Patti's Write Spot

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaack!

2009-03-03T20:31:00.001-08:00

Changing Fall

2008-11-03T21:46:00.001-08:00

Okay, so yesterday in my opinion, was the start of autumn with the change in clocks. After the nice sunny weather I woke up to, it later rained for a couple of hours-hard-before the sun came out again.

Ah, yes, the ever changing weather.

But, enough of weather. I finally got copy edits today. I figure that while everyone else will be watching election returns Tuesday night, I'll be at the computer reading my story for the umpteenth time.
The joys of writing...you read the same thing over and over and over....

No wonder some authors say that once they see the last of their manuscript they push it out of their mind. :)

Right now I have some ideas percolating in my head. I think the cooler weather tends to do that to me. Sort of like wanting to read when Winter sets in because you can't do things outside.

Happy Reading and Writing everyone!

November is here........

2008-11-02T08:26:00.000-08:00

I know...once again it's been a while since I posted. I was busy constantly over at the Romance Reviews Today blog giving away books and more books. :)

But things should now quiet down and I hope to be able to write more, both on my WIP's and on the blog.

Speaking of blogs, I've started a new one for Holli Winters, but not much to report since I still don't have my cover.

http://holliwinters.blogspot.com/

Fall has finally come to my area. Friday it rained and the leaves just dropped like dead flies onto the ground. Wet and not so pretty. Up until then, it'd been beautiful watching the fall colors on the trees. Woke up yesterday morning to fog, but today it's sunny and looking good outside. Spent the afternoon and evening catching up on writing reviews, but yah, that's looking good.

Best of the bunch of books I read for review was Marly Mathew's Do or Die.

What am I reading? Right now an Elaine Fox book for review Bedtime for Bonsai, one of her doggy books. (yes, it is a romance for humans!)

I bought a Amazon Kindle and got it Wednesday. Still trying to figure it all out, but I did figure out how to email ebooks I already have to it. Have Cara Carnes' newest ebook, Weekend Games on it, ready to read.

Next weekend I have a four day weekend, with Saturday-Tuesday off. I will certainly use that time to good use. :)

And hopefully blog more.

All Dressed Up and Places to go.....

2008-09-30T18:06:00.000-07:00

From left to right: Cara, Mo and Patti

Whew..........

2008-09-13T21:00:00.000-07:00

An author's journey to publication includes those dreaded edits from your editor. I got mine last Saturday and plugged away at them for several days. My editor suggested some changes, including some for clarity and pacing, so that meant I needed to do more than fix grammar, etc errors. Of course, once I hit send Tuesday night that meant a probable second round...

I got the email the other night...NO SECOND ROUND OF EDITS!

I whooped it up and celebrated for the night. That is great news. Of course, it is now in the hands of the copy editor, who can suggest changes, but yahhh, the biggest hurdle is over.

This and that.....

2008-09-10T20:09:00.001-07:00

Cara's interview will post on Thursday at the RRT blog. Check it out here.

I got my release date for A Christmas Wish..... December 5th! As soon as I have a cover, I will start working on the new website for Holli Winters. You can see it here now, but there is not much. :) As expected, Whispers Publishing wanted a Christmas themed story released in time for...Christmas!

I've just finished the first round of edits and am getting more and more excited.

Over at the RRT blog.....

2008-09-07T11:09:00.000-07:00

This week I'll be posting an interview with Cara Carnes at the RRT Blog. I'll post the link after it's up.

Unleash Your Story!

2008-08-31T19:15:00.000-07:00

Support my efforts!

I've decided to participate in Unleash Your Story, the Cystic Fibrosis fundraiser for Sept. I'll be joining the other fine ladies of RWA Online as a team and we're going to write and raise money for CF.

Here is my CF Homepage. Be sure to donate! It's for a good cause.

My first Video!

2008-08-25T20:24:00.000-07:00

Promo....

2008-08-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

As I ponder another future release, I wonder what is the best promo an writer can do.

Bookmarks?

Magnets?

Pens?

Calendars?

Then there are the other things -- chats, promoting on loops, getting advance reviews.

But the question remains...what is the best promo an author can use?

Any advice?

The best part of writing is...

2008-08-24T20:49:00.001-07:00

...when it makes you smile. Writing should be fun, not something that is unpleasant or a drudgery. Today was spent writing on my current WIP, a vampire/shapeshifter romance that has elements of comedy in it. Above all, it's a romance. I would never be able to write unless it had a HEA.....

Here's a sneak peek:

He accepted another Vampire Chaser from the bartender and continued to watch the people milling around. Most only gave him a cursory nod, never speaking to him. Others just steered clear of him. Rex had a feeling they knew who he was and what he was, and didn’t want to disturb him.
Fine with him. Though the drink ebbed his anger, he still felt sexual urges. Perhaps in a little bit he would approach one of the women to help satisfy his needs.
The music slowed to a surreal beat, lights transcended the room into a shadowy glow. The couple at the table now had their arms around each other, kissing earnestly. His cock twitched watching them, and he suppressed an urge to join them.
A touch on his upper arm and a voice purred in his ear, “Why are you standing here all alone when you could be with someone?”
He started to turn his head to see who she was, but her fingers slid up to his cheek to prevent him from doing so.
“No. Don’t look. Just use your senses.” Her voice was soft as the fingers that feathered across his face.
She smelled of crushed gardenias, enveloping his nostrils and he breathed deeply her scent. Pure lust filled him. Too long he’d been without a woman. Here he cruised the bar looking for a willing woman and Rex suspected he had one willing standing right next to him.
“Maybe I want to look at you to see what a beauty you are?” he murmured, his erection stirring against the tight confines of clothing.
“But aren’t surprises the best fun of all?” She leaned closer, her breath tickling the side of his face. “We can pretend to be blindfolded and never know who we kissed.”
“Only kisses?” He had to know the answer as his penis began to press painfully against the constrictiveness of his zipper. Her words tempted him. It was what he came for, so why resist what she offered?
She laughed softly, a tinkling sound which contrasted sharply against the Bon Jovi music now playing. A few couples were dancing, but most were involved in cuddling.
“We can do anything you want.” She leaned closer and he swore he could feel her tongue on his shoulder. “Anything…”

Looking in the mirror,I made myself laugh....

2008-08-21T19:55:00.000-07:00

okay, so seriously folks, I decided to take a pen name for the publication of my steamy, sensual romances. This morning I stood at the mirror and concentrated on saying my new name out loud.

And found myself giggling uncontrollably. Okay, it is not a bad name, but well.....

It's going to take some time to get used to it.

By the way, here is the announcement of the winners for the Kiss Me Baby contest. Yours truly is sitting there in third.

Rant ahead.....

2008-08-21T19:51:00.000-07:00

We wish to interrupt your regular programming for a rant....

I hate hate hate the mail I get from credit card companies. They have marked the outside of the envelope "Important" or "Do Not Discard" or some other hokey crap to get you to open it.
Of course, once you open it you find it's an offer to write a damn check on them so they can charge you gadzillion dollars in interest and fees!

I dislike with an intense go-to-hell feeling that I rarely get!!!!!!

I tear up every single one of them and I'm seriously thinking of gathering them up and burning them in a sort of effigy in hell display.

Okay, I feel better.

Back to your regular program....

Nice little graphic for me....

2008-08-19T21:31:00.000-07:00

Oh, yeah, and I forgot to add this graphic.....

I need to update my website.

Announcing a sale!

2008-08-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

I wanted to announce that I sold a story to Whispers Publishing! I've signed the contract but do not yet know when it will be out. I'll post it as soon as I do.

The story is called A Christmas Wish and will be published under a pen name of Holli Winters because, well, it's more sensual romance. :D
My thinking is that I'll keep the more sweeter romances under my Patti Fischer name and the hotter stuff under Holli Winters.

And A Christmas Wish is currently up for vote as the best reader's fave along with another I entered. I must admit that blew me away to be in the top five!

I've been keeping busy with things after coming back from the RWA Conference. Right now I'm writing a paranormal romance that is {{hot}}.

My RWA photos

2008-08-05T20:15:00.001-07:00

If you can't see the pictures in this email, click here to see it in a web browser:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=10gxd4yw.beb24dmg&x=0&y=34xh5b&localeid=en_US

Patti has shared photos with you.

RWA 2008

(1 album)

You're invited to view my online photos at the Gallery. Enjoy!

- Patti

View photos

Do more with these photos!

Buy Kodak prints	Create a collage	Create a mini photo book	Create mugs

Questions? Visit http://www.kodakgallery.com/Help.jsp?&localeid=en_US.

Me bad......

2008-06-24T22:07:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it has been a long time since I've been here. Busy Busy Busy!

Seriously, I need to do something about this....

Oh, don't forget The Wild Rose Press is holding a contest to win a Sony ereader!

Check out http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

Stay tuned...I'm thinking of running a contest!

New beginning.......

2008-03-16T20:45:00.000-07:00

I know I keep promising I'll update my blog more than on occasion. What can I say? However, good news to report: A Purrfect Touch is doing well (IMHO) at The Wild Rose Press. Right now it sits as of today at #8 on the overall Top Ten Bestsellers!!!

I've been working on a sequel and in fact, have gone over 7000 words on it since this past Thursday. To give you a hint....Molly goes on vacation, but she still does some matchmaking. I'm calling it.... Purrfect for the Beach. So far I'm loving writing it and as any writer can tell you, you gotta love what you write.

Btw, I updated my website and the winner of the Bath and Bodyworks Gift was drawn. Congrats to Laura J.! I will be doing another contest very soon. Be sure to keep an eye out on my website at www.pattifischer.com

A Purrfect Touch is out!

2008-03-02T20:46:00.000-08:00

Okay, me bad! Well, I've been busy and now I'm sick, but A Purrfect Touch is now out and available for purchase.

You can buy here.

You can read reviews from Kathy's Review Corner and Fallen Angel Reviews by clicking here and here.

I'm really excited for its release because I wrote this in only a couple of days and I smiled all the while I wrote A Purrfect Touch.

My cover!

2008-02-20T21:05:00.000-08:00

Release date is Feb 27th and you can go to my website to read more about A Purrfect Touch.

http://www.pattifischer.com/

Of cats and.....leather?

2008-01-25T22:24:00.000-08:00

Okay, I google myself tonight and come across a very nice review for A Purrfect Love. It has me grinning ear to ear.....

A Purrfect Love --reviewed by Two Lips Reviews

Except, there is one part that confuses me....

Who knew if you combined a kitty, Halloween, and black leather, you would get the ingredients for a great romantic comedy?

Black leather? Hmm...I don't recall there being black leather in the story. Did I write a BDSM for cats and didn't realize it?

But, seriously, it is a great review!

Merry Christmas!!!

2007-12-24T20:57:00.000-08:00

Your Christmas Stocking Will Be Filled With a Puppy

Well - one cute, soft, cuddly puppy...
And a very soiled Christmas stocking.

What Will Be In Your Christmas Stocking?

Reflections of the writer's mind

2007-12-20T21:40:00.000-08:00

I realized it had been a while since I posted here. Not really doing too much in the writerly way of things. I have some days off next week and hope to get started on something.

I did hear from my editor at The Wild Rose Press and she is going to try and get the first round of edits back to me before the end of the year. Somebody pinch me...a story from me in 2008!

Lately I've been mulling over the art of writing. What does it take to become a writer? Though a talent is important, even more so is persistence, since it doesn't happen overnight! I recently got asked what it took to become a published writer. One of my responses was that you're constantly learning the craft of writing. Also, keep writing and you have a better chance than someone who writes one mss and never does another.

For 2008, I hope to write and sell more.

Oh, and keep up better on this blog. :)

If I don't post here before December 25th....

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY!!!!!!!

Yeah! Another sale!

2007-12-09T13:44:00.001-08:00

I know a few of you already know it....and once again I should've announced it on my blog...

But I sold another one to The Wild Rose Press!!!!!

It's called A Purrfect Touch and is the sequel to A Purrfect Love. Some of you may have read the little excerpt I posted earlier. Well, that is it.

They want it!

They like me!

What a Christmas present!

Win a free ebookwise!

2007-12-09T13:33:00.001-08:00

In case you haven't heard.... TheBookBingeBlog is giving away an ebook readers.

Would I turn down a contest like this? No way!

Christmas Meme:

1. What is your favorite Christmas romance to re-read each year?

I really don't have a favorite Christmas romance, but I love to pick up the series romances and read them as a comfort read. You know Harlequin releases a bunch every year. My favorites are the Harlequin SuperRomances.

2. What is your favorite Christmas movie/show?
Definitely A CHRISTMAS STORY. The one with Ralphie in it. Love to watch it Christams Day.

3. What is your favorite Christmas cookie? Those kind that are rolled in powdered sugar. Fresh out of the oven. Yum!

4. When do you start Christmas shopping? For real, the day after Thanksgiving, but I've been known to grab a gift here and there throughout the year.

5. Do you re-gift?
Don't tell anyone...but, yes. Is Santa going to call me bad?

6. What is your favorite Christmas song?

Silent Night or Jingle Bells

7. When do you get your Christmas tree?
I do the ::cough cough: artificial trees. In fact, I have three up right now. :)

8. Wrapping presents: Love it or hate it? Hate it, because I am a lousy wrapper.

9. Who is the hardest person to buy for? My now 12 year old niece. Hard age to buy for.

10. Christmas tree: Real or artificial?
See #7--lol

And on the Seventh Day I rested....

2007-11-26T19:37:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not God, but after working steadily on my writing since August, I decided I needed a week to rest. Last Wednesday I finished the first draft of A Purrfect Touch and yesterday sat down and edited. Two friends have looked at it and says it is "awesome!"

Just what an author wants to hear. :)

This week I'm taking an editing class and will be polishing a tad on my two completed (and edited) manuscripts. Otherwise, taking it easy and catching up on my reviewing at Romance Reviews Today.

As a teaser, here is a sample of A Purrfect Touch... PS...A Purrfect Love still sits on the Top Ten Bestsellers list at The Wild Rose Press!

"Damn cat. I wonder if Ben and Marisa would miss it too much if I opened the window and let her jump out."

Brock contemplated that thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Nah, Ben said Molly was responsible for bringing him and Marisa together."

The cat in question continued to meow, pushing her paw under the barely opened window. Marisa made it clear to only open the windows an inch.

He rubbed his jaw, suddenly realizing he needed a shave. Eyeing the clock, he decided he had maybe time for a quick shower and shave before the pizza arrived. "I ordered it with sausage too, Molly, so you should be happy."

The black Persian turned her head and yellow eyes gazed at him solemnly in disdain. Which pretty much mirrored what the whole damn city of Chicago felt about him right now.

Three months ago, a football hero with a full dating calendar. Now, he couldn’t even charm a female cat.

Shrugging, he headed for the bathroom. The apartment belonged to Ben, but Brock was staying here to hide out from the venomous media and screeching fans out for blood.

His blood.

He stared at himself in the mirror. Dark hair standing on end and nearly bloodshot blue eyes stared back. This is what injuring your knee and costing your team’s a win during the playoffs does. Who’d think Chicagoans carried a grudge two months later?

Shaking his head, he brushed his teeth, wondering if maybe it was time to find a new city to call home. Of course, nothing held him here, except maybe Ben, and now Ben’s bride, Marisa. The happily in love couple tied the knot in the Virgin Islands earlier in the week and Brock was feeling a little lonely without his baby brother around to cheer him up.

He undressed, taking care with his bum knee. He stared down at the ragged scar that, to some men represented masculinity, but to Brock meant a potential end to his career as quarterback of the Chicago Bears.

Stepping under the hot spray, a surge of energy swept through him. He needed to break out of his depression. He couldn’t hide out in Ben’s bachelor pad forever. It was time he headed home to his mansion with its magnificent view of Lake Michigan.

Riinnggg…

In the process of rinsing his hair, Brock paused. What the hell? The pizza delivery guy was here already? Cursing, he hopped out of the shower and grabbed his robe. He told them an hour and it couldn’t be that already. He was going to give them a piece of his mind.

Marching to the door, he briefly caught a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye, but he didn’t have time to investigate whether Ben now had a mouse loose in the apartment.

He tore open the door. "I told you guys—" he started to say, then stopped.

There wasn’t anyone at the door. He glanced down the hallway, but it was empty, except for…

"Molly!

Why do short weeks seem like long ones?

2007-11-16T20:57:00.000-08:00

I only worked three days this week, but I swear I'm so tired tonight... Next week is another three day work week due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. Today they were putting up Christmas trees at work. Oy!

Right now I have four or five pages completed on my follow up to A Purrfect Love. This weekend I guess I need to buckle down. :) Hey, it's only a short story and I have a brief outline in mind, which is saying something for this pantser...

One thing I learned about editing this past weekend was that:

1. Once you write 'The End" let it sit and simmer. That way you have a fresh perspective on your story--and your writing.

2. No matter how many times you edit your WIP, it will need editing again and again. But, don't over edit. Sometimes it's better to just let it go. As much as we all want to be perfect, we can make a mishmash out of a perfectly good story.

3. One thing I was doing last weekend was looking at my WIP to see if looked close enough to a published book. Not the story, but the editing/grammar/usage.

Finally, make sure you watch for duh..spelling errors. Don't rely on spellcheck and for gosh sake, be sure to have a dictionary handy. :D Mine is actually a combination Dictionary/Thesaurus. Comes in handy, indeed!

Now, for something fun... I'm giving away 2008 magnet calendars (fridge size) to anyone who wants one and lives in the US or Canada. Just email me at patti@pattifischer.com and put "Calendar" in the header with your name and mailing address in the body of the email. I'll get one out to you! (while supplies last)

Here is what the calendar looks like:

I'm baaaaaaaackkkkkkk............

2007-11-11T19:34:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am a bad blogger when it comes to my own blog. It just seems October whizzed by and I never had time to blog.

First up, I was writing. I haven't a clue as to exactly how many words I typed in October, but my guess is that it was 25,000...at least. LOL
I did finish one WIP in October and started another (short story that evolved into a 21K word short). Today I finished that story, so my goal for the next day or two is to work on edits for the Brava novella contest.

I also had the pleasure of A Purrfect Love being released back on October 10th and I'm happy to report that it did well. I think right now it sits at #6 on the WRP site, but not bad considering it has been out a month!
Once I get the edits done, I plan to start working on a sequel to A Purrfect Love. A story for Brock. It was suggested by reader Jennifer Y and I think she has a great idea! Why not strike while it's hot?

Now that I've been published, I have a better idea of marketing. Us newbie authors tend to go in not knowing what to expect. I think I have an idea now.

Oh, and as many of you know, my only children are two fur babies, Holly and Winter. Just because I don't have the two legged kind doesn't mean the four legged ones don't demand attention. One of the things I've had to contend while writing is one of them harrassing me while I'm trying to get my word count in for the day.

Ah, cats, but I love them any way....

PS...I updated my website today to add the nice reviews I've received for A Purrfect Love. Check it out at www.pattifischer.com

MySpace overload

2007-10-08T07:34:00.000-07:00

Warning...Rant ahead...

Last night I went to check out the MySpace page of someone I know. First thing that hit me was the music. It was LOUD and BANGING! I finally had to hit the mute button on my computer's sound to drown out the thump thump of the music that really wasn't music. More like a group of five year olds coming together to see who can make the loudest noise.

Then there was the page itself. It took foreverrrrrrrrrr to load. Heavy on graphics and other add ons. When it finally loaded, it was a mishmash of images and videos and graphics. Okay, nice page. I think. Just didn't appeal to me.

Therein lies my grumble. The KISS rule should apply to MySpace, blogs and websites. The more heavy it is in graphics and extra whistles, the more you lose people like me.

My page at MySpace is fairly simple. Okay, maybe too simple, but at least you know what I'm offering.

In my opinion, too much is overkill. Remember: Keep It Simple Stupid.

Okay, my rant is over. :)

My website is: www.pattifischer.com
My MySpace page is: http://www.myspace.com/duchesspatti

Finished....

2007-10-06T21:25:00.001-07:00

This afternoon I finished Reconstructing Cady! It came in at a little under 40K, which was my goal. Now going to let it sit for a couple of weeks or so before hitting edits on it.

Here is an unedited excerpt........

She looked over at Tanner and wondered where the hell she left her common sense. She’d be just another notch on his bed rail.
And she bet a whole month’s worth of tips that it was a very large bed rail.
He was still rubbing where Gillie had dug his claws in. If her overprotective cat hadn’t interrupted, she suspected they’d had sex right here in this kitchen.
“Damn that cat,” he said finally, looking up at Cady. “What the hell made him do that?”
She took a step back and smoothed her t-shirt down. The way he looked at her with his hooded hot gaze, she knew he meant to soon take up where they left off.
“He’s not used to having a man around. He wanted to protect me,” she replied, picking up Gillie, who purred against her cheek.
“Protect you?” He gazed from her to the cat. “What the fuck is that all about? We weren’t doing nothing he probably hasn’t done.”
That only made Cady angry. He was comparing what they almost did to two cats humping each other? “He’s my baby and we’ve been alone a lot this past year. I don’t have many visitors.” She petted Gillie’s neck. “He was right to interrupt us.”
“What?” He acted like Cady spoke a foreign language.
“It’s wrong, Tanner. We can’t have...” She could barely say the word out loud. Sex seemed dirty and making love...well, there wasn’t any love involved.
He ran his fingers through his hair and shook his head in disbelief. “Aww...come on sugar, it’s just me.”
“Don’t ‘sugar’ me. You get your things and get out of here.” She needed time to assess her feelings. She didn’t plan to get involved with any man and, even if she was, Tanner wouldn’t be at the top of her list.
His gaze narrowed as he contemplated her words. She sensed he wanted to argue the point, but her choice was made. He needed to get the hell out of here.
He finally picked up his tools without another word. She watched him in silence, continuing to stroke Gillie. She knew she was using the cat as a barrier against Tanner.

2007-10-06T21:22:00.001-07:00

Are you a witch, werewolf, vampire, angle, elf, fairy, or mermaid?

You are a werewolf. You are wise and thoughtful. You are explorative and strong. You make a great friend and a powerful enemy. You are not afraid of blood shed. and your past is spatterd with spatterd with grief, rage, depression, and betrayle from those around you. You understand the concepts of life. and keep going. You know that life isn't full of happiness and gold. You are tatterd by things no one knows about. You see the world from a diffrent point of view. You like to be alone. Or with friends. You have your own style.
Take this quiz!

Quizilla
Join

Make A Quiz More Quizzes Grab Code

I have a release date!

2007-09-19T21:12:00.000-07:00

::drumroll::

October 10th!!!!!!!!!!

Woohoo!!! Can't wait. I changed the end date of my contest to October 15th to conform more closely to the release date. Be sure to check it out!

www.pattifischer.com

Finally, I have a funny haha to share. I haven't told my brother and sister in law. I'm not really sure they'd take me seriously...
The one person who really supported me was my mother, and she passed away four years ago.
As you might've suspected, my story is dedicated to her. Oh, and the real Molly... who is not my cat, btw, but a friend's cat. I'll tell you the story of Molly one day, or maybe have my friend write about dear Molly.

Brava Novella Contest!

2007-09-17T22:00:00.000-07:00

Actually, I did a month ago, but just now getting around to putting up the notice. :)

Website updated!

2007-09-16T20:09:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note that I got my website updated and running! There's a contest running also. I should be getting the release date any day. The final galleys went back to my editor yesterday.

Anyway, check out my website at www.pattifischer.com

Got my cover!

2007-09-12T22:04:00.000-07:00

Hey, not exactly what I envisioned but it'll work. I should know in a few days the exact release date. I've been working on my website and hope to have it tweaked and up and running this weekend. There'll be contest!

Selling Yourself

2007-09-03T17:12:00.000-07:00

Or....lessons in Public Relations....

Yes, now that I'm about to be published, I realize that I need to promote my book and me to the buying public. Can you say...nervous?

Of course, The Wild Rose Press gives you suggestions on how to promote yourself. Chats, message boards, interviews,
giveaways...

Just getting out into the world and telling everyone to buy your book.

I'll admit, this leaves me feeling timid, but I know I have a great bunch of friends online that will/should buy my book. My next step is reaching the ones who don't know me.

Oh, and I already have one interview scheduled. :)

Hey, I can dance when I have to!

I sold!!!!

2007-09-01T20:46:00.000-07:00

Yes, I sold to The Wild Rose Press!!!!!!!!!!!

A Purrfect Love will be out sometime in October and will be a Champagne Rosette. I'm thrilled with the news! I actually found out on August 13th but kept my news until I got the author contract. (Can we say I was just a tad nervous?)

But, I got the author contract on August 25th and have been announcing the news everywhere...except on my own blog. :)
Things have been moving fast. Last night got the edits back from the editor and I went through them today and returned them since I have the 3 day weekend off.

Now...I'm going to work hard to sell another story!

Oh, and please buy A Purrfect Love. Here is the blurb I sent to TWRP:

CAT ON A MISSION.....

Molly, a black Persian cat, has a few tricks in mind when she goes on a mission to bring together a couple who are just purr-fect for each other.

LADY ON A LEDGE...

Last thing Marisa Hamilton needs is her cat, Molly, going out onto the window ledge. Dressed in a skimpy outfit for a Halloween party, Marisa chases after her cat, only to lose her footing.

HUNK TO THE RESCUE...

New next door neighbor, Ben Singer, comes to Marisa’s rescue and offers her coffee and a chance to recover from her ordeal. More than just coffee sizzles between them. Will their chance encounter result in A Purrfect Love?

I'll post the cover and an excerpt later on. :)

Writing right along.....

2007-08-20T21:54:00.000-07:00

Thought I would post a picture of my two cats in one of their more lovable moments.

Well, this month I started writing a new story and so far it's been sort of a slow but steady progress. Work has been hell, busier than normal, so when I get home at night, I've been fairly tired.

After starting this on August 8th, I now have...:drumroll: 44 pages! Not too shabby when the most I wrote was the first 11 pages. :D I also have a title: Reconstructing Cady. I've laced it with some humor and sexy dialogue. I'm having fun with the story.

Over the weekend I also whipped up a synopsis, but since I'm a pantser, I suspect that synopsis will change a little along the way.

Unfortunately, the reviewer in me has to dig down and work on her September reviews or I won't get them done on time. I'm one of those who has to get her deadline stuff done on time or I feel guilty.

My minimum goal this week is to write twenty more pages.

Coming out of lurkdom

2007-08-14T21:01:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been a while since I posted!

Seems like the summer has flown by and before you know it....

I should write an essay on "How I Spent My Summer Vacation."

I did go on a trip in July. Not to Dallas to swelter it out with the rest of the RWA members, but a trip to Lake Tahoe. Enjoyed it immensely and even came away with an idea for a story. Filing it away in my story idea folder. I think it could work out to be a single title, if I plan it right.

But, I am writing again. Yeah, after spending a lot on editing the past few months, I decided it was time to write again. Kate Pearce is the one who said to just get back to writing. So I did. :)

So far it is going good. A romantic comedy with a sexy premise. Hero is a bad boy and makes no excuses about it. Heroine wants no part of getting involved with him. But, of course, she ends up... Shh....... LOL

Oh, have to mention the past few days have been interesting. I finally buckled down and entered the Brava Novella Contest. Oddly, I started writing this story way back in December before they announced the contest. It's karma, I tell you. :) The story is done and edited. Now I just have to sit back and wait. Won't know any results until October when they pick the 20 finalists. Even if I'm not one of the chosen twenty, I'll be submitting this story somewhere. I kind of like it....

And then, I leave you on a teasing note... Shh...I'm not going to say anything yet on this blog about it. Just keep your eyes opened... ;-)

Popping in and looking for good vibes...

2007-06-25T07:04:00.000-07:00

I know I really should post more than once a month. LOL.

Okay, most of my blog life is spent here: http://romrevtoday.blogspot.com/

But why can't I um...pop in here? My only excuse is I forget easily. A first sign of old age. ;-)

I do have some semi-news to report. I finished edits on A Purrfect Love and on June 17th I sent a query to The Wild Rose Press. A big step for me. Whew!
Then it got really exciting when...less than 24 hours later...I got the request for the full!

Yay! Wow!

I immediately sent it off and now it sits in the hands of the editor. Please sprinkle some good luck fairy dust on me.

In the meantime, I'm working on edits for my story for the Brava Novella contest. I'm 20 pages from the end, but right now this is the part I'm slightly changing. My goal is to finish it before the end of the month. Then let it rest and start up again to read it through.

Yeah, the sad state of writing for me is the time spent on editing.

Confession Time...

2007-05-27T19:56:00.000-07:00

Well, sort of a confession.

One of the things I haven't done is tell my family that I'm writing and my goal is to be published some day. I guess because I see them as being critical of me and thinking I'm stupid to think I can be good enough to write.
My family is my brother and sister in law. My mother, before she passed away, knew I was just starting the process and I know she would be thrilled where I'm at today.
I once told a roomful of coworkers about a year ago that when I retired I wanted to work on getting a book published. Dead silence in the room but the workshop head nodded his head and said it was a good plan. Of course, he doesn't know me. Later, one of my coworkers asked me if i was serious and I told her yes. End of that story.

But anyway, last Sunday I called my sister in law about something and the subject of retirement came up. Not exactly a non issue since I have worked 26 years for this company and can retire in 6 years or so....
My sister in law and I talked about working after retirement, traveling, etc. Then I told her.

I want to be a full time writer and get published.

There was a brief silence and then she said, "Really?"
I told her, yes.
Her response, "That is nice. It will be something to look forward to."
Haha..I thought. Then I told her. "I'm actually doing that now but with work I can only do it part time."
That sort of broke the ice. She said, "Hey, that is great. I can see you succeeding. I look forward to seeing what you do with it."

We ended the conversation shortly afterward, but to me, that was an icebreaker.

I finally told someone in the family what I was doing. I'm no longer a closet writer.

Of course, I didn't tell her it was romance...

Yes, it is me..........

2007-04-21T21:14:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a long time since I posted, but gosh, seems like life got busy. Now things appear to be calming down and I am actually thinking of writing again. LOL

I've decided to retool chapter one of Obsession since the feedback is that the heroine is not likeable. Okay, I can hopefully change that. I have a few ideas on how to make her less self-centered and shallow.

In the meantime, while checking out punctuation issues for a review, I came across a Grammar Blog. Looks like something that me, a writer, will want to keep an eye on.

Check it out!

http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/

My new New Year's Resolution

2007-02-26T20:26:00.000-08:00

Here it is, only the end of February and I'm amending my New Year's Resolutions. :)

Here are the revised ones:

Get my PRO status with RWA.

Write one single title per year, polish them up and submit to publishers.

Write short stories with the idea of selling to ebook publishers.

Work on my writing craft by reading writing how to books or taking classes. That way I can hone my skills until I can concentrate on writing full time.

The reason I made these decisions is with my full time job that I cannot give up since I have a good retirement plan that I can access within 8 years. I also continue to work for Romance Reviews Today (LOL, Google my name and it comes up with a LOT of review quotes) and I don't want to stop that either. Reviewing is fun, and besides, I like the boss ;-)
The past few months I've been feeling somewhat overwhelmed, but only because I felt this intense pressure to crank out the stories so I can strive for publication. Okay, maybe this isn't something a publisher wants to hear, but I need to not go insane.
The last few months have seen me struggle to keep momentum. I write, but then I end up having to push it aside for a few days. You can't do that on a 100K book and keep it coherent. :( I'm also the treasurer for RWA Online and can now devote more time to it and the discussion loop.

So, you will see me continuing to write, but in a different way of achieving it.:-)

I love to write!

Tuesday Tales...The Art of Contests

2007-01-30T21:59:00.000-08:00

Contests, contests, contests everywhere!

One thing an unpublished writer might do is enter contests. There are literally tons of contests out there and the big question is…which one?

Generally, I try to enter the ones with the most pages for the bucks. Another consideration is how the contest fits my manuscript. Finally, I look at the editor, agent, or whoever is going to be the final judge.

Lately I’ve found some contests with rules that are confusing. It’s not clear how the manuscript should be formatted, or how they want the synopsis done…
In the end, these contests lose me. 

Of course, for every contest I don’t enter, another one pops up. Luckily I’m not bent on entering every single one or as many as I can. I just want feedback.

On a side note, my writing is suffering a little. Haven’t written too much in the past few days and I’m still hung up on the final chapter. I’ll get it done…but I won’t meet my January 31 deadline.

Helloooooooooooo

2007-01-15T17:23:00.000-08:00

Hey, I just realized I hadn't updated my blog since Dec 30th. Me bad.

Been busy lately it seems. Writing, reading and just all around busy busy. I got results back from two contests lately and no finals. One even was critical of my writing. That was a downer for me. :(
I had to make a decision on my part -- did I want to continue full steam ahead or put it all on the back burner?

I decided to hone my craft. I know my goal is to submit, but am I ready, or do I have a piece of crap? I could just submit and get my Pro status, but is that fair to the editor if it really isn't the best work? I don't know. I will have to think about it...

Planning on taking a paranormal class next month. It sounds like a good class for me, since I have one or two paranormal-type stories in my head.

Got-to-act-upon-these-ideas-in-my-head.

I will try and update this blog again in a few days.

Back Story

2006-12-30T21:58:00.000-08:00

One of the enlightening things I’ve learned in the past few months is that you don’t want to bog down your story with too much back story. Okay, you want your readers to know what happened, but what’s the point of telling them this right off the bat??? Weave it into the natural flow of the story.

Sometimes that is better said than done. I’m one of the worst offenders in that. I will start penning a story and before I know it, I’m telling too much back story. Argggghhh!!! Bad me. I usually then end up tossing it out and it ends up cutting out part of my first chapter.

But the good thing is that it makes me a better writer in that I learn from my mistakes. Right now I’m working on a story that I keep tossing out back story, but then I have to tell myself…STOP! LOL!

Ah, just another day in the life of writing ;-)

By the way....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

My goal is to submit for 2007. Big step, but I'm ready.

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-23T18:41:00.000-08:00

I promise a post related to writing in the few days! I have a topic I have on the back burner. I'm currently working on a Christmas themed story that I'm aiming for the short story market i.e epublishers.

In the meantime...

Patti

A final!!!!!!!

2006-12-19T19:51:00.000-08:00

Late last night, just before I was heading to bed, I got email that I finaled in the Beacon Unpublished contest. My erotic entry is being sent to Raelene Gorlinsky of Ellora's Cave for final judging.

Woohoo!!!

Thank you First Coast Romance Writers!!!!!!!!!

The Twelve Days of Christmas

2006-12-17T21:09:00.000-08:00

Okay, I told myself this blog wasn't going to be a quiz place, but I saw this and had to share....

***For the twelve days of Christmas, your true love will send you:***

Twelve babies drumming
Eleven snowmen a-melting
Ten gymnasts a-leaping
Nine ladies yodeling
Eight llamas a-milking
Seven gingerbread men a-crumbling
Six kittens a-meowing
Five golden toe rings
Four calling booty calls
Three French fries
Two stale fruit cakes
And a owl in a pine tree

What Will You Get for the 12 Days of Christmas?
http://www.blogthings.com/whatwillyougetforthe12daysofchristmasquiz/

What American Accent do you have?

2006-12-14T22:00:00.000-08:00

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Inland North You may think you speak "Standard English straight out of the dictionary" but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like "Are you from Wisconsin?" or "Are you from Chicago?" Chances are you call carbonated drinks "pop."
The Midland
The Northeast
Philadelphia
North Central
The South
The West
Boston
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Contests.........

2006-12-10T20:33:00.000-08:00

I got my contest results back on the revised Don't Go Breaking My Heart. Lousy. I did lousy. In fact, one judge said my writing sucked. Eh......this is the same entry that has finaled in two contests. I know contests are subjective, but I would think the judge could've found something positive to say.

Yeah, it hurts, but I guess like submitting, you'll always have some who will love your work and others who'll hate it and I need to learn to live with the rejections.

But it's still hard to swallow.

On Friday, I did start typing out a Christmas themed short story. I know where it is headed, just not sure the path it will go.
You know how it goes with a panster. :-)So far I've done 2185 words. I am hoping to be done by Christmas. Not sure where'll I go with this. May not go anywhere, but I do want to finish it. It's a big step to finish any story you start. How many writers are there out there that have never finished a story in their life? People would be surprised at the answer.

Anyway, it's me marching onward with my writing. Gotta pick up the pieces and crank out the words.

Happpy Holidays!

A title and Researching

2006-12-04T20:46:00.000-08:00

I finally came up with a tentative title for my paranormal yesterday afternoon while working on researching my story.

MORNING STAR

It clicked as I thought about the time of they year I was setting it in and the fact that the heroine comes from the stars. I also decided to name her Niesha. Pretty and otherwoldly name. :)

One thing that has me tied in circles is the amount of research one needs to do to plot a paranmoral. Okay, a lot of it is make believe, but you have to be somewhat realistic, or you'll lose the reader. I spent several hours online yesterday checking out certain things I need to get going on my story. I have a half sort of plot going. (This is the one where I use GMC as my guide) My goal is to start writing around Christmas since I have five days off. Well, four if you disregard Christmas Day and all the festivities. I plan on staying home and writing. No running around and scouring sales.

My other little thing I need to do is decide on length. Oh, and where am I targeting this.

I hope to have all this done by Christmas. That is in...hmm...20 days????

Wish me luck!

Not much happening..

2006-12-02T22:34:00.000-08:00

Not really anything going on here writing wise. Since I finished up editing, I've been busy working on reviews. Now that is pretty much caught up and I've been goofing off. LOL

Tomorrow is Sunday and I may work on plotting my upcoming story some. I have the Goal, Motivation, and Conflict, but what are their names? Other things I need to work out before I can write my first word.

Oh, yeah...and I need a title. :-D I used to tease Morgan over her obsessive need to have a title before she could even write a word. Well, I'm feeling the same way.

***I need a title***

Maybe I'll post a blurb and have readers come up with a possible suggestion on titles.

Stay tuned...

Paranormal Romance Anyone?

2006-11-28T22:27:00.000-08:00

I've finally decided to make the next step and pen a paranormal romance. Yeah, maybe I'm one step behind the hot wave, but at least with my idea I can say that I don't recall actually seeing it in a book. Or, at least my version. Not giving it away, but shall see how I do at creating the 'new world' that will have to be part of it.

Another thing that I'm doing is using the Goal, Motivation and Conflict model. My hero and heroine each have their set of GMC and it ends up with them at odds with each other. In previous stories I've written, I've softened the conflict between the couple until there is one big, black moment. This time, the tension will stretch out. He has something she wants and he won't let her take it.

I'll probably target ebook publisher with this one and won't have to worry about a certain set word count. Although do need to look at publisher guidelines. Sexy or not? That is the question....

Time for me to dig up some ghosts....

Saturday Downtime

2006-11-25T21:40:00.000-08:00

I'm three quarters way through the Thanksgiving weekend. Finished up formattig OBSESSION, but other than that, not working on writing this weekend. Been busy working hard on reviews for Romance Reviews Today.
Well...somewhat busy with that. LOL
Today I cleaned carpets and did this and that. I told Mo tonight I will probably to writing full time by January. The time off is good, considering what I've done the past six months or so.

Started OBSESSION.

Entered DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART into contests.

Went to Atlanta for the RWA conference.

Finished up OBSESSION early October.

Immediately started edits on DGBMH

Finished that end of Oct and immediately started editing OBSESSION, and then formatted it.

My next big goal is :::gulp:: doing queries, including the query letter. I've had some suggestions on where to submit.

I'll probably drive myself insane when I do...

Done!

2006-11-19T21:08:00.000-08:00

Wow, I just realized it had been since November 11th since I posted?????????
Time flies!

Good news though. I finished the edits on OBSESSION. I changed the ending and think it works better. It also ties up a couple of things that went on during the story.

I'm happy with the changes. :)

Saturday Night Reflections

2006-11-11T21:56:00.000-08:00

So here I sit, winding down for the night. I have a book I should be reading for review...will probably do that in a few minutes, but I thought I'd write a blog post. Where have I gone? Why aren't I posting as much?
Well...the answer can be found here.

I've become a blog mistress. I think I need a whip...
Yes, it's keeping me busy and explains why my own blog has been neglected. But I've settled down into a routine that means I spend less time on it. Which is good...means I can get back to writing. I've been editing OBSESSION the past few days. Or, rather, the second half of the manuscript. It's been going good. Finding less errors (I think) and the plot is moving along nicely. I will soon get into the dramatic black moment and then even more dark moment when my heroine is confronted by a man. That was my first foray into a suspenseful moment. I hope it works.

On a side note related to OBSESSION...the first results from the contest I entered Chapter One of it will coming in sometime in the next week or two. Will be curious to see the feedback, since it was a rather sexy chapter. :)

On closing, I wanted to share my latest find. Found this guy tonight and he just screams "hero" to me.

Sunday Saluations

2006-11-05T19:22:00.000-08:00

Good news! Finished editing finally DGBMY! It ends at 350 pages and nearly 82,000 words. Sort of a short single title. Somebody out there has to be interested. Right?

My next project is to start back to editing OBSESSION. I lost track where I left off but I'll probably start with Chapter 9. That is halfway through. I need to get it done fairly quickly, whether I get help from my critique partnter or not. At least I would then have a workable product to send off if I get a request.

This coming Thursday I begin a four day weekend. Yeah! My mini vacation. My only plan is to get my nails done. Other than that, I'm free as a bird. :)
Oh, yeah...I do have reviews to do. The neverending reviews. LOL
But I like reviewing for Romance Reviews Today. Highly entertaining and the boss is a sweetie. But..shh..that's a secret.

The Rites of Change

2006-11-03T18:07:00.000-08:00

The other morning as I got dressed for work, I did the unthinkable. I put my underwear on differently than I normally do. It left me feeling strange and at ease. So, what did I do? I took them off and put them back on the way I normally do.

Ha! Who said writers are not set in their ways?

What does this have to do with writing you may ask?

It made me think of a question the other day where authors were asked if they had some background noise going on while they wrote. The usual said they had specific music all the time to help motivate them. Some had to have complete silence. Everyone is different, but the same theme is apparent…writers can’t write if their environment has changed.

Recently, I bought a new computer desk and set it up in a new location. Once there, it was as though my muse left me. I would stare at the screen, then look over at where I used to sit and wonder if I should move back. It took a few weeks, but now I can write away at the new location. Now I’ll think twice before I move my computer.

As for my background noise while writing…I prefer complete silence. No television. No music. No playing cats. When the Terrible Twosome start running around and playing, they distract me. That’s why I love my little rendezvous away from home and hole up in a hotel. Nothing to distract me!

Maybe it’s time to get myself a closet that Bad Barb wants to put me in…

Or, at least make sure I don’t put my underwear on wrong.

Sunny Saturday

2006-10-28T16:06:00.000-07:00

I've been sorely neglecting my blog lately. Really, I had good intentions. Just not enough time in the day to do everything. One thing I am keeping up with is the editing. Now down to the last chapter and will probably retool it a little at the end. Nah, won't change the climatic scene. That was too funny. :)
As I go through it, I'm finding less mistakes other than I needed to add dialogue. Note to newbies...thoughts are passive, talking is action.
I now have around 81,000 word...or nearly 350 pages. Not bad. It's a short single title. I also realize that I probably need to read it again to make sure I got the missed words. I have found a scattering of mistakes even though i have gone over it at least two times.
Read and read again and again to make sure the odd words or leftover words are taken out.

It's sunny here today and I'm enjoying it even if I'm indoors. I'm lucky that where my computer sits faces the sun coming in.

If I don't write a post for a few days...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Monday Monday

2006-10-23T22:46:00.000-07:00

I had intended to write a blog post over the weekend, but totally forgot. I kept busy with this and that. Reviews, writing...actually editing. Oh, and finished up the contest entries I was judging. I spend so much time at the computer, I think I'm chained to it. LOL

On the bright side, I did do 20 pages of edits tonight and counted out that I have approximately 84 pages to go.

Hmm...should I make the end of October my goal to finish the edits? Eight days. Eight nights.

Stay tuned.

I also plan to get the blog up and presented to the public in the next day or two.

Just have to nag Terrie. ;-)

Whoops!

2006-10-18T22:40:00.000-07:00

I realized it has been a few days since I posted. I've been busy. That's my excuse and it's the truth. I decided to at least post with an interesing thing. I'm busy at work editing DGBMH, but a new story keeps talking to me in my head.

Sigh.

Those voices won't go away. As I drove home today, I had a first chapter just about plotted out. Alas, I didn't write it down. I will though. But I leave with you the opening line that I have in my head:

Maybe she'd just serve her shoes to him on a silver platter.

Isn't that a bit catchy? LOL

Real Men....need hair on their chest

2006-10-13T17:54:00.000-07:00

What do you think of this cover for REAL MEN DO IT BETTER? One of the stories features my good friend, Carrie Alexander, and she mentioned the cover today. Yeah, the guy's chest is hairless. I dunno about him. I like a little roughness under my fingers as I'm running my hand. Just something about springy hair that gets my toes curling. Unfortunately, the trend seems to be the shiny chests that makes you want to get the Windex out. Any cleaner and smoother and one could eat off the chest. I'd rather eat elsewhere.. :)

Thursday....uh...Is it?

2006-10-12T20:57:00.000-07:00

Where did the week go? I was off Monday but back to work Tuesday, keeping busy both daytime and nighttime. Haven't really worked a lot on the editing, but my goal is to finish it by the end of October.
On one of my writing loops, there has been a discussion about writing contests. Why do we enter them? Mine from the start has been feedback. I crave feedback because I want to make sure my manuscript is the best that it can be. But the feeling I'm getting as I read some of the posts is wondering how many contests are entered? Hmm...wouldn't it be nice to know how many people I competed with? Ah...I'm just curious.
Right now I have OBSESSION out to two contests and DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART (the revised Chapter One) out to one. No matter what happens, I will read the comments and see how I can improve. I can say that positive comments, even if not the words I want to hear, are better than a "this drivel is crap." Not that someone wrote that on a manuscript... I do feel a bit of annoyance though about one contest I entered...the judge coordinator made a comment on a sticky note that she agreed with the low scoring judge about my entry. Come on! Was that meant for my eyes? It seemed to be tacked on as it was between pages. It was disheartening, to say the least.

But, regardless, until I sell, I'll probably continue to enter contests. They can be interesting.

Monday Mega Closure

2006-10-09T19:14:00.000-07:00

Here it's Monday, my final day of my short vacation. Weather was crisp this morning as it was in the 30's, but the sun came out and was nice. Got the car washed after I had lunch. As for writing things...well...I did meet my goal of getting 100 pages edited of DGBMH and have 225 more pages to go. Will probably work on that tomorrow night.
In the meantime, today I read and completed three short story reviews for RRT. Well, actually the erotic side. Still have a few more to read and tomorrow I go back to work. I also worked on the contest entries I'm judging. Really, it isn't that hard to do. At least, I hope I'm doing it right. lol I entered a writing contest for what-the-heck reasons. It's the revised first chapter of DGBMH.

In the meantime, I picked up LOVE, LUST AND PIXIE DUST by LuAnn McLane to read. So far it's good. Love the cover!

I'm thinking about my next writing project. Really, I need to get my butt in gear and start outlining it.

Name is up!

2006-10-08T15:30:00.000-07:00

Found this while checking the SFA-RWA website. It makes it seem more real when my name is up there.

See? I wasn't telling a fib. I did come in second. LOL

I've been busy working on edits and my goal today is to have 100 pages edited. I'm also adding a few. I expanded on a scene that included kissing. Ahh...Sensual awareness. :)

Totally Fantastic News!

2006-10-07T20:29:00.000-07:00

If you remember, back in August I got notified that I'd finaled in the SFA-RWA's Heart to Heart contest.
Well....Friday I got the results back. I placed second in the Short Contemporary category. Can you picture me jumping up and down? I also got good comments from the final judge, Wanda Otewell from Harlequin. She said...

Overall, this scene sets up a nice attraction that promises to be fun with a touch of wickednessÂof the best kind.

And with this news, I started making changes to DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART. It's such a tough sell, I may end up trying for the ebook market, where they can pretty much take any word count and a variety of stories. In my heart, I know I have a good story and could spend a lifetime trying to sell it, but I need to be realistic and go where it has the better chance of selling.
That way, I can concentrate on more marketable stories, like OBSESSION.

Yes!

2006-10-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

I finished OBSESSION, my Blaze targeted story. Yes, I know there's already one by that name, but who said if I sell that'll remain the title? How many authors (unless your name is Nora Roberts) get to keep their original title?
The good news is that I came in right on target pretty much where I wanted it to. I also started this baby of mine mid-June and it took me a little longer than the other two to finish (and is shorter) but with the break I took to head to Nationals (and then some) it's not surprising. I have the synopsis done and halfway done with edits. My critique partner is knee-deep in her own edits so hasn't gotten the latest back to me.

For something fun I'd like to complete a short story. Maybe 25,000 words or so and try to sell it to a ebook publisher. I have something in mind already. I want to write something quirky and flirty. :)

It's October!

2006-10-01T10:30:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe it's October. Of course, considering it has been in the 80's here all week, it doesn't feel like fall.
I've been working on reviews all week for Romance Reviews Today. I'm happy to say that I'm done with October reviews! Yay! Free to write and edit. Two books that I considered outstanding reads for October are I'M IN NO MOOD FOR LOVE by Rachel Gibson. My review is posted already.

The other very good read was THE PART-TIME WIFE by Maureen Child. It's part of the Secret Lives of Society Wives series, but still, if you can, pick it up and forget what happened before.

It's Sunday and I have a few things to do before I plan on digging in and starting on writing that final scene for my wip, OBSESSION. Yep, you heard that right. I did not do a single ::bleep:: writing this week.

Between working on reviews and work, I just didn't have time. I also read a book yesterday for a bit of break in between. I'll tell you about it in another post. :)

Wednesday Weedings

2006-09-27T20:38:00.000-07:00

Here it is Wednesday and I realized that it had been a few days since I posted to my blog. Uh...can we say busy? :)

I spent the weekend writing. Went over the 60,000 word count on my Blaze targeted story. Got the climatic scene finished up. Now have the final scene where my couple talk and admit they're in love with each other. I love writing those kinds of scenes. Not just because it is The End, but because I get mushy. My first WIP ending had me tearing up.

But that was the weekend. Haven't written a single sentence since there. Been busy with reviews, but should be done by next week and I can concentrate on my ending. In the meantime :::big sigh::: I need to polish up the synopsis and submit it and chapter one to a contest. Won't take much to finish the synopsis since I wrote it up in July when I had OBSESSION only partly going.

Then it's time for revising DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART. I have a fairly good idea what I must do, but it will take some dedicated work on my part.

When is the Right Time to Submit?

2006-09-23T10:09:00.000-07:00

I think that's always a question new writers ask themselves. When is your work of art, the pride and joy you've put so much hard work and effort into...when is it ready to be sent off to a publisher or agent to be read and determined if it's "the one" they want?

I'm sort of going through this right now. Nearly a year ago, I finished DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART. Yes, I did set it aside for a few months and then worked on polishing it, but still, I see other writers who will type "The End" and then send it off the next day to a publisher. Keep in mind, I'm referring to the unpubbed writers, not the contracted ones who are so good at what they do, that when it's done, it's ready to be sent off. Am I the only one who has to go through her work and make sure that passive is changed to active and there are no dangling modifiers? The other part of me says that my writing must be lousy and why am I trying to fool myself into thinking I'll ever be published? Especially if my rough draft is just that--rough.

But then the other part of me reminds me that I did final in two contests, something that is rarely done by rookie writers like me. Not that I can compare myself with a brilliant, about to be published rising star, but gosh....maybe do I have some talent? Perhaps enough to get me published? Or, did I just have a good scene that caught the eye of the judges? I don't know.

However, whatever happens, when I do submit my work to a publisher, it will be because it is shined and spiffed up and done to the best of my abilities whatever that may be.

The merits of local RWA chapters...

2006-09-21T22:17:00.000-07:00

Are RWA chapters important?

I belong to three different RWA chapters, but really don't feel like I belong to any of them. It's not that I haven't tried, but like a lot of groups, there is a lot of close-knit groups who tend to shut out anyone else from entering their realm. Have they helped me? In each their own way, yes, but not largely.
I've had people tell me to go join such and such landline chapter, but it would be hard to go to meetings. I would love to have the face to face meetings, but the ideal thing I want is a small group of supporters/critiquers that help each other.

As the months go by, I'm questioning whether I should continue RWA chapter membership. Shall I keep one or drop one? I don't know. I love RWA as a whole, but I need to get something from my memberships in other groups. In fact, I've also thought about the past few days of just taking a break from writing. Writing has to be fun and the stress of the past few days makes it hard sometimes to concentrate.

Ah, these melancholic times...

Writing Progress and Distractions

2006-09-19T20:19:00.000-07:00

After writing nothing over the weekend, I've managed to write a few pages the past couple of days. Not a lot, but moving forward is better than no pages at all. What happened with the weekend? It just got funky busy. I had my nails done and got a pedicure. But then I got into the cleaning mode and also bought a new shelf (which I had to put together) and before I knew it, it was Sunday evening. Did have a plotting chat with a friend of mine who's stuck in her manuscript after contest feedback. We had a nice chat that was dominated by discussing our craft. I would love to get a weekly writing chat going where anyone who needs to run writing stuff by can do so.

Another thing that distracted me was a book I was reading. I got swept away by SWEPT AWAY by Toni Blake. Omigod! I loved it and could not put it down. I guess I like stories where they not only once knew each other, but they end up stranded together. If you don't have this one, then please go out and pick it up.

Not So Cool to be Crass

2006-09-15T21:14:00.000-07:00

Why do people think it’s cool to be crass? I’m talking about the yelling, get in your face and think it is smart type of person. I come across these every so often. Usually they’re annoyed about something and want to right the wrong they imagine someone has done them. Of course, they start talking out loud and soon it becomes “oh, yeah, I’m going to tell them a thing or two!”

Recently at a meeting, someone got annoyed with another person. She told her friends she was going to show him a few things and where to go. She indeed do all this. Her friends whooped it up and cheered her on. I felt sorry for the poor guy to have to put up with the embarrassment and the lady’s umm…crass behavior. She could have asked him to resolve the issue or better yet, thought of her own solution, but nooooooo….her response was to be CRASS. Get in his face and let it all hang out. I’m more of the avoid a confrontation type person and the lady’s behavior angered me. But her friends shouldn’t have cheered her on. One should have calmly told her to resolve it without rancor.

Next time you hear someone bitching about somebody and inform everyone they’re going to get back at that person, step in and remind them how childish it is to act that way. Life is about compromises and goodwill toward others.

What does this have to do with writing? Remember that what goes around, comes around. That person you just dissed could be a potential editor or agent.

Saturday Happenings

2006-09-09T19:05:00.000-07:00

Update on writing. Now have 52,000 words. Actually have written quite a bit today. I guess having a stated goal (finish by end of September) is putting a bit of fire under me. :)

I also worked on Chapter One the other night to get it ready to enter a contest. Dropped it in the mail this morning. Contests can be scary, but since the first one literally had me shaking while I prepared it, now it's more 'get the packet together and mail it off.'
Not that I'm not nervous, but it's like driving a car--it gets easier and better.

I'm hyped on my writing now. I guess I'm getting the energy and drive back. I feel like a klutz, dimwit, or smaltz when it comes to writing, but I can also watch myself get better at it.

Maybe I will get published.

Oh, on a side note, this is Holly's birthday weekend. She's now two.

Happy Birthday Holly!!!!

Of Cats and Writers

2006-09-06T21:26:00.000-07:00

When I mention at times that my cats prevented me from writing for a while, I sometimes get those "oh, sure" comments. I happen to have two lively animals, especially one feral born cat. Like tonight. here I am, sitting at the computer and Holly comes along and lays down next to me. Next thing I know, she's pushing the printer with her feet. Argh! Stop it Holly!

Of course, that is actually mild for some of what she does. This morning I tried to read the newspaper and Holly proceeded to tear off pieces of it. While I'm reading it! Winter is almost as bad. She'll start climbing on top of stuff and the next thing I know, she's about to knock something expensive or sentimental down to the floor.

Now, you might ask, what does this have to do with writing? Well, we have so many distractions going on sometimes, you have to figure out ways to work around it. In my case, I write either away from home or pick a time the cats are sleeping.

Hard to believe such lovable, innocent creatures can be a nuisance. :)

Monday Madness

2006-09-04T20:39:00.000-07:00

Today was a good day of writing. Wrote 9 pages and am now 80% completed. Two things helped me to write. One was signing off the internet and the second thing was that both cats napped while I wrote. Tomorrow I go back to work and it's doubtful I'll get any writing done. I checked and I am pretty much on target.

Today I hit the "black moment" and it was so so. I need to work on that issue a bit. Thinking of creating a story which has a good, solid black moment and then workring the rest of the story into it. I love romantic suspense, but hate the technicalities of researching guns, knives, or other means to kill. :) If it's dialogue or action, or even love scenes, count me in.

First thing a writer discovers is that they are constanting learning. Never say you know everything, because you don't!

Sunday Sundown

2006-09-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

It's Sunday and winding down. I've been working a little on my current WIP. Reached the 77% completion mark. Yeah! Now about to get to the black moment. I had to think why the heroine would be there. (No, not saying where is)

You know, I've heard a few things in the past couple of days about "just write and worry about the editing later." That is true, I suppose, but sometimes I write something and realize that what I had written two chapters earlier doesn't fit now. So.....back I go to rewrite the older scene. But keeping on writing seems to be the best way to write. Last year, I participated in RWA Online's KIA challenge. It was write till you drop marathon that lasted most of October. It was fun and got DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART mostly written. I'm seriously challenged now to join in again this year. The most pages I wrote during a week was 52, but man, if I keep that up during the whole month, I could be close to 200 pages! And I was working full time during most of it.

The closest I ever came to that was this past June when I started out on OBSESSION and as you can tell, I'm still plodding along on it. I stopped mid-July due to RWA and it took until August 4th or so to get back to it.

What was the most pages you've ever cranked out?

Catch-up Thursday

2006-08-31T21:59:00.000-07:00

Wow, I just realized that it's been a few days since I posted. Hmm.....did manage to write a few pages this week, but it has been slow. I need to get into a rhythm of writing at night and getting better organized. Tonight I've been watching Ernesto the hurricane on television, even though it has no effect on me. Let's face it, I'm a weather slut. Besides, Jim Cantore is on TWC. Love that guy!

My self stated goal is to finish this WIP by the end of September. Actually, that's a more than reasonable goal since I'm less than 20K words away. Labor Day weekend is upcoming and except for Saturday, I'm free. My plan after I finish it (and get it critiqued by my wonderful CP ) is to immediately start on a shorter story I have in my head. I want to see if I can sell it to one of the epublishers. Definite steaminess is planned. ;-)

Currently reading DARK ROOTS AND COWBOY BOOTS by LuAnn McLane. Wow, this one is a keeper. Love the humor and real life antics of Jamie Lee and her friends.

Saturday Stutter Starts

2006-08-26T14:05:00.000-07:00

I think the last few days, I've just been sluggish. I blame part of it of the lack of creativity. A feeling of "where do I go from here" feeling. I see the end in sight on my latest WIP, but a restlessness inside me. To tell you the truth--and don't tell her--but I think I need one of Barb's closets.

Right now I'm watching the neighbors ruin the grass of their yard. Don't they care??? See? I could be not worrying about trivial stuff like that.

I've also made a decision, but I'm not going to reveal it quite yet. :)

Btw, ask me what that percentage bar on the side of my blog means.

2006-08-23T22:15:00.000-07:00

Today I wrote ten pages again...like I did last Friday. I actually hadn't planned to write but was going to look at the edits from my cp on chapter seven and then do my editing of chapters 8 through 10. Oh well...I think that will be my priority for the weekend.

Right now I'm in the midst of review books and sometimes I suffer from the "I need to get them done before I start on something else" feeling. As for what I wrote...well, it takes place at a wedding reception. Hero is meeting heroine's family. Ever think about the first time your dh met your family? didn't you want to die at time? :) In this case, it's the heroine who's feeling that way.

I read a good book yesterday. It is a Katherine Garbera Silhouette Deisire coming out in October. The only thing is that it's a part of a series. Although one could read it as a standalone. But, man, it was HOT. At one point, heroine is doing a belly dance and hero is um...stroking himself as he watches her. And of course, she is watching him. Woooooooooo....get out the fans!!!

Smoldering Sunday

2006-08-20T18:13:00.000-07:00

Seems like for the past couple of weeks, I've been dragging myself to work on my current WIP. It's been a slow stage. Not that I dislike my story--I do--but it's been hard to get me motivated. I'm not really sure why.

Finally I burned pages on Friday when I cranked out 10 pages. Today I finally cranked out more. Which is a good thing, since it is near 100 degrees out and I hate to write when it's hot. Of course, it has helped that the kittys are quiet. Both have been sleeping away most of the afternoon and it's blissssss....

My current page count is at 194 pages and word count is 40,000 words. I figure I'm two thirds to the end. Not bad. Per Carrie Alexander, the fantastic Blaze Babe, that it should be around 290 pages or so. I'll go for that. :)

More news...

2006-08-19T18:49:00.000-07:00

I got back the results from the third and final writing contest I entered. I didn't final, but I guess my numbers weren't too bad. Out of a possible 140 points, from the four judges I got 140, 129, 88, and 80. One really loved it and another really didn't care for it. I guess I can say it's all in one's opinion. Of course, there are comments, etc., that I will take a look at once I finish this current one that I'm writing.

On a good note, I wrote 2,000 words yesterday on my current wip. That is quite a bit. I will probably take out a part of that because it's inconsequential to my story. One of the hazards to being a pantser. :-) I've more or less made the decision that once I polish up DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART, I may query a ebook publisher unless I get nibbles from HQ. Hey, it's my first completed manuscript and I console myself with the knowledge that most published authors did NOT get published on their first completed manuscript. DGBMH is going to be a hard sell to print publishers, but I think it's a good story.

There are lessons to be learned from that first one. Lessons that could provide the way to writing that first published book.

My Surreal Life

2006-08-15T19:14:00.000-07:00

My name is up there!!!! I found the list of posted finalists:

http://www.sfarwa.com/contests/h2h_winners.asp

Now, that makes it seem more real. My life life has been almost surreal the past few weeks. Makes all the hard work worth it and my dream of being a published author appear more closer. What can I say or do?

Well, I guess it's back to working even harder, because getting publishing isn't an easy road.

More news!

2006-08-14T20:39:00.000-07:00

I was winding down the evening and chatting in IM with Crazy Mo when my inbox announced I had mail. Looked down at the subject header and froze.

You're a finalist in the Heart to Heart Contest!!

This was the SFRWA contest I entered in early June or so. See, I had mistook the dates and thought they would announce finalists in September and besides, what are the chances that I would final in the first two contests I enter? Nah...I'll get my feedback and go on, which was my intention in the first place.

When I saw that I finaled, I shakily opened my email and learned that I was one of three finalists. They needed me to email them my entry and it would go to Wanda Ottewell at Harlequin Books for judging and final placing. All I could do was start shaking and I IM'd Mo and said Omigod! a couple of times. I finally spit it out. She told me congrats and to polish and submit it then. God, you gotta love her pointblankedness.

I couldn't sleep last night. I was sooooooooooo excited and frankly, in shock. When I began entering contests, I chose contests that would give me feedback. Placing is a nice reward and one would be awesome, but...I'm still speechless, despite the lengthiness of my post.

I guess it means I am meant to write and gives me a reason to continue. Wish me luck!

Sunday Smatterings

2006-08-13T09:27:00.000-07:00

As a writer not yet published, one of the things I always ponder is what genre shall I write in? I don't mean contemporary or historical, I mean what line am I targeting? What is my audience? I read something yesterday that made me think. The author said to stick with your targeted publisher and write well. I think that is a handy bit of good advice. It is one thing to say I write contemporaries, but it's another to explain what it is I write. I love the Blaze line and right now that is my target. Smart city girls who know what they want. Yep, I can write that.

On another note, I saw in my RT magazine a letter about how she hated first person books and wished publishers/authors would stop. I have to disagree with her. Of course, I am prejudiced, seeing as my first completed ms was first person, but sometimes the story dictates whether it is first or third person POV. Would the Stephanie Plum series be as good if it wasn't in first person? Before you diss a POV, stop and think how a book grabs you in the writing style.

Slumberous Saturday

2006-08-12T09:07:00.000-07:00

I've been playing with the new blog for a couple of days, but I *think* I have it figured out now. Now I can begin...As some know, I'm an aspiring author/writer. I have two completed manuscripts and working on my third. What do I write? Contemporaries. Hot. Sensual. Borders on the funny. Right now I am working on a Blaze targeted one that isn't comedic, but I'll leave you smiling. My good news is that I recently finaled in the first ever contest I entered. I came in third! I'm excited, but at the same time anxious. I don't want to burn out due to high expectations. I suspect there are others out there who feel the same as I do. By the way, it IS good to see my name up on the list of finalists. http://www.cofw.org/contest.html

Welcome to my new Blog

2006-08-09T19:08:00.000-07:00

I decided to update myself in blogging and here I go. This is a new experience for me. I plan to post on my life as an aspiring writer.