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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.