Productive

August 26, 2009 by

Doncha just love those days when you’re super productive? Oh, man, I do!

A put in a couple more hours work on Phoenixand TADA! It’s finished! It weighs in at nearly 85,000 words now and just over 300 pages (double-spaced, 12 pt, Times New Roman). I’d been shooting for Friday but it sure was nice to get a large chunk of it done last night. That’s what made it go faster today. That and having that handy-dandy outline. (Devon, I’m convinced that is the ONLY way to go! Ms. Pantser is reformed, I think.)

Well, okay, I take that back a little. I did deviate even from the outline. LOL But I still KNEW where I was going and how to get there and just mixed it up a little. And really, you never know what these characters are going to say or do! I got a surprise from Senator Gracchus toward the end. He has a real disgust for slaves. I didn’t even know that until I wrote that scene, sat back, re-read his dialogue and went, “Huh. He’s a real pr*ck.” :D  Go figure.

The end has a great power punch of emotion now. And I *love* it. I love the way it ends so much better now. It makes so much more sense for the characters and their situation. I even toned down the sex scenes and made the story more about the gritty world Elena lives in and the life-and-death situation they faced instead about the romance. Because, when I thought about it, this story is NOT about the romance. It’s about learning to survive in a world full of deadly obstacles. Oh, sure, it helps Cassius is a real hottie and wants to whisk her off to safety.

Anyway, I really learned a lot about world building and writing better, cleaner, more emotional. I hope the next one will be easier (fat chance).

Speaking of the next one, I want to start working on that futuristic but something has been nagging me. I’ve been thinking about restructuring the MAGIC book into something totally different. Same characters, same basic plot line but totally different setting. I’m thinking urban fantasy. Maybe dark. I need to do some major research on this so I’m putting this away in my To Be Determined pile.

In the meantime, I’ve started writing up a quick synopsis for the futuristic, which is as yet untitled. See? The synopsis thing keeps creeping in. ;)

In other productive news, I went with my co-worker to the Mattel Outlet Store and can I just say CHA-CHING! I love this place. They have all sorts of Hot Wheel, Matchbox stuff for boys and of course Barbie stuff for girls. I got four things for the kiddo for his birthday but the real beauty is, I think I’m going to put a couple away for Christmas. I’m sneaky like that. One of the things I got was a Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots. I think the kiddo is going to dig those. and I can still hear the stupid commercial in my head from the 70s.

Tonight I’m making my Cuban chicken in the crock pot. Which means it will all be done when I get home. MMM. YUM!

Off to work!

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Playing It Safe

August 12, 2009 by

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.

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Making Progress

August 11, 2009 by

Man worked late last night so I sat and worked on the revision. I got 37 pages done! I have 80 pages to go! WOO! I love making progress.

Once I finish the revision, I want to start concentrating on working on the new book. I really want to get my hands into the futuristic and start plotting that story and writing up a good bare-boned synopsis. Besides, I miss working on new stuff. I miss the creative process and I really want to get back to that.

Still no word from the agent. But it hasn’t even been a month yet. LOL! Impatient? You bet.

Man has to work late again tonight. Guess where I’ll be? Yes. Chained to my computer working on the remaining 80 pages. It’s a great opportunity since the kiddo is at his dad’s this week. No distractions! (Don’t get me wrong – I love my child dearly but he’s very demanding of attention.)

And that’s about it for me. Not much going on in Michelle-World. It’s Tuesdsay – you know what that means? It’s taco night! Sweet.

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Flat Hair Day

July 28, 2009 by

So. This week, it’s decided to rain. Not that I’m complaining. It was in the 80 yesterday. But it was so humid. The kind of humid where you need gills to breath outside. No kidding.

Yesterday, I nearly froze in the office. I walk outside at lunchtime and my cold hands instantly turn clammy and gross. Ick. Plus, my hair just went flat. Not that it wasn’t already. It’s straight as a board but the humidity really doesn’t help at all. Then Man and I walked down to Starbucks in the middle of the afternoon and it was, of course, sprinkling. Which didn’t do anything good for the already flat hair. Not that I cared. It’s just a little rain, after all. We got our coffee and stopped a local store for an umbrella. Which insured it wouldn’t rain on us on the walk back. Of course, it didn’t. Because we had the umbrella this time.

Got a lot done last night. Got two contest entries judged. Now I have three print and three electronic and then I’m done. I’m really trying to get them done this week so I can concentrate on other things. Like my revisions.

I also worked on stuff for the local chapter. I needed to set up a Yahoo loop for the upcoming workshop and I got that done and invited the instructor and the moderator. The workshop starts on August 3 so I need to make sure I get it all prepared and ready.

Had to run some errands with Man. We went to Pei Wei for dinner and then Bed Bath and Beyond and we each spent about $25 on stuff for the house. Just stuff. But good stuff and stuff we need. I love stuff. ;)

By the time we got home, it was 8:30 and he had to run another errand. He didn’t get back until after 9 and as soon as he walked in the door, it started to pour down rain. That’s the second time in as many days it’s happened that way. I swear I think he brings the rain.

I love the rain. It’s nice and relaxing. It makes me sleep good. Now, can it just not do it during rush hour? Please?

Okay that’s it for me. Happy Tuesday!

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Last Day

July 10, 2009 by

Today, I’m blogging at Samhain. My post will be up at 9 am, if you’d like to stop by. Click here.

And the winner of yesterday’s $10 gift card is Denise! Congrats, Denise!

I have 8 more hours to work and then I’m on vacation for SIX WHOLE WORKING DAYS. I’m really looking forward to the RWA conference next week. I realized the other day this is the first “real” vacation I’ve taken in eleven years. That’s sad.

Hard to believe my trip is so close. I’ve only been planning it for the last six months. Man has requested I type up my itenerary so he knows where I am and what I’m doing. On the off chance anything happens to me. I told him I was going to ride the Metro from the airport to the station near the hotel and I got the lecture on Train Safety 101. I also did some R&D yesterday to find out about the hotels, the Metro, and the airport. The train will only cost $2.55 as opposed to a cab. Yeah, I like that total a lot.

A group is going on the haunted DC walking tour on Friday and I’m trying to figure out everything I’m doing so I can attend. I think there’s a Samhain event that night but I can’t remember. This weekend will be about getting all that together. I have an entire folder with paperwork I need to take with me. I’m going to need a checklist, I think.

Yesterday, I got a lot of edits done on the Phoenix book. I’m about halfway through chapter six but it’s slow going. I’m trying to dig deep and get it right. My CP has been immensely helpful with her comments. Plus I’m reading her work and loving her story.

I couldn’t deal with cooking last night either, so the kiddo and I went to Rosa’s and I stuffed myself on their three chicken tacos. It was so good. Tonight I can’t deal with cooking again so I’m making pizza. LOL

And tomorrow morning is my local chapter meeting. Which reminds me… I need to print more guest packets.

Time to shower and then it’s off to work for my last work day. Woohoo! Happy Friday!

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Edits and Another Review

July 7, 2009 by

Hey, I have another great review for NICE GIRLS DO from Mistress Bella Reviews! ”…I got carried away by their story and was thrilled with a very satisfying ending. This is a definite must read for anyone who loves an erotic story but with lots of sweet elements.” Read the entire review here.

I really need to get the trailer done for NICE GIRLS DO. I’m just a tad low on funds at the moment. Hopefully I can get it done next month. Hopefully.

I worked on the Phoenix pitch yesterday, trying to get it just right. I’m still not 100 percent happy with it but it’s a start. I also worked on edits for Phoenix yesterday, trying to make it as good as it can be. Also on the list of To-Dos this week is draft Issue 3 of the serial story and write up a blog entry for Samhain’s blog on Friday. Piece of cake, right?

Only one problem: I have no idea what my topic is for Friday yet. I need to figure it out and quick. Yesterday’s post at Star-Crossed Romance was easy and I had a blast writing it. I wish all the guest spots were like that. Easy.

My bookmarks and business cards should be ready tomorrow. SHOULD be. I hope they are. Since the printer is local, I’m going to pick them up instead of spend the $20 to have them shipped. That’s with a 3-day shipping turnaround. Yeah, so not happening. I love that I saved money.

Didn’t sleep well at all the other night. I kept waking up and hearing noises. The refrigerator has been abnormally loud lately. I hope that doesn’t mean it’s about to die on me. I can’t imagine that it would, seeing as how it’s only three years old but stranger things have happened.

And yes. Four more working days. I’m still counting down.

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Deep Edits

May 6, 2009 by

Congrats to Debbie L! Winner of TAKE ME I’M YOURS!

If you didn’t win, don’t despair. You still have another chance to win a copy. Just check out the Reader Stimulus Plan. ;)

I’m blogging today at the Samhain blog at 9:00 am if you’re so inclined.

This month, I’m taking Margie Lawson’s Deep Edits workshop. I have to admit, I’ve already learned a lot in only the first two lectures. And we still have a few more weeks to go!

One of the things Margie talks about is how to “backload” your sentences and paragraphs. I actually applied what I learned from that to writing my query. Since I’m getting ready to send out queries, I figured it would be a good time for that.

I agonized over every single word. I made sure that every sentence ended with a punch. I’m still not sure about the turn out, especially since I haven’t sent it out to my trusty readers. But after reading the query over and over and out loud, I think it actually sounds a lot better. I hope it’s enough to get me a request.

Of course, that’s hopeful thinking, isn’t it? LOL

And unfortunately I’m going to have to cut this off short today. My hand is killing me (still have that injury) and I’m having a hard time typing without typos. Yeah, it hurts. I suspect it has something to do with the crummy weather (more rain today – blah!) plus the fact that it hasn’t quite healed up yet. Durn thing.

At least it’s Hump Day.

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Writing While Cooking Fish

April 27, 2009 by

So the weekend is already gone. It amazes me how fast it goes.

Saturday morning was an early start for a 9 am soccer game. It was cloudy and windy and kinda cool but we made it through the game without rain – and won! That afternoon, we headed to the movies and saw Monsters vs. Aliens and I was highly entertained. Great flick! Of course, it cost $25 for me and the kid to go to the movies… urgh.

We pretty much just hung out the rest of the day and most of Sunday. The kiddo went with his grandparents for dinner since his cousin turned 18 yesterday. Now you KNOW time flies when you look at the kids growing up so fast.

While he was out, I stuck some tilapia in the oven and broke out the AlphaSmart. As the fish was baking, I stood in the kitchen and clicked away on the Neo. I finished out another great section on the book – the chariot race! I used Ben Hur as inspiration. I had started it the night before but was too tired to get it finished. I even did my “research” by watching that 30 minutes of the movie. After I got the scene all written, I found a great resource online for chariot races and went back and tweaked. I’m very pleased with it and I think it came out really well.

That was another 1200 words or so. The story is up to just over 78K and I’m shooting for 85. I’m pretty sure I”ll make it but I only have four days to finish it before my self-imposed deadline.

I have some other things in the works – in fact a really cool something – which I’ll be talking about soon. And even more good news! My book with Cobblestone-Press, Take Me I’m Yours, finally comes out THIS friday, May 1. WOO! Stay tuned because you know there will be free books involved.

And… if you’re a frequenter of the blog, you’ll notice I bumped up the font size. Finally figured that out and my apologizes for the eye-straining size I had before. Hopefully this size will keep you from squinting. :)

Okay that’s it for me today. It’s off to work because I owe! I owe! And time to get the kiddo to school, too.

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Busy Weekend

March 16, 2009 by

Saturday was the chapter meeting. It was really good, I have to say. We got a lot accomplished in the business meeting and our speaker was delightful. We had Rosemary Clement-Moore who talked about writing YA. She’s funny and very lively. Her new book is out, too. Highway To Hell is the third in her series about her spunky heroine who fights evil. If you like paranormal YA, then you should definitely check it out.

After that, we had lunch with Rosemary and chatted and had a really nice time. Then she headed out for her book signing. I went home, and Man picked me up and then we went to the book store. I got there just in time to get her last book! Whew. So now I have in my hand the third book and I can’t wait to start reading it.

Man and I went to dinner after driving around for while. We were going to cook on the grill but it was still a little cold and we were both famished so we ended up at TGI Fridays. I had a nice steak.

Sunday was all about laundry and getting a lot of work done on the chapter biz. I think I spent about six hours at the computer. And that’s six hours solid. I worked on the website and made a lot of updates, the luncheon registration, a new member packet… all sorts of things. It was exhausting.

By the time 10:30 rolled around, I started reading the last two chapters of Phoenix for editing purposes. I think I have all the glaring typos and errors fixed. Now I just need to write the 2-3 more scenes for the book and call it done! I’ve already started sending it out to for critique. I want this book to be super good before I submit it. I’m still shooting for April 1. I think I can make it, too.

This morning I need to take the kiddo to the dentist for a check-up. Plus they’re going to seal his permanent molars. It’s preventative – keeps the cavities away. I’m all for that! I just hope it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Oof.

And then I’m off from work Wednesday-Friday with the kiddo and my nephew. I need to start figuring out some inexpensive entertainment activities. I’m thinking the Botanical Gardens will be a good outside option, provided it doesn’t rain, of course. Plus they can run themselves ragged. haha

Okay that’s it for me. I gotta get ready for the dentist. Happy Monday, ya’ll!

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The Novel Soundtrack

March 13, 2009 by

Basically… I’m drained. Yesterday was one life-sucking day from H-E-L-L.

I’m glad it’s Friday and I’m looking forward to a weekend of…aboslutely NO rest. Chapter meeting Saturday followed by son’s soccer game followed by a book signing I want to attend. All between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. Should be a nicely packed day. My Gemini is flaring up again. ;) I think Man is coming over to grill steaks – rain or shine. Let’s hope it’s shine (or at least just cloudy). And I may drink and entire bottle of merlot myself. It’s just been that kind of a hellish week.

On the writing front, I’ve begun to map my city. It’s so much fun! I need it to make sure I know where everything is because right now, the story is rather generic and flat. I’m through chapter 15 and still making daily progress. WOO! That superhero book won’t leave me alone, though. It’s still nagging me. So the other night I downloaded an entire Glenn Miller album and a few Benny Goodman songs. It’s the beginning of the novel soundtrack. :)

Do you have a novel soundtrack? What’s some of your favorite writing music?

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The Big Reveal

March 3, 2009 by

Be sure to come back tomorrow! I have a special guest and I’m doing a giveaway!

Also! I’m a guest over at Selena Blake’s blog about kissing and, well, other things. Check that out here.

LOOK at my beautiful cover! Isn’t gorgeous?? I’m so thrilled! I love it. (Click on it to see a bigger, better, hotter version.)

I finished final edits on Take Me I’m Yours last night. It’s off to get onto the publication schedule. I should hear something in the near future. I have to say, the edits were rather painless, despite my moments of feeling like the book was a pile of dung. I think it actually turned out very good. I hope readers enjoy their story as much as I do.

And just as I was typng the email to the editor to send it off, my phone rang. Apparently, my child has decided to go back to his old tricks of playing in school instead of working. sigh His dad was not a happy camper and I can’t say that I blame him. So the kiddo was in some serious trouble last night. When he got on the phone with me, he was clearly upset, saying his stomach hurt and he felt sick. I quickly squelched that with a, “Oh, you are not. You’re just upset because you got into trouble.” Which was true.

Twenty minutes later and a very long talk with the kiddo, he was feeling a little better, though not chipper at all. He knows he’s in trouble. He knows he’s screwing up. Yet he continues to do it over and over again. We have both talked to him until we’re blue in the face, taken things away from him, punished him, etc. Nothing seems to get through to him.

So, last night on the phone I told him that he had to be responsible and do what was expected of him. Then I gave him an example of what would happen if Mom or Dad didn’t do their work. I explained in detail that we would not have a house, or a car, or clothes, or food. I asked him if he wanted to live in the street, to which he quickly said NO. Of course not. So I told him – if he continued on this path, he would (a) fail second grade (which is horseshit becuase of this no child left behind crap – I’m sorry, I just don’t believe in it but I figure he doesn’t know that and I’ll use that to put the fear into him); (b) all his friend’s would leave him behind in 2nd grade; (c) he would grow up to be lazy and no one would like him.

Okay, so that was probably mean but what else could I do? Maybe that will get through to him. I don’t know. We’ll see how today goes.

All I know is… I’m getting my tubes tied. One is ENOUGH! :D

But back to writing… I emailed off the final edits. Then I worked on an article I’m doing for the chapter newsletter about gadgets for writer’s. And THEN I worked on edits for Phoenix. I realized the beginning needed some more description and help. That was about all my poor brain could take.

I’m going to have to get myself on some sort of rotation schedule because I want to edit Phoenix and also work on Delilah’s story. I’m thinking about trying alternating days – Phoenix on M-W-F and Delilah on Tu-Th-Sa. Take Sunday off to catch up with Everything Else. I don’t know yet if that’s a good plan or not. But I’m going to try it this week and see what happens. Maybe it will help me have better focus.

Last night, I ordered The Well-Fed Writer from Amazon so it should be on the way soon. Hooray!

I have one more contest entry to read and then I’m done with that contest. Received four more for another contest. I’m going to try and knock them all out this week. Then I don’t have to think about them anymore.

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Try to do something nice…

February 16, 2009 by

So! This weekend went by SUPER fast. Friday night I had a board meeting for one chapter. Saturday morning was my local chapter meeting. We did the “first kiss” contest and I think it went very well. The “assignment” was to write a first kiss scene between two characters and then we all voted on our three favorite. We didn’t do it by heat level, just by which ones we liked the most. Gave out the prizes. What I love about that is it got them writing. Several people said they stepped out of their comfort zone and wrote things they normally would not have. I think that’s fabulous! And all the writing is great. Lots of talent in that bunch and I now know they can do it! So n more excuses, ladies. ;)

After the meeting, I had to swing by the mall to exchange a belt and lo and behold Man was there. We ran into each other and he shopped with me. The mall was exceptionally busy being Valentine’s Day and all. Then I went back home while he did some shopping for a “few little things” before coming to the house.

When he got there, we exchanged gifts. I gave him two giant special dark chocolate bars, a card, and a photo card I made. He gave me chocolate covered strawberries from Godiva Chocolatier, a super-duper mushy card that I love, and some unmentionables. :D Oh, and he also got me some clothes earlier in the week from Eddie Bauer. Gotta love that. Anyhoo, we headed to dinner at 4:30 (Red Lobster) but there was already a wait – 45 minutes. We waited. In the very crowded front of the restaurant. We tried to wait outside but it was just too cold.

Finally got a table and by the time we were seated, the wait was an hour and ten minutes. Oof. Despite the crowd, we had an excellent waiter (Charles was his name and he was awesome). I had the wood-fired shrimp and lobster with red wine (yes, I know, a culinary faux pas but it was delish). Man had the Hawaiian salmon and coconut shrimp (and chardonnay). We had a really nice time. Afterward, we headed downtown for another round of drinks at Fox & Hound. Great place but it was dead. I guess the entire universe goes out to restaurants and not bars on Valentine’s Day.

We came home, watched French Kiss, and then I promptly passed out. It was all that wine. :)

Sunday, he went to hang out with his daughter and I cleaned my disgusting house. Vacuum, dust, cleaned the bathrooms and the kitchen. It’s nice and shiny now. I also did laundry.

Man had left a basketful of shirts at my house. He said he’d do them later. But I was doing all my laundry so I figured what was one more load, right? Well, one his red shirts was in the load, along with his white ones. Now, I washed them in cold water but that damn red shirt still bled all over the place. sigh

I was frantic. Man is very particular about his laundry. So I knew these pinkish shirts would send him over the edge and I would never be allowed to touch his laundry again. Ever. Even if I had the best intentions. I felt horrible. One of the shirts was from Eddie Bauer and one was one I’d given him for his birthday last year. I email my mother and my friend and ask for laundry advice. I tried their suggestions – bleach and hot water. The shirts were still pink!

So I did a Google search on what to do for that. I found a comment thread on some forum about the same problem. Several people recommended Rit Color Remover. I found it online for $2.50 but it would be 10-12 days for shipping (URGH!). Amazon.Com has it online, too, but still I’d have to wait for it to get here. So I grab my shoes, bag, keys and jacket and hit the door for Walmart. I need a newspaper anyway, so I may as well see if I can find the stuff.

Well, I found it! It’s in a little box for $1.62 at Walmart. I got that color remover and the laundry whitener. I figured if one doesn’t work, the other one will. I followed the directions on the box to the letter. The whitener didn’t do a dark thing, so I tried the color remover. And, thankfully, it WORKED! Whew. I dodged a bullet on that one. His shirts are sparkling clean and very white. And I will never tell him I turned his white shirts pink. LOL

In other news… got a couple of crits back on Rome. Lots of good suggestions for tightening the writing. And I got my edits done for TAKE ME I’M YOURS and sent them back to the editor. Better to be early I think. I had two really bad annoying habits in that book – too many “beautiful”s and too may “grinned broadly” phrases. It was annoying ME. LOL  So the edits are done and now I’m going to edit Rome and start working on Delilah’s story again. I am determined to get it finished and to the editor. I could use a couple of releases this year.

Can’t believe it’s Monday already. And back to the old grind!

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