Archive for the ‘writing front’ Category

All Packed And Ready To Go

Thursday, July 17th, 2008

The hubby and I are headed to upstate NY. While there, we’re going to make a beeline to see my grandmother on Sunday. I spent all of yesterday cleaning and packing so I didn’t have a million things to do when I got back. I hate that.

Now that I’ve got the paperwork in the mail, I can let you all know that *squee* I just sent out a contract for a novella! It’s a contemporary sci-fi/paranormal titled Surfacing.

I’m very very proud of this story. It has undergone some major rewrites from the original version I wrote years ago, and I think it stands strong now.

I’ll give you more information as it becomes available. In the meantime, interested in a blurb?

Paige Jacobs lives the perfect life. She has a brand new car, a chic condo near L.A, her dream job, and a charming fiancé. But the memory- or fantasy- of a gorgeous boy with silver eyes consumes her. Her sister Aimee, the only one who knows the dangerous secrets of her past, refuses to talk about them. In an effort to waste time doing something other than obsessing over haunting memories, Paige starts to write a book. Only the hero is too much like the silver-eyed boy she’d loved so much in her youth and she can’t stop herself from getting caught up in it all. Then one morning, on a coffee run, she runs smack dab into the one person she never thought she’d see again.

Ohhh… ahhhh… :) Make you want to read more? Ha ha.

Anyway, I hope you all have an incredible weekend! I’ll see you when I get back!

Posted in novella, writing front | 3 Comments »

Confession

Monday, March 3rd, 2008

For those of you who frequent my blog, you’ve probably noticed I’ve been a bit distant lately. A plethora of meme’s. A random picture here and there. Nothing truly substantial. In case you’ve been wondering what the dilly-o is, I’m here to lay my cards on the table.

I suppose the best place to start is by saying thank you to those of you who’ve stopped in even though it’s been generally quiet around here. I’ve suffered from what I call A.B.O.S. And no, it has nothing to do with body odor. It’s Author Burn-Out Syndrome. As a newbie author, I think I’ve absolutely taken for granted how important it is to rest and take breaks from your writing.

Writing is a difficult business. It involves so much of ourselves, even when we don’t realize it. It seems so effortless most of the time (I mean other than issues with plots, or characters, or conflicts, or world building, or … well you name it). Overall, writing is a real joy. But it drains your soul. I mean think about all of the emotion you put into writing. Think of all the brain power you use. And if you’re like me, and you work another job other than writing, then you know how draining it can be to sit and write when you’ve worked for xx hours.

For the past two weeks, I’ve sworn off my WIPs. I was nearing that maniacal point where I just wanted to set fire to stuff. That’s when I knew it was time to take a step back. Those black moods that overtake me when it comes to writing just have to be ridden through. Like a wave. If I don’t it’ll drown me. So that’s why I haven’t been very productive blogwise either. I’ve been staying off of the computer overall, in order to avoid the lure of opening stuff up and messing with it. Because really, I’d only ruin it. Purposely. I get all sorts of evil when I’m like that.

Thankfully, I think I’m reaching the end of the dark wave. My muse made a pleasant return today. Slight, a bit hesitant, but she most certainly sat beside me and held my hand and told me we would be ok. She may be a fickle plot-jumping whore, but, I believe her when she says stuff like that. She’s never been much of a liar.

I’m also really glad to announce that according to Drollerie Press’ blog, it’s Read an E-book Week! Who knew? *I’m always in the dark, so I most certainly didn’t* Go out there and support fellow e-pubbed authors. Buy an e-book. Buy a gift certificate for someone to an e-publisher who’s never tried it before! Show them that there’s some amazing, quality fiction available online that sooo many people are missing out on! Try a new author! A new genre! Anything! Just rock the casbah, ok?

In support of this awesome event, I’m giving away a free copy of Cinematic Royalty! All you need to do is comment to be put in the drawing! *yay* Giveaways are so much fun! And you know what? I’ve got neat-o business cards and magnets too. So, if you guys want one of those, you can just let me know and I’ll send those out. I’m also making bookmarks REALLY REALLY soon. ;) I’ll let you know of the status so that if you want to request those, I’ll totally send them out to you! *happy dance*

Hope you’re all having a splendiforous Monday. xoxo

Posted in author promotion, author support, cinematic royalty, exhaustion, feeling better, writing front | 4 Comments »

What a Way…

Thursday, January 3rd, 2008

To waste a day. Do what, you say? Waste the day away. (Sorry, random Dr. Seuss moment. I swear it’s over).

So it was back to work this morning. Opened up the cafe. There was a surprising calm in the wee, dark, hours of the morning with just me and a handful of people crawling through the store. Overall, it had that calm after the storm feeling. Like people have finally realized the holidays are over so they’re just getting back to their regular routines. Which I’m terribly happy about. The sooner things return to normal the better. Retail is insanity during holiday seasons.

It was nice not to have that insane deadline looming over my head in regard to my WIP. I felt like I could breathe easier. As a treat, I walked the store and bought myself a new book. It looks great. It’s a paranormal YA called City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. As I’ve decided to try the 50 books a year that most everyone else is doing, this will be the first. Once I’m done reading it, I’ll post a little blurb and some thoughts on the book, along with the cover and links to the author site. If anyone has any good recs to make, now’s the time to do it.

I got home, meaning to read a bit, to relax. I must have been more tired than I thought. I actually passed out about 2:30pm. Woke up at 7pm when hubby called asking if I wanted him to pick up dinner. So we had pizza. Which was surprisingly delicious, although I couldn’t have much cause my stomach is still feeling funny. I’m still groggy as all getout but I didn’t want the day to be a total waste. So I’m in bed now, editing a sci-fi romance manuscript that’s still incomplete. I got struck with this great idea for it today at work, and I think I finally realized who the villain is and what his motive is! Which was huge! :D So now, I just have to plot and finish the second half, and figure out how to wrap up the romance end of it, and I’ll be all set. I’m very excited about it.

I just thought I’d drop in and see what everyone was up to today. Hope you all had a wonderful hump day. I’m going to go crawl back under my blankets and work. And if I get delirious, which it feels like it’s coming, I’ll pick up my book and read some instead. What a day, huh?

Posted in 2 books a month, inspiration, just writing, writing front | 2 Comments »

Day Off!

Wednesday, November 14th, 2007

I have today and tomorrow off from work. I’m so excited about it, I’m actually giddy. :D I slept in! Last night, I stayed up late and worked on my WIP! Oh the freedom. How I miss it.

I have so much I have to do. Cleaning being the first. I’m ashamed to say I’ve allowed my house to become a war zone. Of course, I’m also procrastinating. I really should just write all day, since my writing time is so limited. But I reread what I have of my WIP last night and decided that maybe I don’t hate it as much as I thought I did. There are some good moments. The characters have some great chemistry. I’m just distracted, is all. Going through a negative writing cycle. I have to be more positive about it.

It’s largely mental, this writing game. If I continue to tell myself it won’t work, then it won’t and I’ll obsess over that while the story never gets finished. That’s not going to do me any good. So last night, I thought up the next scene. I’ll work on that and then figure the rest out later. It’s the least I can do, right? ;)

Hope you’re all having a great hump day!

Image by pyawakit @ Deviantart.

Posted in day off, good chemistry, life, writing front | 3 Comments »

Just Dropping In

Monday, May 7th, 2007

The day after returning from vacation is always a crazy one. Unpacking is hideous work, but it was worth it. I had a great time. I came back home totally relaxed, so it proved to be exactly what I needed.

No pool. The weather cooled off significantly and I was not about to freeze my bum off in that water. Instead, we planned a family pool party in two weeks. :) I’m psyched. It’s gonna be a lot of fun.

On the writing front, I’m happy to announce I actually did a few pages in my handy dandy notebook. Not quality stuff, but I got moving, I felt it a bit, and now I think when I get myself to sit down and work tonight, I’ll have SOMETHING. That’s a huge plus. I also have to get back to the editing. I feel like a bit of a slacker. I’ll get to it all this week.

Now, on a random, unrelated note, if I were to audition for this huge karaoke competition I’ve been talking about, which of these songs would you consider more appropriate for the audition phase. 1- Just a Girl- No Doubt, 2- Miss Independent- Kelly Clarkson, 3- Family Portrait- Pink.

All suggestions welcome. :)

Posted in karaoke competition, writing front | No Comments »