Okay, so. I totally did it. I splurged. I bought myself an HP Mini. I totally LOVE it. Of course, I have to get used to the smaller keyboard. That’s about the only thing I don’t like.

I spent a good portion of the evening setting it up - removing software and installing software. Got the wireless up and running too. And now I’m ready to take it to Nationals! Now I don’t have to feel lost without my computer or my internet access. AND I can blog from Nationals and upload my pictures and everything. Totally cool.

I’m even typing this entry on my new netbook now.

And in more National news – got my time for my agent appointment. I’ll be pitching to Nephele Tempest at 10:20 on Friday, July 17. VERY excited about that. I can’t believe how close it is!

Aside from my allergies killing me, yesterday was pretty good. Had a nice productive meeting with the office manager in Dallas and I feel like we can continue to move forward and maybe everything will be a-ok.

I also got home to discover I had an email from Cobblestone with my royalty statement. I sold nearly 40 copies of TAKE ME I’M YOURS last month so a HUGE thank you to all my readers. You’re all fantastic and I really, truly appreciate the support.

And speaking of support (great segue, eh?) I got some help from my CPs on my internal/external conflicts with my hero/heroine. I finally have it all nailed down so now I just have to get the thing written. This is something I want to take my time on. I want it to be a good as possible.

It’s supposed to be 102 next week. That’s not the heat index, that’s the actual temperature. Can you say UGH? I’m so jealous of all you having temps in the 60s.

Off to work. Happy Thursday!

I made it to Wednesday.

Yesterday was better. I got Pei Wei and pigged out on the sweet and sour chicken. There’s just something about Chinese food that makes you fee better. And then last night I had a stack of double stuff Oreo cookies and a large glass of milk.

I did a lot of brainstorming on the new WIP yesterday. I figured out who my characters were and wrote a lot of background stuff that won’t make it into the book. But sometimes you have to do that to know who, what, when, why and why not. I figured out both the Hero and Heroine, their history, how they met, why they met, and their brief love affair. The story picks up two years after their split with lots and lots of questions. And a ton of action. I also figured out how the stone tablet figures into the story. At first I thought it was a treasure map, but the way I set up the backgrounds of the characters I knew it had to lead to something bigger. I talked with Man about it during lunch (he always humors me with my crazy ideas) and he gave me some ideas about it. Then, later, I had a great epiphany about the map. It’s still a map but it doesn’t exactly lead to a treasure of worth.

So now I feel like I can start writing. Even though I don’t have an outline yet or a synopsis, I’m going to let the Pantser in me take over and write this one. I have the big picture, the end, and some fantastic scenes in between. I’m ready to run with it.

I was so exhausted last night – I think from the restless night before (a neighborhood dog barked until nearly 2 am!), my allergies and the heat. I just laid on the couch like a slug and watched POTC:3. I fell asleep before it was over and managed to wake up before the big battle. That’s when I turned it off and went to bed.  

The cat woke me up at 5:30 this morning because his bowl was empty. GRR I finally dragged myself up to feed him. And I’m writing this in the early morning hours and about to make coffee and jump in the shower. I have to drive to Dallas today. Certainly not my favorite thing at all.

But after work today, I’m going to Best Buy and drooling over the netbooks. I’m slowly talking myself into one because I can use it on the go and I can take it to Nationals next month. And it’s a tax write-off. Right?