Friday's Finds

TGIF -- It's Friday again. How the week flies by. We're in the process of remodeling our bathroom. My husband is quite handy and he's been stripping our very sorely in need oak cabinets down to the natural wood. It's amazing how much patience he has in making sure it's stripped, sanded, stripped, sanded. As I watch him use every tool he has in his arsenal, from razors, a newly-purchased sander, stripping solution to a wet vac and compressor, I think that his patience with his passion of building and restoring only matches my own with my writing.

I know it's a weird analogy, but it's true. While he might not be the most patient of men in general, (self-admittedly) with his craft, something he thoroughly enjoys, something he wants to take pride in when finished, he takes his time, goes through the necessary, often tedious steps, to make sure the job is done right. The outcome is usually something beautiful. Hey, he's the co-creator of our children, and they DID come out beautiful. But back to the analogy.

It's that same sense of patience we have when we write our stories. We strive to use every tool in our arsenal to get it right, and beautiful. We take our time, some things just can't be rushed. And when it's not working for us, we know it immediately and undo what isn't perfect. In a sense, we're builders too, and reshapers and restorers. We can't rush the steps or process. Some of us move faster than others, dedicate more time each day, but the end result is usually the same, if we're honest to our story -- it shows.

Well, I'm getting a new bathroom soon and I'm also getting that sense of accomplishment in finishing my story. Both are creations of the mind and heart. Both took time and patience. Both will bring a measure of pride and accomplishment. Creativity isn't exclusive to writing or art or music, but rather a universal trait that we can all find in even the smallest of things, if we look hard enough. Agree?

Thursday's Thoughts

It's getting really close to the end of my story and I'm sailing through. The ending is paramount to the success of the entire story so it is important to make sure it's going where it needs to go. For instance, tying up all loose ends is one thing that's necessary. Then you've got to go for the resolution to the external problem. I finished external problem. I'm now drawing up in my mind the blackest moment. I say that because I realize that in this book, there was one black moment already which put my heroine on guard and made her wary of the hero. But they are on even ground now and now I'm writing that gut-wrenching moment in the story and the scenes that make my hero realize what's truly at stake.

I figure I have one more chapter to go but it's probably going to be the hardest chapter to write. But I always enjoy writing the ending. True to my romantic nature, I want to see my hero/heroine happy again. Isn't that fun? We live and breathe these characters for months and struggle with them. And at the end of the book, it's time to bring them together. Who's a sucker for a good ending? Anyone out there read the ending first? I have one friend who does that and I constantly wonder why? What are your feelings when a book you love, ends?

Tuesday's Tidbits

We finally made it to a Home and Garden Show over the weekend and it was great! I couldn't believe all the wonderful displays they had, from gorgeous ponds and fountains, to kitchen set-ups to fabricated houses. Seeing those houses set up inside the convention center was amazing. And it sure gives you a good idea for decorating. We entered at least five, but there were many more. These homes were regular sized homes, the smallest being 350 square feet, (more like a motor home) and the largest being over 3000 square feet. In today's market the sticker price on these homes would get someone into a very comfortable setting at affordable prices, but you need to have your own land and make all the improvements before they'll come and set the house up for you. All in all, it was quite an eye-opener.

And for two people looking to do some remodeling, we sure found lots to chose from. We'd love to redo the kitchen and master bathroom for now and later on, set up a great BBQ station outside in our backyard. My mind's clicking away at the cost, wondering if we shouldn't just buy another house, but we love our place and love our neighborhood. And getting ideas from a home show is a lot of fun.

My husband got inspired and handy man that he is, he stripped our bathroom cabinets down to the natural oak wood. So now instead of replacing our commodes and cabinets, we're going to keep that gorgeous wood in it's natural state, which lightens up the room considerably. Tonight, I'm helping. I'll be out in the garage, gloved and ready to finish stripping the doors. Next, I would love to have him put marble tiles down. Then we'll tackle our other bathroom. After going to that home show, my Honey-Do list is growing!

Friday's Finds

How quickly the week flew by! And now it's Friday and yes I'm babysitting the kitty today. It's been a little bit of a challenge keeping the three cats separated. My two don't like each other, so one sleeps in the laundry area, the other has free reign of the house, but usually sleeps with us. BABY on the other hand slept under my bed last night and I had to wait up until she decided to come out to put her in her "designated" room. She's all set up in our exercise room. It's funny how you accomodate the different cat personalities. My Skittles won't be put out of our room, she scratches behind the door and is very persistent. So, it was a room switch late last night without either feline realizing what happened. They haven't seen each other yet, I've made sure of that. My cats are very jealous, but I'm sure that with their keen sense of smell, they know there's another animal in the house.
My job is to make sure they don't find each other!

Too bad it has to be that way. But cats definitely have personalities and mine don't like intruders. In the mean time, BABY is having fun exploring the different rooms and right now, she's again, under my bed, un-locatable.

And soon, they'll all be in their designated spots, away from each other. I'm taking a little break and going shopping! You all have a good weekend and share any cat stories you might have ... I'm a sucker for kitties.

Thursday's Thoughts

Lots of thoughts today. Mostly, I'm pleased with the way my story is developing. Yesterday I was awakened at 4:30AM when the phone rang and since I couldn't return to sleep, I began writing. I kept going until 1PM with little breaks for coffee and breakfast. When I get near the end of the book, I can't wait to finish. Every scene is etched in my head and I want to get it all down. It's a great feeling, because I'm on a roll, know where I'm going and can't wait to get there. So, yesterday was my most productive day ever. I think I wrote 20 pages. And to give you a guideline, my normal workday involves writing 5 pages a day with some editing thrown in there. All in all, it makes for one very happy writer when the story moves smoothly and every scene seems to work. The struggle for me is more in the middle chapters, keeping the pace and keeping the story interesting. In writing circles it's called the "sagging" middle. So just wondering how many writers out there, experience a sagging middle, or steamroll ahead? Anybody get the same feelings of urgency to finish the story when it gets near the end?

And today is the day I get to babysit my new grandbaby. No, don't get excited, it's not a real grandchild, but my son's kitten. He's going out of town for the weekend, and BABY is staying with us. I'm looking forward to it, but my other 2 cats already expressed their displeasure. I'll have to separate the three of them. Wouldn't want BABY to feel unwelcome. Still, though it'll be a trial having all three in the house, I'm looking forward to it. If we didn't have coyotes in the area, I'd have 10 cats and they'd live outside in our backyard. Then I'd be one of THOSE women. I can't help it. I love kittens. Anybody else out there a cat lover?

Tuesday's Tidbits

It's getting to that time in my story, when I can't wait to finish it. I hate to be away from the computer and if only my eyes, my brain and my fingers would cooperate I could steamroll ahead to the end of the story. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. But yesterday I worked five straight hours and made significant progress. Today, I have only a few hours to write and wish that I could spend more, but LIFE intrudes sometimes and our obligations come into play. Still and all, I'm happy with the story. CAROLINE'S MAN FRIDAY, is working out great. All the ducks are in a row for the HEA.(Happily Ever After)and I'm looking forward to writing those last few chapters. Usually by now, I have my next story on the brain too, but I'm on a double deadline right now, so that means I can't conjure up anything new, but have to finish my other story, so far titled SHANGHAIED GROOM. It's fun, but requires a lot of research since it's set in the 1800's in Nevada. Well, I'm off to work those few hours I can this morning. Happy writing and reading everyone ... Feel free to add your comments about working toward the end of a story. Or reading toward the end of a story and how that makes you feel.

Monday's Musings

There are highs and lows to being a writer. Believe me, all of us, even the best of us have had our share of both. But not too many things recently compared to the "high" I experienced on Saturday afternoon when I met Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Now, it might seem a bit anti-climatic, since I attended her workshop and listened to her Keynote speech in Reno at our convention, but on Saturday at our monthly Orange County Chapter meeting, I actually met her.

It was a day that was crammed with personal goings on in my life, but I didn't mind the 90 minute drive to Orange County and waiting while she was stuck in traffic. All of us, a group of over 100 eager members, waited patiently, getting minute by minute updates as to when Susan would be in the building. And when she appeared, nearly an hour late, the room broke out in applause. Wasn't her fault. The delay at LAX always inevitable but even it if was her fault, she would have still received the warmest of welcomes.

She moved quickly and gave us her an abbreviated workshop on Million Dollar Writing Tips. I'd heard most of it before in Reno, but she was in a smaller group and we were able to ask questions. I raised my hand and asked a few. And then, when she was through, she signed her newest hardback book. I met her then, told her she was my inspiration, from her first book on and that I was thrilled to meet her. I told her that I've since written 15 books and she asked for my writing name. She signed a book for me and for my friend and we spoke briefly. She's as "real" as real gets, funnier than anyone I've ever listened to, and such a sweetie.

The thrill is still with me and only readers and writers alike would know the feeling of meeting and speaking with somone whom you truly admire. It's a movie buff meeting their favotite actor or actress. It's a sports fan, meeting the SuperBowl hero. It's a music fan meeting their favorite rock star. Or pop singer. Or country artist. I once met Tim Mcgraw. He shook my hand and said hello. For those of you who know me, you know he's number one with me. And meeting SEP was that "high" all over again, but in a different, awe-inspiring, I-want-to-be-just-like-you, kind of way.

I spent the entire next day and I mean, I didn't get dressed until late afternoon, reading her newest, Match Me If You Can. I couldn't put it down. She writes with such clarity, the characters appear so real, the story flows so smoothly. She's a seat-of-your-pants kind of writer. I LOVE that about her. And she admits to having to take a long time with her books, not knowing exactly where the story is going until she gets there! I LOVE that about her too.

Today is Monday and I'll plant myself back in my computer chair. I'll get a great deal of writing done today. Her words and stories will stay with me.

I am inspired ...

Friday's Finds

It's amazing the kind of research you can pull up through the internet and books and magazines about any one related subject. As I'm writing Caroline's Man Friday, my newly contracted Desire I needed to find out pertinent things about horses and ranches. Well, since this is my area of expertise since most of my books involve those very subjects, I thought I knew quite a great deal. But in this modern day story of refurbishing Belle Star Stables to what it had once been, I found out some interesting facts about horses and horse rescues that I didn't know. For instance, and this will be in my book, horses get bored and frustrated real easily when they're not out in the pasture where they can roam. Some horses chew wood on the fences and stables. And some horses are prone to cribbing. Again a way of letting go their frustration. They suck in oxygen, making weird air sounds and then gnaw on any wood structures they can get their teeth into. Thus, destroying the surrounding wood surfaces if allowed to continue. It seems to be a big problem among stables who board horses and it's imperative that they get proper exercise and pasture time to help prevent this. Cribbing was something I'd never heard of before I started this book.

And I've also learned a great deal about horse rescues and adoptions. Apparently there's quite an extensive application process where the rescuer must supply lots of information about their capability to sustain and nurture the horse. They must give references in some instances, must agree not to sell, loan, lease or euthanize the animal at any point. And if the adoption doesn't work out, then they are obligated to return the horse. It's a good way of protecting horses, who might otherwise become neglected or abused. What I didn't know is that with some rescue sites, an adoption might occur, but the new owners, never really "own" the horse. The rescue site retains full rights on the horse. Again, I imagine another way of protecting the horses.

I love learning these little tidbits of information and though they say 80% of our research never gets into our books, for fear of sounding like a travelogue or advocate, it's always great to learn something new. Much of what doesn't go into the book stays with me. I wonder how many out there have fun doing research and find what doesn't get into the book just as fascinating as what does?

Thursday's Thoughts

It's amazing the kind of research you can pull up through the internet and books and magazines about any one related subject. As I'm writing Caroline's Man Friday, my newly contracted Desire I needed to find out pertinent things about horses and ranches. Well, since this is my area of expertise since most of my books involve those very subjects, I thought I knew quite a great deal. But in this modern day story of refurbishing Belle Star Stables to what it had once been, I found out some interesting facts about horses and horse rescues that I didn't know. For instance, and this will be in my book, horses get bored and frustrated real easily when they're not out in the pasture where they can roam. Some horses chew wood on the fences and stables. And some horses are prone to cribbing. Again a way of letting go their frustration. They suck in oxygen, making weird air sounds and then gnaw on any wood structures they can get their teeth into. Thus, destroying the surrounding wood surfaces if allowed to continue. It seems to be a big problem among stables who board horses and it's imperative that they get proper exercise and pasture time to help prevent this. Cribbing was something I'd never heard of before I started this book.

And I've also learned a great deal about horse rescues and adoptions. Apparently there's quite an extensive application process where the rescuer must supply lots of information about their capability to sustain and nurture the horse. They must give references in some instances, must agree not to sell, loan, lease or euthanize the animal at any point. And if the adoption doesn't work out, then they are obligated to return the horse. It's a good way of protecting horses, who might otherwise become neglected or abused. What I didn't know is that with some rescue sites, an adoption might occur, but the new owners, never really "own" the horse. The rescue site retains full rights on the horse. Again, I imagine another way of protecting the horses.

I love learning these little tidbits of information and though they say 80% of our research never gets into our books, for fear of sounding like a travelogue or advocate, it's always great to learn something new. Much of what doesn't go into the book stays with me. I wonder how many out there have fun doing research and find what doesn't get into the book just as fascinating as what does?

Tuesday's Tidbits

Tuesdays are my favorite days. I usually have the day to myself, with no outside work. Did I mention that I teach baby care and childbirth classes two nights a week at a local hospital and have for the past twenty years? I love the work and usually spend Monday and Thursday nights at the hospital teaching. So for me, Tuesday is more of a play day. Oh, yes, I always have some writing to do, but that's a given. And it doesn't count. By the afternoon, I'm free to do something fun if I want to, or run my errands and I'm not on a timetable for dinner either. We can eat early or late, doesn't matter. I don't have any place to be.

In the fall, my Tuesday mornings are designated for my all-girls bowling league. I've been doing that for ten years plus and will probably bowl with a cane when the time comes. It's a way for me to get together with my dearest friends and my sister for a few hours of fun. And we're good. We won first place this year!

So today is Tuesday and I've done my writing for the day. I'm having lunch at the beach with my daughter. It'll be great to get out of the 100 degree heat in the valley and of course, spending time with Nikki is always one of my favorite things to do. I'm wondering if any of you have favorite days? And how do you spend those days?

Tuesday

Monday's Musings

Some things are just not worth it! That's my take on trying to get somewhere, and a comedy of error ensues. We're in the planning stages of remodeling our kitchen, so dear hubby sees an ad for a giant home remodeling show in San Diego. Well, we hop in our car and make the trek, a good two hour drive(on an good traffic day - this was not the case with us) and find ourselves reaching our destination three hours later. Well, how hard can it be to find a huge football stadium in San Diego, Qualcomm? Seems our maps aren't too accurate, the traffic in town is horrendous and we're hungry. Very hungry. We try to stop at a mall along the way and can't find parking. Not one space in all the mall. The place was packed! No healthy eating for me that day. Okay, we resigned ourselves to junk food at the Show and proceeded on, trying to find signs leading us. When we nearly reached Sea World on Mission Bay, we knew we'd made a few wrong turns.

Now, we love San Diego. We've been there a hundred times, but the freeways intersect in ten different places, the city is divided by those intersections and I must say, though we love the town, they don't have good signs. For a place with more tourist attractions than any one city I know, the signs ... suck. There simply aren't any pointing you to main attractions. But finally, after an hour and a half of searching, fighting traffic and getting better acquainted with the freeways, we find Qualcomm! The traffic getting into the stadium is unbelievable. Don can't figure it out. Why so many for a home remodeling show? Are they giving something away? Are there that many fools, like us, driving a hundred miles for this show?

The show must be great, we decided.

As we walk into the stadium, it's odd that no one is taking tickets, but there is a security guy happy to go through my purse. And finally, when we get inside and reach the field level, much to our surprise -- it's not the home remodeling show at all, but about fifty men in Charger uniforms on the field practicing! The stadium is packed with fans!! Oh, the mystery is solved. Not such a great show after all, the white tents in the parking lot,we discovered, must be the show we traveled for three hours to see! Well, by that time, all we could do was laugh. And with our stomachs growling, it's now 2 PM and we haven't eaten since 8 AM, we decided to skip the "great" show under the white tents in the parking lot, head to OLD TOWN, my favorite spot in all of San Diego for lunch and a very large margarita.

Sometimes, you just gotta know when to give up!
And I bought a great terra cotta pot for my patio palm tree in Old Town at a very good price! So ... the day wasn't a total loss.
Guess I'm a glass-half-full, kind of girl.

Friday's Finds

What I'm FINDING this Friday is a way to put off the inevitable. I've been so busy since our Reno conference, that I haven't yet sunk my teeth into anything tangible. Isn't it hard to get going, when there are so many distractions? Not frivilous ones by any means, but when the business of writing, becomes a business and not the craft, I have to take a step back. I find that half of my time is spend on business matters now, keeping up with current trends, staying abreast, reading pertinent business related posts and articles, not to mention contacts with agents and editors.
Oh ... I miss the good old days, when all I had to do was sit down at my computer and create my special worlds, with characters I had come to love. But it is a business and only a very select few can opt for a business manager to do everything that needs doing so that the writer can do what she does best.

Don't I wish that would happen one day? How about you? Are any of you writers out there feeling the overwhelming tug of war, between business and craft? And what do you do about it?

Thursday's Thoughts

I think I'm finally fully recovered from the conference now. It's been days of work and falling into bed early, unable to keep my eyes open. But the good news is that I picked up a few new things in Reno to add to my SUMMER RAIN CONTEST ending next week. Aside from the prizes mentioned on the contest page, I'm adding a wonderful cookbook I found at our Midnight Madness Bizarre. Meals to Remember is a lovely compilation of recipes I couldn't resist. All proceeds go to the Alzheimer's Association, a charity near and dear to my heart. Along with this fabulous cookbook, a wonderful READINGEAR Bookbag is included. And some other goodies from Harlequin.

If you haven't entered SUMMER RAIN, there's still time. The contest ends August 15th!Good luck and happy reading all!

Tuesday's Tidbits

About Reno ... I would love to know what those of you who went felt was the absolute highlight of your trip to the conference. Whether published or unpubbed, what was the one or two things that stuck in your mind, and made you glad you actually spent the $$ to go?

For me, there were many memorable things, like spending time with ladies on my Hussy and Desire loop, that I hardly ever get to see. Susan Elizabeth Phillips' workshop couldn't have been more funny -- what a concept, to learn about the craft while she makes you laugh. Her workshops are always SRO. And she's worth it. I loved meeting my new editor and speaking with my past editors, all very hard-working nice ladies. And I loved seeing friends like Mary Burton, Terri Brisbin and Barbara Macauley nominated for the Rita. The ceremony was very entertaining but went way loooong. Seeing Barbara win made the day!

I know I'm forgetting some other highlights, but my brain is mush right now. And I actually have to get back to my manuscript and write! Feel free to add to my list of highlights. I'd love to know what made your conference special and worthwhile. Until tomorrow ... keep writing and reading!

Monday's Musings

Well, it was a whirlwind trip to Reno for the RWA National convention. And a fun one. I think I accomplished all I set out to do. It's amazing how much one can find to do at a national convention, from workshops, to networking with old friends from other states, to parties, receptions, more parties, and an added bonus for those of us who indulge, a bit of gambling. I want to say hello to the Wheel of Fortune machine. We sort of bonded -- that machine never let me down. But enough of that.

I have to say that there were several highlights for me. Meeting my new editor and having dinner so that we may get to know each other was definitely one. Hi, Jessica! And meeting so many of my fellow Desire and Historical authors that I hadn't before, was another plus. Sharing a room and time with my friends, Debbie and Tanya, rated high up there. And seeing my good friend Barbara Macauley win her first RITA was definitely another. The champagne flowed at our Chapter Suite after that -- all of our OCC friends celebrated Barbara's win.

Then there were the great speeches by Debbie Macomber, who made us cry and Susan Elizabeth Phillips, who made us howl with laughter. Late nights were a must, I didn't want to miss anything. I hardly slept. Hardly at all. So, today I'm going to try to get some writing done, before exhaustion kicks in. No, that's not right. I'm going to fight through the exhaustion to try to get something accomplished today.

Like Lightning hit #6 on the Waldenbooks Bestseller list. Now, that's enough inspiration to keep me plugging along. I couldn't be more pleased.
More tomorrow about Reno ...