Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Happy Halloween!

I have to take Scooter to the vet today for his yearly check-up. Of course, being Halloween and all, he's going in costume. (What kind of cat mother do you think I am?) If you can guess Scooter's costume, you'll win a hardback copy of ...

Last Rituals is an Icelandic novel of secret symbols, medieval witchcraft, and modern murder. Perfect for Halloween, don't you think?

Contest winner will be announced tomorrow, along with pictures of Scooter in his costume!

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Put Your Party Hat On!

When a bad boy grows up to be a deliciously bad man...

Tall,DarkandFilthyRichCover
Tall, Dark and Filthy Rich

By Jill Monroe
Out November 1st from Harlequin Blaze!

What would you do if you hit the jackpot?

Private investigator Jessie Huell has always eschewed girlie things for the tools of her trade. She'd swap Jimmy Choos for a nightscope any day. But when she arrives as a guest on a popular Atlanta sex show, Jessie is unexpectedly reunited with high school crush and producer Cole Crawford—multi-million dollar lottery winner, igniter of panties...and bad, bad news for her.

Now Jessie is the official spokesperson for fling-havers everywhere—Cole and Jessie are doing hot, naughty things in the very same places she swore she'd avoid. As each incredible second explodes by, Jessie finds herself in deep trouble: if she's not careful she'll break the first rule of flingdom and it'll turn serious…which means she'll have to find the real dirt on Cole Crawford...because this man's too good to be true!

What Others Are Saying About Jill Monroe

" Monroe is an author discerning romance readers will appreciate for the lack or artifice, contrivance, and cliché in her narration." from Paperbackreader.net
Contest

I didn't write the phrase panty igniter, but I have more people comment about it, so I'll go ahead and take credit. Actually, I'm hosting a contest with that phrase in mind. If you e-mail one of the color of panties mentioned in the book (and there's more than 1 to choose from) by December 31, 2007 - you'll be entered into a drawing for a $25.00 Victoria 's Secret Gift Certificate. Winner announced the first week of 2008 - good luck!

Tall, Dark and Filthy Rich can be purchased wherever Harlequins books are sold or at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and eharlequin.com

And don’t miss the blog party at Gena Showalter’s blog where we’re celebrating the release of Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night by Kresley Cole and Holidays are Hell by Marjorie Liu!

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Reasons People Stumble Upon My Blog

10 34.48% kristen
5 17.24% halloween funnies
3 10.34% vomit pumpkin
2 6.90% alan rickman blogspot
2 6.90% kristen florida erotica writer
1 3.45% angela james rejection letter
1 3.45% where to buy coconut chocolate in hawaii
1 3.45% painters that changed their name
1 3.45% buy hershey's kisses filled with cherry cordial cream
1 3.45% airtran sucks
1 3.45% kristin
1 3.45% janet reid miss snark

29 Entries = 100%
_____________________


What does this teach us? If you want more traffic to your blog, blog about me. LOL - Seriously though, discuss.

Friday, October 26, 2007

My Brain Has Betrayed Me

I have a rather active imagination. I am a writer, after all. It's what we do, this active imagining. However, there is no off switch. I wish there was. I'm mentioned this before. See, when I go to sleep, I lose control of my brain and it does whatever it wants, regardless of what I might enjoy.

Take last night for example. I dreamed...it's so hard for me to put this into words...I dreamed I was in some sort of a sad, dramatic movie. I was a Hooter's waitress (not such a stretch, I know) struggling to make ends meet to finance my way through college or dental hygienist school or something like that, in love with a widower who had some sort of degenerative bone disease as played by Tom Cruise (you do realize in real life the top of his head wouldn't pass my sternum?) Tom's son from his late wife was played by that kid from Jerry Maguire, oddly enough. This kid and his coke-bottle glasses came into Hooter's to tell me his father was in the hospital. His bones were crumbling. Cue dramatic music and tears.

Um...I don't even like Mr. Crazy Couch Jumping, Aliens-Among-Us, I Know Everything There Is To Know About Postpartum Depression. I'd actually prefer to squash him like a bug. And yet, my brain decides to play fast and lose with my dreams and that's where he ends up. Gag.

Is there any hope for me? Will my brain continue to torture me this way? Stay tuned for the next episode of..."The Brain That Dreamed Too Much!"

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Please Turn Off Your Cellphones

Hotrod and I plan to see a movie today or tomorrow, but honestly, nothing that's showing is really grabbing us. Have you been to see anything good lately?

In other news, I'm reading Peter Dunne's Emotional Structure and it's pretty good. If I were the highlighting type, I'd be highlighting big sections of every page. It's infinitely quotable. A group of Romance Diva members are reading this book and we plan to start discussing it on Nov. 1st. If you're interested, there's still time to read it!

And lastly, today is the first "cool" day we've had in Florida. I think it's about 69 degrees. I spent this morning opening up the house to let fresh air in. SO nice! This is my idea of fall. lol
What's new with you?

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Should I? Or Shouldn't I?

I have a workshop idea for Nationals and the clock on getting that submitted is ticking. I was gungho on doing this, but now I'm not sure. Should I submit it or not? Here's the general blurb:


Romancing The Stones: Using the history, mystery and mythology of gemstones and jewelry to make your stories shine.

What do you think? Would you attend that workshop? Give me your honest opinion! I'd hate to submit something, get it accepted, then have zero attendance. Ugh. Help!

Monday, October 22, 2007

And The Winner Is...

Ciar Cullen! Send me your mailing address at kristen (at) romancedivas (dot) com and I'll get your book out to you!
Congrats!! And thanks to everyone who played. It was hard to chose. There were so many good ones!

Friday, October 19, 2007

Happy Friday!

For all of you cat owners (or those of you owned by cats), wouldn't this be a handy sign to have? Just drop it over the offending mess until a more convenient time for clean-up arrives. Sweet! Add that to my Christmas list.

Thanks to everyone who commented on my blog post at the Knight Agency blog yesterday! Much appreciated.
I'm off to my chapter's retreat this weekend, so y'all will have to amuse yourselves. One of the ways you can do that is entering my caption contest a few posts below. Go ahead, it's fun!
Have a great weekend!

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Shout Out!

I'm blogging at the Knight Agency blog today - stop by and say hi, would ya? I wouldn't my agent to think I'm a loser. *wink*

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Caption Contest!

The best caption for this photo of Max (also known as Omniscient Cat) will win a copy of:

Supernatural seduction from the bestselling author of Touched by Darkness.

Since a brutal attack on her sister eleven years ago, Marla Reynolds has been emotionally frozen. But the passion of one man-a member of an ancient superhuman race-could melt her defenses.

This is a great series by Cathering Spangler - you won't be disappointed! Captions must be in by Sunday night. I'll announce the winner Monday morning! Get your thinking cogs oiled up!

Monday, October 15, 2007

Things You Can't Live Without

It's Monday. We need a little nonsense, don't you think? There's plenty of time for serious tomorrow. Enjoy!
1. How To Get Along With Boys Book - There's also one on how to get along with girls, but honestly, who would really need that?

2. Bacon-flavored Mints - Now that's fresh breath!

3. Giant Ear - never be accused of not listening again.

4. The Illustrated Librarian Tattoos - I'm especially fond of the one that says, "Born To Read."

5. Librarian Action Figure - you can't have 4 without 5. Really.

6. Albino Bowler Action Figure - I'm thinking he'd make a great date for the Librarian.

7. Sushi Bandages - When doesn't slapping raw fish on a wound make it feel better?
8. How To Keep Your Husband Apron - Perfect for the bride, don't you think?
9. Cowboy Boot Sideburns - Perfect for making an impression at your next writer's conference.
10. Itty Bitty Rubber Chickens - Seriously, 144 of them for $35? How can you say no?

Friday, October 12, 2007

Now I Know Why They Mow Lawns

Living where we do in Florida, we have a plethora of wildlife that hangs out around our house. Lizards, turtles, the occasional gator and a variety of bird life that would make Audubon jealous - roseate spoonbills, golden hawks, herons, even a bald eagle once. Among this group is perhaps our most frequent and dear visitors, the sandhill cranes.

They have become so comfortable with Hotrod that they eat out of his hand. I've started calling him "the bird whisperer" - funny, aren't I?

Anyway, when he's away, which is often, they barely tolerate my presence when I bring them seed, eyeing me like I'm somehow responsible for Hotrod's absence. Usually I end up dumping the seed, then going inside to watch them. Yesterday as I was doing this, our next door neighbor's yard guys stopped their mowing and edging for a moment.

The edger pointed at the sandhills and proudly proclaimed (with great seriousness and wonder) to the guy on the mower, "Look! Pterodactyls!"

Um...I think even the sandhills started laughing.

Alan Rickman? Not So Much

You may recall some time ago, right after Nationals actually, I did a little blog experiment where I posted pictures of Alan Rickman, along with the copious use of his name in an attempt to draw more hits on my blog. (You know, this one that you're reading right now.)


Alas, it didn't really have an noticeable effect. (That's right, Alan Rickman, hang your head in shame.)However, there is another name and mention that does with consistant results. Are you ready?

Lord of the Fading Lands by C.L. Wilson and Lady of Light and Shadows by C.L. Wilson.

I consistantly get multiple hits for those search strings. Can't say as I blame the searchers...those are probably the best books that will be released this year.
So now that you know the secret to generating more blog hits, try it and see for yourself. I'd love to hear your results.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

A Rose By Any Other Name Could Just Be A Waitress In Jersey

If you ordered something called a Hot Fudge Sunday, and the waitress brought you liver and onions, you'd probably be a little upset, no? Spam sandwich instead of a cheesesteak sub - not so good.

Just like with character names, you have certain expectations based on what something or someone is called. A hot fudge sundae should be delicious ice cream, gooey warm fudge sauce, a ruffled swirl of whipped cream and a cherry. A man named Luc Ravenheart should probably not be an accountant. A woman named Mary Elizabeth Flanigan should probably not be a trained assassin.

Exceptions exist in every part of life, but I think you get my drift.

Sometimes names come to me, and the character comes with it - backstory, appearance, goals, motivation - the whole package. Usually my main characters come to me this way. Occasionally, they are the impetus for the entire book.

My secondary characters rarely come through so clearly. For them, I have to do research. I like names that have some sort of meaning to them that matches the character's purpose. Do you do this? Where do your character names come from? Do you change names midbook? Do you need to really know your characters before you find a name that fits? Talk to me.

That Was Way Too Much Work...


I spent last night in a nearly 6 hour meeting assigning judges to my chapter's contest entries - not alone, mind you, there were five of us working on this project.

Once the judges were assigned (no easy task considering the delta between the # of entries and the # of judges), we went about separating the entries into piles to be mailed. Ugh. My kitchen counter is now covered with other people's work, waiting to be packaged and mailed.

I cannot explain to you what a brain drain last night was. How do I recover? All those numbers! I think most of you know I am NOT a numbers girl. Is it possible for too much thinking to make your brain swell? That's how my head feels today.

How do you recharge your brain?

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Halloween Funnies

These come courtesy of the ever-fabulous Marley Gibson. Enjoy!





Which one is your favorite? Personally, I like the pumpkin couple. lol

Sunday, October 07, 2007

A New "Must Read" - With Feel Good Benefits!

This is one of those books that deserves a big NY publisher, but because the setting is maybe a little different, the storyline so real, the characters are bigger and grittier - it's just a little too "out of the box" for NY. So, this is your chance to get a hold of it - it goes on sale Tuesday at Freya's Bower. Babe King is a tremendous writer. And I'm not just saying that because I'm one of her critique partners. It's the reason I'm one of her critique partners. If that's not enough, she's donating half the profit from this book to Gran's Van, an organization that helps feed the homeless. Really, with all that going for this book, what have you got to lose?



This hunky youth worker is NOT what the doctor ordered.

Dr. Jaclyn Donnel will fight anything to fix the inefficient health care system that let her father die. When charismatic youth worker, Sam Allen's expensive new rescue program threatens her under-funded ER, they're bound to butt heads.

Sam knows first hand that the only way out of the gutter is a hand up. He's determined to save Tasmania's street kids, regardless of cost and the sexy, headstrong doctor opposing him, until one youth demands a price even Sam won’t pay -- Jaclyn's life.

They may not save the world, but they might just save each other.

Between the Gutter and the Sky received 5 champagne flutes from Cocktail Reviews!!! “A thrilling finale gets the heart pumping and the tummy doing flip-flops.”

On Sale October 9th at Freya's Bower!! Read Excerpt Website

Friday, October 05, 2007

Omniscient Cat Says:

I'm watching you today, I just want you to know that. So you better: get those pages written, stop slacking off, finally send that query in, polish that synopsis, enter that contest, clean off that desk, get that blog posted, figure out that GMC, find some motivation, send in those revisions, answer that email, make that scene work, ditch that unnecessary POV, learn where commas go, adjust your formatting and rethink your TSTL characters.

Meanwhile, I'll be napping...

Thursday, October 04, 2007

A Place For Everything...

I'm not the most organized person. I readily admit that. In fact, my agent recently mentioned to me the possibility of keeping track of some things via spreadsheet. I told her spreadsheets and I were like gum and hair - best kept separate.

I do make attempts at organization. In a way, I guess you could say I have my own version of organization. For instance, I keep a file that holds all my publisher correspondence from before I had an agent (all of that is email now) - that file contains both rejections and requests. I don't feel the need to divide them up. I have a stack of things I know need looking at (and about once a month, I go through it whether or not I like it) and I have another stack (small one) for stuff that I want to throw away, but don't feel like I can just yet.

My desk drawers hold things like software CDs, envelopes, business card files, and a bag of lovely dried lavender a friend sent me. Somehow, in my mind, it all works.

I have several friends who are mistresses of the spreadsheet and command the powers of the color-coordinated filing system like they were born to it. Me, not so much. Is there hope for me? Are you born organized or can you learn it? Does the pain ever go away?

How do you organize?

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Synesthesia

According to that fount of info, Wikipedia, Synesthesia is "a neurologically based phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway." If you watched House last night, you already know what I'm talking about. Boiled down it's seeing sound or hearing colors. The picture I've included is how someone with synesthesia might see written letters and numbers.


Why do you care, you ask? I'll tell you why. (You knew I would.) Synesthesia can make for some interesting writing, when applied with a little deft. It can create some truly memorable descriptions. A synesthetic metaphor is a metaphor that suggests a similarity between experiences in different senses. Ex: Macy's offered a buffet of clothes.

Examples: A loud shirt, a bubbling-hot stench, shadows brushed her skin like feathers, damp morning light, the dark red scent of blood
See what I mean? Think of how you can use this in your own writing to increase the impact of your descriptions. Try to come up with your own examples - post them in the comments if you do, I'd love to hear them!

Huh?

This is what I feel like today. It's raining (been raining since around 4 PM yesterday afternoon) and gray and just altogether one of those icky days. Lara Santiago and I are supposed to do something today, like lunch, but I think I will have to use my powers of persuasion to lure her to my home instead. Then I won't have to go out. I could make a lovely basil Parmesan orzo for lunch. It's actually a super easy dish and so comforting on a day like this.
Of course, the real reason she and I are getting together is because I insisted she read C.L. Wilson's Lord of the Fading Lands and now she's completely jonesing for the sequel, Lady of Light and Shadows (which I managed to snag an ARC of). And with good reason. Lady may actually be better than the first book in this series - which is staggering, because LOTFL is an AMAZING book. Best of all, it's out now!
I got a signed copy of LOTFL when I was at the M&M conference. It's going on my keeper shelf. Where it belongs. Have you bought a copy yet? What are you waiting for? You will NOT be disappointed.