I am avoiding chapter 22 like the plague. And I don’t know why. I’ve written – maybe- two pages on it today. It’s dark and depressing and I really hate what I’m doing to my characters. But it was inevitable. I know it was inevitable.

*sigh*

So here’s me today:

Get up, check email. Oooh…a request. That’ll keep me busy for a while.

Feed kids, get the oldest off to school.

Check email. Oooh. A rejection off query. There’s a mood buster.

Pick up crap around the house so the cleaning lady can actually clean.

Go blog hopping – waste … Read more »

The big HEA. Anyone who reads romance knows that’s a given. Although we may love RS for the whodunit factor and to see just how awful the situation can get for our hero or heroine, ultimately, we know they’re both going to live and they’re going to get their HEA. And generally, that means marriage or a long-term commitment of some kind.

However, all HEA’s aren’t created equal. I read two books over my vacation. The first – a true RS murder mystery by one of my favorite authors – was about a renegade FBI agent and a gem cutter. … Read more »

Want a good dose of reality and what it takes to get published today?

Check this out.

(Warning: Do not read if you prefer to be naively optimistic.)… Read more »

I’m back. And I’m pooped. A vacation with the kiddos is not a vacation!

We had a great time, regardless. Swam, played miniature golf, drove go-carts, biked all over the place, had dinner with the DH sans kiddos (that was nice!). But I really am tired.

Very little writing got done. However, I did manage to plot out the next book. (A very rough, rough outline – but at least I know where it’s headed, and that’s all I need since technically, I’m not a plotter – wink, wink.) And the main characters for that one are starting to come … Read more »

I’m off on vacation for the next week. Taking my laptop with me so hopefully I’ll get some serious writing done (or at least figure out what the heck is going to happen in the climax since it’s in the next chapter! Ay ya ya…).

Will be back Labor Day.

Happy writing to all!… Read more »

I *think* I can post this since it’s already up and running on the world wide web.

Check out Linda’s new website. It is soooo cool! Uber-talented CP Joan is to thank (again) for designing yet another fabulous site. I’ve received nothing but rave reviews about mine. You rock, J!

And in case you missed Linda’s big announcement, be sure to stop by her blog. She landed a top agent and finally signed her contract last Friday. Congrats, Linda! I know big things are on the horizon for you!!! (And I can always say, “I knew her when…”)… Read more »

See ya, babe! I’m off to the office.

A full day of work looms ahead of me – eight hours with the WIP, full steam ahead. No interruptions, just me and my muse, the computer, a few research books and a gallon of coffee (with half-n-half and splenda, of course).

Yeah, right. In my dreams.

My ‘office’ is a spot on the living room couch with my laptop perched on my knees, research books scattered across the coffee table and floor, and my half-empty cup of cold coffee on a coaster (okay, generally NOT on a coaster) on the table … Read more »

I thought some of you might benefit from this.

What Editors Don’t Want To See
(with Abby Zidle – HQN, Krista Stroever – Steeple Hill, Mavis Allen – Silhouette)

1. Queries with crazy opening questions.
Be upfront – why you’re targeting that line, what the story is about. Give a brief bio, but only relevant information.

2. No fluff bags – they like bubble wrap bags.

3. Synopses that don’t show character emotion and growth.
Synopses needs to show not only the plot but how the characters change and what their emotional connection is. Esp. important for Harlequin. Must give … Read more »

Finally getting around to posting some pictures from Nationals. Only a few weeks late. 🙂

Here’s me with my partner in crime, Piper Lee, at the welcome reception. (I’m the sexy blonde. LOL) Did I mention she kept me up until 2 am every night? It was a week-long slumber party.

Another with Danita and Paty. They dragged me to the casino to gamble. All I wanted was a free drink. After losing $11 in the nickel slots, Piper so eloquently informed me that drink wasn’t free. (Piper Party Pooper)

Lissa Manley, Danita Shattuck, Leah Vale, Paty Jager.

A small … Read more »

The queen of procrastination can waste a whole day perusing writer loops. I’m sure I’m not the only one (gasp! I hope I’m not the only one). And to prove a point, I did just that today. (When I should have been working on chapter 19…grumble, grumble)

Now, I’m on several loops – so many that I can’t even keep them all straight. I look at My Yahoo Groups link and my eyes cross. Among the many are my local RWA loop, the KOD loop, RWC, RWAPro loops (I think there are four), RWA loops (again, at least four), the … Read more »