Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Since writing is, by nature, a solitary profession, one thing we miss out on is having writing friends to either critique with, brainstorm with, or simply talk writing.  My best writing buddy moved to another state and I sure miss meeting with her at Starbucks or The Cotton Patch and hashing out our works in progress.

But she still does miracles by email.

On the book I'm working on (due May 1st), I was puzzling over the black moment and the suspense resolution.  I emailed her for brainstorming help, she responded with several suggestions, and after mulling them over, I think she talked me right out of my writing hole!  Very cool.  Yes, I will have to go back and insert a few more clues and change some minor details, but it's doable and workable and actually enhances the romantic climax as well (pun intended!)

So back to work I go.  Aside from an eye doctor exam tomorrow, I'm taking the day off from the day job and dedicating my day to working on this book.  I'm so close to the end!!!

Hope Springs Eternal - Monday, April 11, 2011

Finally, it feels like spring in North Texas.  Severe thunderstorms rumbled through our area last night, along with tornado watches and warnings.  It was enough to keep the weather radio going off every thirty minutes, which resulted in me and my husband not getting enough sleep.

Yawn.

But yesterday, despite having absolutely no success the last four years, we planted tomato plants.  Again.  (Note the standing water from the nearly 2 inches of rain we got in the storms!)

A nice pretty row of them.  Four or five different varieties, including cherry tomatoes.  Maybe this year, right?

I also planted a few begonias, in a token attempt to plant some flowers.  Normally, I plant a lot of flowers in both the front and the back, but this year, I just planted seven tiny plants around the water fountain.



This weekend I made my word goals, writing-wise.  I saw The Lincoln Lawyer which was very good (and had great eye-candy!).  I ate at Joe's Crab Shack (coconut shrimp, my fav!), got a massage, bought groceries, and bathed my Boxer.  Now he smells like Spring too!

All in all, a wonderful weekend.  Too bad it has to end.

Saturday April 9, 2011

You know, people often have an incorrect vision of what a writer's life is like.  Let me tell you a little about what my life is like right now.

It's Saturday.  I slept in until 8 am, drank some coffee, showered and dressed and ate breakfast.  It's beautiful, gorgeous, fabulous outside.  Sunny, breezy, warm (I think temps are supposed to be in the 80's today).  I still work the day job, so I have a bunch of stuff to do today like buy groceries, housework, bathe the dogs, etc.  I'd also like to go out and enjoy the weather and hitting the gym wouldn't hurt either.

Instead, I'm sitting at my desk in front of my computer, writing.  Why?  Because I'm under deadline and my book is due May 1st. 

Thought I'd whine here on my blog.  Because where else can I do it, right?

Back to it.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Those of you who know me, are aware that I'm not much of a plotter.  I'm more of a "eh, let's see where this takes us" type of writer.  And while I do go to contract on "blind" books, I still have to send in a synopsis of what the story will be about.

Shhh - don't tell anyone - but my synopsis is bulls**t.  (Of course, after over 20 books with them, I'm sure the publisher has figured this out by now!).  I write a synopsis, turn it in, get it approved, get paid, and then tuck it away and forget about it.  The only thing that stays the same are the two characters, the location, the time of the year, and the basic set up. 

After that, it's all to the wind...

So the book I'm working on now is due May 1st.  Right before my BIG birthday.  I've got like three chapters left to write.  I'm having to figure out how to resolve everything, including the suspense angle, and most especially the romance angle.  Yesterday, I was writing away and my hero got into a room and a place and a dog appeared (that I didn't know about) and then... the coolist thing ever happened.  My character knew why he was there and it was a plot point to move the story forward and I had no freakin' idea!  And I'm the author!  Gotta love these characters.

And this guy is so hot.  He's Pat Monahans, who is the lead singer in the band Train.  Yummy!

Back to it.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Inspiration.

As you know if you read this blog with any sort of frequency, I am on the verge of quitting the day job and becoming a full time writer.  While it is exciting, it's also scary.  I'm used to a pretty decent paycheck and not having to hesitate if I want (not need, just want) a new pair of shoes. 

However, I know someone else who is taking an even bigger leap of faith to follow his dream.  His name is Kit Martin and he is the General Manager of the gym I go to.  He has a passion - hang gliding - and has harbored a long time dream of becoming an instructor.  Like me, he is used to having a steady and pretty good paycheck.   So when he went to upstate NY to get certified as an instructor and the hang gliding school offered him a job, he faced his own decision. 

He gave notice to the gym on April 1st and his last day is the 15th.    And, while he is younger than I am and single and childless, it still can't have been easy for him to decide to give up the good money and pack all his belongings in a pickup and move clear across the country to a place he's only been to one time.   A place where he has no family or friends, just because he had the opportunity to do the kind of work he's always wanted to do.

Yet he choose to go and follow his dream.  For this, I will always remember him.  Especially when I get frightened at the prospect of trying to make a living off my own dream, which is writing.  It *is* scary to give up that regular and cushy paycheck, but I can only imagine how fulfilling it will be to finally be able to do what I regard as my life's work. 

I hope it is equally fulfilling for my friend.  Fly high, Kit.  I wish you well in pursuit of your dreams.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

I had a wonderful time at the Dreamin' in Dallas Conference.

I saw lots of writing friends, attended some great workshops, and hung out in the bar.

But most important, I got to see my agent, the wonderful Lucienne Diver

It was great to see her.

I had a wonderful Saturday night eating Mexican food with her and her clients. Many of them I've known for a long time.  Others were new friends, but they're all fun!

Good food, fabulous conversation, and lots of laughs! 

Friday, April 1, 2011

Day one of the Dreamin' in Dallas Writer's Conference.  So far, I'm having a great time.  I saw lots of old freinds, have had drinks with a few new friends, talked to some unpublished authors about writing (always fun!), talked to a man in the bar whose wife read romance but was scared to go into the book signing, so he sent me in with $25.00 to get her some books.  I've eaten dinner at a place called Potbelly's, had a few beers, made my 1000 word writing count, and saw my agent and agreed to meet her for coffee in the morning. 

Ten years ago at this very same conference, I met her for the first time.  I signed with her shortly thereafter and we've had a wonderful, 28 book partnership since.  Hats off to my wonderful agent Lucienne Diver!  I truly adore her!

And tomorrow my plans make it also a full day.  I can't wait!