Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Christmas gone, New Year Coming


Time to say goodbye to the candy canes, decorated trees and cute snowmen, except maybe on the east coast which is all about snow right now. The new year is almost here and we must make those goals, then make them happen.
I plan to make them simple.
Writing
Finish "Dead Fairies"
Finish "Something Old"
Personal
Exercise any way I will do consistently
Eat fewer sweets
Don't stress over those thing I can't control, which sometimes is my entire life.
Read more for fun.
That's it. That may be more than I can handle but it will be fun trying.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Food Glorious-fattening

Are you as full as I am? Did you have a wonderful holiday and make use of the license to over eat. I did. Love fresh roasted turkey, can't stand the pressed, lunch meat, processed versions of turkey, fresh or nothing. The same goes for cranberry sauce, fresh, home-made or nothing. Love it.

Finished the third chapter of my Harlequin, now working on four and trying for 300-500 words a day, so I can finish a first draft on the off chance I receive a request for a full manuscript. Enjoying the process and learning as I go. Trying to balance some medical excitement with the romance, tempered by a little kid humor.

Making progress and sometimes that's all I ask.

Reading a new Janet Evanovich, "Wicked Appetites." Deisel meets urban fantasy. Love it so far. Saw "Eat, Pray, Love" and enjoyed it even though I was jealous because I can't just take off for Italy and parts unknown. Can't I go? Pretty please.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thanks

It's almost Thanksgiving. Thanks to those who read this and to those who comment. Thanks for writing and books and the career I have through words. Books have been in my life as almost an extension of me, since I first learned to read.

I've spent a lot of time in trouble for reading, especially when I would carry a book (fiction of course) to class in third grade, high school, nursing school (the nuns hated that.) I still carry books with me everywhere, on my Kindle, read at home and on the computer.

Words, the creation and joy have been one of the defining features for me. My wish for everyone is to discover the joy of reading and maybe even writing.

Obviously my personal nano isn't moving fast but I'm almost through with the first three chapters, a biggie and now I'll attack the rest.

Monday, November 15, 2010

NANO What?






How did it get to be the 15th and I'm only 25% of the way to 50000 words? Not putting the butt on the chair enough, obviously. Truly, I'd be thrilled if I hit 50000 by the end of December. I want to finish this third chapter this week and get it off to Harlequin.




BTW, I have a blurb for "Something Old", my medical romance, posted. Check it out. Also, I'll be updating the page on medical terms and tips so you too can add the medical drama to your romances or thriller.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Must be Eight




Didn't get as much writing done as I wanted this weekend but making slow progress. As soon as I finish chapter 3, off to Harlequin and then the wait, forever. In the mean time, write on. As long as I continue to make progress, it works for me, even if its only a few words.

Anyone see the first episode of Walking Dead? It was good if you like zombies.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Day Four-Nano

Medical Mystery Saga
Very little writing done due to life interference, but even some is better than none. Will try to do more tonight. Need to focus and so much goes on between work and home, it's difficult to find that point for your mind to latch on to. Hoping for a better writing weekend and maybe some time on Friday and Sunday.
Sometimes I think I have a good handle on the story, other times I'm sure I don't. Writing out of my usual genre makes me have to work harder. I can't rely on a demon attack or magick happening to move the story along in a medical mystery and there are only so many times you can have a heart stop in one story. I actually have to make my characters work at being themselves.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Nano Madness

It's time for Nanowrimo-National Novel Writing Month. I decided to post my progress on Something Old, even though I'm not an official Nanoite. I really need to finish the first draft this month so here I go, trying to hold myself accountable.

I love writing and would love to ditch the day job, but, food on the table counts, besides I work with nice people doing good work in healthcare, so can't complain too much.

If you haven't been to the blog lately, I haven't been keeping up. Maybe I'll post more when I'm trying to meet my own, public deadline. I promise to post more, of course if I don't have readers to interact with, it's a little more difficult to write to a vacume.

Sprayed for bugs yesterday, noticed some I hadn't had before. Pests encroaching into my space. Doing coffee, loving cooler weather.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Oil It


I went to a class about infusing oils this week and was amazed at how easy it was. At least this class was.

All you need is oil (olive, canola) and any fresh herbs or spices you like. You can follow the same steps to infuse flavors into vinegar.(Use a plain vinegar.)

Take a clear bottle, put fresh herbs and spices, in a combination you would like for cooking, in the bottle.

For one bottle I used a combination of dried tomatoes, garlic, oregano and bay leaf. Filled it up with oil, a funnel is helpful if you have one, and put in the stopper.

Set the bottle on a window sill that gets sun. A west window is good. Turn the bottle over to mix the ingredients every day. In two weeks, strain the oil and store the oil in the refrigerator. I want to make a garlic, dill vinegar next I think.

I also am infusing an oil with cinnamon sticks and cloves and orange peel to use on candles to scent them. I'll let you know how that works.

For those of the magical persuasion, consider infusing an oil with salt and fresh sage to use for protection and purification.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Lets have Pun(s)

A friend's father sent these to her and I had to steal them.

Puns for Educated Minds
1.
The fattest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.
He acquired his size from too much pi.
2.
I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian .
3.
She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.
4.
A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class, because it was a weapon of math disruption.
5.
No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.
6.
A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.
7.
A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.
8.
Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.
9.
A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it.
10.
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
11.
Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
12.
Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other: 'You stay here; I'll go on a head.'
13.
I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
14.
A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab center said: 'Keep off the Grass.'
15.
The midget fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
16.
The soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.
17.
A backward poet writes inverse.
18.
In a democracy it's your vote that counts. In feudalism it's your count
that votes.
19.
When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.
20.
If you jumped off the bridge in Paris , you'd be in Seine .
21.
A vulture boards an airplane, carrying two dead raccoons. The stewardess looks at him and says, 'I'm sorry, sir, only one carrion allowed per passenger.'
22.
Two fish swim into a concrete wall. One turns to the other and says 'Dam!'
23.
Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
24.
Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says, 'I've lost my electron.' The other says 'Are you sure?' The first replies, 'Yes, I'm positive.'
25.
Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused Novocain during a root canal? His goal: transcend dental medication.
26.
There was the person who sent ten puns to friends, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Monday, July 12, 2010

Almost Time

Time to go to Colorado
Time to see friends
Time to write what I want to write
Time to draw
Time to enjoy old friends
drink wine
watch squirrels and birds
be on guard for bear visits
smell mountain air
dance
look at art
watch a chick-flick
listen to aspen
cool mornings-coffee on the deck
Time to be selfish
wait on myself
take naps
read, read, read
shop
read more.
This is my idea of vacation.
I leave on Saturday.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Balancing

Once again I find myself in a balancing act, much like those very bad ones on America's got talent, the ones that Piers immediately buzzes because they drop something. I'm dropping. I get involved in one project and immediately drop something that I should be taking care of on another one. I'm trying to keep up with nonfiction, fiction and a work related project that I have to partly do on my own time.

Fiction is fun and what I love to write, even though it's work sometimes. Nonfiction pays, enough said. Writing about diarrhea and the bugs that cause it, not so much. Then there is studying for IC Certification. A pain, but necessary. I miss the fiction, since it gets short-changed for the more immediate deadlines.


Its kind of like when you write fiction only, love the creative juices that go along with writing the first draft but hate editing, and yet you are finishing a first draft, editing another project and writing a synopsis(everyone hates that.) I should have put a whine warning at the first of this, huh?

Here I am published, on Amazon and Kindle, print books and I'm fussing about having work to do. Can I whine about the full time job? No, guess not, since a lot of people would kill for one. Getting old? Oops, the alternative ain't so great. Guess I'd just better look forward to Colorado and get it together.

What's your whine today?

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Colorado or Bust



In two weeks, this will be my view as I drive into Cuchara. Okay, minus the snow. But it will be cool and comfortable and beautiful and I can't wait. Writing and painting on the deck, my favorite things in the world. Watching deer, chipmunks, squirrels, Stellar Jays, Mountain Chickadees, too much fun.


Catching up with friends, even more fun. Us girls and gossip, wine, dine
shop, go to art shows and loung on the deck as the Hummers dive at us. We also write, plot and do other writerly stuff. I always love this time of year at my favorite place. My mind is already there. Can't I go today? Just sit on the deck and read? The very air and scent of the place renews me. I thought that sweet mountain air was just a legend, or figure of speech until I started going up into the mountains.
If you need a summer read for your stay on the deck or patio,
beach or boat, pick up your copy of "Privy to Murder" or "Bloody Murder" today on Amazon.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

True Blood


Anyone watching True Blood? Interesting developments. I like that the plots are just a little different from the books to keep you guessing a little. Still fun to watch. Bill's new Vamp girl is funny. The actor playing Pam is spot-on with her, so is Lafayette.

Working in nonfiction right now, not my fave thing since fiction is more fun but nonfiction pays better, and sometimes you have to do what you have to do while you wait...and wait...and wait...to hear from that editor, agent etc.

So, what do you do to keep yourself busy while you wait for that important call, write more, exercise, work in the garden, all of the above?

Monday, June 14, 2010

Wolves and Such



First, the winner of an ebook is Cornelia. Send your email to cshenold AT cox DOT net and let me know if you would like "Museums are Murder" or "Fairy Dust." Congratulations.


I went to lunch with my wonderful friend Sara Saint John on Saturday. (Check out her books at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Sara+Saint+John)

Anyway, we talked about writing, and family and friends and movies and all the horror stories we both love so much, ate good food and missed the friends that couldn't come. After we ate we went to her house to watch "Wolfman" on DVD.

I liked it. Emily Blount is an actress I always like, no better person for the villian than Hannibal Lector with hair. Wish the screen play had devoted a couple of pages to the relationship between Lawrence Talbot and Emily Blount, but enjoyed it. Could have used one or two touches of humor for relief, Universal used to be good at that, but not this time.

I also watched "Legion" this weekend. Loved watching Lucas Black. Haven't seen him since "Sling Blade" and "American Gothic." Accent is still there and that sweet smile of his. Angels fighting angels was interesting and the use of humans as cannon fodder. Saving the baby was a bit cliche but what can you do?

Reading the new Harry Dresden "Changes." I think it's the best one yet and I've been a big fan all along. Didn't get much writing done this weekend but hope to remedy that soon.

Also, "True Blood" season three started with a bang (or should I say fang?) last night and was Fangtastic, as was Pam in her snarky blonde way. Fun series. So, now you know how I wasted the weekend.

Monday, June 7, 2010

New Experiences-toes

No, that's not my broken toe. I thought baby toes were a better choice since they are so cute. You don't want to see my toe, or toes.

I've had a new experience. I broke/dislocated my little toe. At any rate, after I rammed it into the corner of a trunk, I looked down and saw it sticking out at a right angle to the foot. Like Jasper's claw looked when he hurt it. So, I reached down and pushed the toe back where it belonged, heard a click, taped it to the toe next to it and iced it.

The toe is now a lovely dark violet color. And, did you know you can't wear shoes comfortably with a broken toe, including flip-flops. I'm limping, and wearing black slipper with everything-a totally sex and the city fashion look-NOT! Anyone who know me is aware that I'm not a slave to fashion, but black slippers, in the summer-come on.

On to writing. I decided to finish Agatha Ann and the Shadow Curse and printed it out. I've done more on it than I thought. It should be fun. Also, study for the certification test we won't discuss and wait, wait, wait to hear from an editor, which most likely won't happen for months, if at all. Just adore the waiting game. My least favorite part of writing.

So, what's your favorite or least favorite writing task? One lucky commentator will receive an electronic copy of "Fairy Dust" or "Museums are Murder." Their choice. Include an email addy.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

The End is Coming


Earth quakes, floods, tsunami, volcano eruptions, baseball-sized hail. Is it the end of the world as we know it? Global warming must be causing it, or, is Mother Nature simply having a hissy fit because of things like the oil spill in the gulf? I'd do worse than that if I were her and you spilled oil all over me.


Our lives and careers seem to have the same ups and down sometimes. Then, we can't blame mother nature or global warming. It may be something we did or didn't do that started the down-ward spiral. What if we simply gave up and quit? Nothing good could happen then.


Writing is the same. There are those really good writing days and those where every word we put on paper sucks rocks, or seems that way to us. But guess what? Do we stop or push through? We know that book, story, poem will never be finished if we don't keep on keepin' on. So we do it. And when we finish, the product is good. We set out to make it even better.


We just have to be ready for those highs and lows in life and writing. Barrel through and see what happens. By the time you reach the end, you're on your way up again. That's were it gets good, the way up to the top. On your way, throw a mattress down so you can bounce your way back up if you slip and keep on trying.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Avatar

I finally saw Avatar and I absolutely love the cinematography and the beauty of it. Spectacular computer graphics. But, what lazy writers. I've never seen such cardboard villains. What were the writers thinking? Big bad corporate guy and the toy soldier with tunnel vision. Even I could make it more believable.

That part was so disappointing. They did good going between human and avatar bodies. The belief system was well thought out. But, they kept a good movie from becoming a great movie by turning it into a cliche. Sad.

Now, what does everyone else think? Finished Agatha Ann edits, hope I get a bite from the editor. So hope.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Kindlizing



"Museums are Murder" is now available on Kindle. Yay. I've been on Kindle Boards with promo, don't have the cover picture the right size yet, but at least I'm on. It's a start. Haven't seen much sales yet but still learning everything.

Had a great time at conference. Lori did not have a seizure! I met an agent that wants to see Agatha Ann, (I know, she says that to all the writers) but sending it anyway, at least someone will read it, maybe like it. You never know.

I signed books with friends, even sold a few. Here's a picture of Amy (middle) Sara and me (right) signing books and waiting for happy hour.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Conference


It's time for the annual OWFI conference. Always a lot of fun with writers, agents, editors and friends. Also time to see all my writer buddies, and this year, listen to Dana Stabelow talk about mystery writing. Also, a couple of Texas friends coming. We will eat, sleep and talk writing and anything else that occurs to us. And, maybe even learn things too.

Autograph party, me with posters of two of my book covers. We'll have a good time. Tell you all the gossip when I get back.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

When it Rains

Life is crazy right now. Have two non fiction projects to finish and my daughter is having daily seizures, so we are seeing new doctors right and left. She's getting injured way too many times. She hates going to so many docs and specialists and getting stitched up for split lip or head. She actually managed to crush a small bone in her wrist. Not good. Dr. hasn't seen that break before and he's a hand/wrist specialist.

The winner from the contest post is Margaret West. Marget, email me at this address and I'll send you the electronic copy of "Privy to Murder." Have fun with it.

Other news, all my books are still available on Amazon and Fictionwise. Come on down. This is a short, on deadline post, will talk more later.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Happy/Unhappy

Why is it that two small nonfiction projects (as compared to an 80,000 to 100,000 word novel, will pay more up front and with royalties than writing the fiction I love. It's the pits. Okay, I know there are people who would love to have that problem, just saying, I love fiction, that's what is fun to write, not the medical technical, infection control stuff. Whining this morning.

Weather gorgeous. Going outside to drink coffee and enjoy the sunshine, hopes that cheers me up. Daughter have more seizure issues. Have to find a neurologist who actually wants to do something to help not just throw up their hands and tell her to go to a psychiatrist for help. Continuous blunt trauma not helpful.

Conference in a couple of weeks, totally looking forward to that, writers, agents, gossip and friends. Signed up for Chisholm Trail Book Festival, should be fun and maybe sell books too. Will give a workshop and reading. Come to Duncan September. More details later.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Real Life or Reel Life

Does anyone watch reality shows, like, real ones? Not the ones with games, and winners and strategy, but the kind where cameras are showing a slice of "real life" complete with drama and interaction. People living in a house together.

What would happen if you put a writer in a reality show? Even if it were Stephen King, big household name, money the whole ball of wax. He writes horror so what kind of strange things go in in that house?

What would happen? Ghost visits? Cocktail party with famous people, party all the time? Or, nothing. Okay, he's a writers, he writes every day. The camera would show someone in front of a computer typing, or not. Gazing off into space-caption...caracterization, plotting, dialogue in head-then typing again, for hours, with breaks to drink a soda, research something, then back to staring at a computer and typing.

Where is the drama, screaming fights, enemy attacks, in the writer's head or on the paper, certainly not on the reality camera. The cameramen are asleep for God's sake. Writers do not lead glamorous lives most of the time, they just do their job and create a world to which the rest of us can escape.

I live real life, I don't need to watch it for entertainment. Anyone watch Castle this week? I want to watch something with a beginning, middle and end, plus some resolution. Or maybe just read a good book. How about you?

Friday, March 26, 2010

Heartwarming or Horrific

I saw a heartwarming story on the news today about a nanny who saved her five-year-old charge from a fire and was badly burned in the process. She essentially ran down a hallway and stairs, through a wall of fire, carrying the little boy. Talk about courage and dedication. Wow.

Now, as a writer, how could you use that same incident, but switch it around?

For you romance fans, the father could feel he owes her, pay for her medical expenses, move her into their new house, of course she has to family, and they fall in love-happy ever after.

OR

She set the fire herself, rescues the child, moves in the the father, mother and child and ends up breaking apart a family for whatever sinister motives are in her brain.

Or

The reason she was so dedicated to getting herself and the child out of the fire was the demon chasing them. She is a world class demon hunter, in hiding, pretending to be a nanny. She didn't count on being found by the demon or becoming attached to the human child.

Now, what story have you heard on the news lately that inspired you to think and plot? Share. I'm giving away a digital download of Privy to Murder, the first in the Tali Cates series, to some lucky commentator.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Lost

Yesterday my grandson boarded a plane, he's 13, bound for Oklahoma City from Houston. Diverted to Kansas. In the airport all alone and the airline said they were not responsible for him since he was thirteen and considered an"independent minor."

In the meantime, my 9 year old grand daughter boarded a plane in Oklahoma City, sat on the runway for several hours before her dad insisted she be taken off the plane to be with him until her flight could take off. Then, when her flight landed in Houston, she wasn't on it. "Oh, well try this flight?" her mother was told. No. Not on that one. "We really don't know where she is." the airline told her mother. "Just try every plane that lands. No, we can't page you because anyone could claim her, even though you would be the only one with an ID."

Hours later she finally lands. Do you really want your kids to fly alone. The airlines don't care and aren't watch the minors even when they claim to. Nuts.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Winners

I love winning. I won a gift card from Lowes, new grill I hope. How did I win? I baked cookies for a cook-off at work. Not a big deal but fun.

America loves winners, American Idol, Survivor, Apprentice. We also like to vote people off the island. Is winning so important? Some people will do anything to win, eat bugs, drink gross stuff, dislocate another contestant's shoulder (See Survivor-Heroes and Villains-First Episode.)

What is winning to you? What is winning for a writer? For me, as a writer, winning contests isn't such a big deal. Winning, for me, is writing, meeting my goal, words on the paper, the actual act of writing.

Will I feel like a winner if get published, make the best seller list. You bet. But, I will be a winner if I finish the book, do my best, own the process.

What makes you feel like a winner?

Monday, March 8, 2010

Interview Etc.

I'm a dunce as a blogger since I keep running out of time to blog. Promise to get better. Saw my grand daughter as a mouse in Cinderella, too cute. She makes a great mouse, is also a good actor, singer, dancer. Gotta love grand kids.

Jasper the poodle almost had a heart attack today when a sudden thunderstorm dumped rain on him. He was totally wet, pissed-off and freaked out. Poor baby.

Tonight I have an interview on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Whats-Hot-In-Romance/
You can also sign in and join in the chat. Come on down and join me.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Seriously Folks


If Gallo buyers don't know when they buy a fake Pinot Noir, how could consumers? Says something about the American wine drinker don't you think? Shouldn't someone been able to taste or smell the difference between a vintage and a conglmeration of different wines, like the execs at Gallo? Wouldn't they be the experts? But it was probably a good deal.

But, how often do we get caught up in frauds because something looks, sounds, seems good, but isn't? The old adage, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is, still holds true. That free cruise might just be on a ship that was junked last year, a cruise line that went out of business or doesn't even have cruises to that part of the world any longer.

And we fool ourselves into believing we really should go with that vanity press because we will make the money back, and make a profit and retire rich. We can bypass the uneccessary things like agents and editors. After all, we are great self-editors-not.

How have you fooled yourself or been fooled lately?

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Watching

I'm watching the Olympics and wishing I could do the equivelent of a gold medal with my books. But then, right now, if I don't get with the writing I won't have a new book to do anything with. I'm not a medal contender and won't be if I don't get myself back in gear.



So, how can I do that, convince that muse to come back, my hands to play the keyboard like a dulcimer or a painting, words to paint the story picture I want to share? Sheer will-power, tricks, inspirational reading.



Maybe Button, put butt on chair and write. Push through it.



How do you push through when your writing takes a nose dive instead of soaring?

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Fun Stuff

Stolen from Yasmine Galenorn-Life on the Fringe@blogspot.com

(x) Shot a gun
(X) Gone on a blind date
(X)Skipped school
(X) Watched someone die
(x )Been to Canada
(x) Been to Alaska
( ) Been to Cuba
() Been to Europe
( ) Been to Las Vegas
( ) Been to Mexico
( ) Been to Hawaii
( ) Been to Florida
(x) Been on a plane
(x) Been on a cruise ship
() Served on a jury
(X) Been lost
() Gone to Washington, DC
( ) Swam in the ocean
(X) Cried yourself to sleep (hasn't everyone?)
(x ) Played cops and robbers
(x )Played cowboys/girls and Indians
( x) Recently colored with crayons. (markers, not crayons)
(x) Sang Karaoke (and I never will)
(X) Paid for a meal with coins only
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
() Made prank phone calls
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X) Danced in the rain
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(x) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone
(X) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating
( ) Gone snow skiing
(X) Camped out under the stars
(X) Seen something so beautiful that it took your breath away?
(X) have gotten married
(x) Have Children
(X) Had a Pet
()Been skinny dipping outdoors
(x) Been fishing
(x) Been boating
(x) Been water skiing
(x) Been hiking
(x ) Been camping in a trailer/RV
() Flown in a small 4 seater airplane
( ) Flown in a glider
() Been flying in a hot air balloon
( ) Been bungee-jumping or sky-diving
(X) Gone to a drive-in movie
( ) Done something that should have killed you (a few times)
(X) Done something that you will probably regret for the rest of your life
( ) Been arrested
( ) Gone to a nude beach

1. Any nickname? Non.
2. Mother's name? Letitia Florence
3. Favorite drink? Truffle Latte
4. Piercings? ears,
5. Tattoos? Nope, chicken
6. Love your retirement? Wish I could retire.
7. Birthplace? Chicago
8. Favorite vacation spot? Cuchara, CO
9. Been to Africa ? No
10. Ever eaten just cookies for dinner? Duh! Yah.
11. Ever been on TV? Yes
12. Ever steal any traffic signs? No
13. Ever been in a car accident? Yes
14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4
15. Favorite Number? 6
16. Favorite movie? The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Practical Magic
17. Favorite holiday? Samhain.
18. Favorite dessert? Chocolate Pie or icecream.
19. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? In my own home, writing full time.
20. Last musical artist or group you listened to? Sarah McLaughlin

Monday, February 8, 2010

How it All Started

People seem to think it's a little strange for a nurse to do creative things like write, paint, play the hammered dulcimer. But, I know a lot of nurses who do just that. In fact, the more you have to deal with life and death parts of nursing, the more you need an outlet for sanity.

Having said that, I've been writing and drawing and immersing myself in music long before I was a nurse. I've been a voracious reader since around the third grade. Loved to write essays in school (other kids hated me for that one.) I wrote book reviews for the library. I listened to musicals and Irish music and continued to draw.

Eventually, as an adult I began writing non fiction articles about medical subjects, pet care, music, clog dancing, anything I could think of. I also began writing fiction. Guess what? Fiction is harder to write and much more difficult to sell. I was well published in nonfiction long before I sold my first novel.

Non fiction is straight forward. You can research, outline, write and it follows logic. In comparison it's flat easier. But fiction is more fun. You can use your imagination, bring characters and places alive, create a world. Get lost in it.

If you go into writing for the money, go for nonfiction. You get to submit directly to an editor. Agents are not involved. When you get paid, you get paid, not your agent. But for a fun, exciting, addicting career, try fiction. Just be certain you have a high tolerance for frustration. I've enjoyed having my name on a nursing text book, my essay in a Chicken Soup for the Soul book, but nothing is as thrilling to me as holding my novel in my hand.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

What Happened?


How can it be February? It was just Christmas. Now, my youngest turned 35, Imbolc came and went, Valentines day is almost here and we still have snow on the ground from last week. Craziness.

I have not managed to keep my January goal of writing 300 words a day. February is not looking too good so far. Life keeps on sneaking in ahead of writing. Maybe if I write at 10pm I'll have a better chance. At this rate, my "Dead Fairies" will be dead, gone and resurrected before the story is resolved.

It would help if I didn't feel the need to fix everything, help everyone, all those obsessive things nurse/moms do. I need to spend some time on the things I want to do. I've told myself that before. Now I need to carry through with that.

Who else out there spends more time fixing things for others than helping themselves?
Leave me a comment.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Winners of the Tali Cates Contest!!!


Winners of the Tali Cates Mystery Contest!!!


Congrats to the winners of Carol Shenold’s Tali Cates Mystery Contest!!!
Dee Owens
Owner/CEO Personalized Marketing & Promotions



Saturday, January 23, 2010

The Effect of a Short Story

Even in grade school I liked short stories. The one that stuck with me was a very short one I read in a comic book. It involved a child coming home after school, reaching her house, finding it dark when she opened the door, calling out and receiving no answer, reaching in to turn on the lights. Instead of the light switch her hand lands on a large spider. She screams, wakes up from the (wait or it) dream, still in class.

After school she laughs at herself for being silly, reaches home, a dark house and no answer when she calls out. This time when she reaches out, touches the spider, she doesn't wake up.

I never forgot the story. Never reach for a light switch in a dark room without the spider visiting me.

I graduated to Poe, Saki and other horror writers, read better crafted stories, but none of them took hold with the same intensity as the first. Of course, even before I read the horror comic, my grandmother prepped me with bed time stories about a killer in the 1940's who scattered body parts in the sewers of Chicago, or the lady who kept hat boxes on her shelf with children's heads stored in them. Both supposedly true stories. If my grandmother had been alive when mother found out about the sweet bedtime visits we had, mother would have killed her.

Now, surprise, I write horror, dark urban fantasy, paranormal mysteries, and love it as much as I loved those first tastes of the macabre. Safe scares, that's what it's all about. And placing characters in the situation of realizing the monster under the bed is real.

Come visit me at www.carolshenold.com

Saturday, January 2, 2010

New Year

It's a New Year and a New decade. So what can I accomplish by the time I hit 78?
Finish another book. Yes.
Find world peace-uh no.
Find more peace in my own life, sure, if I work at it.
Big goal for the year, finish "Dead Fairies"
Write at least 300 words a day-being realistic here. I can't do 3000 a day and work too. Just sayin'
Lose weight-rarely happens but will try to at least cut back.
So time to go write-pick up house, get ready for the kid's return and chaos to reign once again. Kind of enjoyed the peace of the blizzard and having to stay home for a while.
Did finish reading Under the Dome and loved it. Now reading Breathless, also starting out well. Keep you posted on the writing goal. Later gator.

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