Web Design

This is an interesting article on web design—the dos and don'ts of designing clean, easily-navigable sites. I know that a lot of people, especially writers and aspiring writers, are putting thought into what they want from their websites. This article has some very good advice about the simple things you can do—or shouldn't do—to make your site easy for readers to enjoy.

Dear ESPN

It's been a long time since Alabama has so completely dominated a top-ten team the way they're currently handing Georgia their backsides in a basket.

It's unfair of you to keep showing me the sad, shell-shocked Georgia fans in their pretty black clothes every time Alabama scores. (Which happens to be just about every time they touch the ball).

Please stop killin' my buzz. Thank you.

UPDATE:

Georgia score its first points---a field goal on their first drive of the second half. And Alabama kicks their first punt of the night at 9:30 in the third quarter.

UPDATE #2:

Georgia just scored again. The good news? The third quarter is nearly over and they're still down by 21. The bad news? There's a whole other quarter to go.

If Bama scores, it'll take the air out of their sails and make it a lot harder to come back in the fourth quarter. But that's a big if, and Georgia didn't get to be #3 without knowing how to come back.

At least Bama has good field position after their kick-off.

UPDATE #3:

Okay, it's getting scary now. 92 yard punt return. Alabama 31, Georgia 17.

UPDATE #4:

Okay, a little breathing room. Alabama scored a field goal after a nice, longish drive. Alabama 34, Georgia 17. About 9:45 go to in the game.

UPDATE #5:

Clutch, baby. Alabama 41, Georgia 17. 4:15 to go in the game.

UPDATE #6:

Georgia scores but can't make the two point conversion. Alabama 41, Georgia 23. 3:00 to go.

UPDATE #7:

Eeek! Georgia recovers the onside kick. Nails back to nubs.

UPDATE #8:

Georgia scores again, but it took them over a minute to do it, thanks to Alabama playing against the long play and forcing them to drive in short plays. Alabama 41, Georgia 30. They fail to get the onside kick this time. No time outs left for Georgia, so we just have to hit the knee a couple of times and it's over.

UPDATE #9:

Alabama wins, 41-30. Roll Tide!

Paul Newman RIP

Paul Newman has died at age 83.

One of my all time favorite movies is THE LONG, HOT SUMMER, with a young, sexy Paul Newman playing the role of Ben Quick. It paired him with his wife Joanne Woodward, with whom he shared a long, devoted marriage. (They married in 1958, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary earlier this year). Of his faithfulness to his wife, he once said, "Why go out for hamburger when you have steak at home?"

He will be missed.

2009 Linda Howard Award of Excellence

****Permission to forward******

2009 Linda Howard Award of Excellence

Sponsor: Southern Magic, Inc.
Fee: $25 - $30
Postmark/Electronic deadline: Saturday, November 22, 2008
Eligibility: not published in novel-length fiction in category entered in last 5 years
Entry: First 25 pages of manuscript

Categories/Final Judges:
Contemporary series romance (Long & Short) – Susan Litman, Editor, Harlequin
Single title – Selina McLemore, Editor, Grand Central Publishers
Historical – Alicia Condon, Editorial Director, Dorchester
Romantic Suspense – Megan McKeever, Associate Editor, Pocket Books
Unique Genre (Fantasy, Future, Time Travel & Paranormal) – Melissa Singer, Editor, Tor
Romantic Sensual and Sizzling (Erotica) – Raelene Gorlinsky, Editor, Ellora’s Cave
Inspirational – Tina Colombo, Editor, Steeple Hill
Young Adult – Jennifer Heddle, Editor, MTV Books

Top Prizes: First place will receive $25, a metal bookmark with name, contest and year. Second to fifth place will receive a certificate. First to fourth place will have their names printed in the Romance Writers Report.

For more information, rules and entry form, please visit the Southern Magic website.

Blogging on Intrigue Authors Blog

Today's my day to blog on the Intrigue Authors blog.

My topic? Geeks as heroes. And I have pictures! Drop by and leave me some comments.

Quick—While They Last!

Amazon has new copies of my first book, FORBIDDEN TERRITORY, available for purchase. I don't have any extra copies of this one in my own stores, so I put in an order for some. If you've read the other two in the Forbidden trilogy but don't have a copy of the first one, here's your chance.

And by the way, sales for COWBOY ALIBI and FORBIDDEN TOUCH on Amazon could use a boost, if you haven't bought them yet. Just sayin'.

Guest blogging at Running with Quills

I'm guest-blogging at Running with Quills. I share an excerpt from my current release, COWBOY ALIBI, and talk a little bit about the "us against the world" theme that's a big part of that novel.

I hope you'll drop by and give it a read.

9/11

Never forget.

I've begun to make this a tradition on this day. This is a piece of computer art I made shortly after 9/11/2001. It's my small memorial to the lives lost and lives changed.



Ghosts of Manhattan

UPDATE:

Here's a 9/11 tribute that's thorough and moving. (Hat tip: Instapundit)

http://www.comdac.com/911/911.swf

A Story of Love and Survival

Grab a hanky for this one.

On Sale Today

Don't forget—these books don't stay on the bookshelves long. They're available at most book stores, plus Wal Mart, Target and a lot of grocery stores and drug stores as well.

If you like a story about sexy cowboy cops and feisty heroines with tormented pasts, if you like a fast-paced, twisty tale of suspense, if you like stories with an "us against the world" vibe, then please pick up a copy of COWBOY ALIBI. And if you do, I'd love to hear what you thought of it, good or bad. Either drop me a comment here or in e-mail - paulawritesromance@charter.net or even better, write a review on Amazon.com or other online book seller sites.

I hope you enjoy COWBOY ALIBI!

Does This Ever Happen to You?

For me, it's specifically about my published books, but I think the question could apply to anyone in a job where your work is published or broadcast to a large number of people. When I get my books after their published, and I sit down to try to read them, I'm overcome with an intense sense of squeamishness, and I can't read past the first sentence or two.

I mean, it seems really weird, because I spent months working on the book, reading and rereading my scenes, chapters, even the whole manuscript, multiple times. It's not that it's so familiar to me that I just can't read it, either. I mean, I'm the woman who hasn't stopped re-reading the Harry Potter books over and over again since the first time I read them last Thanksgiving weekend.

Is it because I'm afraid to find out it's not as good as I wanted it to be?

I don't think this is an isolated phenomenon; I've heard actors say they never watch their shows or movies.

So, has something like that happened to you?