So Saturday I got up and went to my chapter meeting which was a lot of fun because I was the speaker. I talked about writing blurbs and showed them my framing technique for the big picture stuff. I also showed them how writing a blurb could lead to a query and a pitch. I hope they thought it was a good session. Then we went to lunch and I ran from there to the kiddo’s soccer game where my allergies exploded.

My eyes were itchy and watery and just wouldn’t stop. I was out of Claritin, too, so that just made things worse. The kid’s team won by a landslide. So I ran directly from there to the mall, where I had a salon appointment at 4:30.

But I had some time to kill which is dangerous when you wander the store for an hour before hair appointment time. I ended up getting Man’s birthday present and NO I won’t say cuz sometimes he gets a wild hair and reads the blog. Then I wondered around the new Sephora store in the newly renovated JCPenney’s and WOW, is it ever cool. I found new cologne for Man – Kenneth Cole Reaction – and it smells so good. Very clear and vibrant with a hint of something citrusy. I bought it for him and he actually really likes it. Score one for me!

My stylist was running late because the client before me had this massively thick hair and it took her forever to dry it. So I got in the chair about 20 minutes late which really wasn’t a big deal because I had nowhere to be afterward. Got my hair done – YAY!

And then it was back home where Man and I watched some of our DVR shows. I only had about 30% available so we had to do some clearing off.

Got to bed late and woke up late. Finally dragged myself out of bed, made my grocery list, and then we headed to the store. It took just over an hour (beating) and then it was back home where we made lunch and then he wanted to go to the mall, so back in the car we go.

Headed to the mall where we did some light shopping. Then it was off to the Farmers Market for fruits and veggies for the week and FINALLY! We got home. He mowed the front and back while I worked around the house getting some stuff done.

My herbs died, sadly, so I replanted them and put them out on the front porch. I suspect the cat had something to do with that. I think he ate them. The stinker.

And speaking of the stinker – I don’t know what’s up with the cat lately. He’s decided it’s okay to sleep on the dining room table while we’re not there. How do I know this? There are cat hairs on the table AND we busted him coming home Sunday. He was curled up there like it was no big deal. And then yesterday he decided to poop on the floor and I had cleaned his litter box with fresh litter THE NIGHT BEFORE! Anyone have any ideas about this new behavior? Nothing has really changed around the house. I still pat him. He gets fed good food. I don’t get it.

Anyhoo, we grilled steaks and burgers and stuffed ourselves. We watched LIFE and I promptly fainted on the couch at 8:30. I slept hard all night. Got up early Monday and checked my email and…

LO and BEHOLD… my sci-fi story, Angel and the Dead Man, is a FINALIST in the Stroke of Midnight contest in the sci-fi/fantasy/futuristic category hosted by Passionate Ink!! I couldn’t believe it. There are five finalists that go on to the final judge which is an editor at Ellora’s Cave. Winners will be announced in July at Nationals. I have to wait until July!! But you know, that’s okay. I’m just stoked to be a finalist. YAY!

Of course, since I entered at the last minute because she was light on entries, the book is not finished. So guess what I’ll be doing until July? Uh huh. Finishing the book! I figure if I can write new words during lunch on the sci-fi and then work on the contemporary edits at night, I can get them both done. The contemporary HAS to be done by May 1 and submitted. I don’t care what happens.

So I’ll be writing my little fingers off. It’s good for me. I’m a much better writer with deadlines than without.

Whee!

Progress Update: 1435 / 9072; goal is 80,000. Not as much as I’d like but at least it was something
Favorite line: “Thanks for the newsflash, Captain Obvious.”

Hey Colin – In answer to your question about the title of the new WIP: Yes, I do have a working title. It’s Angel and the Deadman and it’s an action/adventure futuristic story about a female smuggler and her former lover, a super secret agent. I say “super” because he has super powers. They do end up in South America at one point, so that’s where the ancient culture comes into play. But that’s all your getting. I don’t want to give away too much because it’s going to be SO fun to write. If you’d like to be a beta reader, let me know!

So, anyway, I got some words in yesterday on the new WIP. Not a bad start. I had to go back and re-read my notes on my characters. I’m SO glad I wrote all that down before because my brain has turned into swiss cheese lately. I can’t remember squat.

It was a slow day yesterday. You know, one of those painfully slow days that never want to end. So I took off about 30 minutes early and went to get my tires rotated. As it turns out, it’d been a year since I last did that. Oops. The guy asked if there were any problems so I told him it vibrated when I hit 60 mph. He said, “Probably the driving.” Har har. Luckily, I have a sense of humor and quipped, “Have you been talking to my boyfriend?” He laughed.

It took them an hour of which I spent playing with the iPhone. I downloaded Twitterrific to see how I like it as opposed to TweetDeck. Not sure how I feel about it yet. I do love the tweety sound it makes when you open the app, though.

Got home and Man and I went for some quick Mexican food at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop. MMM. I love their tacos because they put crumbled feta cheese and lost of fresh cilantro on them. They’re tasty. And they have this awesome Mexican fried potatoes. They’re delish.

Then we went to Staples and I bought some much-needed ring binders for all my online workshops I’ve been taking lately. I just finished one on Druids and one on sexual tension. I understand there’s an upcoming one on the Fae which I’m really looking forward to. And by the time we got back to the house it was 8 pm. Ack! The evening was gone.

Oh – but FINALLY! My cover for my Nook arrived! I love it so. It’s awesome. Now I feel like I can carry it around without the face of it getting scratched up. I’m currently reading a Gena Showalter book on it. I’ve only had it on order since January 3. Sheesh. Think four months is long enough to wait for a flippin’ cover?

That’s it for me. I’m off to work now. Hope everyone has an adequate Tuesday.

But will be much of the same as yesterday. Though, I think a little calmer. I might actually get a lunch hour today. Which means I’m going to be writing. I really want to get back to my story.

Yesterday was hectic, too, but I was actually able to get some work done. We had this photo shoot at work for some professional head shots and some candid photos for our upcoming marketing campaigns. I took some photos and had a lot of fun with it. We’ve worked with the photographer in the past, and he’s super. He knows how to chat people up to make them feel comfortable.

A week or so ago I read a blog where Sourcebook editor, Deb Werksman, talked about branding and career arcs. I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately and trying to figure out my direction, what sort of writer I am and want to be, and where I want to be in 5 years. I’m a true Gemini and as such I tend to be “of two minds” about EVERYTHING. It maddening sometimes, actually. So I’m trying to force myself to focus on the end goal and figure out what the process is to getting there. I want it to be flexible enough that I can roll with it when things to go as planned but rigid enough that it keeps me on my goal course. And I know me, so I know I won’t be able to set monthly goals. I think what works for me is more generic goals. Like, “I want to write three books this year,” as opposed to, “I want to write 4000 words per day.” 

So. That’s where I am on the writing front!

Busy today and yesterday but I managed another 1000 words. Not as much as I would like but something! Tonight is soccer. You bet I’ll be sitting in the car with the Mini. I hit the 24K mark yesterday and hoping to get past 25k today. I’m determined.

A warrior never quits.

So I think I’ve mentioned once or twice I’m still in revision mode, working on the gladiator book. It’s coming along nicely and currently, I only have 80 pages to go. That’s right – 80! The end of the book with the big climactic scene.

Recently, I read through my CPs comments regarding these last few pages. When I sent it to her, I warned her I thought the ending was a bit weak and asked her to give me suggestions on making it stronger. I really felt like the bare structure of the story was there but I was having trouble pulling it off the way I wanted.

Finally I get to the final five chapters, read through her comments and when I read her suggestions it was like a light bulb went on. Of course! I thought. Why didn’t I see it that way before?

I know why. I was playing it safe. I was too afraid to push my characters to the very limit of their emotional brink. Too afraid to put them in complete and utter hell. Which in turn meant I was too afraid to push myself as a writer, drop my guard, and write the book the way it should have been written all along.

Isn’t that funny? How sometimes you need an outsider to see the storyline that way? To give you that vision of making the story a thousand times stronger?

So I’ve printed off the last 80 pages and I’m getting my hot pink pen out (because red is so obscene). I’ve started the arduous task of rewriting the climax, making it stronger, making the characters take control of their situation (instead of being a victim) and giving the reader that feeling of, “YEAH!” and making them want to stand up and cheer when the hero and heroine finally defeat evil and win the day.

Yeah. That is so totally going to rock.

It amazes me how fast the time goes! Here it is Friday again.

Last night was all about the paperwork. I had to get some stuff done and since Man wasn’t here, I sat at the computer after I got the kiddo in bed and got caught up. I still have paperwork to do but at least there’s not as much of it now. I also worked on my Pop Culture Diva blog entry for next week so that’s all done. Or almost. I had a weird thing happen with a website when I was hunting for pictures. The same window kept popping up over and over and over again. I couldn’t get it to stop, so I had to shut down. Of course, then I was afraid I’d gotten a virus and then it was off to scan the entire computer. What a pain. I try to be careful, but sometimes I caught unaware.

We had soccer practice last night. Another windy evening. Afterward, we went to McDonald’s as per the kiddo’s request. Blech. It was like a hard rock in my stomach. There was not a darn thing on the TV last night, so as I was flipping channels, I came across Turner Classic Movies and they were showing Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. I hadn’t seen that in a really long time, so I watched that.

Earlier this week, I had to get to the doctor because I was having some really bad hand pain. I couldn’t close my left hand into a fist, it was so painful. Turns out I have a bruised tendon, so the doctor prescribed me an anti-inflammatory and told me to rest it. Rest, eh? Like that’s gonna happen. I spend 90 percent of my life at a computer. I don’t have time to rest. At least the hand is feeling better now. It’s still a little sore, but it’s not nearly as swollen as it was the other day which is good. He told me if it didn’t get better in a few days, I’d have to see a specialist. Well, so far so good.

I have been working on Phoenix. I made it past a major hump in the story this week, so it’s all downhill from now. I’m so looking forward to seeing this turns out with the deeper POVs. I’m up to nearly 75,000 words.

I’m also working on a cross-promotional idea with a friend. So far, we’ve hatched some really cool ideas. I’m excited about the collaborative effort!

We have soccer Saturday and Sunday, so I guess I know what I’m doing this weekend. I’m also getting my hair cut tomorrow. YAY! The ends are looking scraggly and it needs it.

Thought I’d live you this week with a little snippet from Phoenix Rising. Just click on the more link below and enjoy!

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…has been drafted and edited… Now on to Chapter 11.

And that’s all for today!

Okay – so! Congrats to the two winners of the signed books:

Amy S
Jane

Please email me your snail mail address and I’ll get them in the mail for you. YAY!

Can I just say…Thank GOD for the school system? It’s like I have a different kid. He’s so…agreeable. He does what I ask. When I ask. I haven’t had to fight him to get him in the tub. It’s … nice. And weird!

Anyway. Here he is on his first day of second grade. He’s so dang cute I can’t stand it.

He told me at length about the Smiley Face System in which you get a happy face if you were good and a sad face if you weren’t following directions, finishing work, or listening. I told him most definitely we want to always have happy faces. He agreed! And then he told me he bumped his head on the playground. No lump but he said it was sore. Poor guy.

I’m just glad he’s back in school and soccer. I think it helps if he can interact with other kids. He needs that social time. And I need my sanity.

Tonight is soccer practice. YAY. <sarcasm>I get to stand out in the 95 degree heat for an hour.</sarcasm>

In other news… I’m writing! Yes, folks. I am. I started writing in longhand over the lunch hour and took it to the computer last night. Got about 1000 words in. And I have my handy plot board to keep me on track and in good company. I’m getting back into the story (and thinking of the sequel) so I’m really looking forward to getting it finished. I’ve been reading agent blogs religiously of late and BookEnds had a terrific post about futzing here. What really stood out for me was the final paragraph – it made so much sense – and I realized what a terrible thing I’ve done to myself: I’ve not planned ahead. And I’ve not looked forward. I sort of thought this writing thing would just happen for me. But what I failed to realize was – It will never just happen. It’s work. Hard work. And if I have any hope at all of succeeding like I want to succeed, I need to get off my ass and make it happen. I need to map out clear goals of where I want to go instead of shrugging and saying, I want to write books.

Well. That’s fine and dandy, Mik, but every Tom Dick and Harry wants to write a book.

So I did some hard thinking and I took a long look at myself and my life. And it was really hard to tell myself how lazy I’ve been. And how disappointing it is. I don’t want to let myself down again. All I can do it try and it may take me years to get to the level I want to achieve. And you know… that’s okay. I’m still young and most writers write until, well, they can’t anymore.

I’ve also volunteered to judge another contest. Seems they were running short. I should get some entries here soon. I figured as long as I keep myself enmeshed in the writing world, it will keep me motivated and inspired.

Okay. Enough of that deep thought stuff. I’m contemplating changing the name of the blog. Ye Olde Inkwell is starting to get tiresome for me. Plus I have a good idea of what I’d like to change the name to…I’m just thinking here. What do ya’ll think? Talk amongst yourselves whilst I get my kiddo to school.

P.S. I was so bad last night. I totally SPLURGED and spent $75 on Sex and the City paraphanalia. Okay, so like I NEEDED it but OMG I finally found a tote with a stiletto on it! It so rocks. I can’t wait to get it. YAY!

Seriously going now…

A Break in Time

Book 2 in the Adventures of Ransom & Fortune

It’s Release Day! WOOHOO! A Break In Time officially hits the bookshelves today. And, if you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, I’ll be signing copies on Saturday, September 6 at 2:00 pm at the new Barnes & Noble in Hurst across from North East Mall.

Now here’s the really fun part. Leave a comment and get your name entered in the contest to win one of two signed copies. That’s TWO winners today!

And I have, in the works, another COOL giveaway, so check back.

Happy reading!

Purchase Information: Get it at Amazon.Com or Samhain Publishing.

The truth could set them free-or tear them apart forever.
Book 2 of the Adventures of Ransom and Fortune

At the mercy of a faulty time machine, Skye Ransom and Dane Fortune are forced to randomly leap through time on a wild, roller-coaster ride of danger as they try to get back to the 21st century. Each jump sends them farther away from home, but brings their hearts closer together in a bond that not even a time bender can sever.

Getting back home may be the least of their worries. Warmed by Skye’s love, Dane’s soul struggles against that of the cold, unfeeling man he once was. Skye’s had enough of witnessing history firsthand. Yet finally getting home could mean she’ll lose Dane forever.

Worshipped by a jungle tribe, thwarted by a mad scientist, and captured by powerful Druids, Skye and Dane face the ultimate test of survival. Even if they get through it alive, will they be able to overcome their strongest enemy to date-themselves?

Read an Excerpt:

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FIRST – LOST. Oh.My.Gawd. It was the best season finale EVAH!  Very happy with the way it turned out and it, of course, gave us more questions to answer in the next season. Those writers are fricking phenomenal! There were two things that stood out in the show for me: Sun and Jin and Desmond and Penny. And yes, I wept over both! Damn writers.

I was alone all weekend and it was fantastic. Of course, I didn’t quite know what to do with myself. Friday I moped around the house all evening. I ended up mowing the front yard for some exercise and worked outside until dark. Then I came in, watched a couple of episodes of Sex and the City and then went to bed.

Saturday I got up fairly early, still moping, and started cleaning house. Changed sheets, vacuumed, dusted, you know… all the good fun stuff. Started laundry. I think my house had about an inch of dust everywhere. It was gross. The toilets were gross. The litter box was gross. My ENTIRE house was grossing me out. I picked up all the toys and got them to the kiddo’s room. I also cleaned up the his room. I went through all of his toys and threw away a bag full of crap. You know those toys that come in Happy Meal’s and kid’s meals and they’re junk anyway… I tossed them ALL. Well, except for a few I knew he played with. I organized all over his books and stickers and pens and pencils. Yes, it was totally anal. But it looks SOOOO much better now. You can actually see the floor in there! I have threatened him with his life if he messes it up. Okay, not really. hehe

I went to the new Barnes & Noble. I wondered around in there for about an hour looking at everything. I debated on whether or not to buy a new book. I hesitated sometimes to buy a new author I’ve never read before, even though the book itself sounded very intriguing. I didn’t buy it. Instead, I went home and had a late dinner of grilled cheese and watched a cool show about archaeology on the History Channel.

Had weird dreams all night. Woke up at 3 am and had a horrible thought that maybe I didn’t shut the garage door (it’s happened before after all!) and was too scared to find out. Wandered the house in the dark for a few minutes and then went back to bed. Woke up again at 5 am, tossed and turned for another two hours and then said to hell with it. So, bright and early Sunday morning, I got up and went to the grocery store.

Shopping that early at the big Wal-Mart is really kind of nice. There are no jackasses blocking the aisles and you don’t have to dodge people. I shopped in peace. I actually saved a little money this week since I didn’t have to buy a bunch of stuff for school lunches. That was nice. And of course, I used my coupons.

You know what I hate about coupons? The ones where you have to buy 2 or 3 of something to save ONE DOLLAR. Hello. Why should I spend double or triple just to save one measly dollar? Forget it. I’ll just buy the extra dollar and be done with it. The one that REALLY ticks me off is the General Mills coupon – buy THREE cereals and save AN DOLLAR. It makes me want to tell that cereal company to eff right off. I guess that’d work if you have a bunch of kids and buy a variety, but I don’t. I have AN child. That’s it.

So with my extra savings this week, we’re headed to see Speed Racer. I promised him I’d take him and I want to get to it before the movie leaves the theater. This week Kung Fu Panda opens and we’re really looking forward to that!

Sunday, after grocery shopping, I kind of lounged around the house. I did make a trip to Lowe’s to get some hangers for a mirror that’s been sitting in my closet for, oh, eight months. I finally got it on the wall over the dresser. Looks pretty good. And then I finished laundry and then… I wrote. YES. Shocker, I know. I finally finished the rewrite of chapter one on MAGIC. I am trying to desperately get back to it, especially after this awful slump. Time to put on the big girl panties, suck it up, and do it no matter what. Summer, though, should allow me the time I need to get going on the book. Especially with the kid entertained with the Wii and other things. I just have to keep going no matter what and that’s hard when you’re out of practice.

Okay, anyway… good weekend overall I supposed. I made out my menu again and tonight is… frozen pizza night! Yeah. I’m a lazy mom tonight.

Hey, ya’ll! I’m over at RomErotica Writers today! Come on over and check it out!

Click here.

I know it’s Wordless Wednesday and all but I had to share (you can scroll down up for the WW post – happy WW!).

I got a review for A Break In Time from TwoLips Reviews. I received 4 1/2 lips (sweet!) and the reviewer had this to say:

From jungle natives to burning pirate ships, Ms. Miles creates such vivid scenes that they play through the reader’s mind. Although the thrills didn’t begin until partway through the book, A Break in Time was a joy to read. This time-travel adventure is a recommended read!

You can read the entire review here. Yay!!

In my imaginary world, I reached across the table and smacked her.

Every now and then—despite the great love you have for your friends—there are times when you have those intense feelings of violence. They quickly pass, though, when you realize they only want the best for you and they do what they do because they love you.

FINALLY! I passed the mid-way point for the NaNo project.

Go ME!

Today’s the day!! It’s Release Day!

Nice Girls Do, the fun erotic romp, hits the e-shelves today over at Samhain Publishing. Click here to go to my author page at their website and then just click the book cover that looks just like the one at the left.

I’m very excited about this book. It’s the second installment in the Coffee House Chronicles (after Talk Dirty To Me) and stars Mark and Cara. They were really fun to write and I enjoyed spending time with them at The Bitter End Coffee House.

Here’s a quick blurb about the book:
Even nice girls can be bad…

Like good coffee, the longer Mark and Cara’s desire brews, the stronger it gets. And once their passion percolates, there’s sure to be plenty of steam…

Sound good? If that’s not enough for you, then check out this quickie excerpt that will leave you panting for more:

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