-image-Soon…I promise!

December 2, 2009 | Blogging, New Releases, home life

Unpacking boxes in the new house. But soon, I will be updating this web site (well, not me personally because I have no idea how to do things on the intertubes, but anyway) and then I’ll start blogging again! I’ve decided to do a twice weekly post. How’s that sound? And yes, there’s an actual book by me coming out later this month. It’s called Sexy Ms. Takes and it’s a 3-in-one Encounters. First book since Oct. 08. That’s a very long time.

* Special bonus quiz: Soon…I promise is a line from what Stephen Sondheim musical?
First correct answer wins a copy of SEXY MS. TAKES!

-image-Nov 18 – movies and work and holidays

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?

-image-Nov 12 and still no snow

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.

-image-I’m Back…Nov 8

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.

-image-Oct 30

October 30, 2007 | Blogging

Well, the book, she is done. yay

I’m out of town, off to the forensics conference in St. Louis. Man, I used to love to fly. Now, it’s torture. I have to go through all kinds of machinations with my medication to get it on the flight, which, I’m sorry, but WTF? How is having my blood pressure medicine in the original bottle keeping America safe? I don’t get it. All I know is that flying will be screwed up for all of us for the foreseeable future and that is so depressing.

Anyway, the conference should be fun and inspiring and I’m really looking forward to it. Speaking of conferences, I’m going to be speaking at the Murder in the Grove conference in Boise next June. That’s one for everyone who writes rs or mystery or suspense or thrillers should check out. Great small conference in a beautiful city.

Also finished the online workshop on the Core Decision. I think it went well. I’m not at all sure when, but I think I’ll do it again. I just have to make sure everyone understands it’s pretty intense.

Okay, I’m outa here. Be good, and I’ll report in when I get back on the 6th.

-image-Oct 23

October 23, 2007 | Blogging

I’m screeching toward my deadline, typing and worrying in equal amounts. Why can’t I ever feel good about my books as I’m writing them? I used to. Now, I just sigh and keep writing. It’s depressing, though, cause it really feels like dreck. My friend tells me the book is totally fine and I should just slap me and tell me to shut up. I’ve tried her suggestion, but it only works for a little while.

I hope you’re all doing boffo with your work, and that you’re not as freaked out as I am that it’s OCTOBER freakin’ 23RD! How did this happen? It’s going to be 2008 in about 20 seconds, and I’m not ready.

In fact, I’m barely ready for 1998, so uh, I guess I have some catching up to do.

We aren’t living up the mountain any more so we bought some Halloween candy. It’s very loud candy, and keeps calling me from the other room. Bad candy.

Oh, looking forward to the Forensic fun in St. Louis – everything except the airport. If only they weren’t mostly focused on giving us the illusion of safety instead of actually doing the things that would make us safer, it would be so, so much better. As it is, I have to go through all kinds of nonsense with my medication. It’s depressing.

Boy, aren’t I just perky and optimistic today?

Here’s a cheerful note – no, wait. That’s not cheerful at all. Sorry.

-image-Oct 16

October 16, 2007 | 70 Days of Sweat, Blogging

Yesterday’s word count: 3098

I’m at Romancing The Blog. Go. Read. Smile.

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October 11, 2007 | Blogging

It’s very busy at Casa Leigh at the moment. Book due soon, copy edits due sooner, workshop lectures and posts, plot group zooming up, trip to St. Louis for the Forensic workshop just around the corner, bulbs that need planting…okay I’m tired from typing it all.

Here’s a conundrum – I can’t wait to get to bed at night. Sleep calls to me throughout the day like a Siren. And yet when I’m finally in bed, I just can’t seem to get to sleep until after 11:30. Why, why? That just seems cruel.

On Forbes.com they reported that Sara Jessica Parker’s fragrance LOVELY earned 74 million dollars in 2006. I think I need to create a fragrance. I’m working on a name…maybe Pseudonym…nah, it would smell fake. Or how about Eau de Writer…no, that would smell like sweat pants and panic. Hmmm…I’m open to suggestions.

-image-Sept 14

September 14, 2007 | Blogging, Uncategorized

It’s Random Stuff Friday!

- Anyone here have any experience with Melaleuca?

- I have my screen saver set to rotate all my personal pictures, and since I had to save all the puppy pictures to get them posted, I now have Adorable Puppies and Kitties popping up at random. This is a Very Good Thing as it makes me totally happy to see them all. On the other hand, I end up not working so the auto screen saver kicks in, which is not a good thing as I have a book due really, really soon.

- I’m putting together the online workshop, which is interesting because I’ve only ever given the class live. For me, that means I have an outline of things to cover, but I hadn’t ever written it out. I’m trying to include everything, but I really hope it’s an active class. So much of what I teach live has to do with audience participation. So far, so good, but the proof will be in the pudding. (mmm…pudding)

- Dr. Who Tonight! Weeeee!

- I’m almost finished reading AMERICAN GODS by Gaiman (terrific book!) and now have to decide whether to read TWILIGHT or DIRTY next. Recommendations?

- I’m planning a container bulb garden. Another first for me. I’m really going to miss my tomato plants. In fact, I’ll miss my whole little garden. The herbs! I made a mint-rosemary tea yesterday and I was squee-ing like a little girl that I got the ingredients (except the black tea) from my garden!

- I’m off to the bigger city to get wonderful things done – facial, hair, massage. If I was very, very rich, I’d hire a full time masseuse and one of her jobs would be to massage my scalp all day. Yes. I’m that odd.

Have a great weekend, and if you haven’t submitted your pet yet, go to the Who’s Your Doggie post and do it!

-image-Sunday Check-In

August 26, 2007 | 70 Days of Sweat, Blogging

If you’re Sweating, don’t forget to check in and post your word counts or whatever. Just let us know how you’re doing.
Read an inspirational post from Larissa to get your butt in gear.
Check out Alison Kent’s blog, and join in on the Comment for the Cure

Update:

And come back Friday for the grand re-opening of my web site, complete with prizes!