November 27, 2007 | home life

Jessie’s at the vet today getting her teeth cleaned. I’m the biggest woos mom in the world. I couldn’t stand leaving her there. I’m worried about the anesthesia, and I want her back home right now. Yes, I made the appointment. Yes, I know she needs to have good teeth for a long, healthy life. Still, I want her home.

Something has happened to me in the last few years. I’ve always been an animal lover, no question. But for a long time now, I’ve been obsessive about it. Not just my pup, but all animals. I wept during the big fires here, knowing so many critters were scared, hurt and worse. I can’t bear to think of animals being hurt to the point of losing sleep over it. I understand I can’t do much about it, other than volunteering for a pet organization, donating money to the ASPCA and Humane Society, and making sure those animals near me are protected to the best of my ability. But I feel as though all animals everywhere are my responsibility, which is unrealistic and frankly quite painful. I don’t know why this shift has occurred. Just that it’s here and it’s difficult. I worry about the local deer, the horses that are left out in the freezing nights. There must be some psychological reason for this obsession, and I wish I understood it.

If I had the room and the money I would have a gazillion pets. Alas, we live in a very tiny house. Thankfully, Jessie has a pretty decent yard, but to add even a kitty would be tough in this miniature home.

I’ll just feel better when Jess is home and safe.

November 24, 2007 | New Releases

I didn’t know until yesterday that Harlequin has released my short story SILK PETALS as a Harlequin Mini. It can be yours for .99! It’s an ebook, so delivery is quick. I’m thinking about downloading it myself, as I barely remember the story, although I do remember I enjoyed writing it. :) Oh, and I also remember it was the very first Blaze serial!

November 22, 2007 | Uncategorized

November 18, 2007 | Blogging

Back from our movie weekend, which was great, although we didn’t get to see Dan In Real Life because we misread the time. Bummer. What we did see was Martian Child and Gone Baby Gone.

Martian Child was good, not great. John Cusack is always wonderful to hang out with for a couple of hours, and the kid was terrific, but it didn’t quite make it story-wise.

Gone Baby Gone, on the other hand, was fantastic. I loved everything about it. Acting, directing, the story. It’s really lingered. I’m irrationally pleased for Ben Affleck, too. Seriously, what is it with that? I don’t know him. His life has zip to do with mine. And I feel as if my cousin won the science fair. So odd, this celebrity thing.

On the work front there’s revisions on the table at the moment, followed by a new synopsis, then finishing my single title partial, then a Blaze due end of Jan. Then I need to do a proposal for a 3 book Blaze series for the 2009 60th anniversary. Okay, I need another vacation. :)

So far our plans for Thanksgiving are: eat some turkey at some point. Sound thrilling? You betcha!

What about you?

November 12, 2007 | Blogging

Boy, we’re having a mild Nov. (Okay, now that I’ve jinxed it, I’m sure we’ll get 12 feet of snow by tomorrow). The problem is the dwindling snow pack, which everyone needs. Want to make yourself depressed? Read or watch anything about the environment. I did, yesterday, and holy cow.

On a brighter note, hubby and I are taking a couple of days to go to movies and have a bit of R&R. I know we’re going to see Dan In Real Life. I’d like to see Gone Baby Gone. I would love to catch Beuwolf, but I want to see it in 3D, which would only happen if I had a teleporter. Oh, and then there’s The Martian Child. I know there are more, but those are at the top of my list. Anything else? What am I missing?

Once we’re back home it’s work and more work. I’ve had a bit of a break for the last week or so, but that’s screeching to an end. It was good to recharge my batteries.

I’m also jumping back into the Sven challenge. I fear it won’t be simple in the beginning. If I take off any time at all, I completely forget how to write a book. You may think I’m kidding, but I’m not. It’s as if I’ve never written one before, and my poor brain goes into some kind of shock amnesia. It’s only through diligence and being willing to put anything on the page that the tools come back to me.

November 8, 2007 | Blogging

Not only am I back, but I’m finally coherent enough to blog. The Forensic University conference was very good. Even the flight to St. Louis wasn’t totally nightmarish. There were two very full days of hearing workshops from crime professionals such as the medical examiner, forensic anthropologist, forensic entomologist, death examiner, judge, crime lab chief, detective, ATF agent, and more. Lots of useful information and lots of excellent contacts. It was tiring - the day started at around 7 and ended at 9:30. The only bad part was not being able to attend all the workshops, and they didn’t tape any, so if you missed it, too bad. I hope they find a way to work around that for the next one.

I also went internet-free for the 6 days I was gone. I thought it would drive me nuts, but instead it was a very good thing to do. I came home to a gazillion emails, but it was worth it. I read TWILIGHT, which I thought was terrific, and another book that wasn’t terrific. I got a couple of research books at the con, so that was good, too.

Now I’m gearing up for the next Blaze, and after that, it’s back to the single title. And of course all those holidays lined up.

Anyway, it’s nice to be back, nice to be in my little office/cave. I hope the last week has been good for all.