Between working 10-11 hours at my day job and revisions on my first book, I don't have much time for anything else. So stay tuned. I should be back soon. Something has to give soon and I vote for the day job as in going back to the regular 8 hrs.
Hopefully I'll have all kinds of interesting news. Plus I hope to have time on the weekends to leave little notes here.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Are You Too Old?
Most of my life I've heard "older" people say, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." I beg to differ.
At the age of 42 and after 20 years of service, I was laid off from where I worked. When I started my new job, I struggled to learn so many things as quickly as possible. Hey, I had to even learn where the restroom was and how to answer the phone. Every company has it's own way and system. What I found was that I could learn new stuff but had a problem forgetting the old. It would creep up at the strangest times. Like answering the phone. Once I answered with the old company's name and many times the old one would almost leave my lips.
So to me, learning new things is easy. It's all to do with the willingness to do so.
When it comes to my writing I believe the same to be true. No matter if you're a NYT best selling author, you can always learn something new, something to improve your writing one step higher than before, to keep you current.
A couple years ago, I read a book from an old favorite author. I was shocked to realize she wrote the same way she did twenty years ago. Maybe the book was one she had hid underneath her bed. Well, it should've stayed there.
We don't write like people did in the 1800's (Pride And Prejudice) and I'm glad. I like the action packed, highly emotional writing of the 2000's.
At the age of 42 and after 20 years of service, I was laid off from where I worked. When I started my new job, I struggled to learn so many things as quickly as possible. Hey, I had to even learn where the restroom was and how to answer the phone. Every company has it's own way and system. What I found was that I could learn new stuff but had a problem forgetting the old. It would creep up at the strangest times. Like answering the phone. Once I answered with the old company's name and many times the old one would almost leave my lips.
So to me, learning new things is easy. It's all to do with the willingness to do so.
When it comes to my writing I believe the same to be true. No matter if you're a NYT best selling author, you can always learn something new, something to improve your writing one step higher than before, to keep you current.
A couple years ago, I read a book from an old favorite author. I was shocked to realize she wrote the same way she did twenty years ago. Maybe the book was one she had hid underneath her bed. Well, it should've stayed there.
We don't write like people did in the 1800's (Pride And Prejudice) and I'm glad. I like the action packed, highly emotional writing of the 2000's.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
A Little Patriotic Spirit
The women and children were having fun. Not sure about some of the men shoppers. We have to remember that they didn't want to be there in the first place. :-)
Monday, July 4, 2011
If I Can't Brag Here, Where Can I?
My editor told me that my book is the first bought out of the slush pile for the Avon Impulse imprint. Is that cool or what?
And that the publicity director may send out a press release about it. Can it get any better?
Like they say at McD's, I'm loving it!
And that the publicity director may send out a press release about it. Can it get any better?
Like they say at McD's, I'm loving it!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Romance Magicians: A New Way of Looking at Romance
I was thinking about the post today and decided to revisit.
Romance Magicians: A New Way of Looking at Romance: "Last week, I gave in and upgraded my TV cable. Now we have like 300 channels and twelve of those are movie channels. The other night I final..."
Romance Magicians: A New Way of Looking at Romance: "Last week, I gave in and upgraded my TV cable. Now we have like 300 channels and twelve of those are movie channels. The other night I final..."
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Being Positive Pays Off
The other day I received comments from a contest's final judge who is an editor for a large publishing house. She said, "Well-written, intriguing, a little dark, and very sexy!" And "Nice, attention grabbing opening." She had requested the first three chapters. The contest required only 15 pages to enter.
Made me feel good. I know it's sad that I still need more back-patting, but one thing about most authors, especially newbies, we're very insecure.
Made me feel good. I know it's sad that I still need more back-patting, but one thing about most authors, especially newbies, we're very insecure.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Diet Is A Four Letter Word
Well, I guess this is it. No more donuts. No more chocolate. No more chips and salsa!!! I've made a financial committment to lose weight. You ask, "What does she mean by that?"
I went to the doctor and paid money to have him tell me how to lose weight. It includes pills of all sorts with a long list of the foods I can eat until I reach a certain goal. Something about getting all the sugar out of my system and making my body use fat instead. Considering how tight I am with money, there's no way I'll cheat. Besides, I figure if I can get published (YEAH!!), I can lose the weight I've wanted to get rid of for so many years.
Of course, I know this won't be easy (sure hasn't been cheap), but I need to give it all my best. Next year, I plan to be halfway decent looking. No more fat old lady. I should be plus size old lady. It took me 30+ years to get this heavy, no way can I expect to lose it all in one year. I'm shooting for 70 lbs and then we'll see.
Wish me luck. I plan to be around a long time and this is the best way to do it.
I went to the doctor and paid money to have him tell me how to lose weight. It includes pills of all sorts with a long list of the foods I can eat until I reach a certain goal. Something about getting all the sugar out of my system and making my body use fat instead. Considering how tight I am with money, there's no way I'll cheat. Besides, I figure if I can get published (YEAH!!), I can lose the weight I've wanted to get rid of for so many years.
Of course, I know this won't be easy (sure hasn't been cheap), but I need to give it all my best. Next year, I plan to be halfway decent looking. No more fat old lady. I should be plus size old lady. It took me 30+ years to get this heavy, no way can I expect to lose it all in one year. I'm shooting for 70 lbs and then we'll see.
Wish me luck. I plan to be around a long time and this is the best way to do it.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
My 24 Is Your 24
I can't tell you how many times I've heard people say, "I don't have time to _____." Usually, the blank is filled in with read or write. Actually, numerous things, but for the sake of space and time (ironic), I'll stick to read and write.
Anyway, when I hear that, I shake my head and wonder, "In their world, doesn't their day consist of twenty-four hours like mine?" If you live across the street, town or the globe, don't you have twenty-four hours? Maybe some places have more daylight but time is consistent. Though I will admit at different points in our lives, time runs faster or slower accordingly to how much you're enjoying the moment. Think dentist versus water park.
So I decided to go over my weekend so far.
Saturday morning, 7:00 a.m.
That's late or early whatever way you want to think of it. I normally get up between 8 or 9 a.m. on the weekend. During the week, it's between 5 and 5:30 a.m. to write. I had stayed up to 1:30 a.m. the night before, but I needed to pull a contest entry and refresh my memory on it. It had finaled and they wanted a 1,500 word or less synopsis. The synopsis I had for it wasn't finished. Heck. The book isn't finished. About all I ended up doing was reading what I had of a synopsis and answering some emails. Of course, checking out Facebook.
Before I knew it, it was 10 a.m. and I needed to get dressed, make up on and go to Books-a-Million to pick up some gift cards for the speakers at the writers meeting. Then I picked up my lunch and stopped at a bank for change. I arrived at the meeting seven minutes to spare (I HATE BEING LATE and amazingly I wasn't) and set up the tripod with the meeting sign. I was to meet a friend outside to help her with her wheelchair, but got to talking...SORRY, SUSAN! Cell phones don't work in the basement. Thanks, Chris, for helping her out. I ate lunch standing up as I directed people to chairs, letting them know what the heck was going on.
During the meeting, I took pictures, explain the set up to the authors and asked them questions to keep the meeting going. After the meeting, I took up money from those wanting to buy books. Then I hauled the books with help (Thanks, Jenn, for your help!) along with tripod, sign, purse to my car after stopping to help Susan get her wheelchair into her car. The woman is amazing. She doesn't let nothing slow her down.
A twenty minute drive and I arrive home. I changed the website to next month's program and updated future ones. Checked Facebook (posted a couple statuses), chapter blog (Romance Magicians), and wrote a post for my personal one (see below). Helped hubby cook dinner. Now, don't think he's the most wonderful husband to cook with me. It is nice and he can be sweet, but it's a control thing with him. He believes I'm a horrible cook (I am) and it's all in self-defense.
Checked Facebook (addicted) and sent email out to writers loop asking for help in thinking up titles for the books to be published. Editor didn't like the one I used. That's okay, I'm flexible. Looked at book covers, getting an idea of what I like. (Usually male chests, but I'm not sure that's what they're looking for from what the editor mentioned.) I even pulled together some pictures and made up some covers. Not sure if I will share with editor but it was fun. I watched a little television while doing this. Then at 10 p.m., I returned to the final entry and synopsis. I fell asleep at my computer. Bed at almost midnight. That's early for me, but my feet were swelling. Hate that.
Sunday
Then up at 7:30 a.m., worked on revising entry and completed synopsis. Sent several emails to writers loop. Took shower, soaked in tub (yes, one after the other -- love to read while lying in the tub - which I did) and then dried hair (no make up today). Placed a load of clothes in the washer, hung up clothes, and washed out tub. Wrote this blog. Then next I plan to revise book #1 (OUT OF THE SHADOWS) one more time before sending to editor. I should finish it this evening.
After I help hubby cook (really, it's a control thing for him), I'll clean the kitchen and do a little vacuuming and dusting. I plan to wrap up the evening writing a few words in book #2 (IN THE SHADOWS), but first my bio (updated) and a short description of book #1 (updated). Oh, and somewhere in between I need to total up the book sale and send in the funds to our treasurer. The leftover books will be used at our luncheon and/or door prizes at meetings.
FYI - during the week, I've been working 8-1/2 to 11 hrs and coming home to cook, clean and write. I normally get in bed between eleven and midnight. Plus I need to send out notices about our workshop in July. But then that's another totally different 24 hrs.
Anyway, when I hear that, I shake my head and wonder, "In their world, doesn't their day consist of twenty-four hours like mine?" If you live across the street, town or the globe, don't you have twenty-four hours? Maybe some places have more daylight but time is consistent. Though I will admit at different points in our lives, time runs faster or slower accordingly to how much you're enjoying the moment. Think dentist versus water park.
So I decided to go over my weekend so far.
Saturday morning, 7:00 a.m.
That's late or early whatever way you want to think of it. I normally get up between 8 or 9 a.m. on the weekend. During the week, it's between 5 and 5:30 a.m. to write. I had stayed up to 1:30 a.m. the night before, but I needed to pull a contest entry and refresh my memory on it. It had finaled and they wanted a 1,500 word or less synopsis. The synopsis I had for it wasn't finished. Heck. The book isn't finished. About all I ended up doing was reading what I had of a synopsis and answering some emails. Of course, checking out Facebook.
Before I knew it, it was 10 a.m. and I needed to get dressed, make up on and go to Books-a-Million to pick up some gift cards for the speakers at the writers meeting. Then I picked up my lunch and stopped at a bank for change. I arrived at the meeting seven minutes to spare (I HATE BEING LATE and amazingly I wasn't) and set up the tripod with the meeting sign. I was to meet a friend outside to help her with her wheelchair, but got to talking...SORRY, SUSAN! Cell phones don't work in the basement. Thanks, Chris, for helping her out. I ate lunch standing up as I directed people to chairs, letting them know what the heck was going on.
During the meeting, I took pictures, explain the set up to the authors and asked them questions to keep the meeting going. After the meeting, I took up money from those wanting to buy books. Then I hauled the books with help (Thanks, Jenn, for your help!) along with tripod, sign, purse to my car after stopping to help Susan get her wheelchair into her car. The woman is amazing. She doesn't let nothing slow her down.
A twenty minute drive and I arrive home. I changed the website to next month's program and updated future ones. Checked Facebook (posted a couple statuses), chapter blog (Romance Magicians), and wrote a post for my personal one (see below). Helped hubby cook dinner. Now, don't think he's the most wonderful husband to cook with me. It is nice and he can be sweet, but it's a control thing with him. He believes I'm a horrible cook (I am) and it's all in self-defense.
Checked Facebook (addicted) and sent email out to writers loop asking for help in thinking up titles for the books to be published. Editor didn't like the one I used. That's okay, I'm flexible. Looked at book covers, getting an idea of what I like. (Usually male chests, but I'm not sure that's what they're looking for from what the editor mentioned.) I even pulled together some pictures and made up some covers. Not sure if I will share with editor but it was fun. I watched a little television while doing this. Then at 10 p.m., I returned to the final entry and synopsis. I fell asleep at my computer. Bed at almost midnight. That's early for me, but my feet were swelling. Hate that.
Sunday
Then up at 7:30 a.m., worked on revising entry and completed synopsis. Sent several emails to writers loop. Took shower, soaked in tub (yes, one after the other -- love to read while lying in the tub - which I did) and then dried hair (no make up today). Placed a load of clothes in the washer, hung up clothes, and washed out tub. Wrote this blog. Then next I plan to revise book #1 (OUT OF THE SHADOWS) one more time before sending to editor. I should finish it this evening.
After I help hubby cook (really, it's a control thing for him), I'll clean the kitchen and do a little vacuuming and dusting. I plan to wrap up the evening writing a few words in book #2 (IN THE SHADOWS), but first my bio (updated) and a short description of book #1 (updated). Oh, and somewhere in between I need to total up the book sale and send in the funds to our treasurer. The leftover books will be used at our luncheon and/or door prizes at meetings.
FYI - during the week, I've been working 8-1/2 to 11 hrs and coming home to cook, clean and write. I normally get in bed between eleven and midnight. Plus I need to send out notices about our workshop in July. But then that's another totally different 24 hrs.
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