guy - over a tube of lipstick.

5) I speak multiple languages fluently, including Polish and Russian.

6) I moved away from my hometown 5 years ago and I miss it so much I cry all the time over wanting to move back.

7) I once rode around in a golf cart with actor Tim Allen and we got all crazy and almost tipped it over.

This one goes to Falen and Hannah because I'm betting they can lie really well, er I mean, they are very creative writers. I'll reveal tomorrow....