I've been very lax about blogging (I blame it on a combination of madness breaking out in my day job and my race to propose and sell my fourth book), so I haven't yet blogged about two of my fellow 2004 Golden Heart finalists selling books!
Mary Fechter sold WHERE THERE'S SMOKE to Wild Rose Press! And Trish Milburn sold a YA book to Penguin Putnam. (I think I also read that she sold a couple of other books, but I haven't seen an official announcement of that, so I'm just counting it as rumor for the moment.)
So, if you haven't already, go congratulate these fabulous writers on their successes!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
The Dreaded Meme
Like Tripp, whose blog I got this from, I don't usually do memes on my blogs. But like her, I found this one pretty fun, so here goes.
List six shows BEFORE you read the questions!
1. Chuck
2. Heroes
3. House
4. Ghost Hunters
5. Days of Our Lives
6. Most Evil
1. Who is your favorite character from #2 (Heroes)?
Noah Bennett
2. Who is your least favorite character from #4 (Ghosthunters)?
Brian Harnois--he whines too much.
3. What would a crossover between #1 (Chuck) and #5 (Days of Our Lives) include?
Clearly, Chuck and Nick would hit it off, making poor Morgan (on Chuck) nuts because Chuck is his only friend. Chelsea would immediately be jealous of Nick spending so much time around Sara, even though it's Chuck pretending to be Sara's boyfriend and sharing all the UST. John Casey would probably hit it off with Bo and Steve but be utterly contemptuous of Roman. Kayla and Chuck's sister Ellie, both being doctors and nice people, would clearly become friends. Kayla might even try to get Stephanie interested in hanging with Chuck and the Nerd Herd and getting more serious about her education and less stuck on guys. Morgan would have an immediate crush on Billie Reed. And knowing Billie, she just might give him a go.
4. Who is your favorite ship from #6 (Most Evil)?
Um, it's a documentary series about serial killers. If there's a 'ship on it, I don't wanna know about it.
5. If you were to set one person from #3 (House) and one person from #6 (Most Evil) on a blind date, who would they be?
Um...Cuddy and Ed Gein? I think Cuddy would prevail.
6. If you could meet one person from #4 (Ghost Hunters) and spend the day with them, who would it be, and what would you do?
Jason from TAPs. We would totally go ghost hunting and he'd tell me his personal paranormal experience that he never tells on the show, because I'm insanely curious about that.
7. If you could change one thing about #2 (Heroes)’s plot line, what would you change?
Sylar wouldn't be so clearly back to his evil self. I'd lose West, who bores me. I'd cut out the Black Oilien twins altogether. And I'd have Noah Bennett kicking more ass on a weekly basis.
8. Explain a relationship between two people (not necessarily romantic) from show #5 (Days of Our Lives), and why you like the relationship between them?
I really like the relationship between Steve and Kayla, and not just the romantic element of it. They trust each other enough to tell each other the truth. They're forgiving and accepting of each other's faults, and they are fiercely loyal. They make their relationship a priority, and they're faithful to each other, not just sexually but also emotionally. And their fidelity extends to every day things, not just romantic situations. They always have each other's back. And that trust allows them to live life less fearfully than a lot of couples would.
9. If the lead title characters (first name in the credit sequence) from #1(Chuck) and #3 (House) were both drowning, and you could only save one, who would it be?
Ouch, this is a tough one. Chuck would seem to be the easy sacrifice--House's insanely effective diagnostic skills make him really valuable to sick people in need. On the other hand, the world's deadliest security secrets reside in Chuck's brain, and he can theoretically save the entire planet. Gotta save Chuck. Beside, House is curmudgeonly and self-devoted enough to save himself.
10. If you could change the title characters’ order in the credits for #4 (Ghost Hunters), what order would you choose?
I wouldn't. Jason's name comes first, and he's definitely the alpha dog on that show, so I'd leave it just as it is.
11. If you were able to add a new character, any kind of character you wanted, to the storyline for #6 (Most Evil), what would the character be like, and what would their role be?
He would be a Joe Arapayo type dude who sits in on the psychiatrist's talks with the serial killers, muttering in the background, "Who gives a damn why they skinned their mother? Fry the SOB." Just for variety.
12. What happens in your favorite episode of show #2 (Heroes)?
Hmm. I watched the first season online over a weekend, so it's a blur. I did like the one where we learned that Noah Bennett wasn't really a bad guy. Which one was that? It was near the end of the season...
13. If you could kill off one of the characters in #1 (Chuck), who would it be and how would you do it?
It would be the horrible assitant manager at the store where Chuck works, the one who gives Chuck hell for no reason. I'd have Casey nail him with a microwave.
14. If you got the chance to visit the set for either show #3 (House) or show #5 (Days of Our Lives), which would you choose?
I'd definitely go with Days of Our Lives. I'd meet my faves (Stephen, Mary Beth, Blake, Rachel, Darin and Peter) and then I'd hunt down Hogan Sheffer and his staff and explain what the words "slow, escalating build up of conflict, leading to an explosive payoff" mean.
List six shows BEFORE you read the questions!
1. Chuck
2. Heroes
3. House
4. Ghost Hunters
5. Days of Our Lives
6. Most Evil
1. Who is your favorite character from #2 (Heroes)?
Noah Bennett
2. Who is your least favorite character from #4 (Ghosthunters)?
Brian Harnois--he whines too much.
3. What would a crossover between #1 (Chuck) and #5 (Days of Our Lives) include?
Clearly, Chuck and Nick would hit it off, making poor Morgan (on Chuck) nuts because Chuck is his only friend. Chelsea would immediately be jealous of Nick spending so much time around Sara, even though it's Chuck pretending to be Sara's boyfriend and sharing all the UST. John Casey would probably hit it off with Bo and Steve but be utterly contemptuous of Roman. Kayla and Chuck's sister Ellie, both being doctors and nice people, would clearly become friends. Kayla might even try to get Stephanie interested in hanging with Chuck and the Nerd Herd and getting more serious about her education and less stuck on guys. Morgan would have an immediate crush on Billie Reed. And knowing Billie, she just might give him a go.
4. Who is your favorite ship from #6 (Most Evil)?
Um, it's a documentary series about serial killers. If there's a 'ship on it, I don't wanna know about it.
5. If you were to set one person from #3 (House) and one person from #6 (Most Evil) on a blind date, who would they be?
Um...Cuddy and Ed Gein? I think Cuddy would prevail.
6. If you could meet one person from #4 (Ghost Hunters) and spend the day with them, who would it be, and what would you do?
Jason from TAPs. We would totally go ghost hunting and he'd tell me his personal paranormal experience that he never tells on the show, because I'm insanely curious about that.
7. If you could change one thing about #2 (Heroes)’s plot line, what would you change?
Sylar wouldn't be so clearly back to his evil self. I'd lose West, who bores me. I'd cut out the Black Oilien twins altogether. And I'd have Noah Bennett kicking more ass on a weekly basis.
8. Explain a relationship between two people (not necessarily romantic) from show #5 (Days of Our Lives), and why you like the relationship between them?
I really like the relationship between Steve and Kayla, and not just the romantic element of it. They trust each other enough to tell each other the truth. They're forgiving and accepting of each other's faults, and they are fiercely loyal. They make their relationship a priority, and they're faithful to each other, not just sexually but also emotionally. And their fidelity extends to every day things, not just romantic situations. They always have each other's back. And that trust allows them to live life less fearfully than a lot of couples would.
9. If the lead title characters (first name in the credit sequence) from #1(Chuck) and #3 (House) were both drowning, and you could only save one, who would it be?
Ouch, this is a tough one. Chuck would seem to be the easy sacrifice--House's insanely effective diagnostic skills make him really valuable to sick people in need. On the other hand, the world's deadliest security secrets reside in Chuck's brain, and he can theoretically save the entire planet. Gotta save Chuck. Beside, House is curmudgeonly and self-devoted enough to save himself.
10. If you could change the title characters’ order in the credits for #4 (Ghost Hunters), what order would you choose?
I wouldn't. Jason's name comes first, and he's definitely the alpha dog on that show, so I'd leave it just as it is.
11. If you were able to add a new character, any kind of character you wanted, to the storyline for #6 (Most Evil), what would the character be like, and what would their role be?
He would be a Joe Arapayo type dude who sits in on the psychiatrist's talks with the serial killers, muttering in the background, "Who gives a damn why they skinned their mother? Fry the SOB." Just for variety.
12. What happens in your favorite episode of show #2 (Heroes)?
Hmm. I watched the first season online over a weekend, so it's a blur. I did like the one where we learned that Noah Bennett wasn't really a bad guy. Which one was that? It was near the end of the season...
13. If you could kill off one of the characters in #1 (Chuck), who would it be and how would you do it?
It would be the horrible assitant manager at the store where Chuck works, the one who gives Chuck hell for no reason. I'd have Casey nail him with a microwave.
14. If you got the chance to visit the set for either show #3 (House) or show #5 (Days of Our Lives), which would you choose?
I'd definitely go with Days of Our Lives. I'd meet my faves (Stephen, Mary Beth, Blake, Rachel, Darin and Peter) and then I'd hunt down Hogan Sheffer and his staff and explain what the words "slow, escalating build up of conflict, leading to an explosive payoff" mean.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Ahem...
I sold my fourth book. The working title was Target: Jane Doe, but since it's for a special Intrigue hero-centric promotion in September 2008, my editor wants to give it a title more focused on the hero, who's a cowboy cop. Right now, we're considering Cowboy Alibi, although I'm not quite sure where the alibi fits in. Hee!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
2008 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Details
The Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, sponsored by RWA chapter Southern Magic, was conceived in honor of multi-RITA Winner Gayle Wilson to award excellence in published romance fiction. The contest is judged by avid readers of romance, booksellers, and librarians. The winners of each category are awarded a bookmark engraved with the author's name and the book's title. Winners will also be included in a full-page RWR advertisement.
Eligibility: Participation is open to all published authors of novel length romance fiction published by an RWA-recognized publisher. Books must have a copyright of 2007; entries must be received by January 15, 2008. Electronic books may be entered provided they are presented in print book format, published through an RWA-recognized publisher and complete with copyright page produced by the publisher with print on both sides of the page.
Entry fee: RWA Members - $20 for first book; $15 for subsequent books. Entry fee: Non-RWA Members - $30 for first book; $15 for subsequent books.
Author must provide three copies of the entered book, which will not be returned. Finalists will be notified approximately March 3, 2008. Winners will be announced on April 12, 2008, at the Silken Sands Writers Conference in Pensacola Beach, FL. All finalists receive a certificate. Winners receive an engraved bookmark and inclusion in full page RWR ad.
Authors may enter more than one novel; however, the same novel may not be entered in multiple categories. If a category does not receive at least 5 entries, the category will be canceled, and the entrants' books and entry fees will be returned.
Categories for entry: Short Contemporary (Under 70,000 Words)
Long Contemporary (Over 70,000 Words)
Historical
Single Title Romantic Suspense
Series Romantic Suspense
Paranormal/Fantasy/ Futuristic/Time Travel
Contemporary Single Title
Young Adult
Inspirational
Novella (20,000 - 40,000 Words)
Judging: All entries are judged by avid readers of romance, booksellers, and librarians. The top two scores are added to form the final score. The lowest score is dropped. Ties are broken using the dropped low score. Books are given to the judges as a "thank you" for judging. They are not returned. Scores and finalist placement are not revealed. Score sheets are not returned. The decision of the judges is final.
Send entries (three copies of book, entry form + entry fee) to:
Jennifer Echols
Contest Coordinator
Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence
P.O. Box 190032
Birmingham, AL 35219
Make checks payable to Southern Magic.
Questions? E-mail: GWContest@southernmagic.org
Find details, past winners, and a downloadable entry form at http://www.southernmagic.org/gaylewilsoncontest.html
Eligibility: Participation is open to all published authors of novel length romance fiction published by an RWA-recognized publisher. Books must have a copyright of 2007; entries must be received by January 15, 2008. Electronic books may be entered provided they are presented in print book format, published through an RWA-recognized publisher and complete with copyright page produced by the publisher with print on both sides of the page.
Entry fee: RWA Members - $20 for first book; $15 for subsequent books. Entry fee: Non-RWA Members - $30 for first book; $15 for subsequent books.
Author must provide three copies of the entered book, which will not be returned. Finalists will be notified approximately March 3, 2008. Winners will be announced on April 12, 2008, at the Silken Sands Writers Conference in Pensacola Beach, FL. All finalists receive a certificate. Winners receive an engraved bookmark and inclusion in full page RWR ad.
Authors may enter more than one novel; however, the same novel may not be entered in multiple categories. If a category does not receive at least 5 entries, the category will be canceled, and the entrants' books and entry fees will be returned.
Categories for entry: Short Contemporary (Under 70,000 Words)
Long Contemporary (Over 70,000 Words)
Historical
Single Title Romantic Suspense
Series Romantic Suspense
Paranormal/Fantasy/ Futuristic/Time Travel
Contemporary Single Title
Young Adult
Inspirational
Novella (20,000 - 40,000 Words)
Judging: All entries are judged by avid readers of romance, booksellers, and librarians. The top two scores are added to form the final score. The lowest score is dropped. Ties are broken using the dropped low score. Books are given to the judges as a "thank you" for judging. They are not returned. Scores and finalist placement are not revealed. Score sheets are not returned. The decision of the judges is final.
Send entries (three copies of book, entry form + entry fee) to:
Jennifer Echols
Contest Coordinator
Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence
P.O. Box 190032
Birmingham, AL 35219
Make checks payable to Southern Magic.
Questions? E-mail: GWContest@southernmagic.org
Find details, past winners, and a downloadable entry form at http://www.southernmagic.org/gaylewilsoncontest.html
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Six Years Ago
It was a clear, sunny Tuesday. I was getting ready for work, watching a morning show on cable, when the first report came in. A plane had hit the north tower of the World Trade Center. They were thinking it might have been a small plane. There was talk of terrorism, but I remember thinking, no, just a bad pilot.
I left the house a little before 8 a.m. Central Time. Turned on the radio and learned that a second plane had hit the south tower of the WTC. I no longer assumed it was an accident
At work, we watched in horror as the events unfolded. Saw the first reports from the Pentagon, then later from a field in Pennsylvania. The world had changed.
Two years ago, I posted this computer art I made soon after the events of 9/11/01. I thought I'd share it again.
I left the house a little before 8 a.m. Central Time. Turned on the radio and learned that a second plane had hit the south tower of the WTC. I no longer assumed it was an accident
At work, we watched in horror as the events unfolded. Saw the first reports from the Pentagon, then later from a field in Pennsylvania. The world had changed.
Two years ago, I posted this computer art I made soon after the events of 9/11/01. I thought I'd share it again.
Ghosts of ManhattanMonday, September 10, 2007
Funny Motherhood Blog
Came across this blog via a link on ebay. A busy mom with a much needed sense of humor.
http://mom2my6pack.blogspot.com/
Since I hope to be busy writing this week (just finished chapter 2 of the new book over the weekend), I thought I'd post some other reading material for you.
http://mom2my6pack.blogspot.com/
Since I hope to be busy writing this week (just finished chapter 2 of the new book over the weekend), I thought I'd post some other reading material for you.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Busy Beaver of a Day
Did some cleaning and organizing that was long overdue today. I also paid bills, which was painful, especially since one of the bills was the power bill, and Alabama had three weeks of 100+ temperatures in August. Our power bill was almost half as much as the mortgage payment. Ouch. Just...ouch.
Are y'all getting as bored with my desperate attempts to blog daily as I am? You can admit it. It won't hurt my feelings.
But just so you didn't come here in vain, how about a little eye candy?
Are y'all getting as bored with my desperate attempts to blog daily as I am? You can admit it. It won't hurt my feelings.
But just so you didn't come here in vain, how about a little eye candy?
Friday, August 31, 2007
Maybe I'm an Every Other Day Blogger
I forgot to blog yesterday. Although in my defense, I did think about it but mistakenly thought I'd blogged first thing yesterday morning and therefore told myself I didn't have to worry about it last night.
Plus, I was writing! Finished the first chapter of my proposal and got over a writing hump in the story. I'm going to try to finish chapter two over the weekend. And maybe even chapter three! Then I'll be ready to work on the synopsis and get the proposal out to my editor soon.
Plus, I was writing! Finished the first chapter of my proposal and got over a writing hump in the story. I'm going to try to finish chapter two over the weekend. And maybe even chapter three! Then I'll be ready to work on the synopsis and get the proposal out to my editor soon.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Well, Phooey...
Forgot to blog yesterday. It was a busy day.
Over on Romance Magicians, Carla's blogging about Big Bad Boys. I'm of two minds about alpha male heroes. I like a man's man, but I don't like a man who's controlling and hard like some alpha male heroes in some romances.
So, what's your favorite flavor of hero?
Over on Romance Magicians, Carla's blogging about Big Bad Boys. I'm of two minds about alpha male heroes. I like a man's man, but I don't like a man who's controlling and hard like some alpha male heroes in some romances.
So, what's your favorite flavor of hero?
Monday, August 27, 2007
Doggone It!
I skipped yesterday blogging. Two days. ::sigh:: I'm such a slacker.
Okay, how about a pretty picture for today's blog? I mentioned I'm working on a cowboy book. I went looking for inspirations for my hero, mostly in western clothing catalogs online. Came across this fellow:
Ain't he purty?
Okay, how about a pretty picture for today's blog? I mentioned I'm working on a cowboy book. I went looking for inspirations for my hero, mostly in western clothing catalogs online. Came across this fellow:
Ain't he purty?
Saturday, August 25, 2007
What Color Crayon Are You?
| You Are a Blue Crayon |
 Your color wheel opposite is orange. Orange people may be opinionated, but you feel they lack the depth to truly understand what they're saying. |
Friday, August 24, 2007
It's Too Hot to Blog
Is that a good excuse? It's hot and it's been storming, too, which means its muggy on top of hot. I hate August.
On top of that, my power window on the driver's side door of my car decided to die on the first rainy day in about a month. In the down position. What is up with that?
On top of that, my power window on the driver's side door of my car decided to die on the first rainy day in about a month. In the down position. What is up with that?
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Egads!
I skipped blogging yesterday. I'm a failure!
Okay, not really. And I made it twenty days into August without screwing it up, so I guess that's not too bad. I'll try to post twice today to make up for it.
Jayne Ann Krentz is just a lovely, lovely person. Because I helped out with the movie trailer for her August book, she picked up a copy of Forbidden Temptation and read it. She liked it a lot and wrote to let me know. And she sweet enough to give me a nice quote to put on my website.
So go buy her book! It's under her Jayne Castle pen name---Silver Master. Looks to be great!
Okay, not really. And I made it twenty days into August without screwing it up, so I guess that's not too bad. I'll try to post twice today to make up for it.
Jayne Ann Krentz is just a lovely, lovely person. Because I helped out with the movie trailer for her August book, she picked up a copy of Forbidden Temptation and read it. She liked it a lot and wrote to let me know. And she sweet enough to give me a nice quote to put on my website.
So go buy her book! It's under her Jayne Castle pen name---Silver Master. Looks to be great!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Tagged!
Mary at The Bandwagon tagged me, which is great, because now I don't have to think up a blog on my own for today.
Here's the rules:
1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.
2. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of their middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.
3. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name game facts.
4. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
First, I have to say this is SO unfair, because I have a longish middle name and I'm not sure I know enough bloggers to tag for all the letters of my name. Anyway, here goes:
Animals
Naps
Nieces
Entertainment
Love
Laughter
Evenhanded
I tag: Tripp, Tracy, Emily, Jennifer, Stacy, Tawny and Jill.
Here's the rules:
1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.
2. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of their middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.
3. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name game facts.
4. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
First, I have to say this is SO unfair, because I have a longish middle name and I'm not sure I know enough bloggers to tag for all the letters of my name. Anyway, here goes:
Animals
Naps
Nieces
Entertainment
Love
Laughter
Evenhanded
I tag: Tripp, Tracy, Emily, Jennifer, Stacy, Tawny and Jill.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Snake Bit
I'm feeling kind of snake bit with my edits. First, my editor leaves out 50 pages from her line edits, which forces me to wait for the copy edits to finish up. Then my copier at home is acting all wiggy, so I thought, I'll take paper to work and copy there. Minimal ink usage. My boss won't care. But the copier here is going bad and won't feed sheets without jamming, and I don't have the time to stand at the copier for however long it takes to feed the sheets one at a time.
So I thought, well, I can scan and print to my printer. Slower, but I can work it in between work I'm doing. But the scanner will scan maybe a page or two at a time before it stops and I have to shut it down and let it rest until it's stopped freaking out. Still doable, though, right?
Wrong. My printer, which we just had fixed because of paper feeding issues, stopped feeding paper. So I think, okay, well it'll be slower, but I can scan two or three at a time and print to the color printer. Except that the scanner apparently sees the color printer interface and swoons, because it lies down and dies every time I try.
So I think I'll give my home copier a try again. Cross your fingers for me.
UPDATE:
Got the home copier to work, and the edits are packaged up for UPS to go out tomorrow, two-day. It should get to my editor on schedule. Yay!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Whew! And Hee!
The "whew!" is because I think my edits are done! Just have to print out the pages that required extensive revising and make copies of all of it, and then it's off to my editor by Fed Ex.
The "hee!" is for the fun little flash movie I made this weekend, in between edits, for Jayne Castle's next book in the Ghost Hunters series, SILVER MASTER. Take a peek.
The "hee!" is for the fun little flash movie I made this weekend, in between edits, for Jayne Castle's next book in the Ghost Hunters series, SILVER MASTER. Take a peek.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
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