Monday, December 31, 2007

New Years

Happy New Years everyone. Have you done your resolutions? Keep them acheivable.

Mine are:
Writing: Finish BLOODY MURDER. Begin FAIRY DUST the novel. Market more.
Personal: Balance-Nurture friendships, paint and hear live music more often.
Financial: Prepare for retirement-pay off cards etc.
Practical: Organize-clean out closets and cupboards-finish minor repairs at the house.

More then you ever wanted to know. Have a wonderful time whatever you decide to do to celebrate and Happy 2008.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Left-overs


My sister's cat died. Won Ton died Christmas Eve. All the old age ailments hit her suddenly at one time, hypertension, CHF etc. Her appetite had been iffy for a few weeks but the breathing issues hit her all at once as did the BP, which caused her retinas to rebel so she also became blind at the very last. Sad, sad. As if Chemo wasn't enough for Susan to deal with.


On another note, my four-year-old grandson is better at Guitar Hero than I am, doesn't matter which version. How sad is that. Never mind Dance Revolution. No matter how much I like to dance, my knee would never let me do it for more than a couple of minutes, but at least, like the WI, it gets kids up and moving. Now, WI bowling and golf, I do a little better at.
Remember, FAIRY DUST releases January 7. Get your copy while you can. Find out if a half-human fairy can find love and happiness with a were wolf and save the world too. www.eternalpress.com.au


Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Holiday Fun

Had a great Christmas, good food, family, watched both "It's a Wonderful Life" and "The Christmas Story" plus "Stardust." Surprised Jeff and Jenny as well as Chris and Lacey with a stay at a bed and breakfast, complete with scented rose petals on the bed, champagne, jacuzzi and fireplace in the room, flowers. Both couples had anniversaries coming up so I was excited to pull off something that unexpected. It was so much fun for me to hear all about the room and goodies and breakfast. I love the giving part of the holiday so much more than the getting.

The new year is coming and it's now time to get back to work on writing. It's less than two weeks until the lauch for FAIRY DUST. Get your copy before the rush. I need to spend my five days off during New Years working on MUSEUMS ARE MURDER and BLOODY MURDER. That will keep me hopping for the next few months.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Holiday Wishes



Yes, I'm a sucker for the idealized, victorian Christmas with adorable, perfect children, Little Women atmosphere. I hope every one has a healthy happy Christmas filled with warmth, light, and holiday wishes. Make your list for next year whether it's resolutions, goals, things for which you are greatful. Whether you celebrate, Christma, Kwanza, Yule or other Winter celebrations, fill your life with love, music, children, pets and joy.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Holiday Eating Tips

Too funny, had to share.

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. if something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.
Remember this motto to live by:"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"Have a Great Holiday!

There Be Idiots

Yes, even during the holiday season. I belong to several writer lists. Several writers have told of people who write them nasty letters, post tacky things on their blogs and other lists and generally act like they've been offended when a writer is published or does something the people don't agree with. I know a lot of writers who no longer give out phone numbers or look at anyone Else's manuscript because of the same kind of people who believe because someone is published, they owe other writers their critique time, for free. They've even threatened to sue because one person read a Civil War story and mentioned the Civil War in one of their own works.

I see the same thing with some reviewers who act as if the writer set out to irritate the reviewer on purpose and say unnecessarily venemous things about the writer and their ability. I don't understand the mentality. I assume it's a power thing, one of those "because I can." It's like the "Girls Gone Wild" idiot who is in jail and wants to sue three women (who have no money) because they have a little mom and pop winery in Northwestern Oklahoma and called it "Girls Gone Wine." As if they are a threat to his exploitation "business."

I have to feel sorry for everyone who is bashed by someone else who is on a power trip of some kind. Just be nice, guys, there's room for everyone in the sandbox. Play nice or I'll kick sand in your face.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Jealousy or Waning Self-confidence

Yes, to Rinda and the fact that reading some of my favorite authors can give me a complex regarding my own work.
Some of the ones that stand out are:
Dean Koontz and his striking imagery.
Jim Butcher and the pacing of action in his Dresden series.
Charlaine Harris and her humor-she can put humans and vampires in the most delicious predicaments.
Kim Harrison's world building.
Stephen King and his ability to make you care about his characters before he does something horrendous to them.
Self doubt always creeps in, however, it just takes one reader saying how much they like what you write for that doubt to go back into hiding.

Christmas is coming, read Dickens' Christmas Carol or other Christmas stories, something with a little romance. Watch It's a Wonderful Life, cry over the little girl's flower. Watch "Meet Me in St. Louis" to have a "Merry Little Christmas". See the mean Santa in A Christmas Story--"You'll shoot your eye out, kid." "Little Women" isn't really a Christmas story but it's a treat. Time to immerse ourselves in the season.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Writing Through Christmas

I have too many people in the house right now. It's not their fault, they have no electricity and I do. My daughter-in-law is so frustrated. They cut down a real tree and haven't been able to enjoy it in the dark and cold that is their house at the moment.

Not having a great effect on my writing, but that's not the only thing putting me behind on that front, it's a combo of family, weather, trip to Houston, Christmas and etc. However, things will settle down I know and I'll be back in the writing routine.

Now I sound like a Scrooge, but I'm not and I've always loved Christmas, but this year has been a little stranger than usual. Also don't have the usual baking done, didn't get cards sent but I'm determined to enjoy the holiday even if I have little to no control this year.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Christmas is Coming

Whether we are ready or not. So this year I'm working hard with the idea of enjoying Christmas however it comes together. You see, I'm a control person, a list person, who wants this, and this and this done by such and such a time. The week I spent in Houston put me behind for Christmas shopping. I barely got started on the 7th, just got the decorations up, but then the Ice storm hit. A week without power. Just came back on Friday, now my son, who has no power, and his family are staying with us. Thank God for warmth and light.

So if the baking isn't completely done, we'll survive. If the lights are not up on the house, we'll enjoy the lights inside. If we can't make it to a party or holiday performance, it will work out. The reason for the season doesn't change, no matter what extraneous things get in our way.

Am I getting writing done? Not so much, but that too will change. Things will get back to as close to normal as they ever do and life will go on. Keep writing anyway, even if it's simply a poem about the weather. And remember, you can't choreograph those sugar plums, they will do what they want anyway.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Tagged

TAG--you're IT!
Okay, Amy Shojai (http://amyshojai.livejournal.com/) tagged me in a previous post and shared these rules:

Rules:Link to the tagger and post these rules on your blog. Share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I love sweet pickles and cheese and braunscweiger sandwiches.
2. I hate the echoing sound that a basketball makes in a gym, especially combined with the squeak of the sneakers.
3. I find it very irritating to hear "Hear Comes Santa Claus" when the singer says "Here comes Santy Claus."
4. I snuck into drive-in theaters when I was a kid and would sit on the swings to watch movies.
5. My grandmother told me true-crime tales for bedtime stories when I was in grade school.



Ginger S., skilled blogger http://mizging.blogspot.com/
Tabitha Shay, writer of the best witch books http://tabithashay.blogspot.com/
Rinda E.,Blogger extraordinaire whom I hope has power back on http://relliott4.wordpress.com/
Sally O, poet and writer with the most beautiful books. http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com

Thursday, December 13, 2007

More About Ice

Still have thousands of people without power, including us. Snow predicted for Friday evening, heavy. The games continue. Seeing fires because people don't use common sense when trying to get heat, but they're desperate. Tree damage is horrendous, and houses and cars when trees split and hit cars and structures. Blocked roads due to limbs breaking over the streets.

I have heat at my MIL house so I can't complain but sure do miss electricity for my computer and hair dryer, hot water, and the ability to cook easily. Miss the microwave. I'm so spoiled. Batteries and lamp oil impossible to find right now. I will remember to put together a bin with those kind of supplies for the next disaster.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Ice Melting, no power

Well, we've had rain here in OKC that didn't freeze and helped melt some of the ice. Roads are good. Power company is working in our general neighborhood so maybe today will be the day. It is not my year, first Houston, now this, making it hard to be ready for Christmas, but I have presents for all my children, so it won't be end of the world, What I can't bake, I'll buy. However, if I had wanted to live like a pioneer, heat water on the fireplace, dress by candle light, I'd have made sure to be born in 1800. I want my electricity back.

What's not good is the forcast for snow Friday and Saturday. Come on, enough is enough already, however, tomorrow is supposed to be sunshine and 40 something.

Fairy Dust launches in January and I'm finalizing the last proof on it. Boudicca has an interview scheduled for the January EP ezine, so stay tuned, she may scorch the pages.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Ice 2007

Don't have pictures but it's a mess. No one in our family that live in Bethany have power, so Lori and I are staying at my mother-in-law's since she has heat from a fireplace-gas and gas heater in the back. My son-no power and a non working fireplace. My brother-in-law, a working fireplace and no power. Trees down everywhere, one big mess. No internet access at home, behind on everything including shopping and wrapping and writing. Posts may be sporatic for a while.

Friday, December 7, 2007

Christmas Rant

Stressed and depressed, two weeks to do all Christmas stuff, shop, decorate, bake and etc. Don't know exactly what the problem is this year besides being in Houston for a week during the wrong week of the year, not finding a Dr. yet who can treat Non Epileptic seizures, no Karl, the ice storm that's coming or just generally feeling life speed by as another birthday approaches. Also behind on home projects, writing projects.

Is all that whiny enough for you? Yes, I need cheese with that. I just need to carve out some writing time. Cure for all ills. If you like prizes, free books and etc. go yahoo groups.com, join eternalpressreaders group, get thee to the launch party. Fun to be had.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Stealing Christmas

OK I confess. I stole this from Rinda but thought it was fun. So here goes.

1. What is your favorite Christmas romance to re-read each year?
I don’t have one. But for a holiday book, John Grisham's book "Skipping Christmas", too funny. "2. What is your favorite Christmas movie/show?
A Christmas Story. Little Women, Meet me in St Louis, It's a Wonderful Life.
3. What is your favorite Christmas cookie?
A Swedish cookies that is a thin batter, deep fried on shaped irons and sprinkled with powdered sugar, served with whipped cream. Oh so good.
4. When do you start Christmas shopping?
I'm so behind this year. I've only bought a couple of things so far.
5. Do you re-gift?
No!
6. What is your favorite Christmas song?
Little Drummer Boy and Do you Hear What I Hear.
7. When do you get your Christmas tree?
First week in December -I cheat by wrapping the pre-lit, decorated tree in plastic and storing it as is. It only takes about 15 minutes to have it in the house, set up and lit.
8. Wrapping presents: Love it or hate it?
I used to love it, lately I just seem to run out of time all the time, no I put my daughter to work often.
9. Who is the hardest person to buy for?
Frequently it's someone in the family whose name I draw.
10. Christmas tree: Real or artificial?
Artificial, allergies, cats and I'm afraid of fires with real trees that are left up for a long time.

Merry start for the Christmas season everyone, and for cool prizes and gifts, don't forget the Eternal Press launch tomorrow on Eternalpressreaders@yahoogroups.com. If you aren't a member, come and join.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Sunrise-Sunset

On the way to work this morning I saw the most wonderful coral, turquoise and violet sunrise. It makes it all worthwhile. It was almost as striking as the sunset I watched with my grand daughter, Megan, when the sun set the lake close to our house, on fire. That time I left the house, with Megan, in the middle of making dinner, in order to take her to the lake to watch the sun go down. I wouldn't trade those few minutes for anything. Sometimes you just have to seize the moment, and I'm not always good about that. I'm too busy, like everyone else, to always take time to watch the sunrise, butterflies or other wonderful things around me.

As writers, we have to be busy, that's what writing and marketing are all about. But, as writers, we also have an obligation to observe the world around us in order to be better writers, to be able to describe our worlds to those who read our books. We will be bugging each other about new years resolutions soon. One thing to consider as a writer, is the resolve to pay attention to nature, babies, flowers, colors, scents and all the things we use to bring scenes alive.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Changes

One of the CEO's at Eternal Press is leaving to persue her own writing. See, acquisitions editors are not the enemy and they want to be writers too. Seriously, she was wonderful, she is, in a major way, the first one besides me to believe in "Privy to Murder". She will be greatlly missed. I working away at the Tali and Friends short mystery so I can get back to the sequel. I have to be careful not to put too many sequel elements into this story, but maybe just enough to foreshadow "Bloody Murder" events.

I'm recording the "Tin Man" which is on Sci-Fi, modern dark remake of OZ. It will be interesting to watch. Also, "Golden Compass" to look forward to, it looks very well done. I just love fantasy. Of course some idiots are saying "Don't let your kids see this movie because they will want to read the book." Heaven forbid that any of our children learn to like reading because of fantasy. And don't they know that if you say, "Don't go see this." everyone will go to see why they shouldn't go. If we start a campaign on how dangerous "Privy to Murder" is, will it boost sales. Just a thought.

The fantasy series going up on the Eternal Press website is priceless. I got to read the first couple of chapters. It's going to be so much fun. Haven't done anything about Christmas yet so I'd best get busy, but first, back to work, work.

Monday, December 3, 2007

Best Seller

"Privy to Murder" is the #1 best seller for November on Eternal Press. I'm very excited that people like it. So now, those of you who read this blog, you need to visit www.eternalpress.com.au and see the new website. Even better, read the new fantasy serial that is starting, available free on the website. Buy "Privy to Murder" and come to the Eternal Press launch on December 7 at eternalpressreaders@yahoogroups.com. A very cool launch full of give-aways and fun and excerpts. Please come and join us.

Remember, "Fairy Dust" comes out in January from Eternal Press. A really fun story about a half-human fairy with fairy dust, were and deamon issues. "Privy to Murder" is available now to order for Christmas gifting.

Home from Houston, happy to be home as much as I miss the kids in Texas. We now know that Lori doesn't have Epilepsy. That's the good news. The bad news, none of the meds she was taking were helping the seizures so she is going off those, and actually feels better. Now we have to find a Dr. that treats nonepileptic seizures. Have a good one.

Blog Archive