(As I type this, my four-year old is singing an ode to his wonderful penis. The male fascination starts waaaaay too early…)

*Ahem*

Things I’ve Learned Since I Started Writing

1. Books are the greatest things on earth. I always knew that, I just didn’t realize how fabulous they were until I saw what went in to churning one out.
2. Writers are the nicest people on the planet. Some of my closest friends are writers. I couldn’t live without them.
3. My writer’s group rocks!
4. Writing is damn hard. If it were easy, none of us would be … Read more »

My agent asked for a photo of me to add to my bio when she starts pitching my book at the end of the month. One would think that’s not something to stress over. One obviously doesn’t know me.

The last day or so I’ve been looking for an already-taken, updated photo of moi. And you know what I found? There aren’t any. Not any good ones, at least. I’m the photographer in the house. If I’m in a photo, it’s usually me with one of the Gremlins, and it’s usually taken by one of the Gremlins. Which means … Read more »

Karin Tabke’s debut release is out today! Head over to her blog and wish her luck (and huge congratulations)!!… Read more »

Brad Pitt, ever the social activist, says he won’t be marrying Angelina Jolie until the restrictions on who can marry whom are dropped. “Angie and I will consider tying the knot when everyone else in the country who wants to be married is legally able,” the 42-year-old actor reveals in Esquire magazine’s October issue, on newsstands Sept. 19.

I have one question. Just one:

Does anyone care??????

Okay, I lied. I have two:

Does he think his threatening not to marry Angelina is going to make anyone change their mind on the issue of gay marriage?????

Gah! I’m sick of … Read more »

Last week Theresa posted about good things happening in threes on her blog. I never really put much store in stuff like that, but today am thinking maybe she’s on to something. Over the past week, three good things have happened here:

1. Out of the blue, I got an email from my best friend from high school. We haven’t spoken in over two years, and while nothing happened to sever our relationship, the different paths of our lives caused us to drift apart. I think of her often, add her to my email updates about my kids, but have … Read more »

You’re all so sweet. Thanks for the words of encouragement. Believe me, when I can, I’ll be posting my news right here. So stay tuned…

That said, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the psuedonym issue. The name I use in my writing is my maiden name – Elisabeth Naughton. When I first started writing I decided I wanted to publish under my maiden name and keep my married (legal) name under wraps. There were a variety of reasons, but most related to my kids. I talked it over with my DH and he agreed. Since then, I’ve … Read more »

Okay, I’ve been slack in posting this week. Lisa slapped me with a wet noodle and said I had to post something, so here goes:

Things are afoot. I can’t say what just yet, but something’s happened (or happening). Will have more to post next week. (Hopefully)

Enjoy the long weekend. I’ll probably be stressing.

Later…… Read more »

I finished chapter one. Finally. It was like pulling teeth. And now? Now I hate it.

GAH!

I love the prologue, like the first scene, can’t stand the second. It’s boring. It’s not unique. And now I’m stuck at the beginning of two because the second half of one is such a smelly stinker.

My wonderful CP said, “Just write. First chapters are allowed to stink.” My perfectionist brain is rebelling though. No! No! No! First chapters can’t stink! They have to hook. They have to be special. They’re the only shot you have!

See my issues?

What happens in … Read more »

Two of my three Gremlins are gone to their grandparents’. The house is relatively quiet (esp. when Gremlin #3 is sleeping), and I can’t bleed out a single word to save my life.

Fast forward a week. All three Gremlins are now home. Chaos reigns supreme. The dog is barking, the doorbell’s ringing, kids are screaming and I’m writing like a mad-woman.

Just where is the logic?… Read more »

Do you know it all? I will gladly admit that I don’t. (Contrary to what my husband says.) In most things, I know squat, although I do know how to look things up. I can research with the best of them, baby. And I tend to remember a lot. But if it’s not something I’m interested in at that moment, forget it. I took an online class on PIs earlier this summer and learned a lot of interesting info. Can I remember any of it? Nope. Not one damn thing. I wasn’t working on a PI story at the time. … Read more »