Autographs

Whenever possible, I like to go to bookstores and sign my books. I've never had anyone object, but I understand others have. My question is does it make a difference to you? Are you more likely to buy a book if it's autographed? Does it matter if it's not signed to you? Do you give it any thought when you're in the bookstore?



08.31.05 @ 01:36 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Illusions

I'm watching coverage of the hurricane and my imagination is inadequate to the task of picturing what it would be like to be there. I feel so badly for all those who have lost so much. It's an overwhelming tragedy.

Which brings home to me how I cling to the illusion of safety. I think it's a survival mechanism. We act as though we're invincible, as if life will continue in a peaceful flow with little to disrupt our routines. If we truly thought about what could happen, I think we'd be immobilized. It's too much, too big. And when these big disasters hit, it's hard to understand, despite pictures and testimonials. I just don't think humans are capable of holding massive bad things in our heads for long. Maybe I'm wrong, and it's just me. But I look at big things that happen outside our shores - Bosnia, Rwanda, the Sudan, and how it's easier to switch the channel to a sitcom than watch the horror, then do something, anything, to make a difference. It's easier to think it's someone else's problem.

I certainly haven't done much. I donate a bit of money. That’s about it. And then I duck back inside my illusory bubble of safety, where bad things only happen to other people. I'm going to do what I can for the victims of Katrina before it becomes someone else's problem.


08.30.05 @ 02:01 PM MST [Link to Entry]

A Quickie

Okay, so the marathon wasn't very marathony. I got some written, but not enough. I was so determined, and yet on the getting-it-done-meter I was lukewarm at best. The problem seems to be my brain. ::stupid brain:: But I have great plans to finish really, really soon.

In order to meet this deadline, I'm going fishing. Which only makes sense if you have a brain like mine. But trust me, it'll help. I swear.



08.29.05 @ 02:26 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Tag, you're it

"Hi," he quipped.
"Hi," she retorted.
"How have you been?" he queried.
"Fine," she teased.
"Great," he inferred.
"Thanks," she expounded.


Just in case you can't guess, I hate this crap. Any time I pick up a book that has tags like these, I stop reading. The story itself cannot win over ridiculous dialogue tags, not even the best story evah. For me, the only tags that work are those that disappear. Like he said. She said. He asked. She asked. Some others are acceptable, like she whispered, or he mumbled, although not often. In fact, almost never. But if the writer has done their job, I will understand the emphasis and emotion of a sentence without the additional attribution. Identifying the speaker doesn't just come from the tag. It should come from the dialogue and situation.

Readers are smart. They are intuitive and part of the joy of reading is "hearing" the dialogue. They want to participate in the story, and a large part of that comes from interpreting the situations on the page so they come alive. Said and asked disappear, leaving the reader to interpret. Hissed, grumbled, murmured, groaned, tittered, etc. are not just bad writing, they're insulting. So, copy editor I don't know, please do not add tags to my books, she exhorted.


08.28.05 @ 03:04 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Oh, Hail!

So we had some fun folks visiting the mountain yesterday, and while it was cloudy, we took a shot and went to the lake. Blew up all three boats, got in the water, and it immediately rained. Not just rain, but hail! It was special.

I'm going to be marathon writing from now until the novella is done. I've been listening to Serious music on Dish network, and they have a Big Bands station, so that's been inspirational and neat. I just have so much else to do, I must get the novella done. I also have galleys on the 24 hour book, so I have to fit that in somewhere.

Also, got our faux book cover back from the framers and it looks so cool! We have it up in the living room. For those of you who weren't around for the post-wedding posts (J) My editors at Harlequin made a fake Blaze book cover using myself and the DH as the hero/heroine. It's so fabulous.

For once, I'm kind of glad it's the weekend and that the blog updates slow way down. Because I must, must, work. I probably won't post until Monday, but by then I hope I can celebrate The End. (Don't hesitate to comment, however, because, well, it makes me happy.)


08.26.05 @ 12:36 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Joe, I mean John, or is that Bill?

With luck, we'll be going on the boat today. It all depends on the weather. I'm totally in the mood to loll on the water and maybe catch a fish.

Had a writer friend read the unfinished novella yesterday, and here's an issue that comes up for me in every single book I write. The illustration:

"I'm Billy Henderson, Ma'am. From Salt Lake City, Utah."
She stuck out her hand. "Nice to meet you, Jimmy. I'm Betty."

Did you catch the subtle mistake? I do this all the time. I never remember names, and sometimes (Shhh, don't tell anyone) I use the name of a prior hero in a present book. Or I'll use the name of a real person I know instead of the character name. It's a sickness. I don't understand it at all. But I have to be so damn careful, because even revising, I don't see the name switches.

I also have to make lists of stuff, descriptions of rooms, or clothes, or locations, that I have to put in a separate file so I can go read them again if I need to. The things that do flow for me are speech mannerisms, level of tension, character motivation and character arc. Maybe my brain is so filled with old Beatle lyrics that I can put in only so much new stuff. Or maybe it's because I'm an ex screen writer, so I figure set designers will take care of the continuity aspects. I just don't know. But I wish I would just cut it out.


08.25.05 @ 12:16 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Yuck

Woke up, it was a cranky morning. I'm out of sorts and I want to blame it on hormones, so I will. I'm finally going to the chiropractor today, in fact, in a bout ten minutes, so that'll help. Being in pain day after day sucks the big one. I'm totally ready to be refreshed and healed.

Work went well yesterday, and I'm closing in on the end of the novella. I'm really sorry this isn't a longer book because I love the characters and the situation. Oh, well. There are many things waiting just around the corner. Most important thing that can happen for me writing a book is to fall in love with the characters. Unfortunately, it doesn't always happen. But I've learned not to force it. I'll keep working from different angles until I find the hero/heroine I can totally love. Writing is too hard not to have everything going for me. A story I believe in, characters who move me, who surprise me, who make me care. And there also needs to be several scenes that I look forward to, that excite me ridiculously.

Anyway, gotta run. I hope to shed my blues in town.


08.24.05 @ 01:51 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Voyeurism and Me

I used to spend hours on line before blogs, only now I can't imagine what I was doing. Blogs, in the blink of an eye, have become so much a part of my on line world, it's hard to remember what it was like before them.

Is it a good thing to spend so much time checking out other's journals? I rationalize it by my location. I'm far from real people, especially real writer people (except the DH) so, it's my social outlet. I also find out what's going on in the world of romance writing, but that's not always a good thing. I have a tendency to make snap decisions when I read, and then later on, when I hear opposing viewpoints, I revise. Mostly I don't post, because when I do, I have almost immediate posters remorse. And once that stuff is out there, it's impossible to take it back. So I sit on my hands, thinking of all manner of wicked retorts, but for the most part, I keep it to myself.

I've been burned on line before, and I suppose that's what makes me so gun shy. It happened a long time ago on a loop far, far away. Something I said in haste came back to haunt me, and since then, I’m mostly a lurker. I simply know that people, nice people, are vulnerable to the immediacy of being on line, and the illusions that come with it. It feels as though you're talking to buddies, but you don't really know who's listening, and who's going to repeat your words. And god knows, things get blown out of proportion. Wildfire can erupt at the drop of a smilie.

My guilty confession is that I don't want everyone else to be as cautious as me, because I lurve the drama. Especially with writers, because when they get all hot and bothered, they do it with proper grammar and great language. Yeah, it's true. The juicer the scandal, the more frequently I log in. I'm so ashamed. Not ashamed enough to stop, but ashamed nonetheless.

So, back to my original thought. I've always loved being on line, and I can whittle away hours at nothing. It's my retreat, but also my sink hole. Whenever I'm here, I'm not writing. So what's an internet voyeur to do?


08.23.05 @ 01:35 PM MST [Link to Entry]

The Mean Girl Culture

I regularly read a few magazines - O, Cosmo, Marie Claire, and Jane. Today, I'd like to talk about Cosmo. I read it to keep in touch, to find out the latest styles for my characters, but mostly to get with the tone of the times, since I’m old and I live far from malls.

One thing I've seen over the last year(s) is how deep the Mean Girls culture has spread. It's unsettling to me. Every month, they have confessions of horrible things people have done to one another. The confessions are somehow gleeful in their nastiness. One 24 year-old lied to her friend, causing her friend to break up with her boyfriend. The ending line? "I didn't even feel bad about lying." Then, there's this feature called Cosmo Commandments: 10 Evil Ways to Get Revenge on an Ex. These include: telling his friends that your ex likes to wear women's underwear. Post a picture of him skinny-dipping in freezing water on the internet! Here's a delightful tip: Hide a small amount of opium in his suitcase, buy him a ticket to Thailand, and wait for mandatory sentencing to kick in!

What??? Is this stuff for real? Are the 20-something and 30-something women out there all mean girls? Why? When did this happen?

I write about women of this age group, and I would never have any respect or concern for someone so willing to get revenge in such childish ways. Does that mean I'm completely out of touch and have no business writing Blazes? Is there societal pressure among these women to be nasty? To equate meanness to strength?

My direct access to people this age are my nieces and nephews (lots of them) who are nothing like this. But then, they were home schooled for the most part, and have the kind of values that I can relate to. Are they the anomalies?

If you haven't seen Cosmo for awhile, check it out. I think you'll be surprised.


08.22.05 @ 01:10 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Miscellaneous Blather

I realized today that I have to start knitting my Xmas presents now or they won't be ready. Or maybe that's just my way of trying to think of new ways to not write. Yesterday, I cleaned the bathroom. Now that's procrastination.

The back is still sore, but I'm not immobilized, so that's good. Although I'm telling my chiropractor that he can't leave, ever, for any reason.

Because I felt icky yesterday, I made matzo ball soup. It didn't cure me, but it was comforting. Not just the eating of it, but the making of it. From scratch. It smelled like my house when I was growing up. That's always wonderful. Lately, my mother has been much on my mind. She died 12 years ago, but I've been having dreams about her. Mostly, we're just sitting and talking. It's fabulous when I'm in the dream, but a little melancholy when I wake. I miss her like crazy.

Oh - side note. Anyone here belong to the Kiss of Death chapter? Can you tell me about it? If it's useful, if you've gotten good advice about agents, markets, etc? Merci.

Today - minimum of 10 pages. Really need 15. Root for me.


08.21.05 @ 02:17 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Ouch and Winners!

Just so you know, back pain sucks. Especially when my chiropractor is out of town.

I spent most of yesterday with ice packs and pain pills, which is not exactly at the top of my hit parade. From my neck all the way down the right side of my back, I was hurtin'. Bad! Today it's a bit better, but I have the feeling I'm just going to be whining until Wed when the chiropractor comes back.

I did get some writing done, which is good, and today I'm writing SEX. Interesting sex. Because these people are not at all the kind I usually write for Blaze. I'm looking forward to it.

And once again, EVERYBODY WINS! Send me your snail mail addresses - Jo_Leigh14@hotmail.com, and I'll get the books out sometime this week. Here's who won what:

Alyssa - GOING FOR IT
Cheryl - HOT & BOTHERED
Glenice - ARM CANDY
Kim - GOING FOR IT
Dream - SENSUAL SECRETS
Emma - LITTLE GIRL FOUND
Tammy C - ONE WICKED NIGHT

Yayyyyy!



08.20.05 @ 01:23 PM MST [Link to Entry]

This and the Other

The only thing Friday means up on the mountain is that people come. Lots of people. Most of them towing huge trailers filled with ATVs. The good thing is they'll mostly be gone by Monday. The bad thing is, we don't get to go to the lake because of the PEOPLE. We have two action plans for this:
1) buy lots of quarantine signs and put them up all over by the lake. We're thinking of something like Warning! Ebola Hunta Pox!
2) changing the name of the place to Mount Doom.

Yesterday, we did get to the lake, and it was heavenly, because we fixed the plug problem at the bottom of the boat, so we remained dry for the entire time! It was great! Also, caught no fish, but hey, we were in the boat with dry asses!

Got my new O magazine, and therefore want to read it from cover to cover instead of working. I won't. I will work. I will move forward. I will get this done in the next four days! I promise! Really!

It would help, however, if I had that Hank thing going. You know, that commercial for the high octane drink, where Hank goes off to work to the sounds and sight of a whole gaggle of people shouting Hank! Hank! Hank! Complete with mascot. I want that. Although it might be a wee bit distracting.

And while I'm on the subject of commercials, my WTF? quotient has gone off the charts. What's the deal with the stupid men throwing Snickers at the deer? Huh? And who is Tony Sinclair and why should I care what he thinks?


08.19.05 @ 12:01 PM MST [Link to Entry]

This and that

Inching forward on the novella, wishing, actually, that it was a full book because there's so much to explore. I find in this project that I’m having to stick very close to the plotting, and the timing is crucial. Not skimping on the emotions or the moments that matter, and getting rid of anything extraneous. Which is not easy. Using POWER STRUCTURE, a computer program I'm in love with, I've bulleted every important moment in the book, and each one needs its buildup and payoff. Challenges are good. I tell myself that often.

In other news, we're still waiting for a puppy, hopefully a local puppy. I've been reminded that, like most things that capture my fancy, I'm obsessed about the whole thing. It's true. Nothing is ever half-way with me. I get something stuck in my head, and it becomes THE focus. I do it with research, I do it with story ideas, I do it with getting married and I do it with puppies. Poor DH. He's not that way at all, and he wishes I would just chill, but you know what? I'm probably not going to change any time soon. So, it's puppy on the brain until we get the damn puppy.

Okay, back to work. Listening to Fred Astaire singing Berlin, Porter and Gershwin.


08.18.05 @ 01:19 PM MST [Link to Entry]

When research comes close to home

In my search for authenticity in the WWII novella, my DH gave me something incredible: a letter written to his mother by his biological father. The DH was just a few months old, and we're still not clear whether his father had ever actually seen him ( I think so), but he didn't know the man at all.

The letter is 24 pages, and it was written over many weeks. His father was on a submarine, although he never said where. It was written in June, 1944, and he's a lieutenant. He was a very educated young man, and quite a reader. He complained about the onboard library being a pippin which, I deduced from the context, meant it was horrible. He gave her brief reviews of the books he read, the crossword puzzles he worked on, the discomfort of the submarine, especially when the air conditioning system went out, but mostly about the monotony of his duty and the longing he had to be back home.

A couple of things that got to me:

The unfortunate part is that the few interesting things that occur are precisely the things we can't write about. Our location, a description of which might interest you much, is taboo; likewise our encounters with the enemy if and when they occur. All I can give you is the sweat and the monotony and the longing for you which is so nearly always present. So forgive me when I write too much on the first two - the latter I am proud of.

Some day, honey, I'd like to write a book, a sort of autobiography. I'd not want to write for publication, only for my own amusement and entertainment during my declining years. I'd write of my early ideas, ambitions, hopes, aspirations and errors. I'd write the alternate choices I had at various times and why the path I chose was right or wrong. And after I get the book written, do you know what I'd do? I'd burn the damn thing up before anyone including me, had read it. Anything I've learned by experience nobody else would believe anyway, until he'd learned it the same way.

And, oh…

A bit of rough-house resulting in the loss of my shirt over the side cost me my good-luck charm, and I miss it very much. Will you please send me another? This time I'll pin it on me.

He ends the letter with:

Good night, sweet heart. I'm off to dream of you.

This was the last letter he wrote. His submarine was sunk in the Pacific.

Wow, huh?


08.17.05 @ 02:43 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Prizes!

It's time for another giveaway, only this time, there will be 6 winners because I'm giving away 6 books from my backlist:

One Wicked Night (Temptation - RITA finalist)
Little Girl Found (Intrigue)
Hot & Bothered (Temptation Blaze)
Going For It (Blaze #2)
Arm Candy (Blaze)
Sensual Secrets (Blaze with the Worst Cover Ever)

Tell me which one you'd like, and in the case of duplicates, I'll have the DH pick a name from a bowl. This one will end on Friday.

Totally unrelated: I saw this on a blog yesterday, and it completely cracked me up:

Subject: Wherein I'm as oblivious to the world around me as the average Sunnydale police officer.

Totally unrelated, Part II: I saw this on another blog: "Do not meddle in the affairs of slashers,
for you are cute, and would look good with another guy."

Bloggers. Got to love them.

Okay, back to the contest. One person (it could be you!) will also receive a bonus book. Something else from the stockpiles that you get to pick. (If, that is, I have a copy here). So enter! Be bold! Making me laugh is always a plus!


08.16.05 @ 01:36 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Time and Time Again

More thunderstorms today, and yesterday's high was 60. I guess summer's over. And dammit, we were out of town for most of it. Of course, since we had our last big snow June 10th, it makes for a very, VERY short summer. We're just hoping there are a few more sunny days before the first snow of this winter. ::sigh::

Okay, writing - I'm still working on the WWII novella, and there are all these specials on TV re the anniversary of the D-Day and stuff, which has been enlightening and wonderful. Especially the PBS shows yesterday of several hours of color footage of the war. There were also letters read from the soldiers and women on the home front which were just perfect. Poignant, folksy, eloquent.

My hero is a man who's 28 in 1945, who grew up in a small town in Kansas. Definitely not the voice of my usual heroes. There's a sweetness to his voice, although he still sounds like a man. (I hope). It's a fascinating challenge, especially because this is a Blaze, so there's going to be explicit sex, but I have to do it in a way that works with this man's past and his present. Altogether delicious writing that's making me quite happy. I never thought I'd feel this way about a time travel - frankly it scared the hell out of me, but it's a wonderful experience.

The odd thing is, I've only read a couple of time travels. One was The Time Travelers Wife, and I can't recall the name of the other, but it was not a romance. So I'm not sure how other people in romance handle them. Which isn't a bad thing, for me, at least. I know the conventional wisdom is to read a ton in the genre you're writing, but I never did that. When I started writing for Intimate Moments, I'd read, I believe, 2 or 3. The same thing happened when I began to write for Temptation, American…well, you get the picture. I think that helped me approach the books with a totally fresh eye. And it worked, since I sold, so…

Anyway, tune in tomorrow for the next giveaway. And if you've read or written time travels, tell me about your experience.


08.15.05 @ 01:01 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Boats and Fairs

We finally got in the boat yesterday, and it was great. We bought the 4 man Fish hunter, and while it would have been a little better getting the 6 man, it's still very cool. Unfortunately, we caught no fish, but that was mostly because the lake was too warm. It was okay, though. As the DH says, any day fishing is a good day fishing. Catching fish makes it a great day. Oh, and there were these four vents that allow you to let water out of the boat if it should get in. The thing to remember is to make sure they're closed really tightly before you get in the water. Because what can go out can also come in.

Today we're going to the little county fair. I love them. The cook-offs, the 4H animals, the crafts and the treats. They're having a rodeo, which I don't care for, but it's a big draw around here.

Before and after the fair, it's writing. I want to finish the novella next week. I have a list a mile long of other projects I need to get to - either to plot, put together synopses, edit, etc, and then there'll be the galleys for the last Blaze. I've tried so hard to work on more than one project at a time, but damn, it's difficult. I'll just have to keep trying.



08.13.05 @ 12:44 PM MST [Link to Entry]

We're Back

We had such a nice time! We stayed at Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, and man, what a fabulous room! Huge bathroom, incredibly comfy bed, all kinds of amenities. It's a very classy hotel, and I loved that when we came back to the room for the night, the ice bucket was filled, there were water bottles on the night tables, and everything had been all put together. Yeah, a real hotel. It's been a long time since we've stayed in a really nice hotel. Mostly, we stay in motels, because, well, we haven't won that pesky lottery. So it was a wonderful treat.

Went to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which was great fun. I'm a fan of the Dahl book, and I liked that the movie was very true to the source. We also ate way too much at the buffet, did crossword puzzles and drank coffee, ran errands and generally had a busy two days. I wrote…a paragraph. But I got my nails cut, so I'm typing faster now.

Today, in addition to writing, we're going out on the boat. Yippee! I'm hoping to catch some Brook trout so I can smoke them. (Yeah, yeah, I've heard - it's hard to keep them lit). I mesquite smoke trout, then I make this trout mousse that's so yum. I have no idea if the trout are going to cooperate.

I'm also reading A PERFECT EVIL by Alex Kava, who I've never read before, and I'm really liking it. Excellent so far.

I've also been searching around the internet at animal shelters to find a puppy. No luck so far, but I'll keep looking. We want a small to medium pup, and there seems to be lots of really big dogs up for adoption. It's hard though, because I want to take them all. I'm such an incredible sucker when it comes to animals. Hell, I want to hide all the bucks in our house during deer season.

Okay - writing! World War II! Stage Door Canteen! Hot sex! Whoo hoo!


08.12.05 @ 11:31 AM MST [Link to Entry]

Ta ta

We're off. This is just a quick trip, we'll be back tomorrow, but I'm really looking forward to it. It's our honeymoon, I suppose, and a wonderful friend got us a free room at a nice hotel in Vegas. We're going to a movie. We're going to eat at whatever the hell restaurant we want to, we're going to get our fabulous gift from the Brigit and Brenda framed. And I'm going to write in the car.

We're also going shopping, which isn't the most fun thing ever, but when you live where we do, it's nice to stock up. It's going to rain the whole way, which I don't mind because damn, Vegas is hot. Up here, it's in the 60s. It looks like Friday will be our first opportunity to be on the boat. I'll report. (It cracks me up thinking anyone gives a damn, but hey, it's my blog and I'll talk fishing if I want to).

When I get back, I'm going to have another giveaway, so get ready.

Take care and go read!


08.10.05 @ 10:00 AM MST [Link to Entry]

Various and Sundry

I'm experimenting with a to-do list that resides on my desktop. So far, because I've checked off three things, I'm liking it. I'm not sure, however, how I'll feel about it in the long run. I know what I have to do, dammit, and yes, I'm late on virtually everything, so do I have to be reminded so blatantly? And does the pop-up have to cover the incredibly sexy, dark drool-worthy Krycek pic? These are questions we all want answered, I’m sure.

Oh, I also figured out how to get my desk clean: Lose stuff. Seriously, this works. Put something really, vitally important in some random spot on your desk, then continue with typical slobbish behavior. Voila! Like magic, in two weeks (your timing may vary) you'll HAVE to clean the desk or go down in flames. Ha! I should write an article.

The DH and I actually got to the "Yes, we're really getting a puppy" stage of the pet negotiations yesterday! Weeee! We're going to adopt a pet from the pound. I'm so excited I can't even stand it. A dog! A pet! A poop machine! But hey, can you imagine how fun it will be for a pup to live here on the mountain? To come fishing with us? To be able to sniff after deer and elk and bunnies and stuff? Doggy heaven.

PS - no fishing today because of the rain, dammit. No boat. No fish/depth finder fun. Just getting ready to go out of town tomorrow.


08.09.05 @ 01:22 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Revision Heck

I don't know about you, but after the weekend I had, I need a moment of peace:

I've been doing revisions (until one a.m. this morning) and I'm still not finished. I need to be finished today because I need one day of nothing before I go back to the novella. We're going to Vegas on Wed, and I want to write in the car. It's about 4 1/2 hours away, and thanks to my Neo and the nifty lap desk, I can get a lot done.

I want to go fishing tomorrow, and I’m hoping the weather cooperates. We're having so much rain. But, see, we got a new blow-up boat and we want to play! We also got a fish/depth finder, which will be interesting.

One more thing: revisions are not for sissies. The hardest thing is that I know the book too well, and I have no way of viewing things with a fresh eye. Anyone know of a brain soap?

Okay, back to it. Wish me luck!



08.08.05 @ 12:55 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Reviews (but not that discussion)

I used to get a lot of reader reviews on Amazon and BN.com, but in the last few years, I hardly get any. I'm wondering if it's a result of all the blogging, or if there's something else going on there.

When I'm checking out a book from one of those two sites, I tend to look at the reviews. I dismiss the totally asinine reviews that feel like personal issues, but I'm always curious to see what real readers who buy books think.

I've gotten some real icky comments on some books, and some wonderful reviews, but it's the content of the reviews that makes me so interested. Except for the ubiquitous Harriet Klausner, I find that most comments on the book sites tell me something, for example, if I've hit the mark with a character, or if the pacing was good or it dragged.

What I also have to cop to is that I don't post enough comments for other people's books. I should. Especially if it's a book I loved. Perhaps it would encourage someone to buy the book (new!) if I did.

Admittedly, most of the books I get lately are non-fiction. But we got a gift certificate to BN as a wedding present, and we're using that for pleasure reading only. So my vow is to get on the stick and share. After all, the most powerful marketing tool around is word of mouth.


08.05.05 @ 11:57 AM MST [that discussion)">Link to Entry]

Terribly Important Scientific Survey

I know all of you have one - a secret food or food combination that you love that tends to make other people wince when you mention it. Weird things from your childhood that you have to prepare in secret. Perfectly good ingredients that have no business being put together. If loved ones discover your secret passion, there's simply no defense except, "Hey, I'm not forcing you to eat it!"

One of mine: cold spaghetti directly from the can. Ohhh, I can hear the groans across cyberspace. Others I've heard of: ham, cheese and peanut butter sandwiches. ::shudder::

The reason I'm asking? No, not to try them all, although you never know, but to use in a book. So don't be shy. Post anonymously if you must. You can always says you have a 'friend' who likes… We won't make fun of you. Much.


08.04.05 @ 11:17 AM MST [Link to Entry]

Growing

First, I just want to say that having an editor over many years and many books is a wonderful, wonderful thing. That relationship is so critical, and I, for one, appreciate and need an editorial eye. I bitch and moan when I have to do more work, but not every word that comes out of my pointed little head is gloriously perfect, so someone who can help me make the book better is very appreciated.

The tough part in all of this is learning that I'm not the work. They're separate, although my ego doesn't take to that concept very well. Admittedly, it's a tough concept. If I'm creating the work, isn't it part of me? When it's good, when I get applause and kudos, don't I get to bask and wallow? So why do I have to be objective and distant when things aren't going smashingly well?

I struggle with this a lot. Not just because I don't want my little feelings hurt, but because of the process itself. Writing as a career and writing as a calling. Being creative and earning a living. It's a very wiggly road, and there aren't any maps. I want to invest my heart into each book, but what if I'm so invested I can't see the problems with the plot, the structure? My ego is large enough that I can damn well not see when I need to rethink something I'm attached to.

I believe I'm getting a little better at this. For example, a recent book needed a lot of revisions, and I honestly didn't take it personally. In fact, I was able to see that the revisions were important and necessary. Not that I didn't feel the ego-twinge, but I was able to get past it without making it someone else's fault. More importantly, I didn't make it MY fault. I didn't immediately go to blame and self-doubt and thinking I suck. Well, maybe I went there a little, but I didn't linger. I also didn't dismiss the book. I'm still invested in the outcome. It's still a book I'm proud of.

Is this a part of maturing as a writer? I've always thought that meant just getting better at the writing part, but maybe it's also a part of the being a writer part.

Where are you on this path? What's taught you the biggest lessons?


08.03.05 @ 03:27 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Swimming upstream

Being back home doesn't necessarily mean being back in the routine. Yesterday I was virtually sleep-walking. Dazed and confused sums it up, after such a busy, emotional weekend. Today, it's all about the schedule and getting back into a rhythm.

Yeah. Right.

I've gotten out of my pjs, which is a step in the right direction.

I've created a spreadsheet with the projects that are now on the docket for the next year. Unfortunately, there are more projects than time, so my first reaction was to put my pjs back on. I resisted the urge.

Thank you notes! They're here, although I haven't started writing them yet. I'm looking forward to it, although it's hard to express it all in a little card.

The new novella is out this month, but I have no idea when. It's a departure for me, so I'm curious about reactions. So far, the reviews have been great, but all three stories have been lumped together. I just hope people have fun with it.

I got my reader letter to my editor this morning. This is for the 24 hour Island Fling book. It won't be out till January, but I figure those of us in cold climes will enjoy the escape.

Pictures - we're still putting all that stuff together. And waiting to get copies of pictures our friends took. However, here's a snap of the cake:

And just for the record, being married is so excellently cool, I find myself smiling like a big goof even when pondering the impossible task of planning dinner.



08.02.05 @ 01:28 PM MST [Link to Entry]

DH

This is Lawrence and his beautiful daughter Kate. Just had to share.


08.01.05 @ 02:20 PM MST [Link to Entry]

The Wedding!

We're back, and I'm a very happy married lady. J

First, thanks to everyone for the good wishes and kind thoughts. It was so great to come home and see my friends, virtual and otherwise, sharing this amazing adventure. I got all verklempt.

We started off Tues with an interesting twist. The car broke down. Yep. Broke Down. At a lake on top of the mountain. So we had to get it towed Wed morning, where we discovered we had a broken fuel pump. Great. The part had to come in from another city, so we waited. Our trip to Vegas was nixed, and when we finally had a working car, he headed straight for Reno. Spent the night in Fallon then went to Reno first thing Thurs morning.

Went and got our license, which was very cool, because, well, because. Then we had to find a nail salon, because there's no way I was going to have my fishing/writing nails when he put the ring on my finger. Finally, nails, both finger and toe, were done.

On to the hotel where we had a nice mini-suite. I met with Denise Zaza and Debbi Rawlins for drinks, where we talked about writing for Intrigue. Went to the Intrigue gathering, where we ran into Birgit (my Blaze editor) and she met Lawrence. She took us to dinner that night, which was fabulous. We were joined by one of my fave authors, Elda Minger, and we just enjoyed the hell out of the food and the company.

Friday, we went to the chapel and got all that settled. I missed some phone calls because my hotel room phone went on the fritz, so I missed my chance to shmooze with Jill and who knows what else. But I did see a lot of old friends, which was great. I also missed quite a few because the place was just so damn big.

Both my father and Lawrence's daughter were flying in for the wedding, so we fought a major monsoon to get them at the airport. It was wonderful to see them both. Took them to the Harlequin party, which was festive and fun (open bar!) but didn't stay long because Dad was tired.

Funny dinner story - went to a coffee shop at the Hilton, and I ordered some egg rolls. It came with a dipping sauce of hot mustard and sweet/sour sauce. Only they didn't have the hot mustard and substituted thousand-island dressing!!!!

Okay, Saturday morning. I was cool, calm and collected. (ahem). Lawrence forgot his suit pants. Dad forgot his jacket. My feet had swollen to the size of ham hocks. But the dress was faboo, and damn, I was getting married.

We went to the chapel, and I sat in a little room waiting. Dad was missing, and finally Lawrence found him blithely wandering the hall as if he wasn't in the least tardy. It was time.

Dad walked my down the isle, where I saw such dear, wonderful friends and family, and we ended up in front of the minister. She was great, the ceremony was lovely and touching and I completely, utterly, totally broke down. I was crying so hard I couldn't even speak. The minister ended up bringing my tissues because I was a wreck. All I could think of was that I wasn't supposed to be crying, my guests were, but I could not stop. And I'd spent so much time on my makeup! My darling husband (!!!!!) was as kind and adorable as a human can be, and we somehow got through the vows. I'm still not sure what I promised. I guess it was legal though, because we've got the paper to prove it.

Pictures came next and I was still in a daze. Repaired some of the damage so I don't look like a raccoon. It was so fun having everyone together. I'll post pictures later, as soon as L scans them.

After that, the amazing and wonderful Jill Shalvis hosted our champagne and cake reception in her room, and we all just had a great time. The cake was unbelievably great, but the best part was that we were all together. Debbi, my best friend, Barbara Joel (who won the RITA for best short contemporary! Go Barbara!) Barbara Ankrum, Theresa Southwick, Carra Summers, Crystal Stovall, my new sister and brother in law, Dad, Kate, Lawrence's daughter, Birgit Davis-Todd, my long time ed, Brenda Chin, and oh, I hope I'm not forgetting someone. It was fantastic.

Must share what Birgit and Brenda did - they made me the most wonderful gift you can imagine:

It was the best weekend ever. I love my husband. I love my friends. I'm the luckiest woman in the whole world.




08.01.05 @ 01:28 PM MST [Link to Entry]