Thursday, November 27, 2014

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Holidays...

Joy or stress?

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?

Sometimes it's anticipated and sometimes it's dreaded, depending on your experience. For those looking forward to it, I hope it's all you envision. For those dreading it, plan something special for you, including an exit strategy if necessary. 

Remember you are of worth and God loves you. He never promised to spare you difficulties in life, but He has promised to never abandon you. Granted, there are times when it's difficult to recognize He's near.

May you be blessed.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

7/7/7 Game on FB...

Gail R. Delaney started the game, and I decided to join in.

I'm playing the 7/7/7 game. Anyone who wants to play, can. I'm not tagging anyone.
Go to the 7th page of your current WIP, 7th line, and copy/paste 7 sentences...

From Faith's Labor, Holiday USA series, rough draft:
 
She nodded again. "They blame me. They're right. There's no one to blame but me. My choices, not theirs."

He leaned back and crossed his arms, glanced down, and uncrossed his arms. The self-conscious action tickled a place near her heart.

"I--" He opened his mouth again, but nothing came out.

She smiled, a mix of amusement and sorrow struggling for supremacy. "How much do you know?"

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

What I write...

I'm endeavoring to open up about who I am and what I write. It isn't easy. I've spent my life protecting myself. Letting down my guard does not come naturally. I want to be a better person. I need to change. This is one step.

I watched bits and pieces of a few movies this past weekend. They weren't worth watching. I caught the segments I did because I was channel surfing. Both movies, filmed decades apart, portrayed the men as jerks and after only one thing. The women were stupid and after only one thing. One was after the physical relationship and didn't care who gave it to them, and the other was after the emotional relationship and didn't care who gave it to them.

Neither portrayal is true. More importantly, neither portrayal is healthy.

Are there men and women like that? Of course. The reason stereotyping works is because it fits on the surface. Dip below the surface, and everything changes.

I don't write the typical romance novel. I don't enjoy reading the novels that portray men or women as stupid or jerks. For the record, it does provide conflict, but it isn't one I enjoy reading. There have been authors I loved in the beginning of their career and stopped reading as their work evolved. It's all right to not like books that others love.

For me, a huge factor is how emotionally/mentally healthy are the characters. As an abuse survivor, I do not want or need more examples of unhealthy relationships. I have those down pat, already. It's no fun to read a book where I keep thinking, "These characters need counseling, now."

I endeavor to write characters who are flawed but are also learning to be healthier.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Coming sales...

As you plan for your shopping in the coming weeks consider adding a conference to your wish list.

http://arizonadreaminevent.com/

In case you don't want to click on the link:

May 29-31, 2015 at the Embassy Suites in Paradise Valley/Scottsdale

(The link has a link to the hotel.)

There will be 27 authors of various genres of romance for you to speed-meet. You'll be given the opportunity to choose 8 author book clubs, with 9 other readers, for 30-minute sessions. You'll be able to have lunch with individual authors. On Saturday evening, you'll choose one author with whom to share dinner at the "Dress Like Your Favorite Character" costume.

Hmmm... I need to decide on my costume. Decisions. Decisions.

On Friday night, there's the Dreamin' Dollars auction and Live entertainment. Lots of laughs.

A bookstore is provided, offering the work of the authors participating.

The "Man of Our Dreams" cover model competition is fun.

Raffle baskets, with 100% of the proceeds going to charity.

Free Goody Bags and Arizona Dreamin' t-shirts for everyone. I'll be picking up my third.

If you've any questions, please feel free to email me (address in the left hand column) or contact me on FB.

You can buy the ticket and attend the conference without staying at the hotel, or stay at the hotel and participate as much or as little as you like. It's a lovely location.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Veterans Day

Remembrance Day for the neighbors to the north and across the pond, as well as down under.

Thank you to all who serve. Because you served, I'm allowed the freedoms promised in the symbol of our country. Thank you to the families who support and love them. God bless.


Saturday, November 8, 2014

Sharing Links...

Diane Gaston has been sharing a bit of her adventure to England this fall...
http://www.riskyregencies.com/2014/10/27/horse-guards/

Writers In The Storm shared a post on Point of View, otherwise known as POV. My first manuscript required a major overhaul when a couple of judges in a contest pointed out my difficulty. I hadn't been able to see it myself. I still stumble a bit, but I'm improving.
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/10/diving-deep-into-deep-point-of-view/

WITS also shared some good ideas for decluttering your cyber life:
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/11/nesting-for-writers/

May you be blessed.



Thursday, November 6, 2014

Distraction from editing...

Wings to Fly is on the table for editing, so here's Saturday morning's sunrise:



Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Last Saturday...

Over at the Historical Romance Network, they asked we share pictures of ourselves reading a favorite romance novel...

I attempted to choose one, but of course, one thing led to another. Elizabeth Mansfield introduced me to Historical Romance, more particularly to Regency. Then a friend gave me Diane Gaston's "The Mysterious Miss M." I bought all her books, and Amazon suggested Ann Gracie's Perfect series and Elizabeth Rolls... And one thing led to another. #FallBackinTime Me in front of my favorite eatery. My writer's block always disappears at Pcroissant.


A better picture of the books, with my aromatherapy dog. :-)