Looking Back

Well, this was my first year not being on Southern Magic's board of directors and it has been so productive. During the previous five years, I finished only two books, but started probably around ten. But as I said, I'm now talking about 2008. So here's my list of accomplishments.

1) Completed three books.
2) Was a finalist in two contests: Maggies & Golden Gateway
3) Have a partial request from an editor in one of the contests. (Going into the mail Saturday.)
4) Attended three conferences: Written in the Stars, Shreveport, LA; Silken Sands, Pensacola, FL; and Moonlight and Magnolias, Norcross, GA.
5) Met with editor who placed my entry at first place in a contest last year and who had requested a full. (Though later rejected.)
6) Two editors recognize me on sight. (I hope this is a good thing. They always smile real big when they see me, so I hope so.)
7) Received rejections from two agents. One was a query and another was a partial. Believe it or not this is an accomplishment. It means I'm working it. Next year I plan to ratchet up.
8) Entered the Golden Heart.

I believe I'm on the right track now and believe 2009 will be the year for me.

I've Got A Problem, Sorta

Today, I went to the book store and bought three books. When I got home, I realized 1) I didn't buy not one book I had planned to pick up -- they weren't out yet. 2) I have about ten books scattered in my bedroom and living room waiting to be read or to be finished.

I've admitted before and will do so again. Yep. I'm a book-a-holic.

The Friendly Skies

I love to fly. Wish I didn't have to do it in a plane, but heck, that's still not bad. LOL!

There's a scene in one of my books that I used my one time experience of traveling in first class. It was in 1999, so things could've changed but I bet not by much. I have to say it was wonderful. The seats were wider. The utensils were stainless steel, not plastic. And the food was delicious. Considering I've flown on the same airline, going to the same destination several times since then, I know they no longer serve even the measley little meal they had before to business class. They still close the curtain between business class and first. How much you want to bet first class still gets food with real plates and stainless steel?

Day Off

I took a day off from writing, but I was still on my computer. Updated some websites I'm webmistress over and then upgraded my software for those same websites. Such a peaceful day after all the craziness last week.

Thankful Saturday

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. Forgot again. When I had decided to do thankful Friday, I thought it would be so easy to remember. We're all thankful for Fridays, right? The start of the weekend and all. But for some reason it slips my mind. Well, anyway...

I'm thankful for soft pillows. Those that are like the down-type but aren't feathers. When I was a kid, the doctor decided I was allergic to them and I haven't slept on one since. But then hotels started putting in those extra soft pillows (not feathers - too many people like me) and then I found them in Wal-Mart. Oh, my. I have two just for me. It's wonderful.

Holiday Pastime

I love watching old movies when I'm on vacation and hanging out at the house. One of my favorite actors is Audie Murphy. In real life, he was the most decorated combat soldier in American history. When I was a kid, my dad would take me to his movies. What I especially like about this magazine cover is it was published on my birth date, July 16. But not the same year by the way.

Merry Christmas From All of Me

Subtitled: The Many Voices in My Head Wishes You A Merry Christmas!

All authors have Dissociative Identity Disorder. In other words, they hear voices in their heads and not just one or two, but many. Thankfully authors have learned to deal with the problem by letting the voices tell their stories to the outside world.

Well, some of my voices would like to wish you a Merry Christmas...

“Hi, I’m Mary from THE PREACHER’S SON. While Dusty and Mom are arguing over who gets the last piece of the apple pie I baked, I thought I would wish you a Merry Christmas. Christmas in Alabama is so much more about the true meaning than it was in Las Vegas. Sin City was more about lights and sequins. Anyway, that was then. Now...I couldn’t be happier. So Merry Christmas, everyone.”

“Hey, J.T. here. My story’s in A SHERIFF TO CALL HER OWN. While I’m sitting in my patrol car outside the Sandbox, waiting for Molly to grab her brother and toss him out on his skinny, drunken ass, I figured...” Frowning in disgust, he watched Devlin stumble out of the bar’s double doors and fall to his hands and knees. Molly walked up and shoved her brother to the ground and stood over him, shaking her finger and fussing. Times like these, J.T. was glad he was a teetotaler. “There’s my girl now. I better go and help, so have a safe Merry Christmas and a sober Happy New Year.”

“My name’s Larisa. I spilled my guts in DEADLY TEMPTATIONS or whatever Carla or an editor decides to name it one day. I’ve been taught about many religions and I guess I relate to Christianity the most. Even though there’s a lot of crap about how crosses and holy water can burn vampires. They’re just like you and me, only stronger, sexier and drink blood, and...anyway, Merry Christmas! Gotta go. Triton’s waiting to take me snow sledding tonight. I do have to say, I love making him wait, then he’ll get mad enough to flash some fang! He’s absolutely yummie when he does that.”

“I guess I’m the last one and the oldest of this bunch. I’m Tori. My tale is called THE CHAMPION. Ah, I don’t have much to say. It’s getting late and time to hunt for the perverts out there and make them pay in blood.” A little bit of fang glowed in the dark as she looked over her shoulder. “Sorry. Ah, I mean Merry Christmas! Be sure to hug those you love every day as you never know if you'll get another day with them.” Then she was gone.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

**Let your characters wish everyone a Merry Christmas too.**

A Good Christmas Eve

The girls came over with kids, husband/boyfriend in toll. We ate a lot (though my biscuits are awful) and opened lots of presents. We're all blessed. All are in good health and have jobs. My youngest is still in college and may one day graduate. Yep. I'm blessed.

Crazy Golfers

I know I have an obsession with writing and reading romance as many of my friends do. And I understand there are many people who are obsessed with sports: football, baseball, basketball, soccer (called football everywhere else in the world) and golf. Yes. That little white ball that's hit from yards away to a little cup in a smooth, very green area.

Across the street from my house is the second hole for one of the local golf courses. None of my immediate family were golfers. So I was rather shocked to learn how crazy these people were for their sport. My first Saturday morning in this house, I kept hearing the buzzing sound of the golf carts running along side the road. Nothing really wrong with the slight buzz except it started at six a.m. I peeked out the window that morning thinking, "Are they nuts?"

Then the first rainy Saturday. Ahhh! Peace and quiet. I can sleep late. NO! There was the buzzing again. At 6 a.m.! They held umbrellas over each other and most rode in the carts to keep the rain off.

Later the temperature dropped into the thirties, below freezing. Ahh! This is going to be nice. NO! There they were in the carts with plastic hanging down the sides, towels wrapped around their heads and over their noses. Are they freaking kidding me?

It took only one year for me to realize only high winds (like hurricane five type) and temperature in the single digits will keep them away in the mornings and evenings. That's right. Come the afternoon, no matter the weather, they're there. LOL!

Wasteful Day

I should be ashamed of myself. All day long, I just puttered around. Read a little. Wrote even less. Maybe I'll do better tomorrow even though I need to go to the grocery store for 3rd time in two weeks - eeek!