Outtake, from a work in progress

"Seriously?" he said.  "Now?  You're asking me this now?"

"I like her," Abe said.  "She's a good girl.  Hell, she's a great girl.  And I want to know what you're--"

Luca caught Abe's wrist and bent down, nose to nose and eye to eye.  "I pay you not to ask that question," he said, grinding the words out between his teeth and squeezing Abe's arm so hard he could feel the bone's shift.  "I pay you very well not to ask that question."

The old man winced, but he didn't back down.  "I just don't want to see her get hurt."

"Then don't look."

Another Saturday

And here we are. I've got the makeup on! As if you couldn't tell. And I'm heading out for dinner with a couple of writer friends.

Last night was the night of no sleep. This morning I tried to make up for it, but it hasn't really worked. Lost sleep? Can never be regained. You just have to let it go . . .

data dump

Today was my first day back in the office after the big WRW retreat. I had a FABulous time. I got to room with Deborah, which was really nice because I don't always get to do that. And you know how it is when you find the best roommate ever? Yeah.

I met with two agents and got two requests for partials.

And had a fabulous time. And it made me think about how much I'm going to miss being able to go to RWA this year.

I have a good reason for not going. A very good reason. But it's still going to be weird.

I have so much to do and I don't do it.

I wish I could just take a week off and work on my house. It's a hell hole right now but I'm tired and I can't take the time off from work.

I have a good reason for not taking time off. A very good reason.

But my house needs me. I feel scattered and unfocused and if could clear some of this crap out I'd feel better.

I want to feel better. Focused and clear and unscattered.

That's what I want.

Just wanted to say.

The Author Guy

Last night, my friend Deborah and I ventured out to see Christopher Moore. I've been a fan of his since I read his first book, Practical Demonkeeping.

Deborah's been a fan since I let her listen to part of the audio version of Fool.

I love all of Mr. Moore's books. But my particular favorite is A Dirty Job.

Last night someone asked if he was thinking about writing a sequel to A Dirty Job and he said: Yes!

Which is good. Because the last we saw of Charlie Asher, he was trapped in the body of a stuffed squirrel.

I write because I'm a fan girl.

I love being a fan girl!

Take My Picture

I don't usually wear makeup. Which is a shame—because I always forget how much fun it is putting it on—like painting. Like playing around. Don't like it? Wash it off.

I guess that answers that, hmm? The reason I don't wear makeup very often. Who feels like playing at 5:30 in the morning? Not me.

But we're going out for dinner tonight, so: Look, Ma! Lip gloss! And mascara!


And funny faces in the web cam . . .

And this is how my Saturday looks. I slept in this morning and it was DELICIOUS. I mean, I didn't have to set my alarm. No alarm! It was great. I stayed in bed until I didn't want to anymore. There's luxury for you.

I read a little, and plan to read some more. I'm on a Blaze kick.

Last night I started Leslie Kelly's Slow Hands and finished it this morning. Fun! Love the humor in her writing. Then I started Jill Shalvis's Storm Watch. Again, love the humor.

Both of these authors have very unique voices and are fast reads. They suck me in and keep me in the story.

Reading (like putting on makeup) is another thing I don't do nearly often enough . . .

So here's to more of both!

It's a Numbers Game

A couple of weeks ago, I posted to The Rockville 8 about Getting In the Game.  I was certain that my not being able to go to the big conference this year was a guaranteed win for me.

Shows what I know . . .

I didn't final in the Golden Heart (aka The Playoffs).  So now I have to wonder.  If my book didn't make the finals in the biggest of all big contests, how will it fare on an agent's desk?

I'm not saying that this will keep me from querying with this book.  I'm just saying it Gives Me Pause.

Because it is—as the title of this post says—a numbers game.  And here are a few of mine . . .

I'm 47 years old.  I've been writing since the 4th grade and finished 3 full first drafts.  I've entered the Golden Heart contest 4 times.  I've won the Marlene contest 2 times, the Launching A Star contest 1 time, and  tied for 1st in the Golden Pen contest 1 time.

But wait!  There's more!

I work 8.5 hours a day, 5 days a week.  I spend 1 hour getting ready and 1.75 hours total on the road every work day.  I sleep 6 or 6.5 hours a night.

Theoretically, that leaves 6.25 hours every weekday for everything else.

Theoretically, I could easily spend 2 hours a day every workday writing.  And I could write 2 books a year, with 2 hours a day, 5 days a week plus whatever extra hours I get in on the weekend.

And if I could FIND that 2 frickin' hours a day, I WOULD.

So if you see them, you know, out and about—my two hours—please send them home.

Thanks.

In the meantime . . . I'm going to finish this revision.  And start querying agents.  And write a proposal for the next YA book, so that I can get back to the paranormal romance I set aside to work on the first YA.


But that would be a lot easier if I could find that 2 hours a day . . .



 

blogger in draft?

Cool? Not cool? Soon to decide . . .