Slipping Away

Wow! Yesterday was crazy. It was the deadline for my chapter's unpublished author contest. It's amazing how many people will wait until the last minute to enter.

To be truthful, I've done it a time or two myself.

My New Study

My new study is almost completed. It's working out beautifully. Though I haven't sweated this much since July in Orlando. Next I have to move my books from upstairs and get rid of many of them. Yes. You read that correctly. I've decided if I haven't read at least one of the authors books again, then off they go.

Quote For The Day

A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.
George Bernard Shaw

Anger Management

When you have a friend angry about something…let’s say a situation at her job, do you try to calm her down and make her see the other side or do you nod your head and say “I understand what you mean?”

If the friend just appears to be letting off steam, I’ll agree and nod my head, listening intently, adding words like, “I can’t believe he/she did that,” “Oh, my goodness, that’s awful,” or “Some people don’t have a lick of sense.”

After she gets it all off her chest, she’ll realize what a good friend you are and how you’re a great listener. Too often when you try to calm a person down, they’ll turn that anger on you. So you have to tread carefully, and usually listening is best.

Unless they have a gun. Then try to calm them down and see the other side. Be sure to duck behind cover first.

Blah, Blah, Blah

When I was growing up, I was a talker. Even now around some people I can still talk a person’s ear off. But I find myself being quiet and listening. Maybe it’s the writer in me. In a conversation, you can’t stop, delete what you said and start over in a different direction. Yes. Writing has spoiled me.

Guess What!

My book, OUT OF THE SHADOWS, finaled in the Florida Romance Writers' 2010 Golden Palm! In the Single Title category. Adam Wilson with Mira is the final judge. I'm so happy!

Personal Library

Whenever I loan a book out, I try to write it down somewhere. Otherwise, times passes and I forget it’s mine. So do the person who borrowed it. I’ve lost several good books that way. At least, I think I did.

Thank you, God, For Computers

I was reading a beautifully written historical romance the other day and couldn’t help wondering if the reason we have so many new authors to choose from is because it’s so easy to “write” on computers. I remember how long it took to type a manuscript out on a typewriter. My goodness! It took forever and don’t get me started on Wite-Out™…

Big Sigh

Have you ever been around someone who can take a simple sentence like “I’m broke” and make it into a discussion of the world’s problems? Geez! Lighten up!

Smooth Music

I love the blues. We have a new blues café that opened up in my little town. Somehow I have to convince my husband we need to go and check it out.