Monday, December 29, 2008

Wiped Out

I think the holidays did me in. I'm resorting to a simple Q&A post. Join me and answer the following Questions.


What was your most unexpected gift?
A vial of Fairy Dust in honor of my series.
Did you get your heart’s desire?
Published in print? Not yet.
Did you get any books? Care to share?
Lovely little book by Dean Koontz and his Trixie, all about Bliss
Did you give any books this year?
My grown son wanted all of the Artemis Fowl series. Gave my grand daughter "Girl of the Limberlost" lovely old book published at the turn of the century.
Favorite part of your holiday meal?
Fresh Turkey and home made cranberry sauce.
Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet?
Working on that.
What are most looking forward to in 2009?
Finishing Fairy Dust:Wizard.
Did you catch a cold, too?
Not yet. (*Crosses fingers and toes. Making hex signs. Difficult with crossed fingers and toes.*)

Saturday, December 27, 2008

New Year coming

Guess what? I got to go out and dance at a party. That's a rare occasion for me any more. It was so fun. I don't think I'm ever happier than when I can get out and dance with friends and have a good time. Guess what else? I paid for the fun for a week. Apparently the universe has a rule about 67 year-old arthritic women getting out and having fun. The rule says: You play, you pay. I used to clog dance three hours at a time, and that was only practice, just a few years ago. So, needless to say, I'm a little pissed at the universe right now.

I want to find music and dancing for New Year's Eve and I hope I don't have to pay for it again because pain is not my friend.

On a total other note, "Museum's are Murder" a short Tali Cates mystery, is being Released Jan. 7. You can check out the cover at http://www.eternalpress.ca. In the mean time, for a Tali fix, read "Privy to Murder" or "Bloody Murder." Both available at http://www.eternalpress.ca

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Tis the Season

I'm rushing in and out to wish everyone a wonderful holiday full or warm and wonderful Christmas and Yule wishes. Hope your life is full of family, fun and holiday goodies of all kinds, including holiday magic.

I'm behind on baking and still need to get Christmas Bread, Pinolis and rosettes made. Don't have a tight writing deadline at the moment, but remember, "Museums are Murder" will be out Jan. 7.

Tali and Aiden tangle with a demon and a werewolf. It will be fun with a little romance thrown in the mix.



Monday, December 22, 2008

Truth or Consequences

I just read a blog that asks:

If you could break one law without consequences, what would you do?

One answer I saw was: "Break into a high-end jewelry store and make off with some really good diamonds."

Another only wanted to break the law of gravity and fly.

What would yours be? Remember, no consequences.

Share right here, we'll never tell.

All right, in the Christmas Spirit I'll draw from the names of anyone who answers and send one person a copy of "Fairy Dust."

What happens on Inkspot, stays on Inkspot.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Old, Older, Oldest

I had another birthday. I've had way too many. They keep coming whether I want them or not. Well of course I want them, the alternative isn't too cool. I just have issues with the things that come along with them like:
1. Crepy eyelids, no I did not say creepy but that too.
2. Being old enough to remember when really old songs were #1, on vinyl 45rpm records.
3. Thinking how good someone looks for their age and finding out they are older than I am, but they look younger.
4. Knowing I'm old enough to be a great grandmother and just waiting for that shoe to drop.
5. Realizing that most agents and editors are younger than I am and would see me as way too old to write.
6. And I'm sure any fans of Fairy Dust or even Tali Cates, would be horrified to know someone old as their grandmother would write those love scenes

But, how much fun is it to be the person writing those things and enjoying it? Could I have written the books at an earlier age? I'm doing what I was meant to do and it's fun, so time to buckle down, finish Fairy Dust:Wizard and keep pushing forward. Father Time, who is he?

Speaking of him, time to look at last years goals, see what I did or didn't do and what to plan. That would include blogging more often, I've gotten slack this holiday season.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Hind Sight isn't always 20-20

I finished the galleys for "Museums are Murder." Read every word. Did you ever read something you wrote and go "Whoa, that's pretty good. Did I really write that?" Or worse, "Geez, what was I thinking? You mean I sent it to the editor like that."

Frequently, writers have problems editing themselves and sometimes go to one extreme or another. Either we are our own worst critics and totally hate everything we write, convincing ourselves that nothing we put out is good enough. That can lead to total inertia and nothing will ever be submitted.

Or, we believe anything we place on paper is golden, should never be changed and can't understand why no editor agrees with us.

I have to find that middle ground. I know my words are not golden, at least not all of them, but I don't believe they are total excrement (crap) either. So, I edit the best I can and then let go and send it out. I also have critique partners who help with the process so I don't get to fall in love with my work to the point I ignore what should be changed. They help me cut out that imagery I thought was a gem, that in reality was...well, you know.

As a writer, how do you keep your work grounded so you can see it realistically? As a reader, what do you see writers do that drives you nuts?

Monday, December 8, 2008

Decorating and etc.

Got lights up on the house. Feel better. Got galleys and must get those done. Trying to figure out where to put all the indoor decorations. I seem to have had more flat spaces to clutter up with my santas last year.

Writing time is the hardest right now with all the shopping and etc. I hit a spot in Wizard where Ande has to deal with a demon and the news she is half fae, so I'm itching to work on it and finish decorating and shopping ad infinitum.

How do you fit it on in around the holidays? That's my burning question. Do you get organized or give up until after Christmas? What about deadlines? Inquiring minds.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Christmas Blues

A little blue today, but no, I do not want to listen to Elvis and Blue Christma. But, I do miss having the same excitement about Christmas that I had as a kid and still had when my own children were little. I hate the excitement seems to have disappeared. Actually, I think it was after my husband died that I noticed the empty spot more.

Not nearly as much anticipation of Christma morning, or lights or trees. Not that I don't enjoy the lights, but the level of enthusiasm is a little off. Maybe because Karl's not here to share it, or because I'm older, or the economy or just because.

So maybe I need to work at getting some of that back. How do you put excitement and anticipation into your holiday?

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

New Cover Art


I have cover art for Museums are Murder, how fun is that. Tali Cates and Aiden Courtland encounter murder, were wolves and a cheeky demon who only wants to make a slave out of Tali. What else would you expect in Love, Texas.

"Museums are Murder" will be released January 7, 2009.

Excerpt

“This…this Azo can simply show up from some other dimension and haul me off to hell to be his slave forever and there’s nothing I can do?”

Okay, that came out more high pitched and panicky than I’d planned.

“It’s why I’m here, Tali. To protect you, show you how to find and tap into power you can use to protect yourself.”

“Well, shit. It was bad enough when I realized everything from vampires to werewolves were real. And now you’re telling me I have to learn to use the essence of magic power to protect myself from the unseen things I thought were superstition? That’s got to be the biggest pile of crap I’ve ever heard.”


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