Talking With Tammy

Back to it

2012-01-25T12:33:00.001-08:00

Is it or is it not funny how many things we can find to distract us and how many excuses we can come up with for NOT writing? If writing were my 'real' job, they'd have fired me a thousand times by now. The thing is - I DO want writing to be my real job. So why don't I just do it?

Excuses, Excuses.. fear, fear, fear. If I really want it, why do all the little things and all the voices that say, 'you can't' get in the way. I'd imagine it's because I'm just as human as anyone else and the fear and just plain being busy with life are huge things that can so easily get in our way.

I've also been thinking I'd wait and see a little what happened with the SYTYCW entry that I sent in. Still a little over two weeks until the winner will be notified and part of me has been trying not to think about it - while the other part of me has been putting writing something new on hold hoping for some huge, wonderful thing to come from it.

Maybe instead, I should be working on writing so I have other options. THAT would be the smart thing to do.

I did hear back from an editor about the story I'd had in the New Voices contest. I was invited to think up another idea and send in the first 3 chapters and synopsis on that. My brain has been stalled though. I'm just now finally starting to wrap my mind around a character and story idea - and I'm trying desperately not to convolute it and turn this plot into a big mess. That seems to be my biggest problem in my writing.

So off to work on that today. I'm going to flesh my characters out a bit and see what I can come up with. Hope everyone else out there is enjoying their day!

SYTYCW comes to an end

2011-11-11T12:01:00.000-08:00

I've really enjoyed the So You Think You Can Write event this week. So much useful information and inspiration given over the last 5 days. I completed the challenge every day - dug through some of my old writing and got a good idea of just how sad some of the things that I'd written were - and I've been even more inspired to keep writing.

Brenda Chin, an editor for Blaze, did an amazing blog post about having an editor helping to build your career as a writer. Definitely something that I want to have some day.

But first I guess I have to write those words that will give that editor a reason to want me. I've been torn the last few days about what to write. I have my Billionaire story that did well in the New Voices contest - I have old writing that is finished and just needs polished up - or I have a new idea simmering for a Desire that I've always wanted to write. I HAVE to get something together by December 15th to enter in the SYTYCW. The grand prize of publication is just too good to not try.

Is everyone else working on something to send in?

Perseverance

2011-11-08T07:48:00.001-08:00

Perseverance: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition

Seems like just a few months ago when I began writing. I read everything I could on the craft. I joined critique groups, entered contests. Wrote, learned and kept writing. I just knew if I kept with it eventually I WOULD sell a book. People would read stories that I'd created and want more. My heroes would be loved, my heroines admired and every word I wrote would be magical.

When started my first romance, my oldest son was about 16 years old. I hoped if I stuck with it and worked hard, I could possibly be close to selling by the time he graduated high school. That didn't happen, so I thought maybe by the time my second son graduated high school in three years I might see my dream come true.

I did final in the Golden Heart before that graduation along with two of my writing friends. I had a step in the right direction with a request from Harlequin Superromance and Special Edition. But one of those turned into a rejection and I let life get in my way and didn't follow through with the other. My second son graduated and years passed. I gave up on my dreams for a while. I did NOT persevere in my writing and life went on. It wasn't until my third child graduated from high school that the dreams I'd had of writing and publication began to flicker to life again.

So here I am - writing again. I can't help but wonder what might have been if I'd have just stuck with it after the Golden Heart final and really had continued to push toward that goal instead of letting that fear of failure and a lot of life drama get in my way? Would I have been published by now as many of my writing friends have gone on to be?

I guess there really is no way to know for sure what might have happened, but there is knowing that moving forward this can not be a dream that is lightly given up on. I have one more child at home and 5 years before he graduates. I might not have sold a book before my first child left the nest, but there is a chance I can be before my last one does.

Writing is not an easy thing. It's putting a little bit of yourself out there every time you do it and taking the chance that it will be misunderstood, hated and criticized. But there is also that tiny chance that it will be loved.

That is worth the trying for.

SYTYCW Day One assignment

2011-11-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

So I just hit send on my first page for the SYTYCW assignment for today. I had a hard time deciding what to enter so I went with something I'd started years ago that I'd always *hoped* to do a series on some day.

It would be three stories about three brothers, each of them running from love and female entanglements but all going to end up getting it anyway. I love it when heroes don't think they need a woman or start a story with some very wrong notions about what sort of woman they want. I hadn't even opened this story in about 3 years probably, but when I skimmed through those first few opening pages it was like - YES! Love this hero. He's the baby brother and although I love him to pieces, the poor guy is going to get what's coming to him. The perfect opening hook just came to me and off I went. The first sentence to me just nailed the hero for me. Sometimes that's all I need to really get me going, a sentence or two that I just KNOW the character would be thinking if I was really in their head - other than "get out - it's crowded enough already in here!"

Of course, THIS is not the story I should be working on, so it's going back to the back burner for now - but I am excited to see if it gets picked for a critique tomorrow.

What did everyone else send in? What really makes a great first page for you?

So You Think You Can Write?

2011-11-02T15:32:00.000-07:00

So You Think You Can Write - also known as SYTYCW - is about to begin.

I missed this last year but plan to be as active in it this year as I can and I'm definitely submitting something for the contest at the end. Daily writing assignments, editor feedback, podcasts, webinars, live chats, and blogs - OH MY! What more could a writer ask for?

SYTYCW2 kicks off on Monday, November 7th and the end prize for one lucky writer is a contract to be published by Harlequin. Definitely my dream come true and I imagine for many other writers as well.

You can find out more info at eharlequin, on twitter or on the SYTYCW facebook page. Anyone else ready for the fun to begin?

To Change... Or NOT to change

2011-10-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has visited my blog might notice that the layout has changed a little bit... and probably will continue to change off and on the next few weeks. I'm trying to find a style that suits ME and my writing - which is not all that easy. What really doesn't make sense, is I am so NOT a pink person. Purple maybe, but not pink. So I am having a hard time understanding why I keep levitating toward pink backgrounds, pink buttons... LOL. It makes no sense.

Anyway, beings my writing is a constantly evolving creature and I am also probably not the most normal person in the world, I guess it makes sense that my blog will be evolving as well. Eventually I will find something I like.

Meanwhile, feel free to let me know what you think of the new looks.

Top 4 New Voices

2011-10-26T10:35:00.000-07:00

Well, the New Voices voting and judging is over and I didn't make the top four - but huge congratulations to those who did! The top four will now be working on their pivotal moment scene and I can't wait to see what they come up with.

It was definitely a fun ride while it lasted for me - and I find myself sitting here wondering - what now? I'm sure I'll figure that out - tomorrow. Thanks for all the votes and those that were cheering for me. Was a great experience that I'm thrilled to have been a part of.

The Journey

2011-10-25T09:21:00.000-07:00

As of right now - there are 23 hours, 25 minutes and 10 seconds left to vote in the Mills and Boon New Voices contest - and time is counting down quickly. If you haven't already voted - what are you waiting for? Go do it!

While I'd love everyone to vote for me (The Billionaire's Game of Love) - it's more important that you vote. Support the writing that you feel should move on to the next round. There are 21 really great entries up just waiting for the news that will be coming in the next few days.

New Voices has been such a wonderful experience for me. Whether I make it on to the next phase and the top four or not, this has been a great opportunity and the chance not only to learn more about writing, but also I've learned more about myself, as a writer.

This contest gave me the much needed boost I needed to get myself back out there and try again for something that I had for some time given up on. I am writing again and I am loving it! New Voices helped me find my voice, my tone and my style and not only did I find it, I found that some people actually like it.

There really is no substitution for being yourself, believing in your voice and finding a home for it. So no matter what your dream, trust yourself to find it. Stay on your path and never let anyone or anything tell you that you can't do it.

Visual Aids pt2

2011-10-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

I worked on my poster some last night and it's nothing fancy or amazing, but it helps give me a feel for the characters and the story at a glance. I just wanted to share what I have done. If I have more time I might add more, but this next week is looking pretty busy, and I'm thinking that it might be good to leave a little room open for things that might come to me as the story progresses more.

Anyone else have any other methods they use to get a good feel for the characters in their writing?

Don't forget - only 2 days left to vote for your favorite in the Mills and Boon New Voices contest!

Visual Aids

2011-10-23T06:55:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to put a poster together for my work in progress - The Billionaire's Game of Love. Which is up for VOTES by the way on the Mills and Boon New Voices contest - just in case I hadn't mentioned that. :-)

I have pictures of my hero, my heroine and even some pictures of mansions and things that are important to the story - but I'm struggling with the word art that I want to put on it. I want to make words that pop out and put them around on the poster as well. If I ever get that sorted I'll post a picture of the finished project.

I do have a pic of my hero and heroine to share though. What do you think - perfect book cover? Not really sure the car is going to work into the story - but the rest is perfect.

Anyone else use visual aids while writing?

Please VOTE!

2011-10-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

My Chapter 2 is up for the Mills and Boons New Voices contest and I'd definitely appreciate your vote!

There are a lot of great chapters up for your reading pleasure and so hard to choose just one - but you only have one vote. So get reading, pick your favorite and VOTE!

I had a really fun time getting my entry submitted. The Internet went out the night before and didn't come back up in time to enter from home - so I had to borrow a car and run to the post office. It was really funny because the night before I'd gotten an email saying not to wait until the last second and my son had told me I should email my chapter to someone else "just in case" - but I wanted to read through again and add a few things, so I didn't.

Then the Internet went.

I did get my entry up in time though - so it all worked out. But was definitely stressful.

Last night I read through all the other entries up and there is a lot of really great writing to choose from. So go read and vote.

And share what you think about the contest and the chapters.

New Voices top 21!

2011-10-13T22:22:00.000-07:00

Just as I was about to give up hope and settle in for a day of moping because I didn't make it through to the next stage in the Mills and Boon New voices contest today - the email came.

We are thrilled to tell you that we have some excellent news The Billionaire's Game of Love has been put through to the Top 21 of the Mills & Boon New Voices competition!

I am so excited with the great news today and thrilled to have a fantastic author, LYNN RAYE HARRIS, as my mentor through the next stage of the competition.

I have a week to get chapter 2 polished up and ready. If I'm not around for a while - that's what I'll be doing.

My New Voices entry is up!

2011-10-10T04:11:00.000-07:00

My New Voices entry is finally up! Nothing like waiting until the possible last second to enter. I actually had about 6 hours to spare though so maybe I am getting a little better.

Laughing at my title is not allowed though. You would not believe how long it took me to come up with that. I probably shouldn't admit it, but for a very long time I was just calling it - WTF am I Going to name this. Titles are just one of those things... they either come to me, inspire me and give me the whole idea of the book, or I struggle forever coming up with just the right one. This was one of the latter times.

As of right now, there are 978 entries in the New Voices competition. Can you imagine having to judge all those? Someone is going to be getting some very good news soon though. On October 13, 20 finalists will be announced. The entries will be up for a while though from what I gather - so there is plenty of reading to be done!

Good luck to all who entered!

Mills and Boon New Voices is UP!

2011-09-14T10:17:00.000-07:00

The Mills and Boon New Voices contest is up and running!

There are some amazing entries up to read and rate and I'm sure all the authors would love as many people reading as possible.

I don't have mine up yet, still struggling with what I want to enter. Hoping to have something up in the next couple of weeks. There is an amazing little countdown on the New Voices Home page telling me I have 25 days, 22 hours, 39 minutes and 31 seconds left to get my entry in!! Going to try not to take that long - so off to write!

Head on over there and do some reading and let some fabulous writers know what you think!

Inspiration Strikes!

2011-09-12T09:15:00.000-07:00

In the life of a writer, inspiration can strike when you least expect it.

I was at a wedding this weekend with family. It was a beautiful wedding and the reception took place out in the country. It was a very scenic spot, rolling green hills and trees just beginning to turn into their lovely autumn colors. Kids played, adults chatted and then I saw her... One woman darting in and out through the groups of people with one small baby shoe in her hand.

Inspiration strikes!

Some toddler had lost a shoe and she was on a quest to find the owner of the missing shoe and return in. Just a regular day in the life of everyone - but WHAT IF the baby that the shoe belonged to was the only child of a handsome hero who had just had the child dumped on him by a woman who claimed he was the father? OR WHAT IF the baby was the only child to a grieving hero whose wife had died and left him a single dad?

So many What Ifs ran through my mind - ALL making great beginnings for this new story idea. My brother even helped me come up with a great title as we sat at our table and began laying out a plot for the story.

It's those little what ifs in every day life that can be your next story. So keep your eyes open, because you never know what you might see out there!

Ever come up with inspiration for a story when you least expected it?

Once Upon A Time...

2011-09-03T09:29:00.000-07:00

Once Upon A Time...

How many of the great stories of our childhood began with those lines? I wouldn't suggest beginning a story with those lines now, but what if those simple words would help spark the writing process?

How many time have we sat and fought against a blank page, not knowing for sure what those perfect first words would be? Forget the perfect words! Too many times we sit and stress about making sure those first marks on our page are perfect, exactly what we want to say. Those words may never just magically come to you. So how about writing the words that do?

On those days when you're staring at a blank page and nothing is happening. Start out with a simple, Once Upon A Time - throw in a little goal, motivation and conflict and see what happens. Could be the start of the next bestseller!

2011-08-31T10:05:00.000-07:00

When you fall in love, it is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake, and then it subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots are become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the desire to mate every second of the day. It is not lying awake at night imagining that he is kissing every part of your body. No... don't blush. I am telling you some truths. For that is just being in love; which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over, when being in love has burned away... (Iannis to Pelagia, from the movie Captain Corelli's Mandolin)

As a romance writer, writing falling in love is easy... but do we give our characters what it takes to actually have have a lasting love?

Just a thought.

First Sentences

2011-08-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

How important is that first sentence?

Mine caught your attention, didn't it?

As much as we'd love to, we can't put all our first sentences in big, bold print that way. So as writers, we have to think up other ways to really grab the readers attention.

Think about what sorts of things usually grab you in the first few lines.

Some writers say making your first line dialogue is good, some say bring the reader right into the action, others say asking a question works wonders. There probably really is no right or wrong answer of how to do it - it's all about finding your way.

I like to think that a good beginning sentence is mostly about the character. What do you want the reader to know they're going to get from this story and this character right from the beginning? What makes that character unique and interesting? A perfect first line to me is when a writer shows what about this hero or heroine is something they have to read to know more about. If a reader can connect with your character right from that first line and you keep them connecting, they won't want to put the book down.

Five different people could say the same thing - but they'd all say it in a different way. So how does your character say it? That's what's important for the reader to know right from the very beginning. That is what is going to keep them reading till the very end.

What sort of first sentence do you have in what you're reading or writing now? In what way did you or the writer pull the reader in and keep them wanting to read more?

It's Start

2011-08-27T08:02:00.000-07:00

Finally had a brilliant first sentence come to me last night for a twin story I want to do. This time I was even smart enough to jump up and go write it down. Yay!! Now if I can just build from there into about 50,000 words.

I had a cowgirl twin story I'd started a few years ago that I really loved but I just couldn't get the plot worked out to make what I wanted the characters to do make any sense. This time, I think I have a totally different approach to the plot but it still needs a little ironing out.

I think I even have my mind wrapped around some nice names. Regan, which means the King's child in Gaelic and maybe Rhian, which means nymph. Don't those two just sound like trouble? A spoiled little daddy's girl, used to getting everything she wants and a sassy little minx always getting them into trouble. Love the story ideas bouncing around in my mind right now.

Gets me thinking a little about whether I am a plot driven or a character driven sort of writer. Usually I do start with ideas about the characters and a vague idea of what I want them to do - and then I try to make the plot work into something that makes sense for that. It's a bumpy road though when my characters want to do things that just don't make sense to normal people.

So what style of writer are you guys? Is it all about the plot or the characters for you?

Mayberry meets South Fork

2011-08-19T18:54:00.000-07:00

I have been debating what to write about all day and thought of skipping posting today - but I'm trying to be a good little writer and actually write. So... while sitting here *not* playing angry birds - I've thinking about my actual writing (as in books).

I have a story I want to work on for the Mills and Boon New Voices contest I posted about earlier in the week. The hero - rich, alpha male, ALL those good things - the heroine, from a wealthy family but a bit down on her luck. Sounds normal, and so far so good - right?

The only problem is, how to wrap my mind about a Lifestyles of the Rich and famous when I'm such a Mayberry kinda girl. My idea of splurging these days is buying the multi-fruit flavored Tums instead of the plain.

I've been checking out my NetFlix Que for tv shows that might help me get in the spirit of things a bit - but the days of the South Fork mansion are long since past. Any ideas on 'today' type shows that might bring that same atmosphere to the table?

I guess writing way out of your 'typical' life can be done. Look at all the great fantasy and sci-fi out there. Not that many vampires and Wizards in Mayberry after all. Guess I just need to get my imagination in gear and get busy.

Hero Who Needs a Book

2011-08-18T10:20:00.000-07:00

Anyone need some hero material for a book? I caught a few episodes of The Glades last night on NetFlix and found a character who definitely needs a book. Never seen the show before, but after a few episodes, I'm still watching...

I haven't made up my mind if he works for the hero in the book I'm working on now. Screams more the bad boy sort to me.

Greyson, the small town Sheriff I'm working on for my Holiday story, is a lot more subtle about his macho male attitude. I always thought of him as more of a Alex O'Loughlin type.

But that was a few years ago when Moonlight was one of my favorite shows. You can say I've gotten a bit out of touch with the present day Hero availability on current television.

I need to find some new shows to help inspire my writing. I like to watch actors and pick up on the little facial expressions and things they do that really bring a character to life. Then I try to do that same thing to my characters on paper.

Speaking of - I did manage to finish the editing on the first chapter of the holiday story I'm working on for the Special Editions contest I mentioned - AND - I managed to clean out all the folders of writing I had and narrow it down to a few drafts and copies instead of the mess I had.

So I AM making progress. Now off to try to progress some more!

Angry Birds

2011-08-17T09:14:00.001-07:00

They mock me. They laugh at me and make those pathetic - yet adorable little sounds. I'm suppose to be writing but I just can't stop...

And do they really have plush toys available? Oh my, they're SO cute!

Off to google yet another silly thing instead of trying to make sense of the folders of folders of edits and rewrites that are in jumbles hidden in odd places on my computer.

Anyone else addicted to Angry Birds - or maybe some other wonderful game or form of procrastination?

Harlequin Special Edition Happy Holidays contest

2011-08-11T16:12:00.000-07:00

Another really great contest coming up is the Harlequin Special Edition Happy Holidays contest. This contest is for books written geared toward Special Edition but entries must contain a holiday theme.

Special Edition has been a favorite of mine every since reading my very first Nora Roberts book, The Pride of Jared MacKade (The MacKade Brothers & yes, I read them out of order - but did read them all... several times.)

FOR JARED, WOULD IT BE COLD PRIDE -- OR WARM BRIDE?

Jared MacKade was used to getting his way -- especially when it came to women -- but he was getting exactly NOWHERE with Savannah Morningstar. The lady was drop-dead gorgeous, and she had a drop-dead ATTITUDE that was wreaking havoc with his pride. And when a MacKade's pride got stepped on, there was bound to be hell to pay...

And that is when I fell in love with romance and knew that I just had to write that sort of love story. That is also when I knew I HAD to be a Harlequin author.

Entries for this contest only need to be one chapter and a short synopsis - so get writing and send that entry in!

Mills and Boon New Voices

2011-08-10T11:27:00.000-07:00

It's time to write!

I've been doing nothing for too long now and it's time to get busy and write again and get some things out there. The Mills and Boon New Voices competition is just the kick in the butt I need to get me writing again. Now to make the 'simple' decision of starting something new or revamping something old.

Anyone else giving a try?

Time for a little Romance

2010-12-01T06:32:00.000-08:00

Now is this what it's all about - or not?

New Look - Again

2010-11-07T14:56:00.000-08:00

Figured I'd get a new look to kick off this new push in my writing journey. I've been wanting something a little more 'romance' looking anyway, and I think the new template gives it a falling in love and homey feel.

On the writing front - working on rethinking my plot. Trying to make it a little less complicated. Anybody who knows me knows I have a tendency to over complicate things. First step, Brenna's going to be a mommy now instead of an aunt. Lol - big surprise for her. Also have some reworking on my query that I'll send in either ahead of it or with it. Haven't worked out for sure what I'm doing about that.

So what's everybody thinking of the new look?

Anybody Out There?

2010-11-03T13:38:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know it's been a while and somebody out there is probably wondering where the heck I've been? Anybody... ? lol, Ok, maybe nobody, but whether there is anybody else out there or not, I'm back. I've had a little hiatus from writing to get my head back on straight and to get my life together.

I have to think that the last few years of focusing on me, has given me the chance to make my writing better. If nothing else, I definitely have a whole new perspective on life, love and romance. Can't wait to show it in my writing and share it with you all.

So how is everybody else? Anybody out there?

Free to Good Home funny

2009-03-16T10:05:00.001-07:00

Ok, but is HE litter trained? LOL

I just had to share. I know I should be writing, and I'm headed there as soon as I make a quick blog post - but this was just too funny to not pass on.

Jennifer sounds like a romance heroine somebody needs to write a story about. :-)

I'm thinking I'd take the cat, because the husband obviously has issues. What about you?

More Great News!

2009-03-13T10:53:00.000-07:00

I had the online pitch with Silhouette Special Edition editor, Susan Litman, yesterday in the chat rooms at eHarlequin and it was AMAZING! It went very well with minimum shaky fingers. :-) After a few questions about my characters and their conflict, she requested a full. Sooo... what am I doing here, right? lol I'm playing with my blog layout again of course. One of the finer ways of procrastination.

Now I have two stories that I need to be getting out the door and as good as I am at decisions, I'm actually doodling a bit with both. I'd really like to get the revision request story out first. I'm nearly finished with it, so I think it's the best way to go. Then I can totally focus on the story that was requested yesterday and hopefully have it out as well within the next few weeks.

The blog layout is new again as well. I think I like it. I like the feel of the countryside, but not sure about the seasonal feeling it has. I'll probably keep trying a few different things until I find something that I really like - or until I just get too busy to mess with it anymore.

Off to maybe do something productive with my writing. Say hi if you stop by!

Great News!

2009-03-10T10:05:00.000-07:00

It is with great pleasure to tell you that you have been selected as a winner in our Silhouette Special Edition Pitch Challenge.

Those were the first words in an email I received yesterday and I was/am very excited to read them.

I don't know if I'd shared that I had entered the pitch contest, but it was something I'd done a few weeks ago, hoping at the chance to pitch to Silhouette Special Editions editor, Susan Litman. I'd pitched to her a couple of years ago (egads, has it been THAT long?) in Dallas, but at that time, I was really confused about whether I should be targeting Special Edition or Superromance. I'm definitely pointed in the Special Edition direction now - as most of my current projects are just a little too 'category' for Superromance at this time. Along the road of writing though, I think it's really hard to know for sure what might happen down the road. I just need a direction to head in at least and I'm happy to have it.

So now I need to get heavy into finishing the revisions for SSE on my first book as well as getting the book that I'll be pitching ready just in case. From the few other online pitches I've done, it seems usually a partial is requested, so I need to get that as polished as possible. Of course, beings I'll have the full there hopefully by then, or close to it - I'm not sure if they'll want more or not. I guess we'll see?

Back to writing I guess - kicks in the butt welcomed. :-)

New Layout

2009-03-05T09:50:00.000-08:00

Another wonderful form of procrastination. I've been playing with my blog layout and decided to try something new. It all started because I wanted to add gadgets, so I had to switch templates and from there on it was a vicious cycle of changing this and that until it was so messed up I had to start all over with something new. Truth be told, I had been thinking about doing something new anyway - so it works. Over the next few weeks I may change things around off and on though until I'm sure I've found something I am really happy with.

Meanwhile - my revisions are going much slower than I had hoped. Probably because I'm playing with my blog and watching music videos on youtube? lol. There is some really crazy music out there right now. I checked out some of the videos from the top 10 songs of the week and a few were a little weird even for me - and I have a wide variety of music that I like. I guess it's a sign of old age? ;-) NEVER! lol

I did manage to cut a huge chunk out of a chapter last night. It made the chapter ending much more interesting - a true page turner (which I happen to LOVE getting just right) BUT - I loved the scene I cut, so I'll probably go back today and see if I can fit it in somewhere else later in the story. It's all about making it flow now so that it makes sense. I need to learn to keep focused on that and not on the words that I've become so attached to.

So - off to get some more work done on that hopefully. If anybody pops by, feel free to let me know what you think of the new layout. Be honest - I can handle it. :-)

Happy reading and writing!

Love Story

2009-03-04T10:16:00.001-08:00

I've had some fun watching videos this morning and Love this one. It's a romance to music - now if I can just get my revisions finished and stop watching music videos. :-)

My hero and heroine

2009-02-21T11:15:00.000-08:00

After cutting a few chapters from my story, I've had a little bit of a hard time deciding on the direction I want to go with things. I NEED to spend some time reading through what I have again and try to think logically about what should happen next, but I've been procrastinating a bit and instead, have been trying to get back in touch with my characters. So much has changed since I first started this story.

When I had the first ideas of who I wanted my hero to be, CSI had just started and I just knew that Nick had to be my hero - but that was ages ago and I'm not as enamored by his dimpled grin as I used to be. Besides, to me, he's lost that edgy feel he used to have in the beginning of the series. My hero has some serious edge going on. He has the fun side too though, the side that he shows now and then, the little boy in him who comes out and wants to get up to some sort of mischief. I don't know, maybe Nick is still a good model for him? I'd thought I'd about changed my mind, but the more I think about it, the more I think I should just stick with the way I started.

That brings me to my heroine then. I've gone back and forth a bit on her. While I know what I want her to look like - she has to have longish dark hair - the rest of her is more personality than anything else. She's stubborn, and independent. Loyal and very protective of her family and friends. All the things the hero loves in her even though it takes him about 60,000 words to figure it out and admit to it. I've always imagined her a bit like this -

Or - Maybe I should just make her a blonde? lol

Well, I've had loads of fun with the pictures today, but I need to get my butt in gear and get back to the writing. My deadline of the end of the month is almost here and I have been slacking a bit. Feel free to stop by and offer any means of bribery or motivation. :-)

Time to Party!

2009-02-19T23:09:00.001-08:00

No - I didn't sell - but it's still party time because it's my birthday! :-) Yes, I am crazy and I want to celebrate even though I'm another year older.

To me it's just another number. Age is nothing but another year of learning and a new year to hope for more. These last few months have been a real time of growth for me as a woman and I'm looking forward to what the new year will bring with a new sense of ... awe actually, I guess. That's as good a word as any. A little bit of fear as well maybe, but it does keep things interesting.

It does still scare me sometimes that I feel so young on the inside and then happen to glance in a mirror and see that I'm not - but I'm okay with that.

So on with the party! :-)

I'll be spending most of the day doing my taxes, writing, and coloring my hair after my daughter nicely volunteered to cut it for me tonight. Yes, I'm that daring. But she did good. So, bring on the chocolate!

Just Ducky

2009-02-19T11:33:00.000-08:00

Just another fine form of procrastination - a funny for us...
---------------------------------------------------------

Three women die together in an accident and go to heaven.

When they get there, St. Peter says, "We only have one rule here in heaven: don't step on the ducks!"

So they enter heaven, and sure enough, there are ducks all over the place. It is almost impossible not to step on a duck, and although they try their best to avoid them, the first woman accidentally steps on one.

Along comes St. Peter with the ugliest man she ever saw.

St. Peter chains them together and says, "Your punishment for stepping on a duck is to spend eternity chained to this ugly man!"

The next day, the second woman steps accidentally on a duck and along comes St.. Peter, who doesn't miss a thing. With him is another extremely ugly man. He chains them together with the same admonishment as for the first woman.

The third woman has observed all this and, not wanting to be chained for all eternity to an ugly man, is very, VERY careful where she steps.

She manages to go months without stepping on any ducks, and one day St. Peter comes up to her with the most handsome man she has ever laid eyes on ... very tall, dark hair, long eyelashes, muscular, and tanned.

St. Peter chains them together without saying a word.

The happy woman says, "I wonder what I did to deserve being chained to you for all of eternity?"

The guy says, "well I don't know about you, but I stepped on a duck!"

A-whacking I will go...

2009-02-11T08:48:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I cut two complete chapters from my manuscript and I'm still 6,000 words over.

*sigh*

There was some really good stuff in there too. Some really pretty words that made me laugh, cry and fall in love with my hero all over again. There was also a lot of stuff that just boggled the story and made it more confusing.

*I think*

My goal is to have this story out the door by the end of the month. If I stick to things and don't get side-tracked too much, it should be doable. I just need to get out of the house and buy some ink and paper. My printer is dry... lol. Yes, it's been THAT long.

I guess I'll see how it goes once I sort out where I'm cutting the rest. I AM saving everything in a separate file though just in case. Who knows, I may end up using bits and pieces of it, or it could totally work for another story later.

If you're a writer - Have you ever cut stuff from a story and gone back and used it later for something else?

Time Flies

2009-02-10T11:37:00.000-08:00

Yes, It has been ages! It's so unbelievable how fast time can really zoom by, but it has. So many things can change in such little time, it's all mind boggling to say the least.

Rather than boggle your mind with all the life I've been dealing with though, I'll just share that I'm feeling really ready to get back in the writing saddle again. I think I actually have a better understanding of some of the emotional aspects romance characters deal with now than I ever have before. The last few months have been very eye-opening to me and really helped me to get more in touch with a part of me I had for a very long time doubt existed.

But anyway... lol. Do you have any idea how weird it is to get back into a story that you haven't even looked at in nearly a year? I had no idea which version I'd saved was the last version I'd actually worked on - so it's been very interesting to say the least.

I have it all sorted out now I think though, and have made it nearly half way through with the revisions I was working on for SSE. I'm to the part where I need to cut about 20,000 words and I'm having a hard time with it. Even after all this time I find I'm very attached to all the pretty, silly words. :-) This should be fun!

How to Make a Woman Happy

2008-08-28T13:24:00.000-07:00

It's not difficult to make a woman happy. A man only needs to be:

1. a friend
2. a companion
3. a lover
4. a brother
5. a father
6. a master
7. a chef
8. an electrician
9. a carpenter
10. a plumber
11. a mechanic
12. a decorator
13. a stylist
14. a sexologist
15. a gynecologist
16. a psychologist
17. a pest exterminator
18. a psychiatrist
19. a healer
20. a good listener
21. an organizer
22. a good father
23. very clean
24. sympathetic
25. athletic
26. warm
27. attentive
28. gallant
29. intelligent
30. funny
31. creative
32. tender
33. strong
34. understanding
35. tolerant
36. prudent
37. ambitious
38. capable
39. courageous
40. determined
41. true
42. dependable
43. passionate
44. compassionate

WITHOUT FORGETTING TO:

45. give her compliments regularly
46. love shopping
47. be honest
48. be very rich
49. not stress her out
50. not look at other girls

AND AT THE SAME TIME, YOU MUST ALSO:

51. give her lots of attention, but expect little yourself
52. give her lots of time, especially time for herself
53. give her lots of space, never worrying about where she goes

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT:

54. Never to forget:
* birthdays
* anniversaries
* arrangements she makes

HOW TO MAKE A MAN HAPPY

1. Show up naked
2. Bring beer & food

Anything missing??? LOL

Ouch!!

2008-07-18T12:27:00.000-07:00

Anybody ever had trouble with ingrown toenails? I've never had the pleasure, but my daughter has been fighting a bad nail for a few months now. Today, I finally broke down and let the doctor cut off the part of the nail that was ingrown.

We took pictures. :-) Yes, I'm evil that way. Not for the squeamish, that's for sure. I can't look at it for too long without being a little grossed out. It wasn't that green looking before... seriously.

Anyway... now that I have totally annoyed my daughter for the day by sharing pictures of her toes on the Internet... my life feels oddly fulfilled. :-) Who else can I annoy today?

What does all of this have to do with writing? Abso-tooting-lootly nothing... it's just part of the joys of life that keep me from writing - or that inspire me to write more. Not that I swollen, ingrown toe nails help much - but it's the little things that make us who we are - and the same little things that make our characters who they are.

So if I open my work in progress today, I'll be wondering about the many ways that I can annoy them as well. They might just enjoy it. ;-)

Desire wannabe?

2008-07-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

So... I totally forgot to mention this when it happened - but last week I won the chance to pitch to Silhouette Desire editor, Diana Ventimiglia. Eight pitchers were chosen by Diana from their entries of a short logline.

My entry was:

When faced with the prospect of marriage or the loss of his inheritance, Devlin Lamont is confident his notorious, playboy charm will win the cooperation of the woman he plans to make his fake fiance. But with cowgirl and ex-United States Marshall, Mallory Anderson, he finds mere charm may not be enough. Mallory is determined to have sweet revenge for her twin sister's broken heart, but when the truth behind this case of misguided identity comes to light, will she find getting even is not nearly as important as getting her man?

The pitches were in the eharlequin chat rooms yesterday morning and I survived! I think I even managed not to ramble too much, as difficult as that is for me.

Anyway... she requested a partial of my Desire wannabe, The Playboy's Cowgirl. I'm still not sure about the title. Unless something just really hits me and I know it's right, I'm always wanting to change titles. I'm not sure I'm convinced yet that this one works for me. Maybe it will still come to me while I'm polishing the chapters up. I hope to have it in the mail within the next week, so fingers crossed.

Still alive.

2008-06-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am still alive. Wait a sec, maybe I should check my pulse again just to be sure... Okay, it's definite. I am alive. I suppose I should know that without checking beings it's this thing called LIFE that's kept me away from posting like I should. It can be so very interesting sometimes, and also so very confusing.

But anyway... I'm making an attempt to get back into the writing saddle again and hopefully getting some work out there. I've just sent in an entry for a chance to pitch to a Silhouette Desire editor. The results won't be announced for a few days, so fingers crossed that mine wasn't too boring and will be selected. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to condense the whole plot of a book down to two sentences? That was the limit on this entry. A two sentence logline of the book, containing the hooks that will hopefully grab the editor's (or reader's) attention and make them want to find out more.

Meanwhile... Gemma Halliday is guest blogging over at Writer's At Play. Her post about bad dates was hilarious. I didn't really have any bad dates to share, but maybe I'm just getting too old to remember. Or chose to block them from memory? :-)

Check out the blog if you have time or just say hi here.

Man Cold

2008-05-01T06:17:00.001-07:00

OMG! This is hysterical! Somebody should have shared this with me before marriage. Oh wait - I never would have believed it.

Moonlight - Alex O'Loughlin

2008-04-26T11:17:00.001-07:00

Did anybody catch last nights return of Moonlight?

I have to admit - I'm hooked. But did we like Mick as much as a human? I think not. Part of his appeal is that he's more than a man. Lol. Am I right?

Congratulations Terri!!

2008-03-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday a friend and Playmate, Terri Garey, got the Rita call!! Her first book, Dead Girls Are Easy is a Rita finalist!! Congratulations, Terri!

For those of you who aren't familiar with the RITA here's the official description:

Romance Writers of America proudly sponsors the romance-publishing industry's highest award of distinction — the RITA Award. RITA awards are presented annually to the best published romance novels of the year. The award itself is a golden statuette named after RWA's first president, Rita Clay Estrada, and has become the symbol for the best in published romance fiction.

Every year at the annual RWA conference (it's in San Francisco this year), there's a huge formal award ceremony (similar to the Oscars) where the winners of the Rita (for published authors) and Golden Heart (for unpublished writers) are announced.

The year I finaled in the Golden Heart was HUGE for me. It was my first time attending a RWA conference. Actually, it was many firsts. First time on a plane - first time away from my family for more than a few hours - first time actually seeing in person many of the wonderful writers that had become my friends. For many of us, the yearly RWA conference is the only time we have to connect with the crazy people who our family refer to as just more of the voices in our heads. It's a wonderful time that I'm going to miss this year. But, I'll be cheering from behind my computer at home and keeping my fingers crossed that Terri brings home the Rita! Yay Terri!!

I hate thinking up titles...

2008-03-24T11:19:00.000-07:00

Interesting title?

I probably would have posted more on the old blog here if I didn't freeze up every time I saw that blank space where the title was supposed to go. How sad is it that if I can't think up a good title, then I just pass on the whole thing? Can you say troubled?

Well, the Harlequin Presents contest has announced, and I wasn't a winner. Bummer... maybe. I thought I'd be a little more broken up over it, but I guess, once you've had one rejection, you've had them all? ;-) There is still the possibility of a request. I'll be watching my mailbox for that for a few weeks. But, honestly, I wasn't sure if I was the glitz and glamor sort of gal anyway. A big part of writing is fantasy, but even my wildest fantasies don't normally include billionaires in exotic settings. Hmm... maybe I should broaden my fantasy life a bit? ;-) Nah.

I have been debating if I wanted to change my style. All of my writing so far has always been more about the girl next door sort of heroine. The one that falls for the bad boy from the other side of the tracks, the cowboy, the local sheriff or just the regular guy down the street. I've spent some time the last few weeks wondering if that's something I wanted to change, or something that is too much a part of the way I write to mess with. Spring is all about fresh starts and new beginnings after all. Or maybe this Spring should just be about breathing some fresh life into something that's been going through a bit of a dry spell lately?

I am going to make an attempt to get back into posting more often, even if I'm still mentally and creatively challenged as far as the actual writing a book stuff goes. Who knows, posting might spark something. Meanwhile, if I'm not here I'm most likely dealing with teenager drama or sharing a laugh with some wonderful people I've recently hooked up with in my online gaming adventures. Some of the more diabolical minds have even tracked me down to my blog, so I guess I may have to watch what I say about them. ;-)

Happy writing!

Writers at Play day!

2008-01-19T10:21:00.000-08:00

It was my day to post over at Writers at Play and believe it or not, I did it! Yay! I've spent a lot of time the last few weeks thinking about writing and not really writing much at all... and it feels good to be back on the wagon. :-) Give us a visit over there and tell me about your latest walk on the wild side.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2008-01-05T11:34:00.001-08:00

Ok.. so it's a few days after the new year, but at least I'm finally here.

I've been busy wrapping my mind around a new year and what it might bring. My writing may be changing directions. I've decided to try something new... something that I'd never really imagined writing. (more on that later)

But today, I wanted to announce the launch of a brand new site. Writers At Play. I've added the logo to my sidebar and a link. These are some really great women who I'm very proud to call friends. We've been together for several years now, sharing and having fun on our own writing loop that we aptly named, The Playground -- and now, thanks to the amazing, Terry Garey, we've taken our play to the internet. Pop in for a visit and kick your shoes off and have some fun while you're there. Be sure to check out the Blog. I'll be posting there on the 19th.

Belated Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-23T15:53:00.001-08:00

I meant to post yesterday... but promised myself and family that I'd stay away from the computer for a day. I am terribly addicted to it.

Wanted to wish anybody who reads a Happy Thanksgiving though, and I forgot beforehand... so... Happy Belated Thanksgiving!!

Not much going on here. Last Sunday was our first Thanksgiving dinner, then yesterday with my immediate family. My sister popped by and my kids were here and my oldest son's girlfriend. It was very nice to have the family together. Very nice.

This Sunday is the last Thanksgiving dinner and I guess then I'll have to start thinking about Christmas shopping. I've been bad this year and haven't done a thing yet. I have a few ideas at least... but that's about it.

On the writing front... bad news. I got a rejection on my Superromance from the pitch session. The editor made lots of valid points, things I've wondered about - but nobody else had ever had a problem with. It's weird how writing works sometimes. What's good for one editor, another hates - and vice verso. Anyway... I may still finish the revisions on this book for Special Edition, but there were no suggestions to resub this one with Supers. I think it's had more than it's fair share of a shot there. Now all I have left is fingers crossed for the contest. I'll know more about that in a few weeks when any announcements might be made from winners.

Other than that... I''m taking a little break and re-evaluating where I want my writing to go this next year. I want to start the new year with a solid plan - one that might actually work this year would be nice.

So.. how's everyone else?

Life...

2007-11-16T10:14:00.000-08:00

I'm thinking about dropping out of the 70 days of sweat challenge. I haven't written much of anything other than what I had to write to get my Conflict of Interest entry in and I've decided to not do the Golden Heart this year.

Life has just been getting in the way, that and my muse seems to have gone on vacation. One good thing about everything that has been going on the last few weeks, is now I'll finally have some super conflict and real life drama to write about. I'm just waiting for the happy ending so that I can put it all together in a story that people will want to read about.

Anyway... I'll probably be hit and miss around here for the next month or so, at least through the holidays.

Very much looking forward to that new year and the fresh start though. Maybe this year I'll really start out with a bang!

Happy writing!

Blah...

2007-11-09T12:25:00.000-08:00

Do you ever know that you need to try to do a blog post but just feel like typing, blah.. blah.. blah? It's been one of those weeks I guess. There are just so many exciting things happening in my life right now, I don't know if you all can handle the sheer excitement of it all. Ha Ha!

My goal to actually get some writing done isn't going so well. In fact, I'm thinking about not doing the Golden Heart at all this year. If I did manage to miraculously final again... San Fransisco isn't looking like something I can do. Dallas last year was a big enough stretch for me. I'd hate to final and not go to conference. Besides, the only manuscript that I really have ready is the one that was a finalist in 2005 and is already submitted to the line I'd love to sell it to... so WHY would I be entering? Other than for the chance at the fame and glory one more time and just the bizarre need to throw $50+ away?

I've been thinking of how I'd really like to attend a few smaller conferences... but there is so very rarely something close. I've been thinking about the Chicago North, Spring Fling conference in the Spring. Maybe I'll put my Golden Heart contribution into that? There's an idea I could pitch to hubby.

Thanksgiving is coming and that's probably part of the reason for the Blah... I really don't get into the holidays. It just means more stress. And Christmas? It shouldn't be so stressful, but it is. Anybody have any good ideas about Santa? LOL. I've been thinking that maybe he needs to stop visiting my 21 year old.. but I'm not really sure how to bring that up without sounding cheap? Anyway... off to fight the blahs some more and hopefully get something done.

Happy writing!

Weird dreams

2007-11-02T12:47:00.001-07:00

I had a really weird dream last night. Vicks inhaler induced probably...

Anyway... I dreamt that I got a rejection letter in the mail on my partial submission now with Superromance. That in itself isn't really weird, it happens after all, but the letter itself was bizarre. I can't remember all of it, but just as it got to the part where the editor was telling me what was wrong with the story, it cut off. There were missing parts, where it just faded out, and then when there were words again, it was in bold print... NEVER SUBMIT TO US AGAIN!

What a dream. Needless to say, it was a very wary trip to the mailbox this morning... and thankfully, nothing but junk mail. The wait continues.

Anybody else have any weird dreams lately?

Writing finally!!

2007-10-31T17:16:00.000-07:00

I FINALLY wrote something - most of it totally sucked - but I wrote.

Today was the postmark deadline for the Conflict of Interest contest for Superromance and there's nothing like a deadline to make me get something done. I'm reasonably happy with the first chapter, it was mostly done anyway, just needed a little revamping to make it fit the new plot - and the conflict scene wasn't as bad as it could have been, I suppose - considering I wrote like a madwoman for 2 hours this morning to get it finished. I totally refuse to go back and read over any of it again though, for fear that what I think and what actually IS, might be very opposite things. I think that I'll live in my dream world of it can't be that bad for a little while longer, thank you very much... - but then we get to the synopsis. . . ARGH!!
I know the editors have probably seen all kinds - but wowsa. This sucked big time. I left it for last and when I was down to 45 minutes before the post office closed, I just started writing it out. Reread it to make sure there weren't any glaring typos, and then printed it and sent it. I am pretty sure I left out some important details to the story - but then, the story isn't completely written yet, so who knows, right? ;-)

Anyway - 1,750 words and it's outta here.

Now I just have to finish the book, another what... 60,000 words to go? LOL. I had really hoped I'd have this story done for the Golden Hear this year, but I don't think it's going to happen. I'll be really happy to just have it done by January.

The two month mark has passed on waiting on the partial I have at Supers. No news is good news, I guess. I'm not thinking about it much really until it's been there at least 3 months anyway, but it's starting to be something that does pop into my mind now and then.

Well, anyway. Writing again... so I'll try not to be a total stranger.

70 days of sweat

2007-10-15T12:18:00.000-07:00

Ok... so I've taken a leap into actually getting something done and I've signed up for the 70 days of sweat challenge.

The rules of the challenge are - I write from 750 to 1500 words a day between today and January 15. That's really 93 days, so I can take a few days off as I understand it. I'm only promising to write for 70 days. I think. ;-) I'm going to shoot for more than that maybe, but it's always nice to know you can have some time off without being a total flake. Which, is what I've been the last year or so. Oh - and I get a cool banner showing that I'm doing it as well. Isn't that fun? Sven just totally makes the whole thing worth it. ;-) I've been trying to figure out who he reminds me of...

Anyway - my first goal is to get my Superromance, Conflict of Interest entry in - and that means I need to get the scene done that best shows the conflict between the hero and heroine. I'm thinking that means some new pages. I need some revising of the old pages as well, but I don't think I can count that. So new pages and then revising. I can do it. I think. 750 words really isn't that much, right?

Vampire anyone?

2007-10-06T09:17:00.000-07:00

I've never actually been much of a vampire kind of girl - but I have to admit - I'm LOVING MOONLIGHT.

The ending on Friday night was so beautiful - I nearly cried. There Mick is, cowering in the dark, begging Beth not to look at him. Of course she has to. Beauty needs the Beast.

Beauty wants the Beast.

I WANT the beast. Did I mention I'm loving the show?

We really haven't seen much of the beast in Mick yet (except in flashbacks), but I bet it's there. Great characterization in this show. Give us just enough of the animal in him to intrigue us and make us wonder, and enough of the soft side to make us care.

This show has so many possible directions it can go - and some very interesting characters. I'm very excited to see where it will go - and keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't get the ax before I get tired of it. Which, I don't see happening any time soon. This show has such great research potential, after all. :-)

We had a great day yesterday at the Renaissance Festival. I'll try to have some pictures posted this week sometime. Happy Monday!

Aggressiveness

2007-10-06T09:08:00.000-07:00

Aggressiveness - what is it? Is it taught or is it totally a genetic thing?

I was watching my son play at a soccer game this morning and my husband and I got into a discussion about the fact that none of our children seem to have been born with that aggressive gene.

But - is it a gene or something that can be taught to our children? If it can be taught - do we want to actually teach it to our children? Yes, winning is nice. But how important is it exactly? Can a child who is not physically aggressive still go out in the world and succeed in other areas? Not just succeed maybe, but rise to the top - in other words, WIN.

As it relates to our characters - would they have been aggressive soccer players as children, or just been out there having a good time? Is that the difference between writing an alpha hero or a more laid back, plays well with others, kind of guy?

I've always admired a bit of the alpha when I write. I like strong heroes, men who will go out and get what they want and fight to the death if need be to protect those they love.

But, when it comes to soccer, I'm just glad my son can have fun.

For the Mom's

2007-10-05T05:49:00.000-07:00

I wasn't sure I'd have time to post today - but this was too good not to share!

Every woman and mother out there should be able to appreciate. I love the "if your friends jumped off a cliff" part - OH, and I'm always blaming the father's DNA. It can't be mine. :-D

Thanks C.L!! ;-)

Have a super great Friday!

Golden Heart anyone?

2007-10-04T11:12:00.000-07:00

So... all my stress about the names and things really did turn out to be for nothing. I decided not to get the entry together to enter the contest. I've got enough on my plate as it is probably - trying to get my entry together for the Superromance, Conflict of Interest contest and trying to get something new finished for the Golden Heart.

I'm really not thrilled with the new category changes for the Golden Heart and I'm tempted to not enter at all this year - but - I know if I don't, I'll be kicking myself come March when the finalists are announced. The Golden Heart is such a crap shoot. Probably even more so than regular chapter contests - yes, it's the Queen of all crap shoots - but its the best dang feeling there is when you final. Nothing much like it - next best thing to selling I guess.

I've entered every year but one for the last 5 years - with the same manuscript. The first year, well... it was my first year and the story really wasn't polished. I'd be very embarrassed to admit to just how rough it was. Of course, it ended up in the lower bracket of scores. I kept working on the story, entered it in a few other contests, it never really did well. It's definitely one of those either really love it - or really hate it stories. The next year in the GH it scored better, but still no call. It was the year after that, 2005 that it made it! It finaled that year and I made it to my first RWA conference. There is nothing like it. Being at conference as a GH finalist is like being a princess for a week.

I didn't enter the next year - but last year, I entered the same manuscript that had finaled. I'd been revising it for Superromance and thought that maybe it would do better. It didn't.

This year, I'm hoping to have something new finished - and hopefully polished better than that first story was the first year I entered it. LOL. I might enter the old one again as well - I have been working on it a lot and I think it's tighter and flows better - and hopefully makes more sense. I tend to over-plot or something and add too much to my stories to the point where they're a little convoluted. I guess that's not a good thing.

Anyway... My youngest son's birthday is tomorrow. It's his last year in the single digits, he's turning 9. We're planning a day out to a local Renaissance Festival over the weekend, so I'm not sure how much I'll be around. I can't do without my internet for very long, so I'll check in, but might not post again until Monday - we'll see. I'll definitely try to get pictures though.

So - until then... anybody else out there entering the GH this year - or even the RITA? That would be even more amazing to final in. That's a definite dream of mine. Who's taking the chance?

Not even...

2007-10-01T20:32:00.001-07:00

Could anybody in their right mind cut off their own little toe?

NOT me. No way.. No how. I have no idea what's going on in Claire's head these days - but cutting off her own toe in last night's Heroe's episode was just plain freaky. Freaky in an, "I love it and couldn't possibly miss an episode" kind of way, but still freaky.

The stuff going on with the new characters of Mara and her twin brother is still leaving me a little baffled, but don't we all love being baffled a little bit now and then? I was right about her needing him for something though - just not sure what's going on. Very odd having the black stuff oozing out of your eyes like that. ICK!

I love what they're doing with Peter though, very interesting. (especially the shirtless part. Yes Tawny, I DID notice. LOL) OH, and I almost forgot! Kensei can heal himself? What's up with that? When it ended I was like, NO! It hasn't been an hour already. It had.

We watched Journeyman again after that. It's probably catching a lot of the people that still want something to watch after Heroes, but I'm not sure it's going to hold my interest. I spent most of the hour watching bits and pieces and trying to find the charger for my laptop so that I could finally write on something besides the desktop PC. I'm trying to motivate myself to get something going - believe it or not. I just have a hard time with the little keyboard on a laptop. I'm using an older laptop. I can handle the smaller screen. It's supposed to keep me from wanting to play on the internet and things like that - but I need a big keyboard with big keys. In this one case, bigger is better. IMO. ;-)

Someday, after I've sold a few books, one of my first treats to myself (besides running around and visiting every store my book is in and holding it and hugging it and totally making a fool of myself) is going to be a brand new, fancy, laptop. And I'm not going to loan it out to the kids no matter how much they whine.

So - two posts today beings I wanted to also do my post for being tagged (be sure to read it below, you never know what you might miss if you don't) ;-)

Anyway. . . so my question of the day. Could you cut off your own toe? What would it take?

Double Tagged!

2007-10-01T12:40:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged by fellow Superromance, eharlequin pitch winner, Chelle Sandell and amazing Superromance author, Amy Knupp. Amy has a book coming out in December, so check out her website!

I think it's legal in the game of blog tag to just do this once even though I've been tagged twice. Hope so anyway. ;-) I know - everybody's relieved because I finally have something to post about other than TV and my lack of inspiration on coming up with names for my characters.

OK, so the rules of the tag game are:
Players offer eight random habits/facts about themselves.
If you’re tagged, write your own blog about your eight things and post these rules.
At the end of your blog post, choose someone to tag (supposed to be eight but however many you can do is fine, no tag police will come get you) - and list their names.

And now, eight random things about me:

1....I was/am a preacher's kid. (do you really ever outgrow that?) This made for a very interesting childhood, believe me and also gives a good reason for #2...

2....I moved on an average of once a year until I was 18 - but I've lived in the same place ever since. Same house and everything for the last 20 years.

3....I LOVE sweet tea. Bad me, but I drink way more of the stuff than I should. My weakness.

4.... I used to play the french horn. I guess I still could, but haven't in years. I probably don't have the lips for it anymore. I had the most beautiful double french horn, but sold it to help pay for my first child.

5....I have 4 kids and only 1 of them was born in a hospital. I had the first at a hospital and the other three with a midwife at a birth center. I wanted to have them at home, but we live in an inky dinky town too far from a good hospital.

6....I homeschool my children up to high school. I'd keep them home even then, but it's the compromise my husband and I made. My oldest two are off in college now, and adjusting fine to the real world, so no - I didn't warp them for life. (not any more than I would have if I hadn't homeschooled anyway)

6....Like Chelle, I used to sleepwalk, I even peed in a dresser drawer one time because I thought I was dreaming I was in the bathroom... which leads to #7...

7....I wet the bed up until almost the day I got married. LOL. That will come back to haunt me, I'm sure. My husband teases that he's the only reason I stopped. I think I was a heavy sleeper, and when I'd sit up in bed at night, he'd wake me up and ask if I needed to go to the bathroom. Thankfully, that's one bad habit I've managed to put behind me.

8....I'm a WOW (World of Warcraft) addict. I started playing the game to help the kids out and got totally hooked myself. I guess it beats solitaire, and my husband is just glad I'm not addicted to the home shopping network or anything.

I am tagging - Tawny Weber, Lisa Paitz Spindler, Terri Garey, Leslie Dicken, Roxann Delaney, Terry McLaughlin, Janice Lynn and Brandi Zorn.

I know some of you get tagged quite a bit and might be a little burned out on playing, so if I tagged you, don't feel obligated to play. If you choose not to participate, you're definitely not going to hurt my feelings.

If you do participate, don't forget to leave your people a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog. ;-) Happy blogging!

Monday - Again?

2007-10-01T11:58:00.001-07:00

I meant to blog over the weekend and share what I thought of the premiere of Moonlight. I forgot. If I don't write something right after the show goes off, then I forget. Maybe it's old age or. Anyway... I loved it! There was some really great dialogue between Mick and his friend, Josef. He is a very interesting character. I can't wait to see more of this show.

Tonight is Heroes! I'm very much looking forward to finding out more about Mara and what exactly her powers are. I've read a few interviews with the actress who plays this new character, and she's said we're supposed to find out more tonight. I'm thinking that her brother definitely has something to do with her ability to control whatever power she has.

I'm missing my Saving Grace on Monday nights though. I'm pretty sure I didn't miss any episodes, but it's not been on for a few weeks now. Maybe they're just taking a short break?

Anyway... It's not like TV is my whole life - so I should shut up and talk writing a little bit as well. OH -- and on the downhill side of the chicken pox finally and no more kids to catch it! YIPPEE!!

I still haven't solidified names for my hero and heroine for the Blaze wannabe I was going to try. I really like Regan for the heroine. To me it says strong and independent. But, all the hero names I come up with that I like don't sound right with Regan. I liked Devlin, but say that with Regan and it sounds funny. I want a very strong hero name, something that screams - I'm tough and it's gonna take a heck of a woman to tame me. I've been toying with Lachlan, Logan, Jase or Kade. None of them really are jumping out and grabbing me yet though. I may have to change my heroine to something else.

I do have faces picked out though - I think. Faces aren't as important as names to me. I get a vague idea of a look and then go with personality more than anything else. Little bits of this and that all pot-lucked together to make a character that comes to life for me.

<--- This would be the hero. <--- You didn't miss him, did you? LOL. Do those eyes say intense or what? I love eyes. I'm going to hit the name websites again - but if a name just leaps out at you while you're gazing into those eyes, let me know. He's not telling me anything yet. That stubborn streak coming out already I guess. Definitely going to be a fun character.

Ok, well I'm off to find something constructive to do, or at least a good job of faking it. See ya!

Interesting new TV show

2007-09-28T12:51:00.000-07:00

Okay - I haven't actually watched it yet, so who knows if it will be any good - but I got an email this morning from amazon about a tv show that's on tonight:

Dear Amazon.com Customer,

As someone who has purchased TV science fiction & fantasy shows on DVD, we thought you'd like to know that the new supernatural drama Moonlight premieres tonight at 9/8c on CBS.

Mick St. John (Alex O'Laughlin) is a captivating, charming - and immortal - private investigator from Los Angeles who defies the traditional norms of his vampire tendencies by using his wit and powerful supernatural abilities to help the humans others of his kind see only as nourishment. Forever 30 years of age, Mick's as handsome and charismatic as the day he was "turned," and with only a handful of like-minded confidantes for company, Mick fills his infinite days protecting the living.

Sounds kinda interesting... I might give it a try if there's nothing on my husband just has to watch. The blurb captures my attention - and those eyes in the picture they included didn't hurt either. Who can resist nice eyes? But - the blurb just makes the character sound like somebody I'd like to know.

Somebody wrote a good blurb there. Of course, the fact that he's a vampire and immortal interests me, but I'm just into that sort of thing. There are other words though that really grab my attention as well. The words that really jump out at me are defies... gotta love a hero that defies the norm - and wit - I love characters who have wit and charm. Also protect. Who doesn't love a man who is a protector? OH -- and I just noticed the words on the picture. Tall, dark and immortal. Yum. I know not everybody's cup of tea - but I love the premise.

I guess that just goes to show what a good blurb can do - and the impressions that one single word, or a few words - can make in a readers mind.

Are there any words that would make a book or movie (or TV show) a must read or see for you? Anything that might be on a cover that would spark your interest?

The return of the itchies

2007-09-25T20:48:00.000-07:00

Chicken pox is back at our house! I thought my 8 year old had gotten it when my daughter had it - but turns out he didn't. He has it now for sure though. Poor little guy. We had to count all the bumps today and came to the grand total of 154.

I haven't had much time to think of names. I got a little sidetracked with playing Dr. mom the last couple of days. I hope to dive right back into that as soon as we're through the worst of the itchies.

OH - yesterday marked the one month anniversary of my partial being at Superromance. I think I'll give it another month or so of trying not to think about it much - then at about 3 months I'll start scaring the mail carrier. ;-)

I've loved watching some of the season premieres on TV. Loved HEROES last night and I'm actually looking forward to the Bionic Woman tomorrow. Did anybody ever watch that back in the day? Remember the special effect noise? LOL.

Anybody else catching any good TV or looking forward to anything coming up?

What's in a name?

2007-09-22T13:10:00.000-07:00

How important is a name for a hero or heroine?

I don't know about you - but when I'm trying to start a new story - the name has to be just right. Sometimes I even fill in where names would go with X's until I find just the right one. But, it just makes it harder to actually get the writing done if I don't know the name.

I know I shouldn't be giving away facts about just how crazy I am - but my online RWA chapter is having a contest - it's free, so I just HAVE to enter. I only need the first 5 pages - and the final judge is an editor from Harlequin Blaze. I've always wondered if I could write a Blaze - I love reading them. So... I just have to give it a shot.

I have two, reasonably solid ideas - roughly plotted out enough so that I know the conflicts and what the major plot of the story would be. But I don't have names.

Guess it's time to haul out the baby name book or hit the name websites.

Anybody heard any really great names lately? Something intense and masculine and all man for the hero and something independent, spunky and a little tempting for a heroine?

Back to my Sheriff

2007-09-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

So... I talked to my sister, the cop, last night and got some advice on how to make my opening scene for the next book a little more realistic. I've realized that I tend to be a little over dramatic at times and I'm trying to tighten things up and make things more real. No laughing! ;-)

The problem is - no matter how real, per the way she says she'd handle it - there's always going to be somebody out there that will say that there is no way it would happen like that. I'm such a terrible people pleaser - I want EVERYBODY to like it. I need to just settle for doing my best to write it so the editors will like it.

Chicken Pox is over - thank God! That was crazy. By the time she'd started healing up, my daughter had close to 50 scabs just on her face. I hated having to send her back to school that way - but we couldn't wait another week or more for it to all heal up. She's nearly back to her beautiful self now though - and going to get a haircut to help her feel pretty again. LOL

Anybody watch Eureka? The Sheriff on there is sooooo my Greyson. Well... kinda. I always imagined Greyson, tall, dark and broody - and the character of the Sheriff on Eureka, well - he's a bit lighter sometimes and definitely not dark. But every now and then little bits of the personality just click. It helps that he has a daughter on the show and they get along just about the same as I imagine Greyson getting along with his younger sister. (who - whom(?) he's raising. I should know which works here, shouldn't I)

With the new fall programs starting, I'll be watching way too much TV. But I really enjoy some of the programs and the way that characterization is handled. I love being entertained, but I also love watching to get ideas that I can use for personalities for characters. A little bit of this... a little bit of that... LOL. I guess when I work on a book I make a characterization potluck.

So, what about you? Have any characters from TV or movies ever influenced your writing or given you ideas for a character or plot?

Oh the Drama!

2007-09-11T10:46:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been a few days - but things have been crazy - and despite the craziness - I really couldn't come up with anything even semi intelligent to say. I know that's not usually a problem - but I didn't want to come on here and just rant. I'll probably do that anyway. I try to not go off on tangents much - but I guess that's what life is all about sometimes - the occasional rant. LOL.

Does anybody but me remember the days when you'd hear that somebody's kids had chicken pox and you'd run your kids to their house so that your kids could be exposed and get them and then have it all over with while they were young? I know that dates me - or just shows that I've lived in small towns for my entire life - but that's the way it used to be.

What happened?

Sunday morning my fifteen year old daughter woke up feeling icky. It was my monthly RWA meeting out of town - so I went ahead and went and left her with her Dad for the day. When I got home that night - she was running a fever and said her head and throat hurt. Great, I thought - maybe she's getting strep or something. The next morning I woke her up for school (we're doing that first year of public school/high school this year, in case you missed that) and she still had a fever and wasn't feeling well. So, I decided to keep her home and maybe call the doctor about an ingrown toenail problem she'd been having. I figured we might as well take care of that while she was home.

But, by the time her doctor's appointment rolled around that afternoon - she was covered in spots. I was still thinking maybe strep - I've had times where the kids have had rashes with that - but it wasn't strep. She has chicken pox. The doctor said to keep her home from school for a week and keep her home and away from other people. So - I called the school and told them she'd be out for the week and why. An hour later I get a call from the health department here in town. Evidently chickenpox is now a reportable disease and they needed names of everybody she'd been in contact with for the last few days. Seriously. A REPORTABLE Disease.

They called back again today because she was out over the weekend at a local kids fair thing that was going on and they wanted to make sure she hadn't volunteered to serve food or anything there. The wanted names of the bajillion people she might have come in contact with there. When I asked more about why they were treating this like the plague I was told that they were actually calling everybody she'd had contact with. If they hadn't had chicken pox already or hadn't had the immunization then they would be told that they had to get the shot or not go to school for 3 weeks. Seriously. OMG!

Ok - that's just my rant. I can understand the school being a little concerned that everybody might get it - but I just can't believe something that used to be such a normal thing has become something else that the powers that be like to stick their noses into. I won't even get going on immunizations and all that - because I don't have all day. Suffice it to say - I like being left alone and raising my kids how I see fit - not how somebody else tells me to.

Which is why, I suppose, I like to write stories about women who feel that same way.

I'll end that rant now - not sure if it helped or not.

Now back to our regularly scheduled posts. ;-)

Book Covers

2007-08-29T06:07:00.000-07:00

Wanna see the BEST cover ever?? Check out Tawny Weber's cover for her January release, Does She Dare? OMG!! (Wonder if that will mess with my G rating?) :-) It makes me wanna switch to trying to write a Blaze. That cover is so HOT!!

I will probably never have a cover that looks THAT sexy, but I spend a lot of time wondering what kind of covers I might have someday. I keep photos of things that remind me of places in my writing sometimes, and I have a few ideas from scenes of what I think would look good on the front of my book - someday. If I ever sell it.

In most of my writing so far, I envision long country roads and pastures. Small towns with picket fences and more stop signs than stop lights. In my current book, I've imagined a cover with the hero sitting at the end of a long dock, holding a baby and dangling his feet in the water - or maybe holding a cane pole, fishing. The heroine could even be sitting there with them. OR sometimes I imagine a picnic scene with dandelion crowns. Maybe even a semi-hot kissing scene from the barn. (of all places. lol) But I still wouldn't mind that Harley!! :-)

I've seen some covers that I've really liked - and some that I really didn't like at all - but I don't think that it's ever made me not buy a book. Still... we all want great covers.

What about you? How much importance do you put on covers when buying books? Do you have any dream covers that you'd love to have someday?

Rated G??

2007-08-27T11:09:00.000-07:00

You gotta love Shawn in the mail room. Whoever he is- for at least a little bit yesterday - he held my dreams in his hands. Poor guy. Nobody should have to deal with that kind of stress without the rings and I DO's. LOL. But anyway - my partial has arrived. Delivered to the mysterious Shawn.

I'm rated G!! LOL. Ok, so I might have to think about livening things up a little bit around here. Not sure how I'm gonna do that. The scan of my blog says no bad words were found - so does that mean I have to say bad words now and then to get a PG rating? LOL. I'm wondering what I'd have to do to get the R?

Speaking of bad words... I have been reading an interesting discussion on eharlequin's Superromance thread. I don't always post there, mainly lurk and hope I'll think of something semi intelligent to say now and then - but I always read and enjoy the fun discussions. They've been talking about the use of words that are considered bad (the words you get called a potty mouth for) in writing and if as a writer you use them - or if as a reader they put you off.

It's funny because I was considering that in my own writing just the other day when working on the revisions. I think that it's one of the things that makes Superromance a little different. It's okay for the characters to be human - the editors actually want them to be as real as possible. And by golly, sometimes real people say bad things.

I was actually considering adding a curse jar to my story, you know - one of those jars that you have to put a coin into when you get caught saying a bad word. It seemed like something that one of the secondary characters, a grandmother, would have around. When I started thinking about it though, I realized so far, none of my characters have actually said anything naughty out loud. They think things in their heads all the time - I have some really ticked off characters right now - but they still haven't really done any cursing aloud. Hmmm... something I hadn't really noticed.

So, what about you? As a reader does it bother you - or as a writer, do your characters ever get more than a G rating?

Great book by a great lady!

2007-08-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

Here's a book you just have to read. Terri Garey's, "Dead Girls Are Easy" is out now!! Love the title, and love the cover - and can't wait to get out and get a copy!

So - my partial should arrive in Canada sometime today. Not that I'm thinking about it or anything. ;-)

I'm going to work on pacing myself and actually doing a little something writing related every day. I have to have the revisions and polish done on the rest of the book just in case - even if I don't get the request - there's this years Golden Heart to start getting ready for.

I suppose I should be doing that now. ;-)

Exciting News!!

2007-08-25T11:37:00.000-07:00

2007 Golden Heart winner, BETH BURGOON sold to Superromance! We were roomies in Dallas, so hopefully some of the mojo will rub off. (Not that we were rubbing up against each other or anything. LOL )

How the woman managed to keep it a secret for a few days after the actual call - I have no idea. Join the party and check out her wonderful call story on Tawny's blog.

My daughter survived her first day of high school. We had a laugh over "dressing out" for PE though. She'd never heard that said before - and never actually had PE before either. LOL. It's going to be interesting.

My partial is on its way to Canada and Superromance as I type. I sent it out yesterday, UPS. It should arrive early next week. I am hoping that having it arrive within one week of the request will be good. Maybe it will show how seriously desperate I am. :-)

Now I need to focus on polishing up the rest of the manuscript so that if the full is requested it will be just as ready. I also need to get to work on my entry for the Superromance Conflict of Interest contest. The deadline for that isn't until the end of October, but I want to have something solid ready.

Off to congratulate Beth!

2007-08-23T10:22:00.001-07:00

Well, my daughter is off to her first day of high school - her first day of public school ever.

Every now and then I catch myself thinking about what class she's in and what she's doing right now - I hope she's having a good time and I can't wait to hear all about it when she gets home. I asked her to take notes - so that she wouldn't forget anything. We'll see how that goes.

So this marks another milestone in my life. Another year that I've still not sold. I tend to set goals that revolve around my kids. They're a big part of why I want this so bad after all. They grow up so fast, and I want so much for them.

I normally don't share pictures of my kids, but I found this one when I was going through pictures for my 18 year old to use for his class yearbook last year. This was back when he still held on tight to my hand and was afraid to pet a pig at the petting zoo. Now he's off in college and I think it's safe to say he's letting go.

When I first started writing, I was going to sell before my oldest graduated high school. Didn't happen. So then I crossed my fingers for selling before he was through is first year of college. Zilch again. I settled back into the dream that I'd sell before my second son graduated high school. Close, but no cigar. I didn't even hope for selling before he started college because I was in a low spot and didn't have anything out at the time. That's one way around getting your hopes up - but it also doesn't get you any closer to your dreams.

So - now I'm getting ready to send something out again and I'm starting to think again of how great it would be to sell before my daughter graduates. I have four years. Man, I hope I can do it in four more years.

What about you? If you're unpublished, how long do you dream it will take? If you're published - did it take longer than you'd hoped?

Superromance pitch results.

2007-08-20T14:15:00.000-07:00

Has anybody ever had an editor say, "Go ahead and send me the first 3 chapters, cuz this can't be as bad as it sounds" ?

LOL. I'm just kidding - sorta. I tend to ramble on and on in chat as well as in person I guess. I confuse things a little bit more than I should sometimes. But, I did come away from today's chat with a request for the first 3 chapters and synopsis.

I'm going to get to work on that and hopefully have it out in the mail tomorrow. I've been through it a hundred times these last few months, so I think it's about as ready as it's going to get - but it won't hurt to read through it one last time first.

Then I guess I just have to decide how I'm going to get it there. Shipping to Canada is always so confusing with the Post Office, but I have to go out of town to ship UPS. There is a hardware store here where they do pick ups for UPS, but I LOVE the UPS stores where everything is so organized and they label it for you and have the nice envelopes and everything. They don't have that here.

Anyway - I guess I have work to do!

Hero Patterns

2007-08-19T13:15:00.000-07:00

I may be slightly weird (a fact many people know about me already) but, A LOT of the time I get ideas for characters from people that I see on TV. I was going to give the amount of times a percentage, but then I got thinking - that probably would be impossible. Sometimes it's a face that gets me thinking, but then sometimes I get a spark of an idea and find the face to put in it.

Either way - I build nearly all of my characters from somebody that I've seen on TV or in the movies. Sometimes I start with an idea of a look, sometimes I actually have a picture of the actor or actress around to look at - and usually - it's a character from a show that I like to watch, and I watch it over and over just so I can pick up on possible little quirks, facial expressions and things like that. I'm not sure if it really works in the writing - but it helps me feel like I'm really bringing the characters to life.

It's kinda funny though how those things can change. For instance -- The hero in the story that I've been doing revisions on off and on for the last couple years started out being somebody but is beginning to become somebody else. I'm just not sure I'm sure yet. LOL. See? I told you I was strange.

When I first started the story - CSI was just starting and I thought the character, Nick Stokes (played by actor George Eads) was a perfect face for my Caleb. I've always described Caleb looking like him, and at first, even some of the expressions and reactions were a bit of the same as well - but then George went and shaved his head - something Caleb would never do, he is very happy with his hair after all. The look works just fine for Nick Stokes, but not sure about Caleb - and then I noticed other little things that just weren't Caleb. The character Nick smiles a lot. My Caleb started out as a little bit of a happy-go-lucky kind of guy, but is turning out to be a bit more tortured than I had originally thought. He probably won't be smiling near as much.

All little, silly things that I can probably just imagine away while I'm writing him - but I've started to wonder if I shouldn't move on to another pattern for this story's hero.

The more I sit here and look at this picture - the more I'm thinking that I can deal with the little differences. In fact, I may just sit here and look at the picture all day long and try to keep my mind off the fact that tomorrow is pitch day.

So what about you? If you're a writer - do you base pieces of your heroes and heroines off real people from TV or are they totally made up in your head?

Favorite reading/writing moments?

2007-08-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

We have a date for the rescheduled pitch session!!! YAY!! Monday, August 20, I'll be giving it another shot. Fingers crossed. I'm sure I'll be stressing more about it as the date gets closer.

Yesterday I posted what famous movie kiss I would be from blogthings - and the line "I have always been standing in your doorway. Isn't it about time somebody saved your life?" was on it.

After reading that a few times, I thought, "WOW!" That so totally fits into a possible theme for my writing. I've always liked to write heroines who think they are tough as nails and can handle anything. Usually, they're out there fighting hard for what they want and willing to do what it takes to protect their family and the ones they love. Then the hero comes along... poor guy. I like to make him just as hard-headed and just as determined to do whatever it takes. Then there's that magic moment of possible resolution when the heroine realizes that it's okay to let somebody save you now and then. Hopefully it all works out and it's that awwwww, goosebumps and chills moment that we all love to read.

What about you? Any favorite moments in the romances you love to read? The first meeting, first kiss - first time the hero realizes he's in Waaayyy over his head? ;-)

Something fun

2007-08-16T13:46:00.000-07:00

I've been really into the You Tube videos of romance scene montages and the best tv and movie kisses - and today Tawny had this blogthing on her blog. Thought it would be fun to share. So which kiss are you?

Your Famous Movie Kiss is from Spiderman

"I have always been standing in your doorway. Isn't it about time somebody saved your life?"

What Famous Movie Kiss Are You?

2007-08-16T09:15:00.000-07:00

Crazy day yesterday... My oldest left for college and my second to oldest started classes his first year of college (he moved last week). Today, my daughter has freshman orientation and is getting ready for her first day of high school & her first day of public school ever (school starts next week) - and my eight year old is busy chasing flies. LOL. It's been HOT here, and I think the flies are trying to get in the house to stay cool.

I *think* the Superromance pitches have been rescheduled for next week - but no official news on that yet. I probably should get back to work on the conflict, or at least go over it all again - but I've really been trying to not think about it too much right now. I guess I like to save all the stressing for the day before. Seriously though - I think it's about as ready as it's going to get. I'll go over my notes again as it gets closer - but there isn't much more I can think of doing for the story other than rewriting the whole thing. I really love the characters in this story - but this may be close to it's last chance. After this - I might just have to make it one of those learning experiences that go on the shelf to maybe drag out again later on after I've written a few others.
Back to work - Hope everybody is staying cool!

Back to revising...

2007-08-14T10:54:00.000-07:00

Well... the pitch didn't happen yesterday after all - which is okay beings I was still feeling really iffy about my conflict.

I think I have it as strong as it's going to get for this story now though - so I'm trying to make the actual writing strong to match the conflict that is hopefully better now. The few extra days to work on that is probably a very good thing. This way - if I'm lucky enough to have it requested, maybe it will be totally polished and ready to send.

After I've finished with all the polishing - then I'm going to start working on the story that I want to send in for the Superromance contest. I'm trying to decide which story will work best. Conflict... conflict... conflict. That's what they're looking for. Something that makes the reader wonder how in the world these people will ever end up together. I just have to decided which of the two story ideas I have will work best for that - or maybe I should think up something totally different. Who knows what I'll end up doing.

Anyway - my second to oldest headed off to college this past weekend and my oldest is headed off tomorrow. We'll be down to two kids at home - hubby is looking forward to cooking for four again. It'll will take some getting used to, that's for sure. We're getting a tiny peek into our future, and it's very interesting. I'm not sure I'm totally ready for the next phase, but I'm not as terrified of it as I thought I'd be.

It would just be really nice if part of this next phase included published author. LOL. Keeping my fingers crossed.

See ya!

Conflict woes.

2007-08-12T10:53:00.000-07:00

Conflict - "when two or more parties, with perceived incompatible goals, seek to undermine each other's goal-seeking capability."

I'm having conflict issues. I was one-hundred percent sure that my story was loaded with conflict until last night. That's when I re-read my rejection letter and realized that the biggest reason for the rejection was lack of solid conflict between the Hero and Heroine. They both have plenty of conflict with things going on through the story - but they are not fighting against each other for anything. If anything - they both almost want the same thing - and that just won't work at all.

So, I'm trying to figure out a way today to put them more against each other. Not just because of hurt feelings of past issues, but because of something they're fighting for in the present. Fingers crossed that I come up with something soon so that I'll quit driving my husband and friends crazy with this.

Meanwhile - for our viewing pleasure and fun. I've got hooked on watching various You Tube clips. Thanks Trish! ;-) They have some really great montages of best romantic scenes in movies and TV. I've really liked watching them and analyzing what makes a scene a great scene. I've got a few clips there that I've always liked to go watch over and over again though - mainly my greatest hero inspiring clips - one of my favorites: (yes, I LOVE Firefly!!)

Superromance PITCH!!

2007-08-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

I made it!!

My one page synopsis was chosen as one of 5 to have an online pitch session with the Harlequin Superromance head editor. I'm SO excited!!

Congratulations to the others that were chosen as well!! I guess we're all stressing together right about now and worrying about how coherent we'll be on Monday. The BIG pitch day.

This was really just the bit of good news that I needed. I was having a hard time keeping the hope alive. I know that it's all part of the writing life - you win some - you lose some - you pick yourself up, dust off and just keep on writing. But it's never easy.

For right now though, I'm just going to really enjoy this and try to not spend too much time worrying about how things will go Monday. I'll worry about Monday tomorrow. Probably all day. I need to decide if I want to go into it with a lot of the possible things that might come up already typed out so that I can cut and paste - or if I'm just going to wing it.

Suggestions?

I did it!

2007-08-07T14:50:00.001-07:00

I finally finished my one page synopsis and got it sent in to the Superromance Pitch contest. So... fingers crossed! The editor will pick 5 and they get to have an online pitch session next week. AT least I don't have long to wait and wonder. I'll be out of my misery (or in even more) by the weekend.

So.. enough about that. I have been trying not to think about it after all.

I've started watching a new TV show called Saving Grace. (Check out the clip if you have time.) It has a very interesting premise - I think - and wonderful characterization. I've always wanted to write a heroine something like Grace - but she is just SOOO bad. My husband suggested last night that I write a secondary character like her, which is an EXCELLENT idea. (he has them now and then) If she's a secondary character, maybe she can get away with a little bit of the being bad, push some boundaries maybe - and then everybody will hopefully love her enough, she'll have to come back and have her own book. Her book can then deal with redeeming her a bit. Sounds like fun. ;-)

We've always been told that everybody loves bad boys - and I suppose it's true. So what about bad girls? Can't they be just as much fun?

One page synopsis - ICK!!

2007-08-05T10:59:00.000-07:00

I have been struggling with writing a one page synopsis for the last week or so. My first draft read really nice (or so I thought), but was really just a blurb like you'd read on the back cover of a book. NOT a synopsis. So.. it's been back to the drawing board - trying to layer in characterization, conflicts and maybe a little about the story - but keep it all on one page.

Yikes! I just realized I still don't really have the black moment... well, maybe I hint at it a little. I'm not really sure of what I have anymore. Have you ever read something through so many times and wrote so many versions that your not even sure if you're making it better or worse? That's me right now.

So, I'm taking a little break and thought I'd share some pics from our family vacation.

We stayed in the cutest little cabins. My kids wanted to live there, because although they were pretty tiny, they were brand new, still had that brand new smell, and were in much better shape than the thousand year old house we're living in now.

The little pond out front had a fountain floating in the center, although it didn't work until the last night we were there. There were also frogs. They'd come out at night and sit under the lights waiting for bugs. Totally freaked my daughter out, but I liked it. Made it feel very much like being in the country. You can see from the roller coaster in the background though, we weren't exactly in the country. LOL. The screams and clanking that came from that during the amusement parks operating hours reminded us of that.

My kids loved the coasters. Two of them are somewhere on this one. It's really hard to tell just where. I didn't try it - not this one anyway. It was called the Boomerang. It pulled you back and then shot you off forward through some steep banks and loops and then up a high slant where it pulled you back again, and then shot you off backwards through the same thing.

I did try a few coasters. But, had to make sure that I could fit the safety belts and harness things around me. There's a sure sign that you need to lose weight. What an eye opener.

I did ride a few though - and it was great. My favorite ride though is just a raft ride, a big tube shaped thing that six people can fit it. We road that the last night over and over. We were soaking wet - but had a great time. Didn't get any pics of it though, was too risky trying to take a camera on it.

I guess it's time for me to get off here and get back to work. I have my synopsis out with some friends to read over - just to make sure that it makes sense to somebody besides me - and then I'm sending it in and crossing my fingers.

Hope everybody is having a great weekend!

Back to work?

2007-07-29T13:03:00.001-07:00

It turns out that I didn't take as many pictures at RWA Nationals as I thought I had - so... I don't have many to share.

Here's a few though of some great authors and friends at the Literacy booksigning:

Tawny Weber, Playpal and Great Blaze author.

Stacey Kayne, Playpal and amazing Harlequin Historical author.

Patricia Davids, fellow WARA member and Steeple Hill, Love Inspired author.

I'm starting to barely get back into the swing of the real world now. A few days after returning from Dallas, we had a mini family vacation. We took the kids to a local theme park, roller coasters, funnel cake and sunburn. It was great! ;-)
I think I actually have some pictures from that as well, I managed some roller coasters. LOL. I'm not into them as much as I used to be, we haven't done anything like this in years - so I went all out and tried some again. It was... interesting.

Anyway... I'm back now and trying to get back to work. I have a few things going on. I'm hoping to enter the Superromance contest as well as the chance at a pitch session to Superromance on eHarlequin.

I'll post more about that soon - but for now, gotta run!

Home at last!

2007-07-16T20:15:00.000-07:00

RWA Nationals was a blast!!

I have to admit, I'm totally worn out though - it will most likely take me a few days, maybe even weeks, to adjust after all the late nights spent laughing and hanging out with my amazing writer friends.

I meant to keep a journal while I was there, but I got so caught up in having a good time - I kinda forgot all about writing everything down while it happened. I think that I'll just have to rely on my poor, failing memory.

The drive was very interesting - to say the least. I like driving, and normally I'm pretty good at directions and just having a good feel for where I need to go. So. . . I didn't put a lot of time or stress into maps. After all, Texas is straight south of Kansas, and Dallas is nearly straight south of where I'm at in Kansas - piece of cake. LOL.

Seriously though, it wasn't that bad. It just took a little longer than I thought it should have - and I got a little turned around in Tulsa - I really don't like driving through there - and I kinda had a little difficulty finding the hotel. But don't believe everything you hear about that. I made it - and that's all that should count.

This was only my second conference - and the first time I have been able to make it in time for the Literacy Book Signing. It was amazing. So many great authors and so many good books.

I'll be getting the few pictures uploaded to the computer that I managed to take - and I'll try to share them over the next few weeks.

After conference though, I'm all fired up to write - so I wanted to post a little something.

Hope everybody else that was able to do the RWA conference this year had a great time!

LOST spoiler - totally writing unrelated.

2007-05-24T13:24:00.001-07:00

Ok, I know I've been missing forever and my first post back should be something totally wise about writing - but it's not. Get over it. LOL.

I just can't get over LOST last night. Anybody else hate it?

Maybe I just hate it when people die for no reason - but dang it, why CHARLIE?

It just really bugged me. I don't get why he decided to enter the "Good Vibrations" code before he had the diving gear on. Also, if he had enough time to close the door, couldn't he have done that from the outside of the chamber? And why didn't he try to take a big breath and swim out of the portal? He's a skinny little guy, he could have fit. Anything would have been better than just dying like that without a fight.

AND THEN - the whole flash forward thing.. I just don't get it. Will the rest of the island story become the flashback? Or will they get to have a do-over like Desmond's and end up back at the island? In which case, can Charlie be saved? I really hope so.. I don't want them to leave the island, dang it - and I don't want Charlie to be dead.

Somebody's having a GREAT year!

2007-03-29T15:56:00.000-07:00

MEGA congratulations to my pal, Lindsey Brookes! This lady is rockin!

First with the American title III competition, then the Great American win - and now, she's a finalist in RWA's Golden Heart competition!

Other awesome and very deserving finalist friends who SO totally rock - Beth Burgoon, Shelia-Rae Mohs, Anna Sugden and Carla Hughes. Can't wait to see their smiling faces up on the big screen in Dallas.

Tawny and Terri both got their books in the mail recently. That has to feel amazing, holding something you created like that.

I've been kinda out of it lately. I entered the contests and was all fired up for a great year - and it's just sorta fizzled out. Things have not been going like I had hoped.

So, I'm trying to get my mind wrapped around pushing through the blah's. It doesn't help that I've totally gotten hooked on playing World of Warcraft. LOL. That thing is addictive in a very bad way. Maybe if I were writing paranormals or something I could use it? Ha ha.

Anyway - I'm trying to decide on Dallas right now. I was totally planning on going - but now, with the idea of sending 2 kids off to college in the fall - and my writing going nowhere fast - I'm not sure I can push myself over the hurdle of committing. It doesn't help that the "good" hotel is already booked up and I still haven't decided to go. I guess when if I make up my mind to go for it - I'll be looking for a roommate.

Congrats to Lindsey!

2007-02-15T09:30:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine, Lindsey Brookes, received news this week that she was the Great American contest winner! I'm so excited for her. She's a great writer and person and deserves so many good things. Watch for her! Pop by her website and check out all she's been up to.

I still haven't heard of anybody claiming the 2nd and 3rd spot yet, but I'm sure they're out there somewhere. Keeping fingers crossed for maybe a request from the contest - but if not, then moving on. I have my wanna be Desire out at three contests right now and I'm anxious to hear back on those. I'm wondering if maybe my voice doesn't lean a little more in that direction.

VOICE. Argh! It's so hard to figure. Anybody have any clues on how to figure out just where you "fit" as a writer? If so, clue me in before I spend another year running around in circles.

To contest or not?

2007-02-06T14:27:00.000-08:00

It's actually 55 degrees here in Kansas today and I'm feeling a heat wave. LOL. I turned down the furnace that has been running pretty much non stop the last month because I was getting too hot. It's a very nice break in the weather - but sadly, I'm pretty sure it's not going to last. The weatherman is talking about some sort of arctic front hitting us tomorrow I think. I really don't pay attention much.

I've been trying to get busy on some contest judging that I'm doing. I have an assortment of paranormal and contemporary that I'm judging in 3 different contests right now. One of them is supposed to be back next week - ARGH! I've been bad and putting it off and now I have a lot of reading to do. The big problem I'm having is that I have electronic entries. I just don't feel that I read them as well as when they're on paper and I can just jot down notes in the margins and things. I've been putting off printing them off, not wanting to waste my ink on that. But, today I just printed them on the back of something I'd printed for myself and did it on fast draft so I didn't use up too much ink. Now I just have to read them.

So, speaking of contests. Pro or con?

I was all set to enter a few contests last month and then somebody asked me why? It was a great question. I hadn't really thought about it in a very long time.

When I first started writing, I entered nearly every contest I could afford. I just wanted the feedback. I had critique partners, but even though I know they'll tell me if something sucks, I couldn't help but worry that they weren't always being as honest about it's suckability level as somebody that didn't know me and didn't care if they hurt my tender, young writer feelings.

It didn't take me long to figure out though, that a lot of the judges out there were as new at writing as I was and didn't always offer the best feedback. So, I learned to take what I felt was valid and ignore the rest. I never will forget the judge that told me my heroine should mace my hero just in one eye. LOL. Like that's possible? Or the time the judge wanted to know what my hero was smelling after he was maced? Um? NOTHING? Maybe they should try getting maced and find out for themselves?

I did use the good feedback though and along the way learned a lot about what other people got from my writing. It was a great learning experience. After a few finals, I moved on to only entering contests where the final judge was somebody that I really wanted to get something in front of on the chance that I might actually get a request. I also entered a few of the big name contests - The Golden Heart, the Molly, the Laurie. My goal was getting my name out there, having something to put on queries as my writing accomplishments and maybe, just maybe, getting a request.

Then, I got that request - only it was on a chapter that I'd just started and didn't have anything else done on. Unless you're a fast writer, I don't recommend doing that. I still haven't sent it in. I've been bad and been slacking.

So - why am I entering more contests? I'm still trying to figure that out. Maybe I'm hoping I'll kick my butt into gear and get some things done?

What about you? Ever done the contest route? Did it help, hurt? Is it just a terrible addiction?

Still out here.

2007-02-05T06:02:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not, I'm still out here. I almost can't believe how long it's been since I've managed to get my behind in gear and post something. I figure there's only so much - it's another boring day in the life of tammy - that people can take. That about sums the last month up perfectly.

After Christmas, the cold really settled in and I settled in to a place of blah's. This must be a lot like the bears feel when they hibernate for the winter. I just wanna stay wrapped up in a blanket, wear layers and stay warm. Even if that means rarely venturing far from a heat source or someplace where I can really snuggle up.

But, it's February now, and hopefully the weather will be warming up just a smidge. It's already 18 degrees here this morning after all. LOL. It's sad when we're happy to have it in the 30's again.

So, what have I been up to other than trying to stay warm? Sadly, not much. I retitled my Playboy book to Bachelor Number Nine (it was The Playboy's Cowgirl) and sent it out to three contests. It did well it's first time out last year. It got first place in the 2006 Winter Rose contest. The editor comments were that the heroine needed a little different conflict. So, thanks to some good brainstorming, she's been revamped a little and hopefully the story will do well. It's something a little different for me. I'm hoping to send it to Silhouette Desire one of these days when I have everything else a little more under control. It's the only book I have plotted that doesn't include kids. I seem to through them into everything else I've written.

This week brings the deadline of when the Harlequin American contest is supposed to announce. I'm not letting myself hope too big on this one, but it would be amazing to at least get a request from it. Not that I have the book done - that's the downside - but maybe it will help light the fire under me that I need to get it written. Coming in in the top three wouldn't be a bad thing either - would love the free books for a year prize.

Ok - so hopefully off to get some work done today. Hope everybody is staying warm and meeting whatever goals you have set for the day.

Tawny's got a cover!

2007-01-12T06:01:00.000-08:00

Tawny has her cover and it is HOT! I've been anxious to see what kind of cover she'd get every since she sold last May - and now it's finally arrived. Check it out on her BLOG and let her know what you think about it - and of course, be sure to pick it up in May.

So what about you unpubbed's out there that are hoping to some day have a cover of your own? Have you imagined and pictured what your first cover might look like? If you had to come up with an idea for a cover on a current WIP or something submitted - what would it look like?

The story that I'm working on revisions for SSE right now would probably be a family scene. Either a picnic with a toddler baby with a dandelion crown on her head - or at a pond with the hero or heroine sitting on a dock, soaking their feet and relaxing. Those are the two scenes that I've imagined most, but now I've got myself thinking about it - could be something else.

What about yours?

Getting back in the swing of things

2007-01-09T09:34:00.000-08:00

Christmas got the best of me. I've had a hard time getting back on track and thinking of something even partially interesting or witty to say. LOL. So, I'm just going to at least get back into posting, even if I'm sadly lacking in the witty dept.

I didn't really make any resolutions this year. I don't usually aside from writing more, writing better and getting as much out there as I can. I failed at that last year. I wrote like a crazy lady for about 4 months - got a few new first chapters finished and out in contests. They did well - but I never finished the books. Can't say how I did with the writing better part. But looking back to where I was when I first starting seriously pursuing a career in writing - I guess it's fair to say I'm a little better than I was 5 years ago.

The getting as much out there as I can part? Failed mega miserably. Hard to get anything out there when you don't have much done. I did get the revisions done, but nothing new went out.

This year I hope to change that. To get things out there. The thing that really holds me back about that though is the worry that I'll get some editor upset with me if I have stuff with any other editors when and if they ever do want to buy something. Anybody ever had any experience with that?

Janice SOLD!!

2006-12-20T16:33:00.000-08:00

My friend, Janice Lynn recently sold to Harlequin Medicals - a 2 book deal no less!!! I'm so excited for her and hope that everybody will pop in over on her blog and congratulate her.

As for me - not much going on. Struggling to keep hold of the sanity for the next week or so. Yeah, then I can be crazy again. LOL. I am determined to have presents wrapped before Christmas Eve this year though - so I started that today. I have a few more things to get - so a shopping day planned for Friday. Tomorrow, it's peanut butter balls. My sister said she'd pitch a fit if I didn't make them this year.

My sister - btw - just started training to work for a Sheriff's Dept. near her. I'm really excited - not only for her - but because now I can have some inside info on how things really work. I've always had a thing for small town cops and sheriffs and things like that.

As for the writing - going slow - BUT - I have to get my entry for the American contest in the mail asap. I was shooting for by the end of this week, but the deadline is postmarked by the 31st. I may push it really close to the deadline. Anybody else entering?

I'm a little hung up on my hero. I've been going through some contest comments that I got back on him - and listening to some wise advice from fellow writers and trying to decide what to do with the big oaf. Hopefully, I'll have him straight in my mind soon so I can make the changes I need to and get it sent in.

Hope everybody is having a great time getting ready for Christmas?

2006-12-17T11:31:00.000-08:00

So am I the only one that gets totally crazy this time of year?

I am a bit of a Scrooge I guess. I love getting the kids gifts, but every year it seems to get to be more and more. Maybe because they're getting older? Maybe realizing that they'll be off on their own soon? I don't know. Maybe just the whole commercialization of the holiday. Is that a word?

LOL. Anyway - I've been really out of it these last few weeks. Not had time to focus on much of anything other than keeping it all together through the holiday. I do love Christmas - just wish I could afford to do it with all the trimmings. I don't decorate much, in fact, I was really behind on getting the tree up this year. The cats are LOVIN it. Every morning we have to pick ornaments up off the floor and put them back on the tree. So far we've been lucky and the tree hasn't been knocked over.

I got really sick of looking at that picture I had up of me, so I changed it to my Meez I created. I did another animated version just for fun:

I'll try to get a new, REAL, pic of me up soon. I can only wish I really looked as good as my cartoon version.

That's really about all that's been going on with me lately. Haven't done much writing. I have been working on a plot idea for the story I'm sending into the American contest. I need to get it all sorted out and get it in the mail asap.

I'll try to get back in the swing of things soon. A new year is coming - that's always a good sign.

Bond, James Bond

2006-12-03T22:18:00.000-08:00

Saw a movie this weekend. It's really made me want to write an alpha male - that's for sure.

So - any other Bond fans out there? I didn't think that I'd like this one - but I did. It had spots that I might have done differently, but alot of it was done very well. Like - couldn't you just watch that scene of him walking out of the water over and over and over again?

Ok - I usually try not to say things like that. My kids could read this after all. But - if you like the the action/Bond type of movies, you have to see this one.

I really wanna write something now. ;-)

2006-12-02T10:03:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I must have fallen into a time warp or something - cuz I swear I posted something since Thanksgiving. Maybe the blog goblins ate it? That's my story and I'm sticking to it. ;-)

Honestly - I haven't been up to anything blog worthy the last week or so. I hate the cold and I really am not fond of this time of year. Just give us a few weeks of the nasty cold and get on with it and get back to spring - thank you very much. But, no such luck.

It IS Kansas - and Kansas ( and maybe a few other states ) is known for it's weird weather. Like being in the 60's on Tuesday and then 20's with freezing rain on Wednesday. Then came the dump of snow on Thursday - while 40 miles to the north they got nothing but a little sleet. LOL - so much fun for them - and us of course.

Not to mention - I put off mailing my Golden Heart entry until the last possible second and guess what? I was out in the blowing snow on Thursday getting it shipped out. My printer also chose that day to act up and wouldn't print the synopsis and I was really worried I'd miss the once a day UPS pick up at our local hardware store. But, I made it. I guess the snow helped me out a little - the UPS guy was running a little later than normal.

Sooo - according to the UPS tracking, it's there. But, it's still not logged into my contest page on the RWA website. Hopefully, that will show up soon. I am all ready for it to be March now and have all the waiting part over with.

Soo - next to work on. I still have the revisions for SSE to do - and I'm working on getting a chapter ready for the Great American Contest. I'm really excited about it. Also, the Harlequin American authors have started their own blog. I've added it to my links. Some really great ladies and authors there.

I'm also trying to get some Christmas shopping done. Ebay is my friend. I have done most of my shopping online this year. I still have a few things that I think I can pick up cheaper myself, and stocking stuffers and things like that - but I am actually nearly done with at least 1 child. LOL - 3 more to go!

Oh - and that snow I mentioned? While I was posting this my two youngest decided to make a snowman. And yes - those are rocks for eyes and not what they kinda look like.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-23T14:17:00.000-08:00

The turkey's in the oven, bread is raising and I'm taking a short break to wish everybody out there in blog land a very Happy Thanksgiving!

We're spending a quiet day at home and in between getting everything together, I've even managed to get 2 pages edited! LOL. Not much, but it is something. Much better than nothing. I think it's even 2 pages that I'm happy with. Not really sure yet.

On the first page of what I sent to Superromance, I found a typo! A typo! On the FIRST page. Hopefully this time I'll catch everything. I have decided though, that this time around I'm going to write it the way that I like it and send it. We'll see what happens. I really feel like I've wasted too much of my writing life already trying to write things to fit a line - instead of writing what I feel I want to say and then finding the line that fits it. You have to have a little bit of a target, narrow it down between a few genre's and whatnot - but if you get fighting over every single word - it writes your voice and style right out of it.

Hopefully tonight I'll get even further than 2 pages.

Hope everybody is having a great day! I've been snacking on olives all afternoon - one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving - next to just relaxing and spending the day with family. What's your favorite part of the day?

2006-11-19T09:09:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been a week since I've posted.

Not sure where the time goes, but it does fly - at least when you're not waiting on something. Time was dragging before the rejection and now that I'm trying to get something else done, it's speeding by.

I haven't really gotten as much done as I'd hoped to. I've done some plotting. I am pretty sure that my conflict is solid now and that my characters are all motivated. Still not 100% sure that they make total sense to anybody other than me. But, we'll see I guess.

I was hoping to have the revisions done as well as polishing the mss up for my GH entry, but the revisions are probably going to be a lot more work than just getting it ready for the GH. It was already pretty much as polished as I want it to be from subbing it to Supers. I do need to maybe fix a few of the plotting problems. Yeah, the ones that I probably should have fixed BEFORE I sent it to Supers. I guess I'd better get my butt in gear then.

This morning I'm baking a bundt cake from a box mix and making a pumpkin pie roll and going to my first dysfunctional family Thanksgiving get together. I'll have another one next weekend as well, plus just spending time with my immediate family on Thanksgiving day.

I've actually started my Christmas shopping!! I really want to try to get everything done ahead of time this year. I'm always one of those crazy people out there trying to get things together at the last minute. Hopefully, not this year.

What about you? Have the holidays hit you yet?

Is it just me??

2006-11-11T23:15:00.000-08:00

Ok, so is it just me - or does Jericho's, Skeet Ulrich look a lot like Johnny Depp?

It could just be me, but I was looking for pics tonight for characters in another book - okay, I WAS procrastinating - but I started noticing that a lot of Skeet's pics were looking strangely familiar.

I KNEW there was a reason I was liking that show. LOL. Just kidding. I think I'd watch it anyway. In fact, I truly just noticed the similarities. And maybe I'm just imagining it? What do you think?

I really do think that the show has some amazing characterization. We just watched the show tonight that we'd recorded earlier in the week. It's funny that I never thought I'd like the show, but the characters have me hooked.

I guess that's the way it is with a lot of writing. Sometimes the story or plot alone can just be a little weird, but it's the characters that really keep us reading.

I've about got my conflict ironed out for my SSE revisions - but still need to make sure the plot is solid. I can see now things that I probably should have changed the first time around - but I was so wrapped up in the characters then and the PERFECT (LOL) words that I'd written, that I didn't want to change too much of the plot. BIG mistake. The whole ending, no matter how good I think it is, doesn't really work for the story. It doesn't bring their conflicts into it at all - which doesn't really work.

SO - that's my project for my revisions this time.

Maybe I'll even get it right this time.

Don't forget to let me think what you think about the Skeet looks like Johnny thing.

Entered the Golden Heart

2006-11-10T21:03:00.000-08:00

Well, I did it. I put it off a little bit, but I think I managed to get in before they filled up this year. I totally flaked on it last year, although I meant to and wanted to. This year, I was waiting to see if I'd be illegible, and well - we all know how that turned out.

It does give me a goal though to do some more revising on it and make it the best dang story that I can. While I'm doing that, I'm going to be getting it revised for SSE. I have to cut at least 40 pages. I guess that's one way to get it tightened up.

Right now, I'm supposed to be working on going over my conflict and plot points for the story and I'm changing a few things. Love doing away with people - on paper that is. ;-)

Just for fun - here's a JubJub update.

He's 5 months old now and still climbs up on my lap to suck on my finger. Then, he falls asleep with his tongue out. Isn't he just the sweetest thing? Hope he stays that way after his trip to the vet next month. We're not thinking about that right now though.

Hope everybody is having a great weekend!

Finding a fit

2006-11-07T09:34:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm still just a little bummed of course, but I'm not going to let it keep me down. I have options and I just need to get more stuff out there.

I still have the revision request from SSE, so I'm thinking of revising it for there - mostly because I really do think it's a good story - it just needs an editor that sees that. I had thought the Supers editor felt a little more strongly about it - but this rejection didn't point out any good points at all really - I was expecting at least more revisions and not a total rejection. So, I'm starting to wonder about my voice and if it really fits Supers at all now. It would be really nice to find a fit and a place where I really feel like I belong so that I can work hard toward that. Right now, I just don't feel like I belong anywhere - that's the saddest part I think. If I knew where I belonged, I'd feel good about working hard toward it - and that is exactly what I need to do - work my butt off.

Anyway - I do have the revision request from SSE still - and it will mean a lot of cutting, but maybe that's where my voice really belongs. I'll never know unless I try and It's better than admitting the story is totally dead.

So, I'll be plotting some on that and trying to make sure that the conflict is REALLY solid. Trying to unconvolute the story as well and cutting at least 10,000 words.

I hope to have it back out in the mail before the end of the month. I figure this way, I'm revising for SSE and the GH too. Works I guess. Only, I guess I'll have to change my category to short with the word cut and all. That should be interesting.

Then, after I have that all finished, I'll get to work on sending something back to Supers probably. I will just need to decide if it's going to be the story I'm working on or something totally different that was written totally with Supers in mind. I guess, if that didn't work then I'd know my voice really probably didn't fit. Just hate to have written a totally new story that still didn't work. I guess there's always the chance it would work wherever I did fit though if I ever figure that out. LOL.

So, have any experience in trying to find out where you fit?

Starting over?

2006-11-06T10:01:00.000-08:00

For those of you who have been waiting with me for news of my revision submission to Supers - the wait is over. I received a rejection in the mail today.

It was a very helpful rejection and didn't leave me feeling hated at all - and really, I'm weird - but I'm ok with it. The waiting and wondering is the hardest part for me. I can handle the rejection, it's just another step in the process - and it doesn't mean no forever, just no for right now.

So - now I need to decide what I'll be working on. I definitely want to get something new into Supers, but not sure if I want it to be the story I've already got started or something totally NEW new.

Ideas?

Procrastinating with Tammy

2006-11-04T13:59:00.000-08:00

I found a fun site to do puzzles. Like I don't have anything better to do - I know.

But, I made a puzzle. It's from one of the pics I took on my trip last weekend. Just click on the puzzle link and then click on the title of the photo to try the puzzle. Let me know how it works for you.

I've been thinking that I really need to change the name of my blog to Procrastinating with Tammy. What do you think? At least I'd never run out of topics.