Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Hummer, baby!


Here are the pics from our night out on the town in our big ol' yellow Hummer! We had a blast. I had everyone around us teary-eyed when the managers walked out with two vases of my favorite pink tulips. My hubby is the man. Thank you, sweetie!!!!














Busy, busy, little bee....

Daaaannnng. How do they do it? I checked the blog and realized I hadn't posted in a week. I've got 3-4 contests coming up, pretty quick actually. My local chapter pitch is in a couple of weeks. Did I tell you I'm starting to get nauseous??? I'm not sure if I can do this one-on-one thing. And I've got 2, back-to-back pitches. Ugh.

Do you think it'll scare 'em off if I'm puking in the corner trash can? I also have a dinner the night before where we *mingle*.

Oh, man.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Magical Musings

Hey guys, Magical Musings blog has quickly become a favorite for me. They often have industry professionals as guest bloggers. Lately they've been having agents and editors offering advice and information about their agency or submission guidelines.

Today's guest blogger is Jennifer Schober of Spencerhill Associates, Ltd.

It's a great way to ask any questions you might have. Check them out!!

Magical Musings

Happy writing!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Tag

My buddy Melissa Beck, aka Mel ;), has tagged me on her blog.

There are rules to the game of tag here. Share 6 unimportant things about myself, and then link back to Mel's blog and others' and to post the rules on here. So here goes:

1...I LOVE pink tulips. I don't think it's just the flower that I love...when I see them available in the stores, it signals how close we are to Spring. I'm usually pretty sick of winter by then.

2...I was one of only two girl drummers in our junior high band.

3...I LOVE a nice, juicy steak cooked medium rare. I think I woke up hungry today.

4...I'm starting to feel short. That's not something I ever thought was possible. I'm 5'7 and have always been considered tall for a girl. Most of my friends are shorter and I like to tease them as much as they do me. But my hubby is 6'3 or 6'4. My oldest is 14 and eye level with me and my 5 yo is already 4'. The doctor has predicted our baby boy will be as tall as his daddy...maybe 6'5. It's kinda cool cause I can almost think I'm petite when I'm with them.

5...I love to work outside with flowers or a garden. I can't have much where we're at in town, but I've got grand plans for when we move out onto our land.

6...I love horses. When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of owning them. When we had our house in the country before mom got sick, we bought a line back Dun. She was absolutely gorgeous. But mean as hell and we had to sell her back to the previous owner. What pissed us off was when he took her back, he said he'd probably have to sell her to a rodeo because she was so mean.

Okay...if you guys have time to play along...have fun!

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Workin' it out...

So you know, I thought I had a breakthrough and actually got my chapter finished. No. It sucked. And I know why...I hope. But the key is ~ I was writing and not staring at the screen. I sent my chapter out and a wonderful friend lovingly told me it sucked. I needed that. I reread it and it sucked. It's snore boring. Have you ever read a book and hit parts where you just kinda skimmed? I don't want people to skim. I want the reader to fly through the pages and forget the time. Don't we all. *sigh* I felt I'd lost my confidence.

After IM'ing a crit partner until almost 2 am this morning...THANKS RAE!!!...I have a direction. I need to focus on the romance and not so much on telling the story. Yes, I need to increase the conflict but I need to let my characters react to the conflict. They'll tell the story.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

On the fence...

We were talking recently about career investments, whether it be by methods or with money. Of course I want to fast track my writing career and start my publishing journey as an author...but I don't think I'm really ready when it comes to making a big time money investment. I want soooo badly to go to San Francisco this year to the RWA Nationals. But WOW!! The conference fees are $425 (for early bird registration), hotel room minimum cost per night is $309...per night!!! And airfare is showing up at about $500 if I were to book today.

Now...I know there's a possibility I could find a roommate to cut down on room costs, but WOW. I don't think my writing abilities are worth making a $1500 investment at this point. So...it looks like I may be waiting for something a little closer. I'd also looked into going to Chicago for a chapter conference, but same thing...hotel and airfare will eat me alive.

Did I ever tell you guys what a tight-wad I am?? I'd rather put that money toward building our house. That's also a lifetime investment. And if I'm going to spend that kind of money...I kinda need a guaranteed return on my investment. I know eventually it'll lead to a contract, but WOW. I think I'll have to find a cheaper route.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Tag...

I owe someone for a tag...maybe, Jennifer? Okay. It was supposed to be something like 8 things about myself. What about 10? An author from eHarlequin, Samantha Hunter found a fun way to get to know people...here's her blog post on eHarlequin. You may have to register if you're not already a member. Feel free to skip a question if offensive to you.

Samantha Hunter Blog - eHarlequin

I love watching "Inside the Actor's Studio", and so I found these questions online and thought it would be fun to post them here and see what people had to say. They originally come from the French series, "Bouillon de Culture" hosted by Bernard Pivot, but they're the ones James Lipton asks all of his famous guests on TAS. So... give them a shot, and use brief, one-word answers as much as possible, and asterisks where necessary to avoid saying anything offensive. ;)


1...What is your favorite word? Contract
2...What is your least favorite word? Cancer
3...What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Unconditional love. Or good music.
4...What turns you off? Self-centered arrogance.
5...What is your favorite curse word? F*ck
6...What sound or noise do you love? My babies laughing.
7...What sound or noise do you hate? People eating with their mouth open...smacking. Or...forks scraping on a plate.
8...What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? DEA Agent or Psychiatrist
9...What profession would you not like to do? Executioner or bill collector.
10..If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at thePearly Gates? Sit down, shut-up and enjoy the ride.

Monday, February 04, 2008

*Rant Warning*

Be warned...I'm in one of my moods, girls! Super Tuesday is almost upon us. I believe strongly in voting because I believe my voice counts. If ya don't vote...don't bitch. I haven't made a decision yet...on candidate or party. I'm not ranting to piss anyone off - just want you to open your eyes and really KNOW who you're voting for. Regardless of who it is. Hopefully this election won't be a battle about race, gender and religion. One of the candidates has even brought age into it. Okay...that said.

I vote for the person, not the party. But - my beliefs run along Republican values. I believe in less government, less social programs and less taxes. If you don't work, you don't pay taxes - you shouldn't get a tax refund. I want our elderly, disabled and vets taken care of...don't get me wrong. But I was a single mom and worked my butt off working two jobs. I also went back to college as a single mom and racked up a crapload of debt...but I did it. I did it without welfare. My Mom was a single mom with two kids, no child support and she worked her butt off. Without welfare. We were broke. I remember eating alot of macaroni and cheese, bologna sandwiches and home-grown veggies. I don't use it to make anyone feel sorry for me...I know what it means to me. I DO NOT believe in socialized medicine, pork-barrel programs that silently get slipped into a bill as if being sold for a vote (or grants to see why spiders eat flies) or welfare. I've seen too many people living off the system while the gap spreads wider...you're either rich or poor. I've seen too many people on welfare while wearing designer clothes and eating a hell of alot better than my family. Too many people not getting married because it would cut off their benefits...so they keep having babies. It's not a gender or race thing, it's a people thing. Too many are willing to cheat a system instead of working hard.

Everyone has a plan to fix the government. All I'm asking is to give everyone the same opportunities. Yeah, it sucks to work my/hubby's butt off and have the government quadruple tax us. It sucks that stupid, careless people can sue because they spilled hot coffee on their lap. I know a guy, union labor, working for a big plant here in OK. He has been off work for 3 YEARS because he hurt his knee playing softball. He's still playing softball, he's still getting a full paycheck. It's a morality thing.

We're taxed when we make our money, and when we spend it. I think if you're taxed when you make the money, you shouldn't be penalized because you sacrifice and invest it. We're taxed on anything we sell...even though we were taxed on the income, taxed when we bought it...we're taxed if we try to get a dollar back at a stupid garage sale. We're even taxed on the toilet paper we wipe our butts with. Sorry. But one of the politicians said that if we work, we shouldn't be poor. I applaud that vision...but then they went on to say they would support all types of social programs. Uh...where are ya gonna get the money for those programs? It's a no brainer that the whole system needs an emergency make-over.

I think if a company is making record, billion dollar profits...they shouldn't be able to raise the cost of a product because of supply and demand, or get huge tax breaks. People are having to sell wedding rings and window air-conditioning units so they can drive to work. I don't think we should have to pay someone to do our taxes because it's too hard and confusing to read the directions...and a simple tax return with three write-offs takes 20 pages of forms. My hubby is working in a foreign country...and still has to stay out of the country 330 days before it's considered foreign income. He can't come home on one of his R&R's because we'd have to pay taxes on his foreign income. And because it's foreign income...we can't qualify for any tax write-offs but yet anything over $85K is taxable. His income isn't tax-free, we are paying social security and everything besides federal. But someone can sit on their butt, not work...and get free healthcare and a tax refund.

I'm sorry to be so crude. I'm sorry to ramble. But...I've been watching too many politicians lately and it really pisses me off when they "accidentally" point out what the opponent is saying wrong. Who cares...I don't care what you think you're going to do when you're in office...tell me how in the hell you're going to fix it. Don't just talk to the crowd and say something you think a crowd wants to hear. It's very difficult to believe any politician during an election year. I don't care what star power is behind you. I don't vote race or gender. I vote proven experience. I think if you run with dogs and reap the benefits, you share the same fleas. I want this war over as much as anyone else...but don't tell me you're going to pull the troops out on your first day of office. It isn't physically possible. If our troops pulled out today, it would be mass genocide for the people left behind. Talk to the military. We have, personally. They believe in what they're doing. Of course everyone wants them safe and to come home alive, but they joined the military for a reason. Don't join just for the school money if you don't believe in war. I don't agree with how we got there. But I'm sorry...Bush did not single-handedly send the troops. Did you know that an illegal immigrant can find work, get a credit card, bank account, mortgage and driver's license? Legally. Do you realize they get free health care and education? Your tax dollars pay for it. How hard do you, did you, or does your spouse work for that money?

I agree our country is in trouble. But tell me HOW you're going to fix it...not what you think you're going to do. Too vague and easy. I can't vote for someone just because they have star power behind them...when you tell one crowd something and speak to another...and change the speech to fit the crowd - I'm not stupid or deaf.

I believe in our freedom. Freedom to decide...your opinion counts, just as much as mine does. That freedom wasn't free. We fought for it. Please don't take it lightly. Really look at your candidate. Look at their experience...voting record...family life...family history. Not charisma, not - who likes you. It matters. Your vote matters. Open your eyes and your mind. Just because a politician can speak the loudest and weave the words we "want" to hear...doesn't mean they can do the job. And yes, religion does matter to me. I can't vote for someone that doesn't believe in the very foundation and bible this country was founded on. Who am I going to vote for tomorrow? I'm not sure.

Focus...

I'm sorry...I've been slacking on my posts. But it's for a good reason, I've been working. Problem is - on too many things. I've had several great storylines pop into my head lately with all of the upcoming opportunities. So this week I've got to concentrate. I took the kiddos to school and I've checked my buddies blogs...and that's it. I've got to get my chapter finished on my Supers revisions. Then I've decided to try a paranormal. Nothing gory or over-the-top, just something with a light Native American mysticism.

Oh...and crits. Trying to work on being a better crit partner. I absolutely love to read my partners WIP's, just need to make it my second in line of priorities. As for my TBR pile...it's about to collapse. *sigh* Oh, well.

I've tried a schedule, but it never fails to fall apart. It's like God is laughing when I attempt something besides chaos. I think I almost work better under pressure. Anyhoo. I have until March.