Monday morning smiles

Weekends are way too short!

Who's with me?

Random weekend quotes:

The worst thing ever is making it through the work week only to be sick on a Saturday. ~Unknown

Always strive to excel, but only on weekends. ~Richard Rorty

There aren't enough days in the weekend. ~Rod Schmidt

Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless. ~Bill Watterson

Monday Musings: Pets and Kids 2

More cute animals and kids photos. I say animals because that's a pig. Yes. A pig. That kid is going to have issues when a teenager and sees this picture again!

Course I don't think this girl thought about her nose's precarious position when she sat down.

Monday Musings: Pets and Kids

Got this in a forward and need to share. It's been a while since I've shared cute pictures so on this 2nd week of the month, we'll start it out right!

Monday Musing

Monday Monday, so good to me,
Monday Monday, it was all I hoped it would be
Oh Monday morning, Monday morning couldn't guarantee
That Monday evening you would still be here with me.

Monday Musings

Mondays are the bane of the week.

Vacations are important

What are some of your favorite vacation spots? Are you a beach fan? Mountain lover? Historical site traveller? Or a hottest spots in the city kind of person?

Me, I love the beach. And the mountains...and historical sites & national parks. I like anyplace where I can be away from work, stress, and the every day minutia and feel like I'm really living. Maybe I should've been a national parks travel guide.

What about you? What's your favorite?

And don't forget tomorrow Sonya Clark is joining me here to talk about her release, Mojo Queen. Have you seen the cover? HOT!

Monday Musings

I refuse to contemplate the fact that it's August 1. I refuse to believe that it's already August. I'm in deep denial and plan to go to the beach.

I refuse to acknowledge the older I get the faster time flies and the more I want to do. I refuse to believe I won't have time to do it all.

And I absolutely and utterly refuse to believe that age is important! It's just a number. So there survey takers who insist I reveal my age for their little pencil-pushing number crunchers.

And don't forget Tuesday August 8, Sonya Clark is joining me here to talk about her release, Mojo Queen.

Monday Musings

Sequels to stories.

And the possibility of them. With 2 of my stories' right reverted back to me, the temptation is great to continue in the worlds I've created.

Both stories In the Shadows and Shadow State are wonderful worlds I'd love to revisit, but at the moment I have a couple other commitments to finish.

Monday Musings

Today I'm musing on why it's so important to keep up with social networking Which isn't to say that I do, or that I have all the secrets...or even one secret for that matter. Nope, today is all about why it's important but not necessarily how to accomplish this. important thing.
First and foremost, you must have access to social networks. Blogs, Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, or any of the other hundreds of groups out there.

Which ones? I refuse to do Linkedin for the simple matter of yet another social network. Can't keep up as is, forget adding one more! I rarely update my facebook page and am only marginally better at Twitter. At least with that it's more a running commentary on what I'm do/watching/reading/thinking than profile update.

Then it's a matter of doing it. How often? I can just about (/movie or finally find the right words to describe it in any sort of coherent statement. Fun things are also done in advance, like last Friday's pictures. Likewise with guest authors. On an average week that still leaves 2-3 days. Updates and Progress are hard to do in advance.

So say you update your blog every day...should you post to twitter every day? I don't, rather I do go on Twitter, but don't share my blogs every day. Some days aren't anything more than Hey, this is what I'm doing. Other days are more interesting--those funny pictures from Friday or guest authors who are on my blog for the exposure (of their work, sheesh, not that way Mind-in-the-Gutter!)

Yes, even when I don't have the bestest blog out there I'm on Twitter. It's easy to update and interesting to read. There are a LOT of things on Twitter about the publishing world. OK, there are lots of things in general but most of the people I follow are in the publishing world.

Tired already? Yeah. My advice (okay so maybe I do have an answer...but only one!) My advice is to start small. Join ONE thing...Facebook, Twitter, start a blog, whatever. But then do that. Update regularly, find 'friends' with similar interests, share stuff and not just about you, you, you.

Then see what happens from there!

Monday Musings

I have girl scout cookies, a new dishwasher, a finished book, and a weekend off from writing. Life is good.

I know I have lots to do on the next book, I know I need to update the blog, the facebook page, the twitter feed, and yes even jump in and figure out that darn website and out to update that. And yes, I'll get to all that eventually.

But for today, I'm going to lounge on the couch and watch a little TV with the dog. I'm going to enjoy the moment and not pop up to write a few hundred words after work and dinner and before I crash. This week my brain will rest. My muse will recharge, and those pesky voices in my head will be silent.

If only for a little while. ;)

Monday Musings

4 days

30,000 words

I'ma gonna pass out now thankyouverymuch...

But dang, do those words rock!

I reverted to my editing as I write method rather than just writing and fixing later. I'm not that kind of writer. Plus it pisses off my future self.

Going to crash now...hope everyone's writing is going rockingly!

Monday Musings

What are you working on? How are you handling these winter blues? Taking it out on your characters, I hope! All that frustration of dark winter nights, cold walks to work, and chilly mornings. Kill that annoying character, snuggle up your hero, kick out your heroine...oh, wait, have your hero and heroine snuggle next to a roaring fire.

I read about this new alarm clock (might not be that new but I just read about it) that lights up gradually to simulate a rising sun. Supposed to help you wake up easier, more naturally, and get a better start to your day. I'm not sure how waking up at 6AM is a prelude to any kind of decent day, but whatever it takes to help me out of bed and get moving, right?

Monday Musings: Quotes

Better to be in demand than ignored.
~No idea who said this an an internet search produces way too many hits to sift through.

The only reward to be expected from the cultivation of literature is contempt if one fails and and hatred if one succeeds.
~Voltaire

How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.
~Henry David Thoreau

I will never stop writing. People often ask when I will retire, but I say it’s none of their business. Writing defines who I am. I love the feeling of holding a finished book in my hands, and then I can’t wait to start the great adventure of writing the next one.
~Barbara Taylor Bradford

If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood. I'd type a little faster.
~Isaac Asimov

Monday Musings: A Day in the Life

By no means am I a full-time writer. I can't support myself on my writing income but would one day love to. So what's it like to live the life of a writer?

It's so unglamorous!

Get up and take care of dog. Food, walk, water, a little fetch. This is usually done VERY early in the morning. Try to go back to sleep, which usually doesn't work.
Breakfast.
(2)
Open file.
Yawn.
Stretch.
Get beverage.
Scroll to last 2 pages and read them to remind self where left off.
Open outline to figure out where story is headed.
Wish for nap.
Place fingers carefully over keys and pick up where left off.
Delete.
Try again.
Type, type type.
Lunch.
Walk dog.
Start it all over again.
Write, write, write.
Dinner.
Feed & walk dog.
Write, type, write, delete, type, forward motion! Ahead!
Crash.
The End

(2)
If work day:
Get ready for work.
Take puppy out once more.
Work.
Home & dinner.
Walk dog.
Open file.
Yawn.
Stretch.
Get beverage.
Scroll to last 2 pages and read them to remind self where left off.
Open outline to figure out where story is headed.
Write for 1-2 hours.
Crash.
Bed.
Crap, forgot to take puppy out! Taker her out...bed again.
Sleep.
Sleeeeeppppp.


And this is the glamorous life of a non-full-time writer. Exciting, isn't it.

Monday Musings: Reading list

I need something to read. Any suggestions? I don't like not having a pile (physical or on the computer) to read. Makes me antsy. Romances, mysteries, foreign books translated into English (it's the only language I read *G*).

I'm pretty much open to anything.

Except biographies. Once in a while yes, but normally, I just don't care-I've enough family drama in my life thanks.

Here's what I'm reading now:
The Texan's Irish Bride by Caroline Clemmons
A Woman of Choice by Kris Tualla (I then plan on reading Kris's Prince of Norway and A Matter of Principle)

Maybe Robyn Carr's newest Virgin River? Hmm possibly yes. I still need more. Five books waiting for me is nothing. I need at least 12+ to make me feel better. Never know what mood I'll be in for bedtime reading!

Monday Musings

January 3.

2011.

New day, new week, new month, new year.

Not much has changed.

I still spent yesterday writing all day. To be fair, I spent New Year's Eve partying and New Year's Day recuperating/Christmas partying/shopping.

What does this year hold in store for me? Yeah yeah if I knew that I'd be rich. I know what I'd like it to hold. Happiness, health, sanity, prosperity, and good friends and family.

I hope your new year holds everything you want from it! Go after it, whatever it is.

As for my Charity One-liner, Two whole people commented, so $10 goes to The Children's Aid Society. Maybe I'll try again not during the holidays when more people aren't crazed.

Monday Excerpt

Kiss of Scandal. I love this story, the Russian history, the deception of the plot, the way fact and fiction are woven together. I studied Russian history in college, until I realized that in order to go further I'd need to learn Russian. A completely different alphabet? Never mind. My degree is now in American History...

But that didn't stop my love of Russian history, or this book. Here's a brief excerpt, I hope you enjoy it!

“I expect venom to spew forth momentarily,” the deep voice rumbled from behind her.

She could feel his hot breath tickling her shoulder, skin tingling with awareness. His lips brushed the base of her neck, there and gone in a heartbeat. Scandalous in so public a setting. Heart racing, she forced herself to turn slowly, arching an eyebrow as Count Nikolai Andreiovitch Orlov joined her and Anatoli in front of the Jordan Staircase.

Her need to rush up to the state rooms vanished.

Drinking in his appearance, Katria kicked the hem of her heavy skirt as she faced him. Her focus left his eyes to slide down his tall, muscular frame. As tall as Anatoli, Nikolai towered over her. It was the look, however, the one she now knew he reserved for her, that inspired sinful thoughts whenever they met. She smiled.

“Count Orlov.” She extended her hand, but instead of delicately kissing the back of it, Nikolai raised his dark eyes to meet hers and kissed her gloved palm. Katria tilted her head and offered a cordial nod for the benefit of any who may be watching.

“Countess.” Nikolai offered his arm and they started up the stairs. He closed his other hand over hers, keeping her close by his side. Katria couldn’t say she minded. “The vipers are restless, slithering about the rooms in search of prey.”

The way he’d said “prey,” the hungry look he slanted in her direction, made her shiver. Her fingers tightened on his arm, and Katria was certain he noticed. Then again, everything about Nikolai elicited a reaction, from the strength of his arm to the power in his smooth, deep voice. Now, as they climbed the stairs, his fingers brushed over her wrist, teasing the bare inch of skin between glove and dress.

“I’ve missed you,” Nikolai said. The words were so low, for a moment she wasn’t certain she’d heard them. Then he chuckled, and the sultry sound went straight through her.

Katria shook her head, temporarily clearing her thoughts. What had they been talking about?

Monday Musings: Exhaustion

Spent the weekend writing, writing, writing. Managed 6 chapters and half the synopsis. (Also did laundry, exercised, vacuumed, went to Michael's because I had a 50% off coupon that expired Saturday, and watched Amazing Wedding Cakes.)

Probably could have done the whole synopsis if I didn't want TV but the brain needed rest.

Desperately.

Picking up my puppy today! I'm really excited and can't wait. So no writing tonight, but tomorrow I'm reading over all 12 completed chapters, finishing the synopsis, and Wednesday morning sending it out.

Why, you ask, am I not finishing the whole thing? Because this editor knows it's not done, and has asked for a partial anyway. I love this editor. :) So she'll get 24K of 95K words and a lovely synopsis and then I'll sit and wait while she reads it.

Yes, and finish the story. Must finish this story...and the Egyptian Contemporary one. And the other one...what was that? I had another story half finished that got shoved to the side because of these. Man, my brain is fried.

Monday Musings

Lots going on in the month of August. Finished up a blog tour for Dark Desires of the Druids: Sex and Subterfuge, went on vacation, and came back to 1 rejection and 1 request.

The rejection was very honest and straight forward, and didn't have anything to do with my writing or with the story, Paranormal Investigations. The rejection was to do with the market, and honestly I can accept that! Paranromals are a very crowded market. Personally, and OK I'm the author:) but I think that Paranormal Investigations is different than most. But hey, I'll keep trying.

Now, from the same editor, the request. It wasn't for Paranormal Investigations, but a story I'd started and set aside to work on the Egyptian contemporary. (Which is completely plotted and 3 chapters in, but alas.) So this new story, a very dark and different Regency, is the goal for this week.

For a limited time only on All Romance Ebooks, Dark Desires of the Druids: Murder and Magick is free. And don't forget to get the free Dark Desires of the Druids: Choose Your Own Adventure.